Switching around

Switched the Jones bars for the carbon risers off the de-comissioned Bruja. Put the Zion fork back on, and had my first ride on the "world's fastest singlespeed" since losing the Ventana fork. I was really cramped for time, so it was off from the house for an hour to hammer around Pioneer Park and test the set up before the big ride this weekend.

I really think the Zion fork rides quite a bit sweeter than the Ventana fork. Either that, or carbon bars are really all that. Shouldn't switch two variables at one time. Anyway, for whatever reason, the thing just rides sweet. I started with a 90mm stem, and switched it out for a 70 on the trail. 80 is probably perfect, but that is what I have in 31.8. I preferred the 70 for rigid off road, but if I did a lot of gravel, the 90 allows just a little more weight on the front for rail like cornering. I barely miss my knee on the bar climbing with the 70mm stem, so it works for me.

The wide risers take a bit of getting used to. They seem very slow and awkward due to the width, and definitely preferred the shorter stem steering wise. I would say I don't like the control feel as much as the Mary's or Jones', but my hands are quite a bit happier. Still too early to say on the hand front, however. Pioneer Park is hardly rough (although I did try to hit the rougher lines) And the ride was too short. We'll find out Sunday.

I have a slight creak under heavy right pedal pressure that I can't track down. Possible EBB creak? I sort of doubt it as the cranks have given me fits before. I checked chainring bolts and all was well. Too lazy to remove and service EBB at this time. Will not strand me, so it can wait.

Just for kicks, I had a rattle can of fluorescent orange lying around (I think from college!!). Amazingly it still worked, so I painted the Zion fork a nauseating orange, hastily and poorly done....just like my college bike. Still looks better than the black.

Final news: I un-de-comissioned the Bruja last night. Just can't bring myself to give up on it. I think I was running the Zoke too soft, and that was leading to a lot of brake dive, and loss of traction in the corners. I want to test it a bit more. Put the Mary's on the Bruja, so the control set up is identical to the Curtlo. So now I have a 26" and 29" suspension bikes with identical rear suspension designs and travel. The difference is in the front ends and wheel size. They weigh close to the same as well.

Riding them back to back, the Curtlo just feels way more "XC" hard to describe, just lighter boned, sort of like a deer versus an elk. It definitely feels faster. The Bruja is simply solid as all get out. I have no need for such a bike, but got it very used and pre-depreciated, so there is little to be gained in letting it go. I'll let the 26 vs 29 test go on for a while longer.

Problem is, my go to bike for most days when I get to ride is the SS!

If you don't count the commuter which gets the most time, but the least love.