Pipeline:
First off, much love to the crew at Beachwood Bikes. Over the past few years they have been there many times in a pinch when something on the Beargrease or V10 broke as their inventory is impressive as is their turnaround (
plus you never know who you will run into there at lunch!). Adam is also solid on shock/fork rebuilds amongst other things.
I have been looking for a trail bike for the past few months and was pretty set on one of the Evils, specifically the Wreckoning or Insurgent. After much pondering I could not get comfortable with the head angle and thought they would be too similar to my Nomad, which I found to be too much bike for anything but the ski slopes, where I would rather have a full DH rig. The following just wasn't doing it for me anymore......plus they are doing a re-design in the coming months.
On the short list for new bikes was also something from the Rocky lineup, as I have been a big fan of the instinct post my demo two years back. In addition, buying something new from a local dealer was high on my list.
Long story short, the 27+ Pipeline was sitting on the floor in the exact trim I wanted. Score. This should be a great trail/recovery/play bike. My wrists and ass were thanking me last night.
Funny thing is I had an original Pipeline back in 1999/2000 I bought with lawn route/snow shoveling $
Beargrease:
So as many of you know, my old Beargrease is no longer with us. At about 5k several cracks around the seat mast brought on a new warranty frame. Brielle Cyclery was awesome with the warranty as was Salsa. I would say it was an 8-10 day turn around.
This is the most miles I have put on any bike and maybe a record for the longest I have owned a bike.
After stripping my fatty a lot of the bike needed a rebuild, which is in process and is as follows:
- Switching from SRAM to Shimano XT (
I was impressed with the Pipeline ST drivetrain for the price)
- New Thomson post to replace the original Truvativ post
- New Chromag Trailmaster LTD (existing saddle has 8500 or so miles and will go on my Rocky)
- New Cane Creek 40 headset
- New Bottom Bracket (SRAM pressfit)
- New brake pads
- New I9 hubs
- New Knard 120 tpi 3.8 tires
- New Shimano 520 pedals (lots of play in existing pedals)
I am looking forward to a new season aboard my IceCream Truck of a bike!
Training:
The weather should be breaking soon and I will begin to train for some of the upcoming events, but I am a bit unsure what I will be entering. I have not signed up for Cathedral Pines yet but most likely will. Crazy to think it is around the corner and I wore leggings for that last year.....I might have even wore my Wolvhammers.......