Freeze Thaw

Ti Brompton is built!

Harry just got this beauty all built up and ready to roll...weighs in at 20.59 pounds! Titanium rear end and fork, one speed drivetrain...a venerable Blinglespeed.

 

The Titanium Brompton is here.

Just in from the UK...Titanium rear end Brompton folding bike. This super light and quick one speed build is ready for your next round of traveling adventures...

 

Did you know we got new socks?

Fresh from our friends at DeFeet in North Carolina we bring you newest iteration of custom FTC wool socks. This time we opted for a higher cut of the famous Woolie Boolie. Two colorways in all sizes are here to aid in your attempts to keep warm while riding and surviving this winter.  Oh yeah, there is an extremely witty tagline on the bottom. Grab yours today!

Frozen Fat!

A big thanks to the Rothrock Outfitters crew for hosting us at Frozen Fat last weekend. It was a great time despite the lack of snow for the fat bikes to play in. Here's the Pugs in the middle of a killer descent following a killer climb!

Fat wheelie

FATness

Here's an evening shot of J.Wag's Surly Pugsley built with Shimano Alfine 8 speed internal hub and Surly Nate 4" tyres. Such a rad setup. More frequent updates promised for 2012...Happy New Year!

4 fresh new flavors from Salsa Cycles

We recently received and built up four new 2011 Salsa Cycles models - beautiful complete bikes that serve different purposes and hit attractive price points. Some are newly revised versions of past models, while others are completely fresh designs that we are excited to get out in the woods. Check out the descriptions and pictures below, or better yet stop in the shop and see these babies for yourself.

1)  The El Mariachi is Salsa's steel hardtail 29" mountain bike. A shop favorite for years, this is the third generation frame design and features the new Singlespeed-capable 'Alternator' dropouts. This complete bike is decked out with a Rock Shox Reba Maxle fork, SRAM X9 2x10 drivetrain, Elixir hydro brakes and Stan's Arch tubeless rims on sealed cartridge hubs. A complete bike is $1750, an amazing deal given the level of componentry. We stock this as a bare frame in steel and Titanium as well for custom builds. Complete builds in 16, 18 and 22" are in stock.

2)  New for this year is the Spearfish - a cross country oriented 29" wheel full suspension rig. Sporting 80mm of rear wheel travel and a 100mm Reba fork, this is the ideal setup for riding or racing over rocky terrain - a perfect choice for an all-day Rothrock adventure or 100 mile race (some may choose to combine the two). The frame has some other notable modern features like a tapered headtube and press-fit 30 bottom bracket. Other parts include SRAM X9 2x10, Elixir brakes and Stan's Arch/sealed cartridge hub wheels. Complete builds in all sizes are in stock and retail for $2250.

3)  Shown here is the newest incarnation of the ever-popular Casseroll. This year the frame switches to cantilever brakes for more tyre & fender clearance and gains a 3rd bottle mount and taller headtube. The complete bike is equipped with Shimano Tiagra 9 speed integrated shifters, a triple crankset for steep terrain, and a color matched custom front rack (included with frame purchase also).  Look no further for a great light touring, road, cross, or commuter bike. We now have 53, 54.5 and 56cm in stock, ready to test ride. Retail is $1200.

4)  Last but not least we have the current version of the racier Chili Con Crosso. This years' frame is full aluminum with a tapered headtube and carbon fork. A SRAM Rival 1x10 drivetrain and sealed cartridge hubs round out the package. We are especially impressed with the blue anodized Paul Components chain keeper color-matched to the hubs. Included with the frame or complete bike are easily swapable SS-capable dropouts if you choose to ditch the gears. Our floor model is a 56cm, other sizes available as special order. Retail is $1700.

As the Spring Thaw begins, Salsa has you covered for whatever bicycle adventure you may have in mind.

January 2011 update: Fat Bikes, Builder Packs and Handbuilt Wheels

Some cool things going on at the shop this year...

(pics 1 & 2)  We are lucky enough to have a few of the new Salsa Mukluk Fat Bikes in stock, available as Demo/Rental bikes and for sale if you are really itchin'. Currently we have 15" and 19" bikes in stock. The 4" tyres aren't just for snow - they work great on any bumpy trail...providing pneumatic suspension, just like the old days of mountain biking. Stop in the shop to check them out - daily rental fee is $75 (same as premium mtb rentals), and they are also a part of our demo program if you are seriously shopping (Demo fee deducted from bike purchase).

(pic 3)  A new batch of the coveted Dakine Builer packs showed up recently. Plenty of rugged storage space for your trail building and maintenance adventures. Bosco approves.

(pic 4)  J. Wag is off to a good start with custom handbuilt wheels in 2011 - here are two recent projects. First we have a DT Swiss 350 hubset laced to Velocity Blunt rims with double-butted spokes and Maxxis Ardent tyres. The 350 hubs are a new budget-minded option from DT featuring the time-tested star ratchet system (this one was upgraded with the 36 step kit). 100g heavier than the 240 series, but $300 cheaper.

(pic 5)  Next is a Sturmey Archer 3 speed fixed gear hub laced to a Bontrager Duster tubeless rim. Jeremy will be putting this setup through its paces over the winter and spring - more details and review to follow.

 

-JW

Fresh J.Wag-Approved Handbuilt Wheels

Recently, the colder weather has allowed me to put together some handbuilt wheels to have on the floor. Here are some new hoops that are laced up and ready to go. Prices reflect $60 labour and all parts including Velox rim tape.

Starting on the left we have the 'Rothrock 29" Thrasher' rear wheel. Basically a replacement rear wheel for those who have had issues with wimpier setups. Featuring a burly 36 hole Shimano XT disc hub, super wide Sun Rhyno Lite rim and DT Swiss spokes & nipples, this wheel is ready for some serious rock abuse. It can be run tubeless with a Stan's kit, which we have in stock. Price: $214.39

In the middle is nice singlespeed / fixed gear rear wheel for your 'cross or road bike. I used a 32 hole sealed bearing flip-flop hub, Black 700c Velocity Synergy rim, DT Swiss Champion spokes and Brass nipples. The Synergy rim can handle tyre widths from 25c on up and features eyelets and a machined braking surface. The hub can be spaced to fit in frames with 126 or 130mm rear ends. Price: $192.80

The wheel on the right would make a nice mate to the aforementioned rear or a nice front wheel upgrade for any 700c bike. A 36 hole Shimano Ultegra hub,  Black 700c Velocity Synergy rim, DT Swiss Champion spokes and Brass nipples make up this build. Price: $216.40

More wheels are in the works and coming soon to a truing stand near you. Stop in to check them out or discuss your own custom wheel ideas.  We have cases of hubs waiting for good homes including mountain, road and internal gears.  Our work load is much less this time of year which means faster turnaround time on custom orders.

- J.Wag

Rally Cat 12/3/10 at FTC