Random, yes. Relevant, maybe...

[willem]

Guys,

I've been doing a fair bit of travelling lately and seen some amazing things.

A few weeks back I was in Chattanooga, Tennessee and got to visit the Litespeed factory (aka American Bicycle Group). Wow. Even with a mfg background I was amazed at what those folks do with Titanium. Interestingly, their FS bike designs are really simple - even crude? - and very shock dependent. The tube forming and assembly is out of this world. The TIG welding is the finest I've ever seen. On anything. It's a short drive and a must see if you ever go to Chattanooga. Now if they could do an 856 in Ti...
BTW, eastern Tennessee has got incredible trails. They put the MOUNTAIN in MTB.

Last week I was in San Jose, CA. Flying in, the view of the area looked like the cover of an MTB magazine. Total riders' playground. On the other hand, my attempt to visit the Santa Cruz factory was killed by a combination of California traffic and a very unwelcoming person on the phone. Sure did want to see how the new monocoque goes together. They've got great designs, but not really the best mfg processes - judging by the finished product.

What if Litespeed could build Santa Cruz bikes? Now that would be something. [smiley=beer.gif] [smiley=beer.gif]

Today I was visiting with a buddy at the LBS where he and EVERYONE is convinced that Specialized is building THE bike. I told him I had been ready to buy the FSR Expert until I rode it. The thing was just not a good riding bike - for me anyway. So... Mikey says, "You've got to try this Enduro! It's only $3,800!"  [smiley=disbelief.gif]  Excuuuuse me? You want $4K (with taxes) for a 33# trailbike that's not even XTR. It's a tank! Now here's the good one... "Yeah, but it rides light." Must be the helium in the tubes...

What does all this mean? I'm not entirely sure. On the other hand, the old Proflex is still looking pretty sexy to me.

[Frankd3000]

It all means you already have "the right bike".

It also means you're taking a moment to BRAG about it.  [smiley=laughing.gif]

NOT that there's anything wrong with that.  [smiley=nod.gif]

[Carbon_Angus]

Last week I was in San Jose, CA. Flying in, the view of the area looked like the cover of an MTB magazine. Total riders' playground. On the other hand, my attempt to visit the Santa Cruz factory was killed by a combination of California traffic and a very unwelcoming person on the phone. Sure did want to see how the new monocoque goes together. They've got great designs, but not really the best mfg processes - judging by the finished product.

Damn....I have lived in SJ for most of my life, yes there are a few very good places to ride in the Santa Cruz Mtns to the West as well as the Mt Hamillton Range to the East.  I know a guy who works at Santa Cruz and it's doubtful you could have gotten anything like a tour....I can't even get in there!

What time were you going to Santa Cruz?  Weekend or late afternoon??? Traffic sucks major in the weekday afternoons going there from SJ.

Let me know next time you in the 'hood. I stlil work there three days a week.

[smiley=beer.gif]

[jazclrint]

Small world.  The guy I bought my 5500 frame from (while I was stationed in san Diego) used to have a buddy at Santa Cruz and had enough of a rep as a climber that he was a test rider them.  Nothing regular, but the occational spin for his input.  I guess he and his wife put in a fair amount of test time on SC's tandem Mt. Bike though.  He was older and lived a ways inland from SD.  It seems like it took almost an hour to get to his house.  But he was right down the street from a Supergo.  lucky bastard,

[shovelon]

Guys,



Wow. Even with a mfg background I was amazed at what those folks do with Titanium. Interestingly, their FS bike designs are really simple - even crude? - and very shock dependent. The tube forming and assembly is out of this world. The TIG welding is the finest I've ever seen.

What if Litespeed could build Santa Cruz bikes? Now that would be something. [smiley=beer.gif] [smiley=beer.gif]



Today I was visiting with a buddy at the LBS where he and EVERYONE is convinced that Specialized is building THE bike. I told him I had been ready to buy the FSR Expert until I rode it. The thing was just not a good riding bike - for me anyway. So... Mikey says, "You've got to try this Enduro! It's only $3,800!"  [smiley=disbelief.gif]  Excuuuuse me? You want $4K (with taxes) for a 33# trailbike that's not even XTR. It's a tank! Now here's the good one... "Yeah, but it rides light." Must be the helium in the tubes...



What does all this mean? I'm not entirely sure. On the other hand, the old Proflex is still looking pretty sexy to me.

Oooooh Titanium, MY PRECIOUS!!!! Gotta love it!



My buddies drool over Specialized.  [smiley=diaper.gif]

I think that they are too lazy to experiment, and go for the glitz. I will kick thier butts anytime.  [smiley=bleh.gif]



I am having the time of my life playing with yesteryear's perfection. I am continuously amazed at what today's advances can do for our rigs.



Where is Bob Girvin anyway



Terry

[Thunderchild]

AMen, we should have a Bob Girvin shrine page or something on this website.  

Thunderchild

[Carbon_Angus]

AMen, we should have a Bob Girvin shrine page or something on this website.  

Thunderchild

Yes and/or gossip [smiley=laughing.gif]

I like to know if he has even seen this site.

No don't somebody register his name and post....I'm gullible!

[smiley=beer.gif]

[willem]

Carbon Angus,

(I have to smile when I write that as I get to spend an occasional weekend working for a buddy here who wrangles 300 black angus cows. They are carbon black, but anything besides light!)

Had to go to San Jose for an industry trade show and convention. Pretty much just saw the airport, taxi, hotel and back. Spent most of the trip regretting some bad mexican food I had before leaving.

Sure looked like a nice part of the world, though.

Regarding the area, there was a funny response to a letter to the editors in last months MBA mag. "Don't move here! It's terrible! You'll hate it! There are no good trails! etc.

Next time, WE RIDE!

[Frankd3000]

Yes and/or gossip [smiley=laughing.gif]

I like to know if he has even seen this site.

No don't somebody register his name and post....I'm gullible!

[smiley=beer.gif]

You couldn't have come up with this idea on March 30th, huh?! Damn, THAT would have been a great one.

[smiley=evil.gif]

Actually, come to think of it, Frank is undergoing yet another change of face, so to speak. Funny, that's 2 frames I have now with this kind of versatility.  [smiley=nod.gif]

Gotta love it.

[Thunderchild]

Willem,
I did some time in San Jose and there is some good riding.  Not as good as Utah or Oregon.  Going to Moab with the Oz on Friday  

I used to ride with MTBRs who worked and owned a bike shop in Morgan Hill (south of San Jose a bit).  Morgan Hill is also the headquarters of Specialized.  Look up the shop and they should know the trails.  Other shops in San Jose are also good.  

Thunderchild

[Matno]

Going to Moab with the Oz on Friday  

Thunderchild

You lucky dog!

[Carbon_Angus]

Willem,
I did some time in San Jose and there is some good riding.  Not as good as Utah or Oregon.  Going to Moab with the Oz on Friday  

I used to ride with MTBRs who worked and owned a bike shop in Morgan Hill (south of San Jose a bit).  Morgan Hill is also the headquarters of Specialized.  Look up the shop and they should know the trails.  Other shops in San Jose are also good.  

Thunderchild

Was it South Valley Bikes??? on Monterey Rd?

[smiley=beer.gif]

[Carbon_Angus]

Carbon Angus,

(I have to smile when I write that as I get to spend an occasional weekend working for a buddy here who wrangles 300 black angus cows. They are carbon black, but anything besides light!)

Had to go to San Jose for an industry trade show and convention. Pretty much just saw the airport, taxi, hotel and back. Spent most of the trip regretting some bad mexican food I had before leaving.

Sure looked like a nice part of the world, though.

Regarding the area, there was a funny response to a letter to the editors in last months MBA mag. "Don't move here! It's terrible! You'll hate it! There are no good trails! etc.

Next time, WE RIDE!

I was riding my Oz in the Sierra Nevada one summer and came across a small herd of Angus....the bells give them away. They are black and big. They just reminded me of well, myself and my black Oz...as I am not a svelt rider. They kinda scare the  [smiley=diaper.gif] outta me, really. They can move faster than I can ride...and are either spooked away ...or will come after you. One of my riding buddies and I were chased by a cow who we happen to startle in the Bay Area. She had two calves with her. She took a very defensive, then agressive posture towards us....big adrenaline rush to go up a hill in your middle ring, i'll tell 'ya!

MTB Riding is fine there in SJ area, you just need to know where to go..it ain't a hot spot, but very good riding can be found. Some of the better trails have been taken over by peds and horsey types who think we detroy trails and are a danger to everything in site. They do have a point, to a degree.

There are illegal trails where I live now that I would love to ride, instead I hike them. I am a good boy.

[smiley=beer.gif]