I use bicycling for exercise, since I don't get enough of that. I figured the fun aspect will keep me in the saddle long after I would get bored with a rowing machine or stair climber. And running? Blech. Free weights? Ick. This is the way to go.
Call me a wrench sped, but I like my speedometers (cyclometers) to be accurate. I calibrated all of my bikes' speedos by measuring the outside circumference of the front tire and entering that number into the speedo. My circumference measurement was done with the tire inflated to a known pressure, with me on the bike, and rolling the bike on a concrete surface. I found that this level of precision was completely unnessesary. So I guess I am a sped after all.
My bikes have no more packs, pumps, or water bottle holders on them. I have gone to the Light Side, where all my tools, spares, etc. are kept in the same backpack as my water sack. I stopped using the Blackburn Hydrasak because of its low tool storage capacity and the fact that the zippered closures were designed to be used by someone with E.T.'s hands. Now I have a cheapo, but functional, pack from Outfitters Expedition. It has a lousy water bladder that holds about a liter and a half of water. Still, I can't complain too much; the thing works.
I was hoping to compete in DORC races, but that didn't happen. I need to get a little reconstructive surgery on my separated shoulder. (I had a real nice crash that messed me up pretty good but left the bike just fine.) Dupage Cyclery is no longer a DORC sponser, so I don't know where to find them on the web.
I have two '98 Giant MCM D-suspension bicycles, models 980 and 990. This is a cabon fiber full suspension cross country design. It uses light weight frame material and has a four-link rear suspension. Unfortunately, the rear axle is on the lower control arm, so the whole rest of the suspension design is just fluff compared to that one fact.
The 990 has both compression and rebound adjustments for each end. This is my favorite bicycle in the world -- for now. All XT everything, RS (blech) Judy XL in front and Super Deluxe in back. This one is currently wearing Bontrager ST2 tires. I had Time ATAC pedals but didn't like the feel, so SPDs went back on. Plus, even the carbon ATACs were heavy.
My 980 has been outfitted with all XT Rapidfire stuff to replace the SRAM 9.0 Gripshifters and 9.0 rear mech. I hated giving up the SRAM stuff, particularly the ultra-smooth rear mech and lightweight composite brake levers, but I had to lose that stuff to get the integrated Rapidfire on there. Oh, well. New gear includes a carbon riser bar and seat post, magnesium bar ends, and Selle Italia Flite saddle.
These bikes can handle bunny hopping obstructions, downhill tooth rattling, or thrashing through the woods. Other FS frames I am interested in include the Giant XtC NRS Air and the Trek Fuel 100. These are the FS frames currently available over the counter without a lot of hassle. I have not picked a frame for my next double boinger project, which will come in at 22 pounds or less.
My 2000 Trek Pro 9.9 is right at 20.4 pounds. I originally had it down under 20, but had to change to a realistic saddle (started with a Selle titanium pan full race rock, went to a Serfas carbon fiber SLR, then settled on a Selle Flite Italia gel). When I get some new Maxxis Minotaur 380 tires for it the weight should be back under twenty again.
This hardtail is a beautiful thing even in rocky, rooty terrain. My first "serious" ride on the Pro was the 2001 CAMBrpalooza. I went with a clump of hammerheads on a "group" ride through Palos' Gravity Cavity, Three Ravines, and a few other trails I don't know the names of. I nearly got lost a bunch of times because I couldn't keep up with these guys. The downhill sections weren't too bad, though -- the Pro was light enough that I could control it despite the lack of rear suspension. I prefer Palos with the Giant MCM 990. The full suspension makes a huge difference in control for some of the really rough sections. I found myself going down some "trails" that turned out to be water runoff erosion. Oy.
One point of note to all you weight weenies out there: you can't believe a word that Rock Shox puts into either their advertising nor their product specifications (!). They lie like dogs. I bought a 2001 SID Race -- which they rated at 2.5 pounds -- to replace the stock 2.7 pound SID that came with my Pro. The SID Race came out of the box at 2.7 pounds. After a ton of email exchanges and phone calls with Rock Shox tech support and, eventually, engineering, they said that I was stuck with what I had. Since I wasn't interested in pursuing a class action lawsuit over such a measly issue I simply ate the fork and vowed to never give RS another dime of my money ever again. They suck Big Wind. I'd like the entire world to know that they suck Big Wind.
Also, that SID Race is a flexible flyer. The thing flops all over the place. I guess that's how RS made it so light -- they took all the rigidity out of it. Oh,well.
Ahh, the Raleigh M60. I put an Indy XC and a bunch of other goodies on it. It feels very nice with a fork and a decent set of wheels and brakes. It's even better now that I have XT Rapidfire integrated shifter/brake pods and an 8-speed cassette. The old STX-RC rear mech can do eight speeds just fine.
One day a couple of summers ago I took the Raleigh out of the shed for the first time in weeks. The plan was to just put in about an hour's worth or less of riding so I could get back to work on other things. Heh. I had forgotten what a pleasure it is to ride this, my heaviest, cheapest bike. And it's fast, too! I hit the Fairy Path and started doing 21 MPH without even trying hard at all.
One problem, though -- the Avid 20s have real good stopping power but the Indy and the frame both flex so much that the feel of the brakes is no good. I'm going to try brake boosters strapped to the fork and rear frame section to see if the feel can be improved.
My '98 Giant MCR road bike is a great spinner. More carbon fiber. Ultegra everything. I put the Giant carbon aero post on it also. Take a good look at the frame structure under and around the bottom bracket. This bicycle was meant to take whatever a rider can handle.
Road riding is obviously not my thing, but it has its place. There are any number of times throughout the year when I will want to dig out the MCR and take a 20 mile jaunt out to Geneva and back. The MCR makes it easy to do so. This may not be the very latest cutting edge technology in bicycles, but it can stand up to the Fairy Path and take all the obstruction-clearing bunny hops I can dish out. I'm not sure there's another road bike out there I'd want to try that with. Heh.
Currently one of my favorite places to slosh through the woods and muck is Warrenville Grove, right next to the Prarie Path South Branch. You know where the wooden bridge goes over the river just east of the corner of Batavia and Butterfield Roads? All that woods south of there is crisscrossed with singletrack. Up, down, thrash, slide, wiggle, bounce, jump. Fun.
[Note: That whole area may be jazzed now. The FPD put a bunch of new limestone hardpack through there on the east side of the river and also removed a bunch of the tougher obsctructions (downed trees) deeper in the woods. I need to go examine the place and file a report whenever I determine if it is still good for MTB use.]
I have also been doing a lot of thrashing through Knoch Knolls in Naperville, right between Knock Knolls Park and DuPage River Park. I park the car in the lot for DuPage River Park by coming in off of Washington street, then go into the woods right there.
International Mountain Bike Association
Chicago Area Mountain Bikers (CAMBr)