Yeah, I know that's backwards, but sometimes that's how it goes. I think I mentioned/complained/whined about my Willits 29er (that's a mountain bike for you non-cyclists) was having some weird rust issues. Well, it continued to get worse until finally, this happened:
If you can't quite make out what's wrong, here's a closer view:
The seatstay cracked at the upper part of the disc mount. That explains the creaking I'd been hearing on recent rides! And I just thought I needed to lube my chain...
Anywho, fortunately (I guess), I haven't had any luck selling my old Salsa, so it looks like I'll be back to riding it for the foreseeable future. Not that that's a bad thing...
So I'll be going from this beauty:
To this:
I took some of the parts from the Willits on this and put the suspension fork back on. Gonna give single-speed a go. I doubt I'll stick with it. I need my gears for the hills around here, and it's geared too low for the flats. Maybe I just need to get stronger and/or lighter.
Another view:
I've heard stories on the interweb about people going back to 26" wheels after being on 29" wheels for a while and not being able to ride anything. I haven't encountered any of that. People on the interweb are idiots. I loved the way the Willits rode, but I give more credit to the frame fitting me like a glove than the 29" wheels. I may get another 29er eventually, but it won't be for a while. I've got some other fancy things to save up for in the meantime...
4 comments:
A friend just bought me a can of J.P. Weigle Cycles Frame Saver for my steel frames:
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/CM407B04-Jp+Weigle+Frame+Saver+Aerosol+Can.aspx
Fat & Hairy
Yeah, I did that to both my Salsa and my 'cross-check when I got them. I guess whoever I bought the Willits from didn't do that. Or, they did something horrible to the poor thing while they owned it. I showed pictures of the damage on the frame-building forum on mtbr.com, and all those guys were completely baffled too... who knows...
Bummer man, buy and big truck and a bicycle dies. Just like poor tinkerbell. hope you are enjoying the fall weather as much as we are. Looks like the first frost is coming soon!
Teal
Yeah, I guess it's karma. Way to make me feel guilty. How's the outfitting of the big van coming along? Fall here has been pretty nice, though yesterday was miserable. Rained hard all day and didn't get above 40. Snow on the mountains though. Had first frost a week or two ago...
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