Got out to Granite Basin with the Lunchbox today. This thing simply rocks. After 3 weeks off it, and multiple rides on the Ventana El Capitan, I have to say it outclasses the Ventana in pretty much every way.
It climbs technical stuff better, carves at high speed better, picks through tough stuff better, and is simply a funner bike to ride. At the same time very confidence inspiring, and I don't really see any downside to the super slack head angle, even climbing steep stuff and switchbacks.
If I can get my hands on a Milk Money frame, the Ventana will be out the door for sure. I really can't imagine a ride where I would prefer it to the Lenz.
I spent a little more time on the F 135 today. I let the air preload way down, and added spring preload. The theory being to get correct sag with the least amount of compression damping. Even with a significant amount of spring preload, I still needed to add air to get correct spring rate, so this is still a work in progress.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
Great Advice
Unbelievably good article. A great way to end the year.
Takes an incredible amount of energy, but probably worth it.
Takes an incredible amount of energy, but probably worth it.
"One last thought: One reason why Christians are often limited in vision, energy, and blessings is that, contrary to the Lord’s command, we are ungrateful, unforgiving, and bitter. Far too many who profess the name of Christ spend more time obsessing on those who have wronged them than rejoicing in those who have blessed them.
Bitterness comes from being unwilling to forgive. Bitter people are small people. They are unsuccessful people. They are people who cannot move forward. They are people who believe that the personal wrongs against them are so great that they — the offended — are entitled to do to their offenders what they pray the Lord Jesus Christ will never do to them: refuse to forgive."
Thursday, December 27, 2007
One more...
The ideal number of bikes is N+1 with N being the number you have now.
I currently have 5 adult bikes.
Kids are kinda the same. I currently have 4 kids....
For now.
I currently have 5 adult bikes.
Kids are kinda the same. I currently have 4 kids....
For now.
El Capitan first ride
Got out for a nice relaxing ride on slightly muddy trails. This is my typical "new bike", or "changed something and want to test it" ride.
Riding it 5" rear, 4" front cuz I was too lazy to mess with it.
Fit: Unbelievably, I felt a little too stretched out. Time to get out the 80mm stem and non-setback post.
Suspension: Super plush. Sag checked out okay, but I blew through the rear too easily, so I needed to firm it up, but forgot the shock pump. So yeah, super plush.
Fork: Unbelievable that this is the same chassis I sent to White Bros a couple weeks ago for a damper change. Night and day, way better, uber plush, tracks great. For anyone on the fence, the new Fluid forks ride great. The prior IMV damper sucked for me and I am glad I ditched it. Felt like a lot more than 100mm.
Frame: Sorry to say this folks, but I think my Lenz is stiffer. No Ventana is a noodle, but slight flex was noticable. Not a fair comparison because the Lenz has Flows (instead of Arches) and a TA 150mm rear wheel in its favor, so some component (maybe a lot) is the wheels.
Technical climbing was awesome as I have found on pretty much all 29" bikes. This little frame did a great job in tight techy situations with rock drops in the middle of switchbacks, etc. Sort of like driving an economy car around the city. Very responsive to hopping around and body english. I did notice the rear wanting to let go a little quicker than the Lenz. I made some tight switchback moves with ease that vex me on the Lenz, but failed a couple rougher moves that I usually clear easily on the other bike.
The front end felt nowhere near as heavy as the Curtlo, but not as light as the Lenz. Felt balanced.
At high speed, it felt a little twitchier than I am used to, but not necessarily unstable. You just needed to pay attention.
Lawn darted off several tech moves I usually clear with ease on the Lenz. Just about crapped my pants on another steep roll-off that I don't much think about on the Lenz. I felt the longer stays for sure in many situations. I never felt they added anything positive to the ride.
It shreds best on smoother, tighter radius curvy singletrack, which is definitely its element, the front just tracks nicely around corners in these situations.
I would say that in general, I like the Lunchbox more in almost every situation except:
Tight, slow, technical climbingI posted the below in the wrong place, Should have been just before the 2nd ride post.
Tightish fast smoother singletrack
Which is a fancy way of saying this is a very nice XC bike. It is a good bike, much better than the Curtlo it replaced, but without the visceral love reaction I get from the Box.
I think I will ditch the 5" rockers and commit to 4" in order to gain a lower BB and slightly slacker HTA as better fits this bikes purpose. There are rides where I'm sure it will outperform the Lenz, unfortunately, they are mostly the tighter woods trails you find back east.
This is a very first impression, and is likely to change as I get the thing tweaked to my liking.
Just reaffirms the fact that all bikes are compromises, you just have to find the compromise that suits you best. My comparisons to the Lenz are like comparing a Salty to a Terremoto, or Spot to an RFX. There really is no comparison, and one frame or the other will appeal to you based on your needs.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Lap Colon #1
I was able to finish my first Lap Left colectomy today. I went in with trepidation, but was geeked to find out that is was not too difficult. I have done a couple rights with Lap assistance, only to eventually open to finish the case, so this is my first complete colectomy under the scope.
Finished in 1.5 hours, partly because if a a very favorable patient (thin, virgin belly, tumor in mid descending).
I found it very satisfying (and fun!) to remove and re-anastamose two feet of diseased colon through a three inch incision. In the long run, the patient is the beneficiary with much shorter recovery time and less complications related to the wound.
Finished in 1.5 hours, partly because if a a very favorable patient (thin, virgin belly, tumor in mid descending).
I found it very satisfying (and fun!) to remove and re-anastamose two feet of diseased colon through a three inch incision. In the long run, the patient is the beneficiary with much shorter recovery time and less complications related to the wound.
El Capitan 2nd Ride
Dialed.
This thing rocks.
Changes pre-ride included switching to 4" rockers, shortening stem 10mm, switching from setback post to Gravity retarder sit on top post.
Took it on a reasonably challenging ride with good steep climbing over water bars, fast, descending over the same sort of thing, and general tight and open sweeping turns.
Cockpit: perfect fit.
The previous twitchy feeling it gone and replaced by telepathic handling. Great handling balance between stability, and a real ability to throw the bike around and have some fun (flickability for lack of a better word).
The front end now comes up nicely when needed. Not heavy feeling at all. The only place I notice the difference from the Lenz is in panic, "instant manual needed now" situations. If I can get the slightest pedal stroke in, or if I even have a second to prepare to manual, I can land in whatever attitude I want.
What does this little experiment tell me:
1. For whatever reason: I like little bikes. It was no fluke that I loved riding Jayem's 6-Pack so much, with its little 23.25" ETT. It is supposedly a size too small for me. My Cross Check commuter is supposedly two sizes too small for me. This El Capitan is supposedly 1 or two sizes too small for me. El Comandante is supposedly one size smaller than recommended and I love the ride of all these bikes, and have generally disliked all bikes I've ridden with an ETT longer than 24 inches. Most folks would say this is crazy talk for someone 6'1". Most folks are wrong.
I'm sort of wondering how the Lenz would ride I had gone with medium instead of the large.
2. Ride bikes as they were designed. Sherwood designed this as a 4" bike. I tried to make it into something it wasn't with the Curtlo front end and 5" rockers and fork. Don't bother, just trust the designer. This was a good lesson. Luckily I have come out of it about where I would have been if I had just bought an El Cap in the first place.
3. I now own three mountain bikes and one commuter that I freaking love to ride!!! How blessed is that! They each have their place and are incredibly good bikes for their class of bike. No need for any fundamental tweaking that I can find. Now to find the time to enjoy them.
As I final thought, I wonder if this experience is isolated to me, or if, in general, in 29" world, folks are making ETT's too long. The 29" wheel does not need it for stability. I wonder if a lot of folks out there would be happier on smaller front center bikes. Hard to say. I definitely know what I like at this time, and any future bike purchases will find me getting the shortest ETT that I can get my saddle to full height on.
This thing rocks.
Changes pre-ride included switching to 4" rockers, shortening stem 10mm, switching from setback post to Gravity retarder sit on top post.
Took it on a reasonably challenging ride with good steep climbing over water bars, fast, descending over the same sort of thing, and general tight and open sweeping turns.
Cockpit: perfect fit.
The previous twitchy feeling it gone and replaced by telepathic handling. Great handling balance between stability, and a real ability to throw the bike around and have some fun (flickability for lack of a better word).
The front end now comes up nicely when needed. Not heavy feeling at all. The only place I notice the difference from the Lenz is in panic, "instant manual needed now" situations. If I can get the slightest pedal stroke in, or if I even have a second to prepare to manual, I can land in whatever attitude I want.
What does this little experiment tell me:
1. For whatever reason: I like little bikes. It was no fluke that I loved riding Jayem's 6-Pack so much, with its little 23.25" ETT. It is supposedly a size too small for me. My Cross Check commuter is supposedly two sizes too small for me. This El Capitan is supposedly 1 or two sizes too small for me. El Comandante is supposedly one size smaller than recommended and I love the ride of all these bikes, and have generally disliked all bikes I've ridden with an ETT longer than 24 inches. Most folks would say this is crazy talk for someone 6'1". Most folks are wrong.
I'm sort of wondering how the Lenz would ride I had gone with medium instead of the large.
2. Ride bikes as they were designed. Sherwood designed this as a 4" bike. I tried to make it into something it wasn't with the Curtlo front end and 5" rockers and fork. Don't bother, just trust the designer. This was a good lesson. Luckily I have come out of it about where I would have been if I had just bought an El Cap in the first place.
3. I now own three mountain bikes and one commuter that I freaking love to ride!!! How blessed is that! They each have their place and are incredibly good bikes for their class of bike. No need for any fundamental tweaking that I can find. Now to find the time to enjoy them.
As I final thought, I wonder if this experience is isolated to me, or if, in general, in 29" world, folks are making ETT's too long. The 29" wheel does not need it for stability. I wonder if a lot of folks out there would be happier on smaller front center bikes. Hard to say. I definitely know what I like at this time, and any future bike purchases will find me getting the shortest ETT that I can get my saddle to full height on.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Balance
Put the 4" rockers on El Capitan and swapped the Pushed Fox for a plain old (old) Float RC. Also shortened the stem to 80mm.
HTA slackens 1 degree or so. BB drops 0.5" (now 13.75).
Immediately, this bike feels more balanced.
Did a quick urban ride around the streets/lawns/landscaping, and it feels really great.
This should come as no surprise because this is how Sherwood designed this thing to handle anyway. I can't wait to get some trail time on this set up because it feels like a fast, nimble, stable all around XC performer.
HTA slackens 1 degree or so. BB drops 0.5" (now 13.75).
Immediately, this bike feels more balanced.
Did a quick urban ride around the streets/lawns/landscaping, and it feels really great.
This should come as no surprise because this is how Sherwood designed this thing to handle anyway. I can't wait to get some trail time on this set up because it feels like a fast, nimble, stable all around XC performer.
First Ride
Got out for a nice relaxing ride on slightly muddy trails. This is my typical "new bike", or "changed something and want to test it" ride.
Riding it 5" rear, 4" front cuz I was too lazy to mess with it.
Fit: Unbelievably, I felt a little too stretched out. Time to get out the 80mm stem and non-setback post.
Suspension: Super plush. Sag checked out okay, but I blew through the rear too easily, so I needed to firm it up, but forgot the shock pump. So yeah, super plush.
Fork: Unbelievable that this is the same chassis I sent to White Bros a couple weeks ago for a damper change. Night and day, way better, uber plush, tracks great. For anyone on the fence, the new Fluid forks ride great. The prior IMV damper sucked for me and I am glad I ditched it. Felt like a lot more than 100mm.
Frame: Sorry to say this folks, but I think my Lenz is stiffer. No Ventana is a noodle, but slight flex was noticable. Not a fair comparison because the Lenz has Flows (instead of Arches) and a TA 150mm rear wheel in its favor, so some component (maybe a lot) is the wheels.
Technical climbing was awesome as I have found on pretty much all 29" bikes. This little frame did a great job in tight techy situations with rock drops in the middle of switchbacks, etc. Sort of like driving an economy car around the city. Very responsive to hopping around and body english. I did notice the rear wanting to let go a little quicker than the Lenz. I made some tight switchback moves with ease that vex me on the Lenz, but failed a couple rougher moves that I usually clear easily on the other bike.
The front end felt nowhere near as heavy as the Curtlo, but not as light as the Lenz. Felt balanced.
At high speed, it felt a little twitchier than I am used to, but not necessarily unstable. You just needed to pay attention.
Lawn darted off several tech moves I usually clear with ease on the Lenz. Just about crapped my pants on another steep roll-off that I don't much think about on the Lenz. I felt the longer stays for sure in many situations. I never felt they added anything positive to the ride.
It shreds best on smoother, tighter radius curvy singletrack, which is definitely its element, the front just tracks nicely around corners in these situations.
I would say that in general, I like the Lunchbox more in almost every situation except:
I think I will ditch the 5" rockers and commit to 4" in order to gain a lower BB and slightly slacker HTA as better fits this bikes purpose. There are rides where I'm sure it will outperform the Lenz, unfortunately, they are mostly the tighter woods trails you find back east.
This is a very first impression, and is likely to change as I get the thing tweaked to my liking.
Just reaffirms the fact that all bikes are compromises, you just have to find the compromise that suits you best. My comparisons to the Lenz are like comparing a Salty to a Terremoto, or Spot to an RFX. There really is no comparison, and one frame or the other will appeal to you based on your needs.
Riding it 5" rear, 4" front cuz I was too lazy to mess with it.
Fit: Unbelievably, I felt a little too stretched out. Time to get out the 80mm stem and non-setback post.
Suspension: Super plush. Sag checked out okay, but I blew through the rear too easily, so I needed to firm it up, but forgot the shock pump. So yeah, super plush.
Fork: Unbelievable that this is the same chassis I sent to White Bros a couple weeks ago for a damper change. Night and day, way better, uber plush, tracks great. For anyone on the fence, the new Fluid forks ride great. The prior IMV damper sucked for me and I am glad I ditched it. Felt like a lot more than 100mm.
Frame: Sorry to say this folks, but I think my Lenz is stiffer. No Ventana is a noodle, but slight flex was noticable. Not a fair comparison because the Lenz has Flows (instead of Arches) and a TA 150mm rear wheel in its favor, so some component (maybe a lot) is the wheels.
Technical climbing was awesome as I have found on pretty much all 29" bikes. This little frame did a great job in tight techy situations with rock drops in the middle of switchbacks, etc. Sort of like driving an economy car around the city. Very responsive to hopping around and body english. I did notice the rear wanting to let go a little quicker than the Lenz. I made some tight switchback moves with ease that vex me on the Lenz, but failed a couple rougher moves that I usually clear easily on the other bike.
The front end felt nowhere near as heavy as the Curtlo, but not as light as the Lenz. Felt balanced.
At high speed, it felt a little twitchier than I am used to, but not necessarily unstable. You just needed to pay attention.
Lawn darted off several tech moves I usually clear with ease on the Lenz. Just about crapped my pants on another steep roll-off that I don't much think about on the Lenz. I felt the longer stays for sure in many situations. I never felt they added anything positive to the ride.
It shreds best on smoother, tighter radius curvy singletrack, which is definitely its element, the front just tracks nicely around corners in these situations.
I would say that in general, I like the Lunchbox more in almost every situation except:
Tight, slow, technical climbingWhich is a fancy way of saying this is a very nice XC bike. It is a good bike, much better than the Curtlo it replaced, but without the visceral love reaction I get from the Box.
Tightish fast smoother singletrack
I think I will ditch the 5" rockers and commit to 4" in order to gain a lower BB and slightly slacker HTA as better fits this bikes purpose. There are rides where I'm sure it will outperform the Lenz, unfortunately, they are mostly the tighter woods trails you find back east.
This is a very first impression, and is likely to change as I get the thing tweaked to my liking.
Just reaffirms the fact that all bikes are compromises, you just have to find the compromise that suits you best. My comparisons to the Lenz are like comparing a Salty to a Terremoto, or Spot to an RFX. There really is no comparison, and one frame or the other will appeal to you based on your needs.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Blade Runner
Caught this on the way home last night.
A groundbreaking film from my favorite director, I'll have to check out the update.
A groundbreaking film from my favorite director, I'll have to check out the update.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Couple changes
First, rode the Comandante rigid this am up 305 and down with Dan. My legs were pretty worked by the end letting me know I have not SS'd enough. I still had reasonable explosiveness, but the recovery from those explosive efforts left a lot to be desired. I was weak by the end, and a little jelly legged most of the morning.
Dang it was fun. Did I say it was fun? I really like this bike rigid and think it will stay that way. I have a bunch of other rides for more epic, stuff that beats you up. I would not want to ride rigid every day, but it is simply a hoot to have such a responsive, light rig that really doesn't beat you up too bad.
It just looks right as well except for the seatpost, but I am hopelessly addicted to how it makes any bike ride.As for the bike to which El Comandante donated a fork:
Almost done, lacks a chain, cassette, and derailleur which should be here this week. With its tiny cockpit, and massive stand over, it looks to be quite the fun bike as well. I can tell just coasting it around the driveway that it is not nearly so ponderous as the Curtlo.The WB fork just got back from having the IMV guts exchanged for Fluid guts, and a new longer steer tube put on it. Dramatic difference in plushness. The IMV was just too harsh feeling for me.
Clean-up
Finally put the extra stall in the new garage to good use. I started with one 6 foot pole on the Minoura rack for every bike, and it was clear it would not be adequate for kid and adult bikes.
I replaced the metal crossbar that came with the Minoura rack with a 10 foot one to gain some space. Using it for sundry kids bikes because it is lower, and the round pole fits under theri saddles better. This rack cost $110.
I built this one out of scrap wood and $3 in brackets from the hardware store.
They work about the same:( Lesson learned.
I replaced the metal crossbar that came with the Minoura rack with a 10 foot one to gain some space. Using it for sundry kids bikes because it is lower, and the round pole fits under theri saddles better. This rack cost $110.
I built this one out of scrap wood and $3 in brackets from the hardware store.
They work about the same:( Lesson learned.
Stairs
Got out for a little father son time earlier this week. Ran into some friends with a camera while the boy was showing off his new found riding down stairs skills.
Amazing, couldn't do that a month ago, now he does it like no sweat. His COG to wheelbase ratio makes it almost impossible to go OTB. If he can lay off the brakes, and stay up on the pedals (harder than it sounds when you are new to it), he is fine. He found out the hard way what it is like to slip off the pedals and ride down seated.
Yeah, I always wear full face around the hood.
Amazing, couldn't do that a month ago, now he does it like no sweat. His COG to wheelbase ratio makes it almost impossible to go OTB. If he can lay off the brakes, and stay up on the pedals (harder than it sounds when you are new to it), he is fine. He found out the hard way what it is like to slip off the pedals and ride down seated.
Yeah, I always wear full face around the hood.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
It fits!
Was able to get the fork/wheels/cranks/rear brake on Greenie tonight. Just rolling around with no power and bouncing shows that it fits, and no toe overlap (although it is close.)
90mm stem yeilds a very nice cockpit for me.
Oh yeah, it feels nimble (but not as nimble as the Box).
Need a few more parts (cassette, chain, rear derailleur, decent headset) and I am golden.
90mm stem yeilds a very nice cockpit for me.
Oh yeah, it feels nimble (but not as nimble as the Box).
Need a few more parts (cassette, chain, rear derailleur, decent headset) and I am golden.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Score
Not much to report here. I am up to my eyeballs with work, getting settled in the new house (read, hanging stuff and unpacking boxes for the wife). In my spare time I am buying stuff for the new office, getting the computers set up, getting the accounting systems set up, etc.
I did find time to get a little something off of Ebay, however.
Bolts up nicely to the Curtlo's rear end.
Fork will come off the Comandante, so I am rigid SSer for a while. Bought it simply because I have most of the stuff to build it lying around and it will make a more than nice spare, spouse(right), loaner or kid bike in the future. Plus it lets me fool around with a really little frame and see how I like it.
Full story here.
Hopefully I can ride again in the near future.
I did find time to get a little something off of Ebay, however.
Bolts up nicely to the Curtlo's rear end.
Fork will come off the Comandante, so I am rigid SSer for a while. Bought it simply because I have most of the stuff to build it lying around and it will make a more than nice spare, spouse(right), loaner or kid bike in the future. Plus it lets me fool around with a really little frame and see how I like it.
Full story here.
Hopefully I can ride again in the near future.
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