17 April 2012 - 7:08Race Ready

before

I guess we shall see right? I mean… I’ve been riding, “training“, making a dilligent effort to not suck on my bike. I’ve even upped the ante and made a few changes to Rambo’s set up for Singlespeedapalooza/summer. Let’s call it updating. Gone are the OG white Arch rims, they have been replaced with the new Stan’s Arch EX in black (lighter, 510g vs 450g each rim). This means 120g less rotational weight, which I don’t have to remind you means that it will pedal a POUND lighter (rotational weight =x4). And the rims are wider. My tires seem really big now, will follow up with the measurement after they sit overnight. Result, leaner machine.

lighter, wider, faster?

And also I have removed the rigid crabon fjork, and have replaced it with a new SID XX. I opted not to go with the World Cup edition, I heard that the crabon crown was a bit flexy under 200lb+ fat asses like me, and let’s face it, I could skip a meal if I was that concerned with such a paltry weight savings. I sold my last bump taker, a Reba XX at the end of last year, and have been without since. My time on the Spot Brand Rocker enlightened me that having a QR15 in addition to something that takes bumps makes things more amazerful. Stiffness, precision, all super good things. And now I have a SID XX bump taker, and in it’s uncut form, weighed a mere 3.7lbs, .2 lighter than the Reba it replaced. It’s actually my very first SID. I’m actually tearing up a bit as I type this… Right out of the box, this thing feels fantastic. Seems preposterous that such a flyweight piece of equipment can work for a lardass like me, but initial parking lot tomfoolery points to good results. I havent been able to glean any additional gems about this fork, but the stanchions are a different color than the Reba. It almost reminds me of the old Slippery Silver coating the SIDs used to have in the days of yore. There is no doubt that secret sauce is standard equipment in this new fork. It is plush, feels bottomless, and the remote lock out really locks out. Holy crap! I’m happy.

less ounce for the bounce

I still have a little bit of time to get used to the new machine, but I’m not taking it on my local trails. I’m worried about screwing my knee up before SSAP, for reasons I’ll talk about after. I am not changing the gearing, it stays 34/19 for those that are counting. I’ll get some more base miles on it in it’s new form, and hopefully get it in the woods for a turn or two before having to take it into battle. But, here it is, 22.3 as pictured. Not too shabby.

after