Popped my 29er/Single Speed Cherry

Actually popped quite a few cherries last night:

1. Single Speed
2. 29er
3. Riding Rigid
4. Clipless pedals
5. Sub 40lb bike


It was amazing! And I don't think I will ever ride geary again! OMG, it was f'ing fantastic! This dog can freakin' hunt. Took the Q Ball to a popular ride spot called Mianus (also affectionately knows as My Anus) last night and had a blast! Great accelleration, climbs like a horny mountain goat and rolls over the gnarliest, rockiest, rootiest rock gardens. I chickened out a few times but plowed through quite a bit as well as my confidence built up. Single Speed totally rocks! I know understand why so many people try SS don't go back. Acceleration is so smooth! Of course clipless helps immensely and its a good thing I decided to wear all my armor this evening because I went down quite a few times. If it wasn't for the armor I would be bleeding from all over the place.

I especially love how I don't have to prepare to be in the right gear when hitting a climb. In fact, initially my fingers were reaching of for shifters a couple of times. I climbed just about everything, and the climbs that I had to walk, I started them, either unclipped in time or didn't and went down hard a few times.Being fully rigid was a unique exerience as well. Makes one think about where you are headed. I can see adding some suspension up front, but not much, though. Just enough to take the edge off. I can't wait to ride my Q Ball some more, especially on my local trails. Not sure I want ride my 40lb Giant AC any more.

So, here is my $1400 Bottle Opener!

More shots of the Q Ball

I got pedals!

I put Shimano PD-545s on the Q Ball because I wanted the ability to feel comfortable riding unclipped and besides the CrankBrothers Mallet C/Ms, these seemed to be the best pedal for that use. I thought the Mallets were too wide, by the way. Taking the Q Ball in for a few minor adjustments to the braking and chain, and I think I am going to replace the 20t rear cog with a 22t.

Still haven't found a replacement seatpost and saddle for the Trail-a-bike, yet. There is a guy on Bustedspoke who is still trying to get me pictures of his two seat posts, but by the time that is all transacted and done I probably won't see that item until next week. If I go with Performance Bike, Jenson, or Nashbar, and get 2nd day delivery, I will have the items by Friday.

Bar Ends

The other day I posted a question on one of my favorite forums to get an idea on how people feel about bar ends. Most people were strongly against mainly because they are of the freeriding/hucking mindset who believe bar ends are really for hooking onto small sapplings as you ride down the trail. I would say somewhere in the neighborhood of 50% to 60% of all the 29ers that I have seen, especially the single speeds, all have bar ends.

I ordered a pair of Ritchey WCS bar ends from REI and they came yesterday. Quick to install. At first I was a little apprehensive about putting them on because they weren't the COMP style from Ritchey but then I remembered why I didn't get those - weight! These were 100 grams lighter and yet they still felt heavy. I guess they have to be in order to hold one's weight focused at this point.

Sort of tried them out by coasting a bit on the bike (still don't have pedals) and I can see how they will help climbing. Can't wait to try them out for real. Another week to go on the DL. I will post up a picture later.

Here is my Q Ball

Brown delivered at 12:40 PM! After unpacking it, called Scott and he walked me through putting it together and here it is. No pedals because I just ordered them from my LBS and they should be in next week - but I still can't ride on account of my surgery. I am waiting the full three weeks because there is still some discomfort down there that I don't want to risk and wind up not being able to ride for even a longer period of time. So, a ride report to follow in the near future.

Oh, did I mention how lite this bike is? It is so lite that when I picked it up I couldn't believe I was picking up a bike! Awesome.

I built a nice holder for the Q Ball in the garage last night. God, I love them big wheels and I can't wait to start riding them! C'mon guys, heal! Heeeeeeaaaalllll!