Winter frame just came in!

[James]

No derailleur hanger though, but I'm tracking one down. Have to figure out which headset it uses too. As luck would have it, have a fork and post that match the rear end perfectly. Got it raw, no paint, so hot. I'll post pics very soon...

Bummed I can't build it until I get a hanger though...:(

[ire]

I don't even want to see it....it will just make me reeeeeally jealous (like usual). Then I'll feel like I need a new bike to keep up with the Jameses :)

[James]

I don't even want to see it....it will just make me reeeeeally jealous (like usual). Then I'll feel like I need a new bike to keep up with the Jameses :)

No derailleur hanger though! It's a pain in the arse trying to track down an Easton 2-bolt hanger. I have one frame supply company looking for one, they sell the whole rear end, but I obvs don't need that.

Pics in a minute.

[MMcG]

Hurry up with the pics already! Sheesh!

[James]

Ok, here are pics. Just quick 'n dirty for now.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d190/BikeNerd2453/Scandium4.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d190/BikeNerd2453/Scandium3.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d190/BikeNerd2453/Scandium2.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d190/BikeNerd2453/Scandium1.jpg

What do you think?

[vtjim]

Dizamn. That is pretty sweet looking James. Make sure everything else on it is carbon to match the fork/rear end.

[LordOpie]

Nice, but what frame is that? Or is it first off the line and you're not allowed to say?

[James]

Dizamn. That is pretty sweet looking James. Make sure everything else on it is carbon to match the fork/rear end.

No, I think I'm gonna follow the carbon backlash with the parts on this thing. Deda Zero 100 stem, Supernatural bar, and the new Zero 100 post, in the "dark metal polish" color. Post won't be out until December though, and the bar/stem are coming from Italy, so it might be a little while. I have some Easton parts to build it now though. Well, as soon as I get a damn hanger anyway...

Nice, but what frame is that? Or is it first off the line and you're not allowed to say?
Opie, it's not a secret or anything, it's an Easton frame; scandium front triangle, and obviously the EC90 rear end. Basically it's this thing: http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&major=1&minor=1&description=Team+Frameset+2006&vendorCode=UNITED
But they didn't really sell many at the price they were asking. Got it through a coworker overseas, special raw, no paint, no nothin'.

[MMcG]

That'll get the job done and then some.

[James]

That'll get the job done and then some.

It should, yes.
I have an Ultegra kit waiting for it at home, just need some compact cranks and I'm golden.
Well, and a saddle too.

[splat]

that is mighty nice !!

[-dustin]

i got a chance to ride one of the Toyota United frames. pretty fun.

[James]

i got a chance to ride one of the Toyota United frames. pretty fun.

Hopefully, I'm stoked to try it out...as soon as I get a hanger.
I've got a headset on the way, have everything else I need.

[ire]

Looks good, what are you going to spec it with? Are you going to paint it, or keep it brushed?

[James]

Looks good, what are you going to spec it with? Are you going to paint it, or keep it brushed?

I have the Ultegra stuff I took off of my 555 when I put Dura Ace on it, so I figure I'll use that, since it started life riding in wetter Monterey. Dura Ace brakes, because the Ultegras are still on the 555. Cranks, not sure yet, but something compact in alloy. Trying to stay away from carbon on this one, because of all the grit and crap on the roads.
Easton Orion II wheels, Deda Zero 100 stem and post, Supernatural bar in the dark metal polish. The post won't be out until December though, so I have an EC90 that'll work for now.
No paint, could've gotten it painted in some cool colors, but honestly, that would make it a bit nicer, and I want to keep this thing bare bones, and plus I think that the bare scandium looks super cool, kind of goldish.
Soooo bummed I can't start building it this weekend, but I suppose I should be packing since I have to move next week, eh?

[James]

2 hangers on the way. $12.50 each from Nova Cycle Supply, ouch! Plus a $5 "under $50 order" charge. But I needed it.
FSA carbon IS headset shipped too, should have everything else I need...hoping by the weekend (when I'm moving, and so won't have any time) I'll have everything.

[James]

Derailleur hangers came in. Of course they would have to be some super-tiny torx-end, and not a hex or phillips head right? Sigh.
Headset should be here tomorrow, then I'll have everything I need to get her built up!

[ire]

sweet, look forward to seeing it

[James]

Wrong headset.
Sigh.
My fault. But damn I am getting FRUSTRATED. All I want to do is put the damn fork on, but nooooooo.
Hopefully Cane Creek can sort this out for me...

Update (not that anyone cares): It's the *Campy* internal headset standard, not the *Cane Creek* standard.
So a call to the folks in North Carolina and an IS-8i headset is winging it's way to me, be here tomorrow.
Got that one as it's got the stainless bearings, and the carbon top cap doesn't hurt either, right? :)

[James]

Cane Creek headset is here, and it fits!
Whew. This long ordeal is over. The build can begin!

As soon as I finish moving that is.
Sigh.

[MtnbikeMike]

Build that bish up and post pics asap! ...after you move.

[James]

Note to self: don't get impatient and try to fit a part that probably won't fit, when you can wait 3 hours and put on the right part at home.
Please join my in a moment of silence for the top 5mm or so of my steerer tube. Poor, poor Easton fork top.
Anyway, lesson learned. Not like I could finish the bike anyway. Cranks will be here tomorrow, and until the Deda stuff gets here, I have an EA90 stem (had to flip it as the steerer tube is a bit shorter now!), EA70 bar, EC90 post.
Wheels are on, fork cut and mounted, headset, post, stem, bar. Will finish it tomorrow night. Pics to come, as soon as I figure out which box I packed my camera in...

[James]

New parts are here, meaning I don't have to build the bike with the temporary Easton stuff. Man, they really came through, and as luck would have it the cranks are an almost perfect match for the rest of the parts!
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d190/BikeNerd2453/NewStuff.jpg

Should be a fun weekend...:)

[loco-gringo]

Hurry up dammit.

[ire]

Hurry up dammit.

:stupid:

[James]

Hurry up dammit.

Yeah, yeah, yeah...
I'm still unpacking too...

[MtnbikeMike]

Hurry up dammit.


:stupid:


:stupid:

[Mr. Hankey]

:stupid:
:imstupid:

[BikeMike]

Hey! Are you still holding out on us?

[James]

Hey! Are you still holding out on us?

Maybe. I'll try to dig up my camera tonight, otherwise I'll post a pic tomorrow from work...

[gonefirefightin]

dont bother rushing, i will just get sick from jealousy and projectile vomit on my screen when i see it anyways

[James]

dont bother rushing, i will just get sick from jealousy and projectile vomit on my screen when i see it anyways

Meh, this is the "beater" anyway, so nothing too special like some of the other ones...

[gonefirefightin]

Meh, this is the "beater" anyway, so nothing too special like some of the other ones...

now I despise you..............damn you infidel.

[LordOpie]

now I despise you..............damn you infidel.
no sh1t!

That's like saying the BMW is just the in-town car.

[James]

no sh1t!

That's like saying the BMW is just the in-town car.
I was, until recently, the king of the sh!tty cars with nice bikes on top. Like a beat-to-hell '96 GTI, or a '92 Jetta GLI, or the diamond in my crown, the '94 Toyota Paseo! All worth less than pretty much any of my bikes I put on the roof.
I just recently broke down and bought an '04 Element EX AWD, so it's a bit different now.

[reflux]

I just recently broke down and bought an '04 Element EX AWD, so it's a bit different now.
What are your thoughts on the Element, now that you've owned it for some time? The more I look at the Element (and to a slightly lesser extent, the Ridgeline), the more I can't help but acknowledge its practicality.

[James]

What are your thoughts on the Element, now that you've owned it for some time? The more I look at the Element (and to a slightly lesser extent, the Ridgeline), the more I can't help but acknowledge its practicality.

You know, I'd been a huge fan of the car before I was looking for a new one. I had pretty much narrowed my choices to that, or a Volvo XC70 (as I'm near Tahoe, and snow, etc). The Volvo would be spendier to repair, and the Honda was more practical for having a dog in the car, my bikes, etc. I LOVE the way the seats fold out of the way. I can hold 4 bikes back there, with wheels on.

Funny story, I test drove my Element, being sold by a Chevy place in Reno, and loved it. Did all of my negotiating via email, much easier that way. They were asking $18,500 for an '04 EX, front wheel drive. Managed to talk them down to $14k+, so $15,400 out the door I think. Got it home, realized that my mileage wasn't as good as I liked. Noticed that it had the moon roof, which was only available on the AWD EX models that year. Took a peek under the car, whatta ya know, it's the AWD model! Which means that I saved probably another $4k off of their asking price, as most of the AWD models in the area were selling in the low 20's.
Sooooo stoked, made me feel a lot better about my 24mpg average.

Anyway, to answer your question, finally, I really, really love this car. So much room on the inside, and it's actually a pretty short car, so you can park it really easily. It can only carry 4 people though, but not a big deal for me. No complaints with anything, the sound is great (7 speakers with a sub on the EX models), and it's got a line-in for my iPod. The new ones have an integrated iPod connection, but I can deal.
Plus, it's a Honda, it'll run forever. I think it's pretty much a CRV under the body, the engine/chassis/etc anyway.

[Mr. Hankey]

You know, I'd been a huge fan of the car before I was looking for a new one. I had pretty much narrowed my choices to that, or a Volvo XC70 (as I'm near Tahoe, and snow, etc). The Volvo would be spendier to repair, and the Honda was more practical for having a dog in the car, my bikes, etc. I LOVE the way the seats fold out of the way. I can hold 4 bikes back there, with wheels on.

Funny story, I test drove my Element, being sold by a Chevy place in Reno, and loved it. Did all of my negotiating via email, much easier that way. They were asking $18,500 for an '04 EX, front wheel drive. Managed to talk them down to $14k+, so $15,400 out the door I think. Got it home, realized that my mileage wasn't as good as I liked. Noticed that it had the moon roof, which was only available on the AWD EX models that year. Took a peek under the car, whatta ya know, it's the AWD model! Which means that I saved probably another $4k off of their asking price, as most of the AWD models in the area were selling in the low 20's.
Sooooo stoked, made me feel a lot better about my 24mpg average.

Anyway, to answer your question, finally, I really, really love this car. So much room on the inside, and it's actually a pretty short car, so you can park it really easily. It can only carry 4 people though, but not a big deal for me. No complaints with anything, the sound is great (7 speakers with a sub on the EX models), and it's got a line-in for my iPod. The new ones have an integrated iPod connection, but I can deal.
Plus, it's a Honda, it'll run forever. I think it's pretty much a CRV under the body, the engine/chassis/etc anyway.


Damn Aerodynamics own. My mom gets high 20s low 30s in her CRV. My ****box 88 Civic Hatch gets 40-45mpg, and the CRX gets 30-35mpg, but runs 12sec quarter miles all motor. Too bad I can't drive any of them..... :(

[James]

Damn Aerodynamics own. My mom gets high 20s low 30s in her CRV. My ****box 88 Civic Hatch gets 40-45mpg, and the CRX gets 30-35mpg, but runs 12sec quarter miles all motor. Too bad I can't drive any of them..... :(

My old '96 GTI 4cyl used to get about 38mpg commuting, that was about an hour stuck on the 405 in LA in 1st or 2nd gear, then 1:45 at about 80mph, which was pretty good.
You know, I'm not too bummed about it. Yeah, it's a big box, but damn there is a TON of room in there, and it's great in the snow.

[reflux]

Great info James, thank you. Do you find that the Element has enough pickup for most city and highway driving?

[James]

Great info James, thank you. Do you find that the Element has enough pickup for most city and highway driving?

It's not going to set any records, but it's decent. 160hp, but the AWD takes a bit of the oomph out. I would trade a bike for a 5th gear, a 5spd auto would be the only change I'd like to see in the car, but it's fine for that stuff. Mostly mountain driving where I most wish for that last gear, but around town it's perfectly fine.

I just got a new mattress, a pillowtop full, and put it entirely in the car, with the back shut. And I could have put a bunch more stuff in there had I wanted/needed to, so that made me pretty stoked.

The one I bought had some stupid polished wheels, some side-steps, and a brush guard on the front, but I'll be taking those off when I get unlazy about it. The steps would be good if I had a roof rack though...

[MMcG]

James - is the winter bike complete yet?

If so, pics?

[James]

James - is the winter bike complete yet?

If so, pics?

Gonna install the chain and cable it up today, then wrap the bars, dig up some pedals, and she's golden!

[MMcG]

Gonna install the chain and cable it up today, then wrap the bars, dig up some pedals, and she's golden!


Awesome - can't wait to see her unveiling. :thumb:

[LordOpie]

Is it done yet?

Photos?

[James]

All done, though I have to re-wrap the bars as something funky happened around the hoods, but I'll get a pic in a couple of minutes.
Wish I could have dug up my red tape, but blue will do for now I guess. It'll be getting pretty dirty, so I shouldn't care that much...

Update- Here are the pics:
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d190/BikeNerd2453/WinterBikeFull.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d190/BikeNerd2453/WinterBikeRearEnd.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d190/BikeNerd2453/WinterBikeCockpit.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d190/BikeNerd2453/WinterBikeFront.jpg

[Mr. Hankey]

I'll be the first one, very, very nice "Beater" ;)

[splat]

Very Nice to haveto Slum On :thumb:

so what is the story on all those bueties in the background ? Yours ?

[James]

Very Nice to haveto Slum On :thumb:

so what is the story on all those bueties in the background ? Yours ?
Mostly some Colnago demo bikes we inherited from the last distributor, and a couple of Look bikes from the last year or two that we haven't gotten around to selling yet.
Shots taken in our bike assembly room.

[splat]

here is a Buddy of mine on his winter bike

Might be a Step above yours :) I took this picture a couple of years ago.

http://www.crw.org/gallery/images/bozo.jpg

[MMcG]

Very nice! Is that an Easton seatpost? Lots of offset on that model eh?

[Wumpus]

Is that an Easton seatpost? Lots of offset on that model eh?



Wow. I would be scared to ride that. Seems like there would be a lot of torque on the bond.

[ire]

I like the bar tape.....what brand?

[James]

Wow. I would be scared to ride that. Seems like there would be a lot of torque on the bond.

It's an Easton EC90. It's a great post, but I have issues with it because it's only a single-bolt clamp, and the clamp is carbon, so my seat can tend to loosen up a bit. I guess I should have learned after I replaced the one on my 555 with an FSA K-Force, but I had that post, so...
I'll most likely take it off and put either an EC70 on there, or the Deda I got. The Deda doesn't match the bar/stem for color, but whatever.

And Ire, it's Easton tape, again I had it around. Pretty nice stuff actually.

Back from my first ride this AM. Overall I really like it, I have to switch out that seat, as I forgot how bad it was for me, and the post, but it rode really well. A lot stiffer than my carbon bikes in the ride, but that's to be expected. Had a small issue with brake rub while standing and cranking, but I think it was mostly due to the rear brake being slightly misaligned.
On a side note: Brrrrrrr!!! My legs are still cold, even after a shower!

[BikeMike]

Very nice!