Modern Metals

 

I'm pretty sure that titanium doesn't qualify as a modern metal.   Maybe for some it does.   I really don't care all that much.  Titanium is an amazing material for a bicycle.   Some might argue that there is a placebo effect going on with a new bike.  Others might argue that of course I'm going to say that titanium rules to justify the cost.  Others might say I'm just trying to promote it to support the ti bikes my employer sells.  

I don't really care.  Ti is different and provides something unique and undeniably distinctive to a bicycle.    I love the "feel" of ti and my bike with no name is no exception.      The more I ride my bike with no name, the more I love it.  I'm really settling into my bike.  I've got it pretty much dialed for the DK200.   I still have to install my tubeless wheels.  I also plan to experiment with a 1 cm longer stem.   However, it's 95% perfect for me and I'm having so much fun riding it I can't take the time to swap that stuff out.

Did I say ride?   Well....I am headed out shortly for a long day in the saddle.  I'm taking some of my hard earned vacation time to put in some serious miles.   I'm meeting a good friend for breakfast and then heading to the country with my bike and my camera.   Looking for 80-100 miles today!   Starting out cool in the mid 30's and ending up in the mid 50's.   Sounds like a perfect day.  

Titanium rules!  

Ps. I started my updates today.   It is starting with bigger pictures.   Lot's more updates coming as time permits.   

Bike With No Name - The Details

I held off showing my bike with no name last week for a number of reasons.  Well, today is the day.  Sit back and enjoy the photos and the story that goes along with it.  

*NOTE* - It is important to understand that I built this bike for MY needs.   This is not a Salsa project even though the down tube says "Salsa" on it.   I put Salsa on the DT because I am employed by Salsa.   So....Here goes.  

I started this bike as my Dirty Kanza bike.  I ended up with something capable of the DK, but also a bit more than just a gravel bike.  Funny how things evolve.   Maybe it ended up this way because I already have my Fargo, a perfect bike for the DK.   Maybe it ended up this way because I have other aspirations for this bike?   I don't really know why, but I know I ended up with a bike that meets my initial criteria and just a bit more.  

Due to my shoulder injury last August, I set out to build a bike that allowed me to carry as much as I could "on the bike" as opposed to "on me".   I need to get the weight off of me as I still struggle and feel pain when riding with a back pack.   As such, I put 3 water bottle mounts on the main frame, 2 of which have what I expect to be a new standard someday, 3 mounting points.   This isn't a new idea and I take no credit for this idea.   Nope.   Many have done this before me, but the 3 mounts give you versatility to mount standard water bottle cages in different positions, but also will allow future cages/racks of sorts for larger water bottles and/or gear.   

Some of you may notice immediately that the brake routing, disc routing and rack mounting are very different than my current Salsa Fargo.   That is correct.   I never have the intention of running a traditional rack system on this bike.   This bike is intended for the new mini rack prototypes showed by Salsa this past weekend at Frostbike.   I positioned mounting points specifically for the mini racks.   I also will run frame and seatpost bags when and where appropriate.  

This bike is built with a cockpit and geometry for drop bars and front suspension.    Notice the longish head tube and the curved downtube (to clear a suspension fork crown)   I have two forks for this, 3 if you count the prototype Enabler.   All 3 forks swap back and forth seamlessly.    I did this because at some point, I want to tackle more than just the rough gravel of Kansas with this bike.   My initial set up is with a suspension corrected rigid 29er fork.   

Note, every one of those 11 braze ons for racks and water bottles is welded in place.  No rivnuts.   That kind of detail costs a bit more, but is worth it to me in piece of mind.    

Here is a built up shot taken last week on a morning ride.  I wanted to reveal the bike with the mini rack set up, but I've just been too busy.   

It rides amazingly well.   It's quick and agile.   By quick I mean it's shorter and snappier than my Fargo.   It's almost cross bike quick but fits 2.1's.  Right now, I think it is the perfect compliment to my rock solid Fargo.  
I don't really plan to go into details of my geometry.   I'm sorry folks.  I know some of you tech folks want to know.   Maybe someday.  

Hope you enjoyed this post as much as I did writing and sharing it.   I'm heading out for a ride.  

Enjoy your day!  

TC Bikeswap 09 - It was good to me

I left with 3 boxes of parts and 2 sets of wheels.  I came home with one box!  Sweet.   I said I wasn't going to buy anything.  However, titanium makes me weak.  I came home with this. [caption id="attachment_748" align="alignnone" width="524" caption="Eriksen Ti Post - Sweet! "][/caption] I've got a vision for my go fast Fargo and this post is just what I had in mind.  Should add that little special touch of cush I need.