Wednesday, April 16, 2008

My New Mtb

Heather and I got back from Denver on Sunday night. It was a fun, quick trip despite the Sioux getting their butts kicked in the first game. We went to the zoo, went hiking at some canyon place, and relaxed. Maybe Heather will update her blog with some pics from the trip. Of course it snow stormed on our drive out there, but the drive home was smooth sailing (as smooth as a 14.5hr drive can be).

I promised some pics of my new mtb, so without further ado, here they are. I was debating between the aluminum hardtail and the aluminum full suspension (same as Trent's), but in the end stuck with the hardtail. I got a stock Trek 8500 and then upgraded everything except for the frame, fork, and brakes.
The aluminum rocketship.
The new XTR drivetrain is so sweet looking and smooth.
Pretty cranks.
Nice and light rotational weight.
The new XT hydraulic brakes are amazing. You can adjust both the lever throw and modulation easily right on the lever.

Frame: Alpha Red aluminum
Fork: Fox F100 RL
Brakes: Shimano XT Hydraulic
Front/Rear Derailleur: Shimano XTR
Cassette: SRAM 980
Chain: SRAM PC991 Hollow
Cranks/BB: Shimano XTR
Wheelset: Bontrager Race X Lite Disc
Tires: Bontrager ACX 2.0
Tubes: Bontrager Race XXX Lite
Handlebar: Bontrager Race X Lite Carbon
Stem: Bontrager Race X Lite
Headset: Chris King
Pedals: Shimano 959
Seatpost: Bontrager Race X Lite ACC Carbon
Saddle: Selle Italia Flite Ti
Bottle Cage: Elite Gel
Computer: Trek Incite 9i Wireless

Total Weight: a svelte 21.8 lbs

This new bike is a good 1.5 lbs lighter than my old carbon 9.9, with most of the weight savings coming from the Race X Lite wheelset, which shaved almost 300 grams from my King/717 setup. I can't wait for the first WORS race on May 4th to see what it can do.

Greg will be happy to know that it sounds like the Klein lineup is going to be revamped following the dropping of LeMond. No word yet if that means going back to aluminum goodness, or just sticking some Klein decals on LeMond carbon frames. There is also talk of possibly bringing back Bontrager bikes to fill the void for steel road, mtn, and cross frames. That would rule!

11 comments:

G-reg said...

Terry and myself welcome you back to Aluminimium land, we've been waiting. Now outside of Afton/24-9 do you really need that fork....Another few pound weight loss...Better steering....

I really want to try those brakes, I liked them back in the V-brake day, it really surprises me it took this long as the concept makes more sense for discs.

I see tubeless ready wheels/tires, are you going to F with that this year?

Trek ran with the Pressed BB/OS headsets of the 90's Klein's for the newest Lance-wanna-be-bikes, so the only way to further poo on the Klein brand is to make KleiMonds.

G-reg said...

I also notice a pretty long stem there. Are you really running a 120-130mm stem or is it just the pics

Brian said...

I don't think I'll mess with tubeless yet. The tires/wheels will just remain "tubeless ready" for now.

You would enjoy talking with the P1 guy...he's a hard-core old Klein fan like you. Has some older Attitude frames that he's restored with Mission Control bars and such.

It's a 120mm stem. It seems like I've had a 120mm stem for quite some time...both of my IF's had them as well.

Simmons said...

Very nice!

Cycling Scribe said...

That is a sexy ride, Brian. Is there some Lebenon in it's future?

Brian said...

There better be!

:)

Is Vino down with a trip to the Cities for a weekend ridefest? Maybe Greg too if he is back in the area...

G-reg said...

I'm there

Justin Fox said...

That is a sexy ride Brain.

How many bikes are you up to now?

Brian said...

Still just 4...Eddy, 970 SS, X0-1, and 8500.

Justin Fox said...

You still have the root beer 970????

Awesome.

tonia said...

Hi ;-)