Two Wheel Blogs

I have seen this done before and often wondered why in the heck someone would do this to a saddle...and here I am doing it.

First of all, there is a very good reason for doing it. Second of all, not everyone should rush out and do it.

I have enjoyed the feel and performance of a fine leather saddle for some time now. Recently I acquired this new Brooks Swift model which is a bit narrower than the B-17 that I have used in the past. While I like the narrower profile, lighter weight, and generally stiffer shell, I have noticed something in recent weeks.

Tonight a group of us met up at Rockbridge State Park, (the venue again for the Show Me State Games this weekend), and threw down a few laps. There was about a half dozen of us all togeather with John L and Flying Nick in attendence. I was very reluctant coming out tonight as I have a pretty nasty knee injury I've been dealing with for the past week. It has kept me from riding, and consequently has made this week hell.

There. See? What'd I tell you?

Didn't I tell you the Seven Cycles Custom Ti MTB handlebars would look good on my coffee table. Not bad, eh? I think they look stellar.

A friend of mine loaned me this video (24 Solo).

I watched it yesterday, and would like to just give a few details...

This movie is backordered for a reason. It is good.

Trek must have spent a few dollars preparing this film...it has really good filming...chopper shots, zip line shots (through the woods), helmet cam shots...etc. You really feel like you are there experiencing things as they happen.

The broad strokes: This is a story of a nut that races his bike in 24 hour races. I hate to kill it for you, but he loses this time...but in a way he sort of wins...I mean after all, he is racing a bike for a living.

I am pretty stoked about this, so grab some coffee because this is a long one...

The better half gave me my Christmas Bling early this year…A smoking new wheel set. Apparently there was a great deal of covert discussions between my wife and 2-old-2-go-slow. Together, they sought out a master wheelbuilder to create something that is beautiful, stiff, strong, and totally full of mojo. This builder learned of my riding style, my vital statistics, and such to determine the best build for me. For this build he basically demanded a lacing pattern called the 32 SPOKE HYBRID CROW'S FOOT. Apparently this lacing pattern, when done correctly, results in a wheel that has much better lateral strength than a conventional crossing pattern (like a pure radial wheel), and also has the torque transfer qualities of a cross laced wheel (something a radial wheel lacks). The best of both worlds, so to speak. Very high lateral strength and rock solid power transfer sounds like something I need, or at least “want”.

You may recall the pictures I posted regarding these new cranks I purchased. I installed them with a Phil bottom bracket that I also purchased new.

Here is a little background.
The White Industries Eno Cranks are very low q-factor, square taper cranks that use a proprietary chain ring that fixes to the right side crank arm via a spline and retaining nut. White Industries has been around since the earliest days of MTB that I can remember, and (as far as I am concerned) they have always produced the highest luster, and highest quality parts.

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