Time For a Change - Day One: Road Configuration

In the first installment of Time for a Change I stated that one of the things I was going to change on the bike was to stop paying attention to my speed and enjoy riding more - well I lied.  This morning was the first day out on a new Moots Psychlo X set up as a road, off-road and gravel grinder bike.  All I could sneak in today was a 20 mile out and back course and I wanted to see how it compared speed-wise to my Madone:

First, more about the bike:

Frame/Fork: 2014 Moots Psychlo X with an Enve Composites CX  Disc Carbon Fork.  Make no mistake, this bike is all CX, but comes as close to an all-around bike as any out there.

Drive train: Dura Ace 7900 Di2 with a compact crank and 11-28 Ultegra 10-speed cassette.

Battery mount is secured on the down-tube just above bottom bracket and protected by the crank and chain ring.  Dura Ace 9000 Di2 has the battery in the seat tube option.

Yes, that is a 44 mm head tube with a 1-1/8" to 1-1/2" full carbon steer tube.  This was an option last year and is standard for 2014.  The frame does have the Di2 internal wiring option to keep the wires hidden and protected in the frame tubes.

Braking is controlled by Avid BB7 Road S Mechanical Brakes mated with 160mm rotors.

Finally, the cross/gravel/sometimes road wheels are stock Stan's No Tubes Iron Cross Team Edition in a 24/28 spoke configuration with alloy hubs and DT spokes.  Here is my Do Not Try This at Home Disclaimer on Wheels:  The manufacturer has a 185 pound rider weight limitation - I am a good 12 pounds over that weight.  There is also a tire pressure limit of 45 psi which does not work too well with the road tires installed so I had to fudge on that as well.  Please heed all manufacturer recommendations and limitations.

The build weight was estimated to be in the 17 pound range and came in at 18 pounds, 1 ounce without pedals.  This is almost a pound less than the new carbon Specialized CruX Pro Race Red Disc with aluminum clinchers. I expect with some fiddling I will be able to get the weight down closer to 17 pounds if not just below.

First ride impressions: Fast, stiff and refined.  The Titanium tubing and construction provide a ride quality that is hard to describe other than magical.  The average speed was close to the Madone at 18.2 mph and was respectable given that it was 38 degrees and I was bundled-up against the elements.

The geometry is slightly more slack than the Madone but still very quick and playful on the road - I look forward to seeing how it handles on the dirt though expect no surprises.  

Braking performance is smooth and linear with plenty of quiet stopping power.  The drive train was flawless, but I am already re-thinking the 11-28 cassette for road riding - the jumps are just too large for my preferences in some ratios and I found myself hunting a lot so I will probably go back to 11-23 for the road. 

Yes, I lied about not watching the speed on the very first ride. In doing so I realized the habits from the last 7 -1/2 years are going to be hard to change. I think I am up for the task, but may need a support group for the first few months.  Speed watching does not mean I enjoyed the ride any less - the crisp air, soft light and fall colors made every second on the bike a joy.

See you on road.

o

Time For A Change

"If you could only have one bike, what would it be?" seems to be a common question we get asked in the shop and during polite conversation at family gatherings and parties.  My answer has always been "A Cyclocross Bike" - most have fun geometry, lots of clearance for all types and sizes of tires plus room for fenders.  They are relatively light and with the right tire options, you can ride them just about anywhere - single-track, gravel roads, road rides and snow covered surfaces.

It always seemed like a very comfortable answer because, well, I have not had to choose just one bike.  The last 19,000 or so of my road miles have been on a Trek Madone 6 Series and my single-track and gravel grinding have been on Trek Superfly - so I have not really tested my answer by sticking to one bike which seems a little disingenuous so I have done a little soul-searching.

During this exercise in introspection it occurred to me that when I ride on the road I am always watching the clock and average speed as if they somehow determine the quality of the ride.  In reality, they are only data points and do not reflect how much I enjoy my time on a bike.  Being outdoors, on two wheels, getting aerobic exercise and community with other riders are what I enjoy about riding so I have decided it is time for a change. The Superfly is in the hands of a more deserving owner and the Madone will be relegated elsewhere.

Starting next month, I will use a Cyclocross Bike for 99% of my riding for the next year.  I will still track mileage but pay no attention to the speed of my rides - my attention will be on the things I enjoy about cycling.  Tire choices will be predominately based on the type of riding for the season, but I won't be obsessing about riding a CX tire on a fall or early spring road ride.  The setup will tubeless with the exception of my studded Winter Marathon tires since they are not tubeless.

I can already hear the cacophony of readers pointing to the BS meter when a shop owner states they will ride only one bike.  This does not mean that I won't occasionally show-up to a group ride on a new demo bike whether it be road or mountain.  It means that I will be riding the CX bike almost exclusively for a year and blogging here about the experience.

More technical details about the bike will follow, but I will be riding a MOOTS PsychloX as the bike for this experience. I expect the build to be somewhere in the 17 pound range and allow me to spend a lot of time on the bike during the next 12 months.  It arrived yesterday with a customer's frame configured similarly so it will be a week or so (customer projects come first) until this one gets built-up.

Until then here are the requisite glamour shots. Some sharp-eyed readers will note some configuration options and limitations which will be covered in the discussion of the specifications.

Kidical Mass Bike Ride at Two Wheel Transit

Great Turn-out for Tonight's Summer Parkways Kidical Mass Bike Ride.  2.7 Miles in the South Perry District of joy on a bike and lots of BIG Smiles!

Not Early Morning Ride Today

Today I was up with the sun just like yesterday only I did not have the sense to go riding then.  Instead I had other things to do until it was 95 degrees outside and THEN I went riding.  A couple of noteworthy things - I decided to wear my Ibex Merino wool jersey for the wicking action and was glad I did as it was comfortable despite the heat.

Also I was on the lookout for snakes warming themselves on the blacktop given the late hour of the day and was not disappointed.

I found this little guy very near where I reported the Rubber Boa a few weeks back.  I explained to him that though I was sure it felt nice, it was a very bad idea on several levels.

Upon thinking it over he decided I was right and headed off for safer pastures.  I however headed off for the the sweltering climb up the Valley Chapel Grade and continued on to Rockford.

The reason I did not ride in the morning had to do with our next post and the John Wayne Trail.  Stay tuned.

Early Morning Ride Today.

Sun just peeking over tower mountain

Some very long shadows and cool temps in the low 60s made for a great morning ride.

Trek Unveils Two New 650b MTB Offerings Touted as "Playful"

Trek previews 650b plans at Trek World Europe

07/17/2013

(Waterloo, WI) – Trek Bicycle today previewed their 650b plans to European retailers and select members of the European bike press, unveiling two revamped platforms in the technical trail and enduro product lines. The Slash and Remedy lines will be offered in 650b options to address those segments where the emerging wheel size is most suited to the terrain and rider demands.

The 160mm-travel Slash has been completely redesigned from the ground up with a focus on the emerging and demanding enduro scene. With a lower bottom bracket and slacker head tube than the 26-inch version, the Slash 650b provides a lower, longer position for the competitive enduro racer. And amazingly, the alloy frame weighs 350 grams less than its 26-inch predecessor.

The Remedy line adds 140mm-travel alloy and carbon 650b options to complement the 29er lineup launched in early June. The smaller-wheeled sibling was built around the nimble ride characteristics of 650b wheels to offer technical trail riders a more playful option alongside the more confidence-inspiring 29er. The Remedy 650b will be offered in both OCLV MTB carbon and Alpha Platinum Aluminum.

“After a decade plus of alternative wheel size development, testing, refining, and debating, it’s become clear that for trail riders wheel size is primarily about riding style,” said Travis Ott, global MTB Brand Manager. “29” will be fastest for XC racing, but as we get into more trail riding, 650b and 29 can both excel on the same trail. Then it really comes down to how different riders tackle the same trail in their own way. So the Remedy now has the confidence-inspiring 29er option and the more playful 650b option. Then the Slash gets the new small wheel treatment with a ground-up 650b chassis.”

After a busy year that has already seen the launch of the all-new Fuel EX 29, Remedy 29 and mountain bikes in Project One, Trek's 650b models will hit stock this fall. Alloy Remedys will be available this autumn closely followed by carbon Remedys and the alloy Slash. Pricing details are forthcoming. There will be complimentary Bontrager product to address the 650b market. More details will be made available soon. 

July 4th Valley Chapel Ride

I thought I would go for a solo ride on the 4th.  It was hot and windy so I gave up on trying to maintain a certain pace and rode just for the joy of it.  That meant riding slower and taking time to enjoy some very unique northwest scenery and all the ride has to offer.

Due to my lack of talent in the art of photography and only having a phone camera, the photos do not do it justice, but hopefully the gentile reader will appreciate the view.