Category: Bikes

So i was resisting the temptation to weenie out, but it appears that Chops’ influence is too great.

I needed new discs anyway and so i grabbed Ashimas from Pushys cheaply to both fulfil the new disc part of the equation, and to shed a few grams:

[img]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/35966-2/20140804-204700-iPhone_001.JPG[/img]

Had a spare 160mm front IS adapter lying around too so i got 140mm for the rear to see how it would go:

[img]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/35961-2/20140804-204700-iPhone.JPG[/img]

Now 10.5kg.

Since im now living in Melbourne, and the closest trails (Yarra and Lysterfield) just dont warrant a 6″ trail bike all the time, i decided to build up an XC oriented hard tail, rather than nicking my wife’s Yukon or trying to XC on a DJ/4X bike.

Built this up on a tight budget:

[img]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/35916-2/20140726-163000-iPhone.JPG[/img]

Its an absolute hoot, pretty light, rolls well, jumps reasonably and can climb better than I can.

Specs:
2006/07ish Giant XTC3 frame
Fox 32 100mm CTD Evo
Jetblack Rocket wheelset (High Roller & Larsen TT)
M770 XT drivetrain bar the SLX shifters
M615 Deore brakes
Giant composite bars, Crankbros Iodine 1 stem, JB Lockon grips.

Pretty basic build really, but has come in under $500 with some judicious Farkin trawling, and picking up various bits around the country. Wasnt really trying to make a light build either, but it weighs in at 10.7kg with the M540 pedals and cheapo Airwave tubes. Could be lighter if i weeny out, but dont think i can really be bothered too much.
Its an enjoyable bike for my first XC hard tail, and should be good fun to come.

Here are all the bits which went on the bike in that vid:

[img]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27676-2/IMG_2576.jpg[/img]

[IMG]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27679-2/IMG_2578.jpg[/IMG]
Recoil chainguide

[IMG]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27682-2/IMG_2582.jpg[/IMG]
4 gears for a nice straight chainline in gating gear (16T)

[IMG]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27685-2/IMG_2584.jpg[/IMG]
140mm Jetblack rotor, only 67g

[IMG]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27688-2/IMG_2586.jpg[/IMG]
Carbona jockey wheels to replace the plastic ones which were thrashed out. 17g the pair

[IMG]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27691-2/IMG_2587.jpg[/IMG]
Larsen TT for a bit of arse end grip without being super heavy…

Thats about it for now, have to get out there and keep riding it now. It only needs a longer derallieur stop bolt…

Hones came in on Tuesday, fitted them up and its lovely. Lighter than the Hussys.

Updated Pictures:
[IMG]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27629-1/IMG_2383.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27632-1/IMG_2384.jpg[/IMG]

Hanging scales shipped today, so ill have a weight for her soon.

Well the hanging scales arrived today, not quite as light as i had hoped to be honest:

[IMG]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27635-1/IMG_2502.JPG[/IMG]

And thats while its SSed, im planning on putting gears back on her.

Suggestions on weightloss programs?

Let the weight weeny begin.

Firstly, out with the heavy old saddle that has cracked rails:

[img]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27643-2/25032009049.jpg[/img]

And in with a 238g Selle Italia Initiale which i had lying around (ergh photo corrupted)

Next up is the seatpost.

[img]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27648-2/25032009050.jpg[/img]

This old sucker has actually narrowed around the middle which means that it constantly slips down in the tube nomatter how tight the clamp is. Time to meet the pipe cutter:

[img]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27660-2/25032009053.jpg[/img]

Thats about it for now, not really going too overboard for now 🙂 But out of curiosity i weighed the mech and shifter:

[img]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27652-2/25032009051.jpg[/img]

[img]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27656-2/25032009052.jpg[/img]

And i will replace the seatclamp which is pretty busted as well:

[img]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27664-2/25032009055.jpg[/img]

Sofar a weight saving of a touch over 350g for a total added cost of $0. Plus it gives me a chance to play with my new toys, the scales. Primarily bought for matching engine pistons, they obviously have other uses 🙂

I got a new toy today, and not one which will relieve any of my weight weenie tendencies:

[img]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27639-2/IMG_2503.JPG[/img]

That said the Reign is a bit lighter than i was expecting, i was expecting over the 16kg mark.

Got an order in from Toronto Cycles with a bit of bling.
[IMG]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27667-2/IMG_2571.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27670-2/IMG_2574.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27673-2/IMG_2575.jpg[/IMG]

One of the jockey wheels was already flogged out, and with the stock plastic ones being about the same price which Toronto Cycles charge for those bling ones i figured why not.
$4 for some bolts as well…. woot

Went for a ride yesterday:

[img]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27699-1/Image106.jpg[/img]

Kinda wet. Hoping it will be dry in Canb mid year…

Since my “going down quickly” orientated [url=http://www.farkin.net/forums/showthread.php?p=1624233#post1624233]Reign[/url] is pretty much finished, i have put together most of the bits which were left over and built up my old YZ0 frame into a DJ bike

[IMG]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27629-1/IMG_2383.jpg[/IMG]

Spec List:
Frame: 2006 Scott Voltage YZ0
Forks: 2007 RockShox Pike 409s
Wheels: Mavic EX721s laced to XT rear and Aireal front w. DMR single speed kit and TN 14t cog
Tires: Maxis Lopes Bling Bling front, and Kenda NPJ rear.
Cranks: Shimano Hones
Pedals: Wellgo MG1s
Brakes: Avid Juicy3 6″ rotors
Bar/Stem: Azonic PDW w. Amoeba Borla, JetBlack grips.

Going to have to weigh it soon, but it feels nice and light with the EX721s.

Biggest problem atm is that im having issues with the 6″ rotor on the front, since ive only ever used 8″ there. With a 6″ the spokes are clipping the caliper. 😮

Other Photos:

[img]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27575-1/IMG_2298.jpg[/img]

[IMG]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27632-1/IMG_2384.jpg[/IMG]

Picked up another couple of little goodies for the bike yesterday:

[img]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27554-1/IMG_0089.JPG[/img]

Going for a red theme, so im thinking red Token chainring/taco bolts, red ODI lockrings, red Straitline barends, a pair of red JetBlack jockey wheels, and a red Salsa quick release collar.

Anyone think of anything else in there that would looks spiffy?

Well after much frustration, fitting, and refitting, over and over again, as well as a little work with the angle grinder. This is the result:

[img]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27590-2/IMG_2316.JPG[/img]

Bike Bling

[img]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27596-2/IMG_2324.jpg[/img]

A little while ago i was chatting to a mate about his weight weeny aspirations and how he was building up a new Anthem Advance carbony thing, and would be selling off his 2006 Reign 1.
I said that i wouldnt mind having a squiz and probably helping him sell of some of the parts if i wanted the frame.

I then spent another month or so trying to convince myself that i didnt need a dually again and i was happy with my hardtail.
Anyway everything fell into place and suddenly i was put in the sticky situation of explaining to the missus that i had just bought another bike.

Oh and now i have this frame and wheels sitting in my garage:

[img]http://mcm.smugmug.com/photos/405237625_FPitG-XL.jpg[/img]

I then fully intended on not spending any money until i got back from overseas, until some kind soul advertised a set of Codes on here for what i considered a bargain (and he did too), so they are currently being shipped to me.

Everything else off that bike has been sold and im intending on building up the Reign using components off my current bike:

[img]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27379-1/IMG_0516.JPG[/img]

My current spec list for the Reign looks like this:
Frame: Giant Reign 1
Shock: Fox Float RP23 7.825×2.25″
Forks: Fox Vanilla 36 or RockShox Lyrik
Wheels: 2005/2006 DeeMax
Brakes: Avid Codes w. Red Straitline levers 203/185mm rotors
Cranks: Shimano Hone
Pedals: Wellgo MG1
Chain Device: E13 LG-1 (doesnt officially fit, may change in the end)
Chainring: E13 38T
Stem: DaBomb Fuse
Bars: Titec 700mm 25.4
Grips: Oury lockons
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra
Cassette: Shimano Ultegra 25-11
Shifter: Shimano XT w/o display
Tyres: Maxxis Minion/Highroller combo

Im currently trying to decide on a colour scheme. Red appeals to me, and the Straitlines coming are red, so i was considering picking up some red lockrings for the grips, and red chainring bolts and heatshrinking the brakelines with red heatshrink for a bit of bling. Still not sure on that one though.

The real casualty in all of this is my Scott YZ0 pictured above, which will no longer be my do it all bike. Its being relegated to purely DJ and maybe some light DH duties.
Its likely spec list will be:

Frame: 2006 Scott Voltage YZ0
Forks: 2007 RockShox Pike 409s
Wheels: Mavic EX721s laced to XT rear and Aireal front w. Dabomb single speed kit and TN 14t cog
Cranks: Truvativ Husselfelt
Brakes: Avid Juicy3 6″ rotors
Bar/Stem: Azonic PDW w. Amoeba Borla, JetBlack grips.

Pretty simple on the YZ0 front, and it should be a pretty burly little DJ bike. Hopefully it wont be overly heavy either. Will probably need a tensioner of some sort though, thinking just the Simple Tension Seeker or similar.

What do people think of those suggested spec lists? Ideas? Which forks should i get on the Reign?

Got home today and my wife had taken delivery of these during the day:

[img]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27538-1/IMG_0048.JPG[/img]

1.1kg for those plus the packaging, so not the lightest setup in the world, but should stop well enough 🙂

Oh and a quick happy snap of the Reign in its current habitat

[img]http://gallery2.plebeians.net/d/27547-1/IMG_0051.JPG[/img]