Biking

Originally posted by diviesti ^ That's a pretty impressive looking mount, I bought a different one for my S3 and it was pure garbage. Spent half of my time worrying it would pop out going through a dip, needless to say I just throw it in my back pocket now.

Originally posted by bootleg Where is the batman when you need him? *sends out the BMW rescue signal* apparently buying a high end frame usually comes with a piece of shit stock headset from Taiwan, I'm having some issues finding out whats a good set for a integrated headtube using angular contact bearings without using a shimmy or not.

He has been either working at the shop, or out on the trails

SO, to help ya out on the headset, I'm gonna need some more info. If you can let me know the exact model, make, and model year of the frame, it will go a long way into what I suggest. On a side note, if it is compatible, and you can swing it, go with Chris King! :)

So, I've had the new Mtn. Bike for almost two weeks now, and have 70 miles on it. Early bird review is that I love it. It does have some downfalls, mainly with how it climbs. I wouldn't say it's a bitch pointing it up hill....but it's no spring chicken either. Getting some carbon wheels and other random bits here and there will help with that. I will say, everything other than climbing it is amazing at. At only 110 mil of travel front and rear, it surprisingly want's to be pointed down hill. There is a loop two hours south of town that we went to last week that is close to a mini enduro style course. Good amount of climbing, but SUPER flow-y down hill sections, mild drops and banked corners. The bike loved it.

With the set of XO brakes I had replacing the Elixir 3's that came on the bike, it LOVES to stop. I'm glad I gave the XO's a second chance as they perform amazingly. Still not in love that they use DOT fluid, but I'll get over it for now.

I'm still having some pretty major problems with endurance and breathing, as my lungs are still dealing with the fact that I smoked for 14 years. Got an Osprey bag on order, and should be here next week. I'm thinking once I get that and just push a ton of fluids while riding, it should help.

All in all, I am really stoked on my choice. While there are times that I wish I had gotten the Epic (Pure XC bike), I'm glad I got the camber with it's slacked out angles and a tad more travel. It will be a much more versatile bike in the long run.
And now...a little bike porn from today's ride

Bootleg, not too versed in NEW Bianchi, but as far as I know, as long as the new HS is 1 1/8th you should be fine. From what I tell there isn't any thing super special about that steer tube and head tube. For good measure I would put a pair of calipers on it though and measure it out.

So...I dunno how the hell I did this, but apparently my last trail day I was riding with the rear shock locked out. I'll caulk it up to being real tired and in a hurry, but damn, I can't believe I did that. Just took it around the block for some urban assault and everything felt fine, so I think I am in the clear as far as damage is concerned.

Day off today and dunno if' I'm going to go out and ride. Looks like rain on my next day off, so today would really be my only day to get on the trails for maybe a week, but I just am not feeling it much right now. I want to ride, bad, but I'm just beat down tired. Been pushing myself too much lately with work and getting back into shape, I just don't know if my legs have it today. Hmm....conundrum.

Oh, so I got bored last night and made this. Wonder how long it takes before someone steals it

That's a pretty cool piece of work, BMW :) It would last about 2 seconds in front of my house. And glad you're gettin some good miles in on the new ride.
I did a lil 30 mile loop over the weekend. Got a new seat and tweaked some stuff to try to be more comfortable. The knee held up alright, but was a bit tight toward the end of the run.
Almost ran over a Pomeranian :)

went on a little ride with my sister today....she got wrecked but laughed about it

Originally posted by davidhn2 Just got into biking! got a pretty cheap first bike, but it does the job!

Originally posted by diviesti Blew threw two tubes on Sunday before I even made it out the door. First one my pump broke the tip off the presta valve, seen this one coming since I bent it about a month ago. Second one must have been a bad tube, blew apart at the seam once I put full pressure in it. Needless to say my planned 50 miler didn't even make it out the door.  Gonna pick up some Turbo Ultra Light Tubes to replace them with. I'll see if I notice any difference.

Bent valves suck.

As for the blow out....I would doubt the tube was defective. Not trying to be an ass, but in the thousands of flats I have changed, I have never once seen a defective tube. User error, yes. Sounds like you just pinched the tube during install.

Turbo's are easier to blow up because of how thin their walls are. But, they are the only tubes I use on my Allez. IMO, they are easier to install because they are covered in powder which makes it harder to pinch-tube pretty much seats itself in the tire casing.

As far as weight difference (if you were talking about that) you will notice a difference switching over to turbo's from regular tubes. Easier to get up to speed, and should notice it on sprints.

...To do the Honolulu century again or not? Anyone doing any centuries, metric century or fun rides this summer?

Watched the Ole Levi Effect on Universal Sports last night.  I always admired him from a distance, then when he admitted to doping I pretty much stopped caring about him. I figured this was made before his admission of guilt, and it was a celebration of himself so I had no intentions of ever watching it. Glad I did, it was rather entertaining. Nothing like watching his team director telling him to "Eat Shit" 50 times during his TT. I would say it restored some of my respect for him, and it really made me want to move to Santa Rosa if anything. 

obviously depending on location, some farmer's markets have free bike maintenence. There are 2 different farmer's markets around my area where they have free maintenence.