On the Spot: Headset

Starting Weight:  2268 gr (5lbs)

Let the building begin!  Picked up the frame from the LBS Friday after work and after I liberated the Manitou Minute from the diSSent I got the Spot in the stand. 

This is going to be my first build where I am really paying attention to weight.  The steel frame is a weight weenie's nightmare to start because it's going to be at least a pound or two heavier than aluminum so I'll be paying particular attention elsewhere. 

I love riding steel bikes and this will be my second geared bike in this category.  I have great hopes that this is going to be my #1 choice in the stable.

FSA Orbit Headset 99g (0.22 lbs)

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Total Weight:  2367g (5.22 lbs)

Reversal of Fork...tune

Supposedly, the Fox F29 and the Manitou Minute come in about the same weight, 3.78 pounds, however the Fox is just a little bit longer than the Manitou.  In fact, I might even have the 120mm version but I am not entirely sure.  When I test rode the diSSent 2 years ago, it was set up as 1x9 with a SRAM X0 drive train and a 120mm Reba U-Turn, so I know the diSSent can handle it.  The irony is that this frame is great for gears I really don't like it as SS bike.  I think my problem is that I bought the large when I should have bought the XL.  The bent top tube compacts the cockpit so I don't feel stretched out like I do on my other bikes so running it geared seems like the best option for me.

I have tried the Fox on the Kona, which was good, didn't like it on the Qball, so now it's time to try it on the diSSent.  I didn't like it on the Qball because it raised the head tube up higher than I like and threw the geometry off.  Eventually, I might even try it on the Spot.

Installation was easy but the one thing that I had not realized was the the steering tube a lot shorter than the Manitou and all I needed was two thin spacers.

The fork looks great but after reviewing Fox's manual I need to change the routing of the front brake cable to the inside of the fork.

Quick test ride in the driveway felt really good and it seems that this fork is going to be really good on this bike.  Now, I have to find some time to really test it out.

Day Two: Getting the Kona Unit ready

I enlisted my youngest son Thursday evening to help me clean my bikes because they were dirty.  I think I have been ignoring them because I can't ride and working on them earlier in my recovery probably would have had an upsetting effect upon me.  

The task was to liberate the Fox F29 form from the Kona in preparation for the Spot Longboard.  The Spot is at the LBS getting the headset installed, which is the one thing I won't do myself because I don't have the tools.  I prefer to have things like that and derailleurs done by the experts at the Bicycle Center in Brookfield, CT.

The Carver Carbon Fiber Fork looks hawt and there is a tremendous weight difference, too.  The Kona is ready to roll now.

So many bikes to choose from and not enough time to ride.  The stable currently stands at 6 bikes now.

1. The Kona Unit, SSer
2. Misfit diSSent, 1x9
3. Qball Monstercross, SSer
4. Bianchi, 1x6
5. Ross Riviera Fixed Gear Conversion
6. Burley Rock and Roll Tandem

Going to have to get serious about selling the Ross but first I think I need to change the bars again.  It either needs real mustache, bullhorn, or flats.

Monstercross

It's time to start riding again!

The Sole Cyclist

Here is the third leg of my ride a couple of weeks ago in very frigid temperatures.

First things, first.

The other day Brown Santa (aka UPS) dropped off the last item needed for the Spot build, an X9 Trigger shifter.  I wanted to go 1x10 seeing that I couldn't sell the Ross I had to settle for a 1x9.  Before I can start the build, there are few things I have to take care of first.

The Soul Cycles fork that I put on the Monster Cross has been bothering me and I decided to go back to the QStick.  The SC fork is good 50mm higher at the crown than the QStick and I felt that it was throwing the geometry off.  I am tempted to try SC fork on the Kona.  

Next thing on the to do list is to put the Carver Carbon fork back on the Kona because I will be using the Fox F29 on the Spot.  It's also time to start riding again.  I have been missing all this wonderful riding weather because two weeks ago I over did it but going hiking (geocaching) the day after riding.  I have been taking it easy but now it's time to get back in the saddle.