Chris’ Bike – Week One, initial set-up…

The picture of my bike is coming and it’s so Ninja it’s name is Ninja, this is now a bit dated, yet a part still remains true, the bikes name is now – Flying Mapache (Raccoon).  What hasnt changed, and this is true of all bikes, that they are ninja, they are so expertly made, that they will even survive the EMP blast following a Nuclear detonation where most forms of transport will be rendered useless….

Without further ado, El Bicicleta…  Week One….

Specialized Tri-Cross, I have had it dated from 2006-2010, so, your guess is as good as mine.  Carbon front fork and seat post, standard Mavick rims, Bontrager Bags (I only use the front ones now as the rear ones proved a little too shaky for flying off curbs infront of 18 wheelers getting on highways, luckily, God saw fit to only have the bags get crushed and left  the bike and I, not sure how, untouched=)

A huge Thanks goes to Shirks Bike Shop in East Earl Pennsylvania.  Luke Shirk was kind enough to offer whatever he had to me at no cost simply because he felt so inclined.  If you are within a 300 mile radius of Shirks, it is your best chance to meet truly amazing people who will make your bike happy…  Very Very Happy.

Sleeping arangements provided by a childhood friend Bill Lane, he gave me his Marine issue Bivvy sac and Sleeping Bag.

Aero Bars provided by Craiglslist along with Leatherman Wave (this will prove super useful up to and including a basic foot surgery in the months that follow this shot.)

EVOLUTION OCCURS….

A lot has happened since week uno.  The bike essentially reminas the same, no year has been attributed to the Specialized Tri Cross and I am beginning to think none ever will, it remains something between 06 and 2010…

The front and rear tires are now Schwalbe Marathon Plus.  Essentially a bullet proof tire, when Diana takes a moment to fix a flat, I pull out the Leatherman, unfold the pliers and pull out any offending spines, nails, pumas etc.

The front rim is an Easton EA50 handbuilt racing rim, I have been told by countless people it would not survive, countless people, they started telling me this in Ventura when I was given it by Ray of Rays Bike shop.  Well, I am now in La Paz and it is going fine, and, yes, i do jump off curbs with my bike and ride off road…

rear rim was a gift by Maurice from Dirt Rag Mag.  36 spoke velo hand built touring rim.

The panniers in the front remain the same albeit with a healthy layer of duct tape.  The rear panniers are a gift from Crosso, a Polish company.  The sleeping bag and camelbak pictured have since gone by the wayside, the sleeping bag due to a 5 day drying period, the camelbak due to a leak…

Foot straps are being carried not used as some of the road conditions here may require quick exit from the road AND the bike…  They are rad, a gift from the Mission Hills bike shop, Brooklyn Made, and hot pink=]

The saddle is a piece of work and a gift from WTB, it is the only injury from the car crash in 2011 in LA.  I was broadsided by a drunken dude and the only thing to be affected was the seat, popped right off!  3 hours later at drunken dudes mechanic friends place the seat was put back together, it has squeeked ever since, especially in high heat areas…=]  Whatever, I survived with zero injuries and withheld the urge to sue…

As you can see the shifters are now at the end of my handlebars, new main gears and other changes thanks to a complete overhaul by Las Vegas Cyclery, new rear cassette by B+L Bikes in Solana, ninja chain given by Wheelhouse in Santa Barbara.

The set up as it stands right now is rad.  With bags, it handles everything fine, without bags, it is a rocket that handles offroad situations with aplomb.