VPI

I was looking at the Moots as I always wanted to try their MTBs. Seems like a more affordable entry into Ti.

7 month wait for the Firefly.

That is a nice deal there Mike. Killer frame.

Have a call scheduled for next week with Tyler and Kevin at Firefly to get this process rolling. Looking at the S&S couplers it would appear a hell of a lot of work has to go into packing and unpacking the bike each time so I am not sure I want to go with all the effort to save a bit on airline fees.

The Calfee would be a basic travel bike. I am not sure what I will get for a custom, but I am not really interested in steel.

Yay Traeger. I have been using a Big Green Egg the last week and I really miss my Traeger.

I am actually contemplating picking up the low end Calfee show bike they are selling with couplers.

It did look great, but it was not a good fit. It was really just for a once a year ride when I happened to be in Texas so for the right price I might have taken it but I thought it was too expensive for a bike to set unused 99% of the time. Any new bike will share time with the R5 back home.

Firefly has really stood out as something I would like to own in my limited research. I might have to go to the NAHBS show to investigate a bit more. I am not going to buy a whole stable of customs like Mike so I need to choose wisely.

I have that same light for the road bike Nate. Works really well. I am shopping again. Any of you guys know anything about the Firefly Bikes? http://fireflybicycles.com/

Happy Birthday

Good to see the Mountain Bike fun spreading at HC.

Going to look at a vintage bike for the Dallas house so I can ride a bit while down here. Full Campy build.

Excellent news Vicki. Must have been tough being off so long for someone that has put so many miles on the bike this year. I like that we are getting so well rounded here, everyone should have Mountain Bike and Road Bike. Next will be Cyclocross.

Graphical representation of the Chicago Awesomeness. My favorite FFF Beer A FFF I have never tried A beer that I was not aware of but must be interesting based upon the name A beer I have seen here and always wanted to try Some cooking needs that were definitely needed as I am currently using olive oil from a large jug from the grocery store. And the gin that I have been looking for in every liquor store in DC because I have seen it used so many times by the Chicago crew and find myself going to the Gin bottles more than anything else at the house I am feeling bad that I obviously did not put as much thought into my gift as John did as he really hit the local fare. I could not really find much DC fare that I thought worthwhile. I hope you like it John as I will certainly enjoy all of my gifts.

Nice. More usable footage with a handheld iPhone than Colin could get me with a chest mount GoPro. I really want to go find some trails here in Dallas to ride now.

Can't see it. Youtube says it is private.

Do I win the award for least patient gift receiver as I tore into my gifts as soon I got home to Texas to find them? I got sooooo much Chicago awesomeness.

Half fingers and baggy shorts with integrate chamois for me.

Braved the overcrowded airport for the trip home. For those on the fence about TSA Pre-Check, I highly recommend it. Zero line, no need to take off shoes, belt or remove electronics from the bag took a 30-45 minutes process to a 30 second process.

I recommend you go tubeless. Is it just tight getting the tire back on at the very end of seating the bead. Sometimes you have to pop the tire out of the bead into the center of the wheel opposite the tight area to give slack to get that last bit of rubber around the rim. Pop of out bead here --->O<---if this part of the tire is not fitting over the wheel for slack. ^^^Beat me to it, and more eloquently. The riders at the shop said the 4000 was the best in the wet. I have Vittoria something or others on the current wheel set, maybe I will stick with them as they seem fine.

Any of you guys have any experience with Continental Grand Prix 4000s tires? I am trying to pick tires for the new wheels and they like these at the shop.

I should send you my FIM Ultimate Disc Collectors 32bit Version. Crazy expensive but I can't hear much difference if there is any at all. http://fimftp.ehost-services163.com/fim/others/fimnew032011.pdf

Glad I never had to go through any of that to ride.

I want my seat high, as I do not have a dropper, because it makes those crazy inclines much more achievable. I know this negatively affects handling but I have not really had any issues that I couldn't get through. A dropper would be ideal but everything I read on any of them makes them look like unreliable nonsense. I think my road bike and mountain bike seats are pretty close to have the 30% knee angle.