Corey

iTrader: (1)

Just realized I have a few threads here and on other forums with pics of my new 2009 I bought in July of this year.

Like my FJ Cruiser buildup, I want to have one single thread for the upgrades on my bike, hence a new thread.

I got it for $1,050 as the 2010s were just around the corner.
I would like to keep the buildup in one thread, so here goes.
Some of this info may have been posted elsewhere.

I use to ride a lot back in the last 80s and early 90s, but have been out of the scene for the last decade or so.
I am getting back into it for health and fun.
I plan on taking my bike on every camping trip with me next year, and I did get it out on my summer vacation this year camping.
Bringing the bike and exploring the area was a lot of fun.

Day I bought it, pics at the shop and home.





It is on a Thule T2 rack which the shop installed as I waited for them to switch out the stock tires for Kenda Nevegal 2.1" tires.
Added at the shop the same day:
Survival Tool Wedge Pack
Specialized Airtool Comp Floor Pump
Genuine Innovations Powered Inflation Kit MTB

I had a wall mount bike rack already ordered and installed so the new bike would have a proper place to hang out at my home.
Racor Pro PLB-2R Two-Bike Gravity Freestanding Bike Stand

Colonel Jack O'Neill of Stargate checking out the bike.
I think he prefers gate travel.



Cateye CC-MC100W Micro Wireless 10-Function Bicycle Computer

Went back to the shop within a few weeks and picked up a new work stand.
Price is wrong on the site, it was a little over $200 I got it for.
Topeak PrepStand Pro

Had the shop install some old Shimano M324 pedals I had laying around, and I bought some Specialized Comp shoes the same day too.
Specialized Comp Mountain Shoes black



Further down this thread you will see I no longer use the above two items.

New grips and Airbike light from Geoman Gear.
Ergon GA1 Leichtbau Mountain Bicycle Handle Bar Grips
Airbike Ever Light SLH P7 - SSC P7 LED - 900 Lumens



On highest setting.



Back to the pedals and shoes again...
I really tried to like this combo, but having never ran clipless before I felt it held me back on trails.
I use to ride mountain bikes a lot off road back in the late 80s/early 90s, and never ran clipless back then.
I do not like the feel of being clipped in unless it is strictly on the street getting exercise in my neighborhood.

I was reading up on mtbr.com about Five Ten bike shoes that use the same Stealth Rubber that they use on their rock climbing shoes, and how the shoes stick to platform pedals almost like being clipped in.
I did my research too on pedals, and I bought what are probably the cream of the crop when it comes to platform pedals.
They are over engineered and you can tear these down in a matter of seconds to rebuild them.
Watch some of the videos they have on their maintenance site.

I ordered up the pedals and shoes, and they arrived yesterday just in time for the weekend.
No rain today, took the opportunity to remove the Shimano M324 clipless/platform pedals for the Straitline platforms.

Nice having a stand to work with, makes it a lot easier to do work like this.
The old pedals have a 6 mm opening on the back of the shank, so I tired using my Park 6 mm allan tool, but the pedals were on to tight.
I broke out the big Park 15 mm pedal wrench and it broke the pedal free with hardly a problem.
Somehow I managed to drag my right forearm over something sharp though when putting on the new pedal.
Maybe one of the studs on the pedal.
Nice 3" long cut that looks like a cat scratched me good.

I used Finish Line Teflon grease that I bought from my LBS yesterweek.
Put a small dab on my index finger and ran it around the threads on both of the pedals.
The night before I used my new Park torque wrench to tighten the studs into the pedals at the recommended 3.5 nm.

Just got back from a ride wearing the new Five Ten Sam Hill bike shoes, and here is my thoughts on them.
1. Should have gone this way in the beginning instead of going clipless.
I have a lot more confidence when riding not being locked in.
2. The pins/studs on the Straitline pedals stick to the new Five Ten Sam Hill 2 shoes like glue.
I have read that some really have to lift up on their feet to release from the pedals, and they are right.
This is a very sticky combo that holds your foot to the pedal.

I did not have a chance to run any trails today, just local neighborhood riding, but my feet stayed firmly planted.
When we get a weekend of some good weather I am heading to Black Diamond to ride the Lake Sayer single track trails to see how this combo works.

I do not think I would switch back to clipless again anytime soon unless I was riding asphalt all the time.

Here are a few pictures from installing the new pedals.

Removing the Shimano M324 pedals.





Putting the grease on the shaft
Note how much bigger these new pedals are over the Shimanos.



New pedal being put on



Grease, does a bike good



Pedals all on ready for a test ride



A few hi res pics from Sick Lines site
CNC machined, very nice.





And shortly after putting on the platform pedals I decided to try out the same pedals that Bob (BT17R) has on his new mountain bike.
They are the Crank Brothers Candy pedals.
Got the cheapest ones called the Candy X for $45.
Was looking at the Shimano XTR M970s, but those are going close to $200, so I figured I would rather drop 1/4th of that to see if I want to stay with clipless or go back to the Straitlines again.

There is an advantage to clipless such as power on the upstroke, but I also am a little leery of running single track being clipped in and falling.
At my age a bad fall can spell major downtime with no paycheck coming in from work.
At least with non clipless pedals you stand more of a chance of jumping ship or getting one of you feet down to help stabilize you out of a sticky situation.
Been there done that many a time in the past I would yank one of my feet out of my old pedals with the Power Grip straps on them to help.

Here are a few pics of the new pedals.

The obligatory grease on the threads



6 mm allan wrench to install with
These pedals are not made to use the 15 mm Park wrench I used with the Shimano M324 and Straitline pedals.
I kind of like it this way, as using the pedal wrench was kind of a pain trying to get the pedal to stay stationary when putting the others on or taking them off.
I think that is how I ripped my arm last week.



Shoe snaps in very easy
I find it much easier to snap in with these than the M324s I ran.
Getting out is very easy too.
They do have some float to them as the instructions say there should be a little side to side float with them.
I have them set to the 15 degree stock release to when pressing the heals outwards.



Pedals are much smaller than the previous two sets and the stock ones



These are very easy to clip into, and you can do it from front or back.
No adjustments to the pedals are necessary.
I had to take off the Shimano cleats from my shoes and install the Crank Brothers ones.
Here are a few good videos from their site on them.
Candy pedal installation
Cleat installation (listen to her accent)

I just went for a quick ride in between rain showers here, and I can say I like them much better than those Shimano M324 hybrids I ran for awhile.
Easy to clip into and out of them.
Only time will tell if I stay with these or switch back to the Straitline platform pedals.

With winter fast approaching here in the Pacific Northwest and spelling many a rainy day, I think my riding will be slowing down outdoors.
I am looking forward to some snow riding if we get snow like we had last year.
Might have to got for an indoor trainer.

Next item coming up is the GoPro HD camera as seen in the Photography section.
I hope the weather brings a few good days as I would like to get some video shot riding on some singletrack that is local.

Links:
Strailine pedals
Straitlines video page on maintenance of the pedals
Five Ten Sam Hill 2 bike shoes via Amazon
Finish Line Teflon grease
Review on the pedals from 2008 from Sick Lines
Crank Brothers Candy X clipless pedals
$45 through Universal Cycling online for the Candy X pedals

That is all I can think of for now.
I have found that one can spend just as much on accessories and clothing as they did on the bike.
This is an expensive sport/hobby.

I will update this thread as I change out components to upgrade.

toyospearo

That thing is SO SWEEET!!!
I WANT ONE

Corey

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, I hope to get in a good ride tomorrow to test out the new pedals.
Weather should be dry tomorrow.
Not to many of those left...

I have my eyes on another bike I may pick up next spring, a full suspension 29er also from Specialized.

toyospearo

Makes me really want to get back into mountain biking.
Post up some pictures of your ride!
Great job on the build up on it. I love the look of that thing. Now I want to trade in my road bike!

Corey

iTrader: (1)

That is what Bob did, he sold a road bike and got into mountain biking after seeing mine.

Double tasking here, also reading up on some bikes over on mtbr.com
You will have to check out the ski bike I am about to post in another thread.