“Stronglight
Stronglight also has a new carbon crankset, the Pulsion Activ Link. With an integrated titanium axle, the system weighs 610 grams. The 7075 T6 aluminum chainrings are treated with ceramic and Teflon for durability and quick shifts. The crank uses internal bearings and thus boasts a standard Q factor.”

I have been using the standard Pulsion CT road crankset (thank you Junk and Bargains) all season long and, am getting the mountain version today. They are f’ing sweet. Really. So stiff. There you go, my personal endorsement. They are pricey and do NOT run an external bb system which, I am not totally sold on. Not that I don’t like external BBs but my XT mountain crankset had an obnoxious Q factor, I ended up loathing to ride my bike cause my knees felt bad. I would ride the Dura crankset but, the Stronglights are just so much more mysterious. No offense Shimano…

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Anyways, tech-nerdiness aside, I am chilling at Stumptown-Belmont. Enjoying a soy mocha, the Internet and sleepy eyes. Rode a little too hard yesterday, worked late in the shop, stayed up far too late fooling around with a rather drunk lady friend. This ought to be fun, typing out the details without giving away TOO much info. There was a going away party and I really just wanted to go home and sleep. She kicked everyone out of the house and pointed them off to a bar down the street. I lay on the floor stretching and laughing at the super wasted skater girls making fart jokes and fondling each other. She conned me into hopping into her bed while she went out and partied. I obliged and woke up an hour late, forgot all my spandex was in the wash and decided to skip riding and hit the espresso.

Lets talk about the bike shop.

I may have found a good mechanic. I HAVE found a good mechanic, I just need to figure out how to pay her. Buying you lunch and paying your race fees only works for so long. The shop is this insane thing to me. I really never imagined it would turn into what it has. I always knew deep down inside me that my shop would be a great shop but, I never dreamed that it would be as steady as it is. I am so close to making it flow. It still has it’s flaws, and I wish I had a lot of stuff I do NOT have but, it is steadily trucking along. It feels solid. Like it is here to stay. I’m not getting rich by ANY means but, it feels like I’ll be solid through the winter, with any luck.

Cherly Wilson just sat down with her new baby to enjoy a decaf and a chat. FYI, she is the woman in charge of the OBRA (Oregon bicycle racing association) website. The Cross Crusade site as well. Excellent photographer too!

Ok, I am losing steam. My Vanilla team framesets are finished! Crank Bros, DT Swiss, Chris King, Schwalbe, Fizik, and others have helped me out with product for the fall assault. I’ll put together a full spec page on my bikes. Photos too! (note to self: find time to put together a technical page.)

12 hour mountain bike race this Sunday. I am doing a 2 person team with Cary Miller. Perfect training for cross, hour long laps. One hour on, one hour off. I wonder if my spandex is dry yet.

Do I pay rent or buy an Ipod?