Archive for December, 2008

9 things to do in 2009

by Tanja on December 30, 2008 in Personal, recent, Video with 1 Comment

Do I like resolutions? Not really. Why? They suck.
But I do like lists (those that know me, have my permission to slightly grin (okay, don’t overstretch yourself!). So here’s a list, and I’m not calling it resolutions, because everything on it is fun do to! What’s the secret to a successful list of things to do?  Not overdoing the level of ambition and keep it fun (o yeah and reward yourself, but I guess with buying a new bike, I kinda did that in advance (= funny, that’s the name of the company I work at)). So here’s my list and don’t be shy: share yours!

  1. Ride in Switzerland (= august Bike Attack),
  2. See if I like (I like!) my new Inbred frame (harhar) and paint it purple (thank the Remedy: the Inbred has been sold because it was gathering too much dust),
  3. Go to Belgium or Germany once a month (at least, or anywhere else abroad),
  4. Buy a new helmet (or two: xc (=check) and dh(-check)),
  5. While at it, get new riding gear too (ride my own fashion),
  6. Do bi-weekly trainingride with Isil (and anyone who’ll join),
  7. Pickup BMX’ing again,
  8. Ride PPdS in 8hrs or less (workout harder or suffer!),
  9. Take more pictures!

Look's like we have a winner: Remedy

by Tanja on December 24, 2008 in Personal, recent with No comments

I’m almost there. My final decision came to the Lapierre and the Trek. De Lapierre because it’s supposed to be as good as a VPP bike with the benefits of horst-link. That does sound good! However, the Spicy 316 has a rather basic setup and the Spicy 516 is somewhat to expencive. Unless I shop in the UK, but somehow I’m not that eager getting a bike through mailorder, without any servicepoints in the Netherlands.

The Remedy 7 on the otherhand, has the basic setup I wanted: Lyrik U-turn and Fox Float RP2. The rest of the setup is somewhat basic (Shimano SLX: but I don’t really prefer Shimano), Avid Juicy 5 brakes (owned then: just fine) and a bunch of Bontrager stuff.

I’m not going to change everything at first: just the two things I think I need:

MRP XCG GUARDS

MRP XCG GUARDS: chainguide for triple setup: 120 gram!

Crank Brothers Joplin

Crank Brothers Joplin: mechanic seatpost

Within the next 3 to 4 weeks I should have a new ride!

New dates for 2009

by Tanja on December 23, 2008 in Events, recent with No comments

New dates for 2009 have been added and more will follow as soon as they are released. Do you have tips or events that need to be included, please share! You can just leave them in a comment. While on the subject; what events are you planning to ride? Maybe you can inspire me!

Eventhough I thought the PPdS was a little less challenging than I would have liked, I’m going in again! And the Swiss BikeAttack come with a high degree of wantingness (oh F* it: I just enrolled)… Anyway, you can find the 2009 dates on http://www.bikeblog.nl/agenda.

Rennie leaves Syndicate

by Tanja on December 12, 2008 in general news, recent with No comments

The news just broke on Dirtmag; Nathan Rennie leaves the Syndicate. The new team hasn’t been announced yet. Rumors had been going around for a few weeks though, but somehow I’m sad to see the wonder-trio broken up. Rennie, Peat and Minnaar: who could beat that?!

It’s offcial Nathan Rennie has left the Santa Cruz Syndicate. He’ll still be racing World Cups next year but with a new team…which team? We don’t know yet, but expect to find out soon. Official press release on Dirtmag.co.uk

What bike to get?

by Tanja on December 6, 2008 in Gear, Personal, recent with 11 Comments

It’s been a LONG time sinds my last blogpost. I’ve been enjoying my last rides with the Switch. Had the best time with the dutch marketing team from Trek. Which was good, because I have had my eye on that Remedy of theirs for a while now. Unfortunately they didn’t bring a medium sized one.

But okay, the Switch is going back to the sponsor sometime next year, ending what has been 2 excellent years of sponsoring by Stappenbelt.com. The best LBS if you ask me, and I’m still gonna support them, whenever I can. Leaves me without a bike however, so I’ve been thinking about what would make the best bike for me. And I know what that is: A Rocky Mountain Switch on a superdiet with a little less travel. It has the best geometry, especially when I run the forks at 140 mm (almost always) and it’s even fun on and xc ride. In my own pace that is ;-)

So my shortlist:

Allmost made the cut: Specialized Enduro SL (boring), SC Nomad (Hot, expensive and doubtfull about VPP for me), Scott Ransom: too many horror stories, Norco Fluid: dunno, Mongoose Teocali/Khyber: LOVE ‘EM. Poorly distributed here (often no mailorder in foreign online shops). Khyber seems a bit to heavy, Teocali skinny on the travel-side. Slayer: wheelbase is too long, plus a bit heavy.

So what constitudes THE All Mountain Long Travel bike for me?

  • Around 14 kg,
  • Travel 150-160 mm,
  • Geometry: Short wheelbase and chainstain. Rather steep stering- and seatangle,
  • Adjustable fork; preferbly Rockshox Lyrik U-turn(coil),
  • A good/smart setup, parts can be upgraded,
  • All day ride, once for Alpes/Ardennes and for Bikepark-flow and fun.

Breaking it down

Trek Remedy 7

Cost: 2599 euro
Pro:

  • Lyrik U-turn (coil) with Fox Float RP23: excellent setup. Good enough specs.
  • Rave reviews, can’t find a bad one.
  • Good distribution and warrenty network.

Con:

  • Did a short testride on a previous model, not sure about the rockerlink, direct feel.
  • Rave reviews, can’t find a bad one.

Lapierre Spicy 316

Cost: 2299 euro (could pick up a 2008 one for 2000 euro)
Pro:

  • Hothothot + Vouilloz,
  • Light, 160 mm

Con:

  • Float R shock (checking if it’s upgradable)
  • FOX 36 VAN R fork, not adjustable
  • Rather basic parts, however, could upgrade some parts along the way and end up with dreamy bike.

Cube Fritzz


Cost: 2599 euro
Pro:

  • Rock Shox Lyrik 2StepAir (eventhough I’d prefer the U-turn with coil),
  • Good specs for the cash,
  • Goed reviews.

Con:

  • It’s a CUBE…

Canyon Torque ES 7.0


Cost: 2399 euro
Pro:

  • RockShox Monarch 4.2 (very curious about that one) TALAS RC fork (adjustable at least)
  • Horstlink,
  • Good reviews,
  • Rob J rides for Canyon (ex-Rocky Mountain),
  • Great specs for the cash

Con:

  • Not sexy!
  • Sounds good on paper, but is it really…
  • Long estimate delivery.

So what do you think? Can you help me out? Comment below.

I can’t figure it out any more. They all seem like great bikes and my preference switches (no pun) daily. Would they all cost the same, with the same basic spec? I might choose the Lapierre Spicy…