18 January 2012 - 7:09The Trundleraptor Lives!
Finally, after a two week build process, I have finished the assembly of the Trundleraptor. That is what I have decided to name this bike. I ended up having to order a crankset for a Moonlander, and substituted the spindle with one for a Pugsley. Somehow, I managed to make it all work the first time. Only a couple more months of winter, and I want to put some miles on this beast.
it's trundle-icious!
The result is a pretty fun machine, and one that I can’t wait to get all snowy. Amazingliy enough, after a brutal few days well below zero, it has started raining here. I’m not afeared though, this ought to help the snow pack down a bit for when it gets cold and stays that way during the day, which should be later in the week. My parking lot test ride was enough to let me know that the components will work well. The Nates seem to have a very tenacious grip, even on the icy pavement. They almost sounded like a studded car tire as they rolled along. I think they will do just fine on trail.
trundle-tastic even
The build out is as follows:
Large Pugs frame and fork, King headset, DT 370/Surly 135mm front hub laced to Rolling darryls with DT SuperComp spokes, Surly Nate tires, Thomson seatpost and stem, Ritchey 10D crabon flat bars, Avid Elixir CR brakes (185/160 rotors), Ergon GE1 grips, WTB Vigo saddle, Jagwire Rip Cord cables and housing, X-9 trigger shifters and mid cage rear derailleur, Shimano SLX E-type front derailleur, Surly Mr Whirly double offset cranks w/22-36 rings, 11-34 cassette, and my vintage KORE DH flat pedals that are about 15 years old.
All together, this bike comes in at an impressive 34.6lbs. I’ve got a flask cage on it for “warming” drinks, and I’ve also added a couple of Knog Frog silicone LED lights on the front for marker lights, and a Knog Beetle blinky on the back for a little extra visibility.
Now I get to learn about what to wear while using one of these machines. I have a pile of old softshell jackets and pants from my days as an apparel brand manager, which will hopefully come in handy. I’m very much looking forward to this process.
2 Comments » | Tags: Bike 29 Equipment, snow, Trails
18 Jan 2012 - 9:25
you are sitting on Vigo?
http://files.redux.com/images/f4a6ade8956d97056c3ca0ca8af6188c/raw
19 Jan 2012 - 5:29
I just got a Pugsley at Christmas, great fun to continue riding into the cold. It’s the stock build with large marge rims with larry front and endomorph rear. I’ve gone for a few rides including just after the last snow fall. In 3-4″ of snow the bike rides great, once you start getting to 6″+ of non-packed snow not so much, not that I was expecting it to be able to float over fluff. I’d be interested to hear if the Nates would work a little better in slightly deeper snow. The rolling darryls with cut outs are probably lighter than the large marge rims too, bet they make a good combo.