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Piecing it together
I picked up my 'new' bike last night. All it is, is a very lightly used 02' S-Works FSR frame, with the drivetrain moved over from the K2 Razorback. The wheelset is still excellent, with Chris King hubs, tied to Mavic 817 tubeless rims. The same goes for the well-worn carbon FSA crank and recently replaced BB. The XTR cassette is only a few months old too.
There were some changes. I went to a riser bar for the first time ever. Been running flat bars for years and I'm going to try the risers for extra control on the downhills. I picked a Specialized S-Works riser in the new 31.8 oversize format and I believe this will make a difference compared to the old standard, as far as stiffness and minimal flex goes. The brake levers have been on four different bikes, including this one and are the old Altek levers that were full CNC'd so many years ago, but still beat just about anything issued out there for V's. Can't afford to go disks yet. This effort is just to get me through the year until I get a new race bike next year.
I also went with the SRAM X-O push-button shifters, getting rid of the Gripshift. What convinced me, was riding the hardtail Stumpy that came stock with LX shifters and and an XT derrailuer. I liked the fact, that I didn't have to move my hands and also, the brake levers came in a lot closer to the ends of the handlebars. I'm going to miss grabbing a bunch of gears up at once, but I never seemed to do badly with madly clicking either.
Naturally a Thomson seatpost is a requirement, but the stock seatclamp on the S-Works was never quite up to snuff back in 02' and my local rep recommended replacing it with either a fixed seatclamp or one of the new ones from Specialized. The old K2 donated it's excellent fixed seatclamp, so I have a little piece of the Razorpiggie on this new bike. A Fox Propedal is on the way, to replace the old Fox Float RL. The new platform shocks, blow away the old shocks and will totally change any of the FSR's by leaps and bounds.
Got to ride it around the parking lot last night, as that's all the time I had, but it will get ridden on the Acton loop tonight and a pre-run of the race course on Saturday. Sunday, I'll be lining up with the rest of the guys in my class and will hopefully know the bike well enough, with just those two rides. But the parking lot ride, left me with the impression that this will be a very good bike on the race course. From long experience with XC race bikes, you can just tell. When you drive the foot into the crank, the bike simply accelerates and it's nothing reluctant either. Follow through with the other foot and you can feel the lightweight, race-bred bike squirt forward happily. It's an XL, just like my hardtail Stumpy and the feel of the cockpit is very similiar. The K2 had a pretty compact feel to it and you were always on the verge of feeling somewhat cramped in it.
The K2 was a good enough bike and it's done well enough over the years, but it's time to retire the old warhorse and hang it up on the garage wall. I believe what I'm riding now, is going to be a superior experience, till I figure out what I'm going to have next season. We'll see some of you Sunday.
Posted by STP  a 48 year old Racer riding a 02' S-Works from P'Dale on 06/22/07
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- Re: Piecing it together
More pics when I get a chance, but you get the idea...
Posted by STP a 48 year old Racer riding a 02' S-Works from P'Dale on 06/22/07
Responses: (0) (1) (2) (3) Reply (to this)(main)
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- Re: Piecing it together
You were right, that thing looks barely used, if at all. Nice buy.
Never like the gripsh!t as well. Gimmie some triggers anyday. Gripsh!t forces one to completely alter their riding position, by having the right arm always ready to twist.
If you need a Thomson seatpost I have a used one you could buy. It is standard, non setback, 27.2mm.
Good luck this weekend at the Rim.
Rip it up out there.
Wish I was there.
paz afuera
Posted by Papisimo a Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Gary Fisher 29er mofo from physical therapy on 06/22/07
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- Re: Piecing it together
Teaser!
More is (not necessarily) always better........
Posted by GhostRider a 31 year old Downhiller on 06/22/07
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- Re: Piecing it together
Gonna be a nice built!
But erh, if you do go disc soon would you consider selling your Altek levers?
With selling them you will get some funding for the disc brakes ;-)
Most appreciated!
Peace,
Marcel
Posted by Obiwan a 36 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Titus Racer-X from Netherlands on 10/31/07
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- Re: Piecing it together
Thanks Papo. We'll miss ya this weekend. FFW, Deb and I are rolling out Saturday to pre-ride the course. Ahhh, the smell of pine trees and fresh dirt! BTW, all of you out there, I am looking for a used FSA carbon crank in 44/32/22 size, ISIS drive (non EXO).
Regis
Posted by STP a 48 year old Racer riding a 02' S-Works from P'Dale on 06/22/07
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