rock

guessing, folks prefer Giant Anthem 29ers? http://www.nojavanha.com/media/2013/04/yawn2.jpg

Soma B-Side build thread in the 'build projects' forum.......

Before I started I only had pedals and a saddle, personal items that get shifted from one bike to another, didn't take too long that red doesn't go well with awwwwrange, so thanks to another Hub supporting online shop, some orange favoured candy...

Being a fan of 170mm cranks I was lucky to spot these in the classifieds.....

Awwwwwwwrange........

as requested

ta-daa!

Ok, lets open that box....

Dream specs included, a steel frame, sliding drop outs, 44mm headtube for a little futureproof-ness, low standover height, TT at least 580mm long and 650b wheels...... This ticked all the boxes. Parts would be chosen with heart and not head, each piece has to 'fit', not just by price (although there is a serious budget) or the best there is out there, just has to be parts that would feel at home on a bike like this, silly example, SLX brakes would be the obvious choice for value vs. performance but to me it just wouldn't work, this time round. Weird I know. Rigid vs. suspension fork is still in the air..... No brainers include a Thomson seatpost.....

Ok, so I've been skinny wheeling it for over a year now, cince I sold my Niner EMD9, there was a brief off road comeback mid last year that lasted all of about 4 rides.... The time has come back to get back to what I have been doing since 1992. A new bike needed to be something to inspire me and furthermore needed to validate my need to part with my beloved Cyclocross bike which I'm pleased to say found a new home with a fellow Hubber..... So, having dabbled with a few SS bikes before, starting with a converted Trek in 2009 and then a dedicated SS in the form of a GT peace (26er) I though this would be a good way to go.....but it needed to have the option of gears down the line for when I've had enough of pushing up hills...... So where to start, with a dream list of 'wants' in terms of features the frame should have I stumbled upon a little gem on the interweb, it would be my first 'medium' sized bike......having only ever bought a size smalls, so to go with a medium sized frame, what better than medium sized wheels..... Courtesy of the US Postal service this arrived a couple weeks back...

Giantense http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/vintage-retro-classic/376001d1215896559-official-john-tomac-picture-thread-tomacs-giant.jpg

just like Minnaar won his first world champs on... http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/intense/399444d1223672539-old-skool-intense-rides-older-better-haro_dhr_red_600.jpg

Mongtense.......how man bikes were actually Intenese bikes back in the day? I remember Iron Horse had riders racing Intense Uzzi frames... http://www.mauimountainbiking.com/toby.jpg

they just release a pic of his new Enduro set up.....awesome! http://rideline.ru/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/mongoose_brian_lopes.jpg

I know this has been touched on before, but Nino wearing XCO stripes - the Epic not a XCM?

where's Fancypants Rabon?

hhmmmmm.......shimano......schwalbe.......rock shox........makes sense.

I just bought Elixirs.......yesterday!!.......

Chainline is different on 3 ring crank to a 2 ring crank,

ideally to get the spacing right you want a 2 ring crank, keep you shifter it will work fine.

as was mentioned on twitter - just won MSR with a "wonky potty" (this is worse than doping)

oh my.....

great to see some local riders not placing the epic as the epicenter (see what I did there ) of the MTB universe......good results, especially from Candice.....

that would be an OEM crank from Sram, as far as I know pretty much the same as XO.........