...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 They had been replaced by a set of Rockshox boxxers that sadly got stolen along with the bike.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.