finally...

muddy moots...
Originally uploaded by divine_gear

able to get out on the gristle for some real riding. went out with the guys from the shop last night, and it was muddy fun.

despite the twenty-nine front; the gristle handles rather quickly. i was able to turn and move quicker than i thought i would be (i'm not sure if any of that was due to the carbon bar too). i felt rather confident rolling over things with the twenty-nine (that just might be the confidence i gained in ct, but still...) up front. i thought that it would be a little more difficult pulling up the front to get over things (pulling up a twenty-nine vs. a twenty-six), like rocks on short rolling terrain, but i had no problems there. the only 'problem' that i had was the fact that it does take a little more to get moving, but once i got it moving i was able to 'catch-up' to the leaders rather quickly. either it had to do with the twenty-nine, or i just might be in decent shape this year.

the fox is nice and stiff/solid. just how i like my forks to handle. so that's really good news.

i don't think i need to say anything about the performance of the ybb...that just kicks ass; period. however, i would like to 'sing' the praises of custom geometry again. the bike just feels right. i felt like i climbed better than before on a single speed, and it just really responded to my movements. i'm really happy with it. there's a lot to it. so if you are able...go custom. granted; it has to be a bike that you do not plan on getting rid of...and i don't; not this one.

i rode it free last night, but i will begin to play with it fixed; once i'm in dryer conditions, and by myself. i don't want to play 'catch-up' on a fixed with a bunch of people...that might be bad.

i look forward to many more rides on the gristle. great bike.

namaste...