BT17R

The seatpost setback adds effective top tube length. It's usually a personal preference to suit riding style. The more forward, considered "aggressive", the more you're able to put power to the pedals. Rearward "relaxed" increases comfort for longer rides.

Except this bike was designed with setback in mind to put more weight on the rear tire for better traction. Thomson is a one piece post design including the head so they bent the shaft. Others use a separate head with an offset.

I'll have to try a set of Nevegals next, though I'm very satisfied with Ignitors.

A couple seat and handlebar tweaks, then adjust derailleurs plus clean and lube the chain before the next ride and I should be set.

Corey

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the explanation Bob.

I just found out something here at work.
I have mentioned before that we have two small man made lakes with all kinds of wildlife such as ducks, geese, blue heron, coyotes, and other critters here.
The lakes are inside of the old oval circle that use to be the Longacres horse race track.

On weekends I can ride there and also over at the CEO's building next to us is a ton of forest service type roads I have only gone down a short ways in my jitney.

I may come down here Sunday and explore.
If so, I will try to get some wildlife shots too of some blue heron.

During the work week though you can not ride the walking paths, as employees are using it for exercise.

BT17R

Sounds like a scenic trail. I like seeing critters on rides. Usually it's rabbits, deer and an occassional coyote. There's this one area along the Sandy River part of my usual loop that's known to attract cougars. Definitely increases alert level and speed!

Corey

iTrader: (1)

Oh, I forgot to mention the rabbits.
They are everywhere!

When I pull into my parking space in the morning in the dark, they scramble.
I see tons of them every day here.
Good fodder for the coyotes.

Snakes too, but the safe kind.
They come out of the grass and slither in front of you as you walk the paths.
Gotta watch out for coyote dung though, it is all around.
They love to crap on the walking path instead of in the dirt/grass, ect.

BT17R

Well, I spent half the night trying to adjust derailleurs. I fubared everything, wound up R&Ring both and starting over. Six hours later they're still not right. I used the SRAM setup instructions along with 'net research and YouTube, still no luck. I'll watch the DVD that came with the bike (one for the bike, another for the fork) but might just take it into the shop today for expert help. I have to be ready for an afternoon ride with an advanced level buddy on his C-dale.

Edit: Don't brake for snakes! I learned the hard way how slick they are. If I can't avoid them, uh there's no shortage of snakes around here!

Corey

iTrader: (1)

Derailleurs I will not touch.
I got mine so far out of whack on my last bike.
I get it OK on one chainring, out of whack on the next.

That is what I pay the shop guys to do since they do it eight hours a day.

Rainy day here, sunny tomorrow and warming up to the 80s for the work week.
Will be getting a nice ride in Sunday sometime.

Changed my mind about going to ride at work tomorrow.
As nice as it is there with the lakes and view of Mt. Rainier, I just can not stomach going to work on a weekend

I did get invited though to do a Wednesday run every Wednesday at the 55 mile Black Diamond singletrack trail system I have posted about elsewhere.
Only thing is they are riding past my bedtime since I get up pretty early.

I may head there tomorrow to check it out, it is only 15 miles from me.

BT17R

Just returned from my new bike shop. The guys found a bent derailleur hanger and a front bracket out of line. I didn't crash or drop the bike and transport it cassette up in the back of the FJ so don't know how it happened. They fixed up everything, no charge. Leaving for a ride with a buddy, doing some scenic trails over Powell Butte. Short but steep climbs, maybe a little mud from overnight rains that should test the Ignitors and me.

Corey

iTrader: (1)

Bob, is this the tool they used?
derailleur hanger alignment



Glad they got you all setup.

You must have some trails close by you to get out so often.

BT17R

I don't know what they used. I was over at the coffee bar watching MTB videos and talking with staff.

Yes, several nice trails nearby and light traffic on rural roads getting to trailheads.

So we swapped bikes at the start and my friend shot off into the forest. It took me a half-hour to find him. He liked the GF a lot and the 29" wheels were a revelation to him.

Heading out to Beaver Creek in a bit. There's singletrack along the banks of the Clackamas River. A perfect late Summer day, can't wait.

flashkl

Yes, that would be the tool that they used. The hanger alignment checker (or whatever its actually called) attaches to the derailleur hanger like a derailleur does, and checks alignment of the hanger against the rim. In addition, it acts as a lever to allow one to bend the hanger back straight if it is bent.

Corey

iTrader: (1)

I think I found my next bike, and it is even the same color as my present one.
This is at the Interbike 2009 this week.

http://www.santacruzbicycles.com/tallboy/

http://www.feedthehabit.com/mountain...er-introduced/

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/articl...boy-29er-22538

I am afraid to see the price, as this bike is carbon.
I do want to get another bike next year in a 29er, but not sure if I want to go full suspension or stay with a hardtail.

That is one sexy bike.
And there are the Kenda tires again.
I always see them on top end bikes and in the reviews of bikes in the magazines.

flashkl

Thats a purrrrdy bike...

Corey

iTrader: (1)

Santa Cruz are usually top end too right?
My LBS where I got mine also carries that name.

Hey, I have looked in the catalogs, online, and in magazines at full suspension bikes.
Some I see the shock is vertical, and others like the one above are horizontal.

Specialized even has some cool ones where the reservoir is separate a foot or so back aft of the shock and connected with a hose.

Are both designs good, or is one better?

flashkl

Santa cruz makes really nice high end FS bikes, yes. As for shock orientation, it's up to how fancy the linkage is and how it's set up. It doesn't matter how the shock is positioned, suspension geometry is what makes or breaks the bike. Specialized's external reservoir is actually the brain part of their proprietary shock. It's the bit that has the valve in it that controls whether the shock is locked out or not. They put it as close to the rear wheel axle as possible since that's where the bumps need to be sensed to activate the shock.

Corey

iTrader: (1)

Cool, been reading up on the brain in the 2010 Specialized catalog.

A guy at work who rides every Wednesday after work at a famous singletrack area not far from here wonders why the pros are not running 29ers in the races?

He is running a 26" tire, and does not plan on upgrading anytime soon to a 29er.

flashkl

I think the pro's will start adopting 29ers once they get the weights down and make the stuff, especially the wheels, stronger. I think my specialized rep told me that there was gonna be a pro rider or two racing 29er epics this season, but I could be wrong...

Corey

iTrader: (1)

More info on that Lezyne Alloy Drive hand pump I bought.
Video is from the Interbike show last month in Vegas.
http://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/featu...,548/sspomer,2