2010 NEMBAfest: MisfitPycles diSSent

For quite some time, I have been thinking about getting a diSSent.  In fact, the other frame I was considering before I got the Dillinger was this very frame, the diSSent.  The one thing that has attracted me the most is the sliding drops.  At NEMBAfest, I finally got a chance to try one out and even though it was set up gearie, I am sold on the diSSent.  Likin' Bikin', an LBS from Alton, NH had a few diSSents onhand to demo.  The single speed version was too small but the owner Daniel said to try it geared just to get a feel for the bike and that was the best move.

Despite not being used to riding with gears and an unfamiliar cockpit the first thing I noticed about this frame was how good it felt.  19" frame with a 100mm stem and felt right at home.  It was really light but then again, it had some pretty primo parts on it that contributed to the lack of weight, for gearie bike.  In comparing the geometry between the Dillinger (20") and the diSSent (19.4"), they are almost identical but for some reason the diSSent felt much better.  I wonder if it might be the fact that it's 6061 Al vs 7005 Al on the Dillinger and bent top tube which increases the head tube angle by a degree over the Dillinger.

All I know is that after riding the diSSent I now need one!  The bike was really tight and felt really smooth.  Now, to figure out how to get one. 

2010 NEMBAFest: CTNEMBA's Single Speed Sunday

CT NEMBA led a ride on Sunday morning.  We originally started out with seven riders, 4 single speeders, and three gearies but after the first climb the gearies broke off because one person in that group of three couldn't even stay ahead of me as the sweeper.  At that point the ride turned into a Single Speed only ride.  Prior to riding the new section of trail we picked up a kid who got left behind from his group (that was smart).  He rode with us until we caught up with that group.

Kyerra took a header on the new trail.  Combination of too much speed and an unimproved trail meant she couldn't make one corner and went OTB.  She was fine but here brake lever needed to be straightened.

Pictured above is Rich.  Second time out on a single speed and he was killing it.  He did have a little mishap at the end of the ride where he fell down for stop.  Kind of embarrassing.

Ride map

2010 NEMBAFest: 29er Porn

There were quite a few 29ers at this year's NEMBA fest, including quite a few demos but I got a few shots of the big wheeled bikes.  I love the color scheme on this Niner Rip9.  That is one hawt bike!

This is the first time I have seen a MisfitPyscles diSSent in the flesh and it's an awesome looking bike.  This was the guy who was on the ride with us on Saturday riding a 32:25 with a full face helmet on.

The ride leader for Saturday's Intermediate Ride was on a beautiful black Siren, rigid.  Bear Brook State Park was great for riding rigid.

2010 NEMBAfest: The morning after

Campgrounds were great.  Perfect location, too.  Bathrooms and showers were just one site over.  Only drawback on the showers is that you have to feed quarters into a timer.  It was pretty cold Saturday night, my guess was in the upper 30s but I slept perfectly in my 1981 Cannondale Qualofil sleeping bag.  Yes, that's right Cannondale made camping equipment before they started making bikes and I have had one their sleeping bags since high school.  It's rated to 10 degrees and I slept like a baby.

Apparently, the entire camp ground was filled with mountain bikers.  I think next year, if I can swing it, I am going to come up for two nights and bring the monster crosser and spend a day riding all the dirt roads.

2010 NEMBAfest: Saturday Night Live

photo courtesy of Philip Keyes

What do you do after a hard day of riding?  Recharge with a Growler of BBC's Steel Rail Pale Ale and then get ready of the night ride!

photo courtesy of Philip Keyes

And they're off!

Kathy was the ride leader for the Novice Night Ride at an intermediate pace

There must have been 10 to 15 riders in this group and there were many stops in order to wait for the stragglers to catch up

The more advanced ride finally caught up to us and passed on the trail in the vicinity of the escarpment trail

Not sure this really qualifies as a mechanical because all he needed was air in his rear tire but didn't have a flat.  However, there was one person who lost his lights.  I think the battery went out on him.  Fortunately, someone had a back up light for him.

We rode some of the same trail that we rode earlier in the day, however, our ride leader who is from the area took us on trails that she knew making it really fun.