My dream bikes...

Hey peeps,

I think at some point in past posts I alluded to this bike build being a "project" to buying my dream bike.

So if you want to know what my ultimate, "you build that shit, I'll just ride that shit" bikes are, here is a list. These also happen to be the most bestest, most coolest bikes in the world. And if you disagree with me.....

...The Transition Covert 26
 

The case for - Sex...On...Wheels
The case against - As with many things in life, just those few kilo's too heavy ;-)


...The Ibis Mojo HD

The case for - One of the most beautifully crafted bikes you will find.
The case against - Only because I have to think of one, cost.


...The Yeti SB-66

The case for - Years of frame R&D are painfully obvious when you get on this puppy.
The case against - Always hard to copy a friend who has one.

Yes I realise two of these bikes are a bright yellow colour. But seriously, how saucy do they look!

Justin.

More Bits....

Greetings Mountain Bikers and those less fortunate,

It's been a busy week, so I do apologise for being a little tardy on the blog updates. It wasn't until I recieved a few grief stricken calls and e-mails from followers, who seemed to be spiralling into severe withdrawal symptoms, that I simply had to satisfy their craving. So here is your "hit".

Procured a 10 speed chain and a 10 speed cassette (with 12 tooth small ring and 36 tooth large ring). SRAM of course. Picked these up for a fairly good price, nothing to gloat about though. So I will refrain. But then I just noticed the cool shirt I am wearing in this photo. My over-worn "8-bit 4 life" video game shirt. I am the antithesis of a "gamer" so this shirt is apt for me, given my gaming career ended in the 90's. I could have just said I am a non-gamer, but I was looking for somewhere to throw in that fancy word - and words like that just exacerbate your perception of my adroitness now don't they?).

Now, believe it or not there are different chains depending on how many gears you have on your cassette. It comes down to the widths needed to squeeze more rings on the cassette. These two items are case in point about how many freakin' configurations you can have and how easy it is to balls things up if you don't know what you are doing. Thankfully, most of the online toy stores...<I mean bike stores>... allow you to return parts if they are wrong. I guess I am not the first douche bag to bite off more than he can chew and build up a bike from scratch.

Do you want to know what addiction is? Having dreams about bikes. Sometime in the last week or so I dreamt you can get cassettes in 12,13,14 speeds. Which to my knowledge you can't. Why would I dream that?!

Anyway peoples, I do hope your day is, or has been the antithesis of bad ;-)

Progressive costs:
Actual: $1522.26
Estimated: $1238.30
If RRP: $2840.98

Justin.

The brakes didn't break the bank...

(Say that one 4 or 5 times over peeps).

Brakes. Kind of important on a bike, especially if you go as hard and fast as this object of awesomeness....

Presenting a set of 2012 Avid X0 Carbon disc brakes.

I picked up these saucy looking brakes for a great deal. These babies RRP for around $300 EACH new. Mine for $155.55 a piece. I also maintain my unquestioned allegiance to SRAM. To SRAM, I am a Lemming. But at least I will be a Lemming with good bike shit. Avid is a brand owned by SRAM.

I run an older style set of Avid Juicy's on my Giant and they have been pretty much bullet proof. Most importantly, none of that brake noise that sounds like a drowning turkey (though this is more to do with the pads you run). There will be hell to pay if these do not brake with the sounds of silence.

Those levers are carbon as well to keep the weight down.

I'll be running a 160mm rotor up front and a 140mm down the back.

Now the silver will be starting a trend as well. The first bit of bling. Well not bling to the power of bling. Maybe just bling multiplied by bling. But it is starting a trend and has given me some ideas for other bits on the bike.

Stay tuned...

Progressive costs:
Actual: $1429.22
Estimated: $1136.10
If RRP: $2670

Justin.

Short cages, medium cages, long cages!!

Behold!

The first "bit" for my bike. A SRAM 10 speed X0 rear derailleur. A rear derailleur is that spidery looking thingamajig near the back wheel of your bike that is responsible for moving the gears up and down the casette, and at the same time, taking up and letting out chain slack to compensate the gear size.

<Editorial note: Those in the know, sorry for the explanations but I am catering to a huge non-MTB'er fan base as well>

The simple reason it was my first bit, is it is the first part I found at a price that makes your finger click the "buy" button before your brain figures out what the hell just happened. RRP $270. Paid $143. Buying this has had a couple of flow on effects:

1. It has automatically answered my question as to whether I would run a 2x10 or a 3x9 running gear configuration (2 chain rings on the front gears and a 10 speed cassette at the back, or 3 chain rings up front and 9 speed cassette down back). I've never run a 2x10, so... cool.

2. It has set a precidence as to the gearing quality I am using. For my running gear I will strictly stick with SRAM over Shimano. As it was a fun build, I was willing to go down to X7 or X9 as needed. But I have started with X0, so I have to continue don't I? (SRAM "generally" goes up in quality from X3, which you find on some K-mart jobby - if you are lucky - up to carbon XX1 which you'd need to mortgage your house on to fully spec a bike with. X0 is one below the XX and XX1). 

Unfortunately, this was also my first introduction to what a nuffy I can be about bike parts. I didn't know if I needed the short, medium or long cage version (the length between the two jockey wheels). Enter stage right, the walking encyclopedia of bikes,  "Santo" to enlighten me on the subject. Medium Cage. Thanks boss.

Only very recently you can get these with a clutch; which have these benefits, but which I will now proceed to justify to my friends out there WHY I was happy to forgo the clutch option:

1. "Stops chain slap": Aside from the fact I love a good slapping, my frame has a raised chain-stay so I don't think it will be an issue.

2. "Stops chain from coming off": My chain rarely comes off on the Giant and it doesn't have a clutch. The Santa Cruz better follow suit or it will be burned at the stake.

3. "You can lock the clutch out meaning you don't have to wrestle to hold back the derailleur when changing the rear wheel/tyre": Seriously!? If that is an issue for you, go out and buy a can of harden the f&*k up.

Progressive costs:
Actual: $1118.12
Estimated: $825
If RRP: $2070

Justin.

A wise friend once told me...

...a blog is not complete without cats.

So here is a cat....

Notice how I have ingeniously found a picture that links in quite nicely with the theme of this blog? Feel free to comment and give me kudos for such forward thinking.

Now, that was a photo of a cat. This means I have fullfilled my duty to the Internets.

Justin.

Warranty void if seal is broken...

Well actually, not if the seal is broken, but if you ship it to another country. But you understand, I had to work that line into this blog somehow. There are much more offensive pictures that can convey this message, but in respect of some of my more un-tainted readers, I have refrained. I will leave you tainted readers in the hands of Google Image search. Though in searching for an apt picture for this, I came across this one. Which is also apt for my blog. Which I also found funny. Which means you will find funny. Shut up.










Ahh Seal. You so crazy. But you have survived all this time, which means that song you sang all those years ago is totally true!











Now where was... Shipping. Ok, so I needed to have the frame delivered to an address in the USA. After assessing a few options, it was a pitstop in California for the Heckler. Manufacturer shipping to California occured in warp speed time. But there was a hold up here while I figured out how to get it to Oz for a decent price (note to self: shipment of large goods from the US = expensive). It didn't help that Santa Cruz use boxes that double as transporters for Rhinos from Rhodesia. Despite efforts to reduce the size by Paul's son in the US (thanks for trying!), eventually I just had to bend over and take it. $350 to ship. That took a bite out of the intended budget, but I am still ahead.

Progressive costs:
Actual: $975
Estimated: $625
If RRP: $1800

Justin.

Intermission: The Red Bull Rampage

Sometimes I think I can ride. Then I watch clips like this and realise that it is all relative. Seriously relative. Compared to these guys, I cannot ride...

Red Bull Rampage GoPro 2012

Clearly these deranged, alternate universe dwelling examples of the human species are born without that small cerebral chunk of gunk responsible for controlling inhibition.
 
After only 3 blog entries, he is already asking when he will get a mention on this blog. So Sean, thankyou for passing this on, and the resulting callous and brutal destruction of my ego; I didn't need it anyway ;-)

Justin.

Heckle me o Heckler

Right, so may I present to you the namesake of my blog.
A 2012 Santa Cruz Heckler frame...

Ahhhhhhh, I collectively hear from every corner and orifice of the planet.

Heckle me o Heckler. Heckle those around you. The tree.. the rock... the space ship. Feel it's presence flooooow through... dah crap. That's a Jedi isn't it. Well, we'll see if this completed baby can behave like a Jedi, or merely a space smuggler with a gun and a wookie.

So, what's cool about this frame?
- It's a Santa Cruz.
- Including shipping, I got it for nearly half price.
- It's a Santa Cruz
- It's a sexy blue colour.
- It's a Santa Cruz.

Back to business.... It was seeing this bargain back in December '12 that prompted me to conjure up this zany scheme.

Santa Cruz Heckler frame, with shock in Oz, $1800. Imported from the US, WITH postage, $1000. I thank Paul and his son for helping me get it here. Interesting experience, which I will cover off in the next post... For now, lets just rejoice in the fact that it is with me, sharing my queen size bed, until it starts growing bits that will damage both the bed and me in the night.

The frame came armed with a Fox CTD (Climb/Trail/Descent) shock with 6 inches of travel. Not Kashima coated, but I got over that in about 1.2 seconds. The Reign is currently armed with a Fox RP23 which has been simply fantastic to me. No repairs, rarely needs an air top up and a lovely feel on the climbs and flats. We will see how it compares....

On the mountain bike scale, the Heckler is considered one of your "all mountain" rigs. It will keep you sane pumping up long climbs, but also leave you grinning ear to ear when you hit those downhill sections. The Heckler is also a more traditional frame design with a simple single pivot point for the rear suspension and aluminium frame. The basic geometry of the frame hasn't changed for several years. One of the few cases in life where someone has actually employed the "if it ain't broken, don't fix it" rule. I was also pleasantly surprised by the weight of it - far lighter than expected. Notice also the raised rear chain stay common on Santa Cruz bikes. I am looking forward to not hearing the chain slapping on those downhill sections.

Progressive costs:
Actual: $625
Estimated: $625
If RRP: $1800

Keep it real trendsetters,
Justin.

Kneel before the Reigning Giant!

A 2008 Giant Reign. My "Rig", my trusty steed if you will. It has been one fantastic warrior over these last few years. I cannot possibly continue blogging without pausing to give this great bike some lip service. It has pushed on, where others have cracked under the pressure. It's regularly sat with me on the side of the track, waiting while other mere mortal rigs are getting a running repair (by the way I don't exaggerate - trust me, I'm a dolphin in disguise).

Those that know me, know it is one of my most loved possessions. Though in recent years the care factor for scratches and possible theft has tapered off somewhat. When I first bought it, it lived inside. Bike locked to the bed in the spare room. My two female flatemates at the time were most amused.

It's not the most sexy beast in the world, but it's presentable and shit does it get the job done!

Here is the beast when it was brand new back in '08...

What it does have though is high-end componentry. Purchase price was $4200, so in the world of mountain biking that is getting up there as a high-end bike. They say you get what you paid for, and this is most certainly true with the Reign. It has soldiered on where others have wilted. I look after it, and it has looked after me.

Many a time it has just been me, the bike and the bush; and I can't tell you how much that has made me smile over the years. If you are a mountain biker, you know what I mean.

Though like me, it does actually have friends. It's photo's like this that really define what it is like to "hang with the boys".

So, while the build is underway, the Reign will continue to help keep me sane. Be my Ying after a week full of Yangs.

The question I am sure is on your lips is what I will do with it once the build is complete? Yes, I can be sentimental, but it is in damn good nic and finances are finances, so I intent to offload it at some point. But like any good human, this won't be before it donates one or two of its body parts to a far greater cause...

Justin.

...So what's all this about then?

Mountain bikes.

Mountain biking.

Possibly the most awesome thing in the world. Well, I can think of one other thing that's probably just as awesome. I guess both can also be just as frustrating when you fall off. But, of course, the motto is, if you fall off, you dust yourself off, and get right back on there!

I have given many hobbies/sports/pastimes a go in my life. There is little I don't actually enjoy. But it is rare to come across something you truly love. Something you daydream about during work. Something that motivates you. Something where money is of no consequence. For some it is surfing. For others it may be cars. For me, it is all about the bike.

I've actually always liked riding ever since I was a little ankle biter. I distinctly remember my first 2 BMX's. I remember the first bike I bought with my own money, a 21 speed Apollo "Kosciusko" (a lovely "dunger" with fluro colour paintwork and shitty v-brakes). Still I banged down hills on that thing that I am sure would rattle my now late 30 year old bones to pieces.

It was only about 10 years ago that I seriously got into mountain biking. It was my first real exposure to a bike with suspension. It belonged to a mates wife no less. Granted it only had front suspension; but it was a real eye opener for me. This was back in the day when even rear shocks were coil only and in their infancy.

I quickly went out and bought myself a new bike. Nothing special. It was a Learsport TR3270 - a bike I still have to this day (it serves as a great commuter). Hitting the simple trails on this was OK... for about 3 months. It wasn't until an urban ride round the streets, stairs and parks of Sydney's CBD that I realised how truly awesome a "dually" can be. A few short weeks later I was the proud owner of a 2005 Giant AC. As a homage to the first bike that I parted with a decent amount of money for ($1800), I will dedicate the very first picture of this blog to her. Here she is, in all her brand new glory.

(Excuse me while I wipe a tear from my eye)

Being the sentimental sod I am, I am sure I would still have her today, if it wasn't for the fact that she got stolen back in 2007. Yet, a small piece of her still lives on - the original set of front forks (Manitou Stance). They had been replaced by a set of Rockshox boxxers that sadly got stolen along with the bike. The Stances have their own shrine, if you call a corner of the garage and a fine coating of dust a shrine.

So my current rig is a 2008 model Giant Reign 0. A true warrior that has served me well. But a little more on this specimen of awesomeness in later posts. All I will say now is this is one truly great bike. One on which you would be perfectly happy to pull up stumps for, and grow old with. Alas though, like a perfectly good woman, it seems sometimes the winds of change just cannot be halted.

This blog is about my move to my next rig...with a twist.

While I could have gone out and bought a perfectly good, brand new bike; me being me, I had to complicate things for myself. Why save all that time on buying a complete bike, when I can cause myself all the time, stress and frustration on building up a bike from scratch?

Like a petrol head is to cars, you never really know something until you get in there, tinker, play, &  make mistakes and <hopefully> learn from those mistakes. I've always been into everything about mountain bikes. Riding them, the trails, the technology... and the bits. I knew a fair bit about the bits. I know the difference between a "Dirty Dan" and a "Rocket Ron". I know what stems, clusters, hangers and derailleurs are. I know what CTD and SPV means. I know how annoying it is that bike manufactures use those star shaped keys and not ye old faithful standard allen keys. I know X0 is better than X9 but not as good as XX and I know that Shimano belongs solely on a road bike, SRAM on a MTB :-) But there is HEAPS I don't know.

..and what better way to learn, I figured, than to build my own bike. Apart from the learning, I also challenged myself to...

...build a bike, cheaper than what I could buy it complete for.
...give it some bling.
...(and most of all) have fun.

It all started when I managed to find a frame at an exceptionally good price (but more on that later). To do this, all I am doing is calling on the expertise of some of my friends, mountain bike magazines and most of all, The Internets. One site in particular must be mentioned... www.chainreactioncycles.com. If you are into bikes, it's your friend.

I have every intention of this being an "interlude" for I do plan to go out and buy my dream bike (a bit on that later too). This is more a project, the great "bike build of 2013" I keep telling myself. Every man needs a distraction. A project. Something to keep him out of trouble if you will.

Me...

Not a lot to say really. Here is a picture of me on my trusty steed. That's about all you need to know....

...but here is another one. This is possibly the most awesome photo in the known universe.

I do not proclaim to be an expert on mountain bikes. That is the whole point of this blog. Just one normal dude, wanting to get to know more about his chosen passion and openly sharing his wins and fails with you, no matter how epic they may be.

...And an editorial note. I'm Aussie. I'm a guy. That means I enjoy a bit of crudity and swearing. And I reserve the right to enrich this blog with just the right dose of each. If you don't like it. TS.

Justin.