Waltworks 27.5 (650b) hardtail

Second day of riding and I love it

The dropper post is a game changer

Don't want to lose these dimensions

I am sold on custom bikes.

My first custom bike was the Rock Lobster Euro Cross that I was built in 2011 and I love that bike. My only mistake was to get a fitting AFTER I got it built. Oops. This time around, I got fitted at Bike Effect and the measurements went to Walt over at Waltworks. I chose him because his focus is primarily mountain bikes, he is a one man shop, is flexible working with customers, makes great bikes but not show bikes and is affordable. I didn't want a bike so pretty that I feel bad when I crash or scratch it. I see bikes as functional art.

So the main reason for the new bike other wanting a new bike is that my Salsa Spearfish 29er has a front end that is too tall. Being 5'-6" with short arms and riding in mostly a XC position, the front end of a 29er was too much.  Going with the 27.5 and the Syntace stem brought it down to what I needed. My criteria was to get a bike that fit, improved handling (less reactive on downhills, better on switchbacks) and dropper post. He nailed it. The process was easy and he was a wealth of knowledge when I asked his opinion on frame geometry and components.  It was great to get that. On the geometry design, he did his first draft based on what I originally told him and he told me to call him. Then he explained why he did every design component and tweaked them all slightly.

The bike was designed for 27.5 wheels, 1x11, stealth dropper post and third bottle cage.  I went with 1x11 since I only lose 1/2 gear compared to the Salsa but have the simplicity of one derailleur. I also went with the gripshift to make the cockpit a little cleaner. The dropper post was key for me since I felt my cornering was my weak point and moving the saddle out of the way has been great. I wanted 3 bottle cages since I live in Southern California and like going a little more remote when I have the time.

So the components on the bike is a mix of Walt's Dream build and Smart Money build but closer to the dream build. I got Reba fork, XT brakes, X01 gripshift, X01 crankset with Stages power meter, Thomson dropper seatpost, Chris King headset, Easton EC70 bars, Syntace Flat Force stem, X1 rear derailleur and cassette. The wheels are Nox Teocalli with DT 240 hubs and Bontrager XR2 tubeless tires. The front wheels are 100mm thru axle and the rear are tried and true 135mm with DT RWS quick release. The saddle is a Selle Italia Max SLR gel 145 and Crank Brothers Candy 3 pedals.

From the time of deposit to having a bike I could ride, it took 5 months but was well worth it.

The ride is everything I wanted. There is no toe overlap. The bike feels better the faster you go and it loves singletracks. On turns, the bike feels much smaller than its size especially with the saddle out of the way. Pretty much every part of the bike has improved substantially since my last bike. The only thing that didn't change was going uphill at the same speed but even then the front wheel has less of a tendency to flop around so even had an improvement there.

Cyclocross in the Santa Monica Mountain

Dirt Mulholland

Lookout from the Nike Missile site

San Fernando Valley

Now that summer is over, cyclocross season will be starting!  I've always loved the fall and this is yet another reason.  As part of training, Hoffman and I are riding on fireroads on our cyclocross bikes.  The dirt trail is smooth enough that I would ride on my road tires with it but there's no need so we have fun on these roads.  It is funny the looks we get from people as they say "look road bikes".  These rides always remind me how much I love my cross bike.  I can go anywhere with it.

The funny thing is that Hoffman has a new part on his bike each time I see him.  I don't think there are any parts to replace soon.

Santa Monica Mountains Almost Century

Almost to PCH when we hit this gate at Rambla Pacifica and had to climb back out

There was this boulder problem on route

90 miles and 10,810' of climbing.  I'd call that a good day.

At the end of the day we were still standing

90 miles, 10,800'
Strava details

I read about a guy in Europe that was going to ride all the cols in the Alps in one push.  That would be 300 miles and 17 mountain passes.  It was my inspiration when I came up with through the Santa Monica Mountains.  At first I was planning to do all the major climbs but realized that would be mostly an out and back route on all of them and be something like 20,000' of climbing.  I reeled it back in to 5 climbs and a better route.  Once the idea was there, I told Hoffman and he was in.  He's the only guy I know that's up for my hairbrain ideas.  That's why we're Team Dumb and Dumber.  We both get on board for whatever big idea each of us figures out.

We picked an open calendar day and were planning for it.  It was planning and no additional training on my part.  With cyclocross season soon, I've been working on short, hard efforts and CX skills.  Not exactly the endurance training that I need.  Hoffman rides more and is always in better shape but was sick the previous week so that didn't help him but all the endurance miles from the beginning of this year was still there.  In reality him recovering from being sick just put him closer to my level which is "off the couch" fitness.

We started at 7 am and on the first climb it was already starting to feel hot.  The past week has been hot and humid so I knew it was going to be bad but 7am and feeling hot didn't help.  That was pretty much sums up the day.  Here are the highlights:

• First climb: Las Flores. Our steepest climb and good thing it was first before it really heated up.
• Second climb: Piuma.  Good climb and wide roads.
• Took wrong turn on Rambla Pacifica to a gated community and had to climb back out.
• Third climb: Latigo.  It was 109 degrees going to the first summit and I was getting heat exhaustion. The road was recently repaved so normally I like the smooth, black road but the black asphalt was reflecting all the heat back on us along with no wind. I usually ride in the mornings so I am not accustomed to being in the heat and Hoffman was much better in it.  We found some shade and I rested for 20 minutes trying to cool off.  Going to the second summit, the temp got up to 111 degrees. I was dying and was silent.  I didn't have any energy to talk.
• Hoffman brought some small size cokes and it was a lifesaver.
• Finally some wind came through on PCH and cooled us down in between the climb.  Adjusted our plan with the goal of still doing 10,000'.
• Fourth climb: Yerba Buena.  The wind lasted about 1/4 mile into the climb and it was back to non-moving hot air.  It was 104 degrees.  I was searching for shade and doing 1 minute stops to try and cool off.
• We reached Circle X Ranch and refilled with water.  The temperature gauge at the ranch read 94 degrees in the shade.
• Seeing the bike computer register over 10,000' of ascent (our goal of the day).
• No real cramping.  Had a twinge and new to back off.  Since getting the power meter, I haven't cramped since and it's not like I've been taking it easy.
• Endurolytes are great and helped stave off cramping.
• Food was rice cakes with egg, salami, salt and soy sauce.  Salami was in the house but may want to get some bacon or something else next time.
• Total riding time was 8:10 and total time was 10:18.  We could have done better but the heat killed me.  I had to take big breaks and spent most of my time in the granny gear.  On a cool day, I think we could have done this in 8:00 total.
• Next time we do a ride with heat forecasted over 80 degrees, we need to do an alpine start.  I have my generator wheel so no problem for me.  Anything to reduce the amount of time in the heat.

Even with the heat, it was still a great day out.

Rock Lobster Plans

I'm posting this here so that I don't lose it but Paul sent me the actual design layout he used to build my Cross Euro bike in 2011. Since he nailed the geometry, I don't want to lose this valuable (to me) piece of info.  Besides if I ever get another cyclocross/road bike built by him, I would use the same geometry.

Seat tube (c-c): 482 mm
Seat tube (c-t): 529 mm
Effective top tube: 540 mm
Top tube (actual): 524mm
Top tube rise angle: 8 degrees
Head angle: 71 degrees
Seat angle: 75.5 degrees
Chainstay: 424 mm
Head tube: 129 mm
Bottom bracket drop: 71 mm
Rake: 41 mm
Dropout to crown race: 400 mm
Front center: 602 mm
Stack: 571 mm
Reach: 392 mm
Wheelbase: 1014 mm

Extras that Paul did for me: pump peg, chain hanger, sterling silver headbadge, drain hole (with plug) on bottom bracket and braze-on chain guide under bottom bracket.

Edit 9/12/2013.  If I did it again, frame would fit a standard crankset (I told Paul I would only use a compact crank so this was my fault), won't have chain hanger since I have rarely used it, have front fork drilled for caliper brakes so I can use as fender mount, front fender mount and have room for Stages power meter (this came out after I got the frame).

Road Bike

In the last year that I've owned the Rock Lobster, I have ridden my Colnago less and less since the RL fits me so well.  So much so, that I sold the Colnago two weeks ago and have a set of wheels specifically for the road.  All I have to do is take one minute to switch out both wheels and I'm ready to roll.  Of course, I got the HED Ardennes GP wheels to match the same width as the HED wheels I have on my clinchers and the HED tubular race wheels.  At one point I was thinking about getting a RL road bike that could fit wider tires and finally realized that I have that already!  The only difference between them would be caliper brakes instead of mini-v's.  Even that is so minor that it is not an issue.  So I just really love my Rock Lobster.

Salsa Spearfish 1

I've ridden this everyday since I brought it home

Salsa Spearfish 1

I finally made the jump to a full suspension mountain bike.  After years of a sore lower back after long rides, I went for it.  It's been a big jump going from a rigid, singlespeed 29er to a full suspension 29er.  Nancy was very cool and let me have my birthday present much, much earlier.  She even let me get it built up so that it has all the components that I want.  Actually she knew that it was better that I get everything right the first time instead of me trying to buy and sell parts to get the ultimate bike.  As it stands now, the only change I may make on the bike is a different handlebar to get the fit right (I was expecting this anyway).

The ride has been really fun.  Going down technical trails is no longer stressful and I'm holding the bars easier versus my normal death grip.  The difference is dramatic and the result is just being less tired from the jarring and concentrating.  Climbing is better than I thought.  I'm coming from a rigid SS so my perception is different.  When I'm sitting down and climbing with both front and rear shocks open, there is slight movement.  When I stand up, I bob up and down but if I lock out the front fork, it tones it down dramatically.  It has been real nice having the fork lockout on the handlebars.  I do find myself locking out the front fork and switching to propedal on the rear shock on long climbs since both switches are easy to reach. The shifting is incredibly swift and accurate and the all mountain crank is the best.  If I can't get up something in a 22x36 then I really should be walking.

The things that I have to get used to is the steering on tight switchbacks.  It is not as precise as my SS.  When climbing uphill, it doesn't want to steer as easily so I end up going wide.  Not always that great when it is really tight.  (Edit: I found out that the 'fish is 1.5" longer wheelbase than On One.  If I use more body english, then things are fine).  The other thing is that the Specialized Fast Trak isn't as grippy as the Maxxis Ardent 2.4.  Of course, we're talking about a 300g difference in weight too but then again, no washouts.

The biggest thing is my position and I feel too high.  The risers bars puts my body in a more upright position than I'm used to.  I think a flat bar would be good since I already have the stem slammed.  Not seeing a size small in person, I wasn't able to figure out how tall the headtube really was.  The other thing with the bars is that I may want more sweep on it.  I think the one I have is 9 degree sweep.  If it is 9 degrees, then a 17 degree sweep from Salsa instead?  Either way, the flat bar is the way to go.

Build:
Frame: 2012 Salsa Spearfish 1 (small)
Fork: 2013 Rock Shox Reba RLT Tapered, 100mm, Solo Air, 15QR
Rear shock: Fox Float RP2
Shifter: Sram X9 trigger, 2x10

Front derailleur: X7, 2x10, high clamp, dual pull

Rear derailleur: X0, Type 2, medium cage

Crank: X9, 170mm, 22/36/bash; BB30

Cassette: Sram PG-1070, 10 spd, 12-36

Headset: Cane Creek 40 series, tapered.  40 ZS top cover, 110 ZS 56 lower

Stem: Thomson X4, 0 deg, 80mm

Handlebar: Truvativ T40 RB Stylo, 9 deg, 30mm rise, 31.8mm clamp, 680mm

Brakes: Shimano XT brakes

Rotors: Shimano XT Ice tech 160mm, 6 bolt

Seatpost: Thomson Elite, 31.6mm x 367mm

Chain: Sram PC-1031, 10 speed

Wheelset: Stan's ZTR Arch EX wheelset, 15QR, 12x142

Tires: Specialized Fast Trak Control 2.2

Saddle: WTB Volt SLT

Grips: ODI Ruffian "Path"

Weight: 26.6 pounds

Handmade Bike Show

Boo is a bamboo bike and the owner is a pro racer.  He does cross and his bikes takes a beating but is very comfy.  I would love to test ride one.

Cielo cyclocross.  It even looks fast.  Only bummer is they don't do custom sizing.

Ira Ryan cyclocross.  He's another big time racer and sponsers a small cross team.  I love builders that have sponsered riders.  It's the best way to get feedback.

Dean was using an Exagrid which are titanium tubes that have cutouts and filled with carbon.  It makes the bike more rigid yet have the durability of ti.  The best of both worlds.  The singlespeed 29er in the background weighs 18 pounds.  Wow.

I took pictures of this Eriksen but not a full shot.  One of the best looking bikes at the show and it even had Dugast 45c tires.  Incredible welds and just all the touches.  

This year the North American Handmade Bike show was back in Northern California.  The last time was about 6 years ago in San Jose.  This time it was in Sacramento and we timed it with a visit to Grandma.  There were so many incredible looking bikes there.  After getting my Rock Lobster cross bike, I realized that custom is really the way to go.  Nothing like getting a bike designed for you.  Amazingly, custom bikes in some cases are still less than the higher end production bikes.  A good fitting bike trumps a lighter bike every time, in my opinion.

The new trend is for the large head tubes with inset headsets.  They are said to be stiffer but who knows?  If I was to get another bike (cyclocross or road), it would be another Rock Lobster.  Why go to anyone else when Paul nailed the geometry on my bike?  If I got a full suspension mountain bike, I would likely get a Waltworks or Curtlo since they both do custom full suspension 29ers.  If Paul did full suspension, I would have him do that too.

One of the cool things at the show was running into my climber friend Rob.  I don't remember going on a trip with him but we knew the same friends and he's a cool guy.  He's now working for Moots so the next time he's in So Cal we're going to ride in the Santa Monica mountains together.  While talking to him, there was another guy that looked familiar.  Turns out to be Steven who sold me my road bike when I started riding again and he's a climber that Linh knows.  He now owns a very nice bike studio in Santa Monica.  At a bike show and the people I run into are climbers.  Such a small world.

Rock Lobster Cross Euro

Rock Lobster Cross Euro in off-season mode

Ready for a trail ride

Love the headbadge

My first (and only) win!

I've now raced a full cyclocross season and I have better thoughts about the bike.  I still love it especially the way it handles and fits me.  The weight weenie in me sometimes has me thinking that it could be lighter if I went with a carbon fork.  Each time I think that, I have a ride and realize how well the steel fork works.  It feels just right, the handling is not too fast and not too slow.  About the only thing is that I've hit my pedals on some off camber slopes.  It seems the low bottom bracket leads to that but it's not an issue.  I would rather have better handling for the turns than a very seldom pedal strike.  I think it's happened less than 5 times.  My goal for this bike was to be a race bike and fireroad bike in the off season and it has been great at both.  Actually this bike is used a lot more on dirt since my other bike is a single speed 29er and I've been a bit lazy lately.

If I did it again, I would only change one (possibly two) things.  It would be to allow for a larger inner chainring.  When I was getting fitted, I told him I was going to use a compact crank and the chainstay fits it perfectly.  When I got the Zank CX chainrings, the 36t didn't fit so I'm running the original Campy 34t with a Zank 44t.  It works great when I'm in gear but upshifting is a little slower since the shifting ramps and pins aren't lined up.  In the big picture, that is really nothing.  The other thing I may look into is disc brakes but the technology needs to catch up for integrated shifters before I would do something like that.  Now if I could get another cross bike, it would be a dedicated Rock Lobster race bike and as light as possible so that would be aluminum with carbon forks.  But for that to happen I need to be at least in the top 10% of Bs before I can even start to think of that.

In terms of components, that's been pretty awesome.  I use the Campy Ergo 10 speed shifters with Shimano rear derailleur and it makes a great 8 speed system.  It is lighter, cheaper and more durable than if I went 10 speed.  The shifting feels like it was designed to work together.  The only thing is the Campy rear shifter.  Sometimes it "locks" up and I can't downshift the thumb shifter until I move the upshift paddle a little.  Not sure if that will loosen up after a while.  I've read that it takes Campy shifters about 1000 miles and then shifts great.  I'm halfway there. I love the TRP CX9 mini v.  They are so powerful that after I got them, I had to relearn to stop with one finger only.  The first time I grabbed a handful of brakes like my old cantilever, I almost went over the bars.  The Thomson stem, seatpost, FSA handlebars, Fizik saddle, Time pedals and Campy cranks have been great.  I don't ever think about them and they work great.  The only thing I've changed were the wheels.  I had DT 240 hubs on Velocity Escape rims and I rolled my a tubular during a race.  It was my own glue job so I have no one to blame except myself but when the season was over, I bought HED C2 rims and had them rebuilt at Win's Wheels.  I also got a matching clincher set (HED Ardennes CL) so that the rim width is the same when my clincher set becomes my pit wheels during races.  I'm hoping the wider rims will give a larger gluing area for my tubulars.  Speaking of tubulars, I'm going to sell my Challenge Grifo and Fangos.  They work well but I found myself washing out on some turns.  I'm used to aggressive tires from mountain biking so I'm looking to get the Clement PDX tubulars.  I figure I lose more time slowing down on turns than the extra friction running aggressive tread on the straights.  If these tires allow me to turn faster it will be worth it.  I can't wait for next season to start...

My geometry here: http://mikeylovesbikes.blogspot.com/2012/09/rock-lobster-plans.html
Building it up: http://mikeylovesbikes.blogspot.com/2011/07/rock-lobster-cross-euro-mama-celeste.html
Fitting by Paul: http://mikeylovesbikes.blogspot.com/2011/04/rock-lobster-fitting.html

Day 19 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE
10.2 miles, 1461'
TOTAL:
190.2 miles, 22578'
TOUR DE FRANCE Stage 18: Andy finally attacks.  He's too tentative but finally this shows he actually wants to win.  Cadel chased hard to keep Andy in his sight and Contador got dropped.  I think he Tour is over.  Voeckler stays in yellow for another day but I think tomorrow might be it.  I would think Andy would take yellow tomorrow and lose to Cadel on Saturday.  That's my prediction.  Cadel all the way!!

Short on riding time so it was hill repeats.

Repeats starts at the country club entrance.  Next time I need to bring chalk since I keep forgetting how many laps I do.

The challenge is almost done and I have 2422' left to reach my personal goal of 25000'.  That should totally be doable.  I'm sure to get at least 1000' tomorrow and Saturday can be a ride in the Santa Monicas before we go to Irvine for my work family day at the park.

Day 15 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE

38.5 miles, 3691'
TOTAL:
164.7 miles, 19190'
TOUR DE FRANCE Stage 14: Vanendert wins (I think he's one to watch in the future).  The GC contenders tried getting away but none stuck.  Cadel stays with the winning group.  Voeckler sends another day in yellow.

After missing out the last two days of riding, I was raring to go.  I did the Rock Store loop and it was a cool morning.  Starting tomorrow, it will be hot again.

In the Santa Monicas and the roads are starting to curve...

Already sucking wind but I'm feeling much stronger from the last 2 weeks of climbing.

About 1/3 up the Rock Store hill.  In the Tour of California two years ago, this was all lined with people.

There are lots of wineries popping up in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Left down the hill to to the beach or right and up the mountains.  It was right.

I've seen this a couple times riding past but never stopped.  There are a couple boulder problems here.

There is a steep face with some holds.  The rock is volcanic and looking pretty solid.  I should bring my climbing shoes next time and  check it out.

Day 12 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE

6.1 miles, 839'
TOTAL:
126.2 miles, 15499'
TOUR DE FRANCE Stage 12: Cav wins his third in this Tour and takes the green jersey.  Hoogerland stays in polka dots all bandaged up while Thomas Voeckler stays in yellow.

Only had about 30 minutes to ride before lunch so this was it.  Definitely one of the benefits of working from home otherwise I would be able to ride even less.  Took out Worthington and after the last couple days on Luigi up the same hills, I can feel the 9 pound weight difference.

Day 10 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE

6.0 miles, 871'
TOTAL:
114.6 miles, 13750'
TOUR DE FRANCE Rest Day: Thomas Voeckler in yellow. 

Today I tried out Strava for the first time and saw my neighbor was on the first page of results.  Of course, that meant I had to try and beat it.  Not as easy as it seems.  His average speed is about 0.5 mph faster than me and that's substantial.  I did this ride at 5:30 right before dinner and just had 30 minutes to squeeze this in.  Since tomorrow I'll be at work, it will be a rest day for me.   

Day 9 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE

22.6 miles, 2170'
TOTAL:
108.6 miles, 12879'
TOUR DE FRANCE Stage 9: Luis Leon Sanchez wins from the breakaway and Thomas Voeckler gets yellow.  Lots of crashes that took out Vino (broken femur), Zabriskie (broken wrist), Van den Broeck (broken shoulder blade) and more.  A crazy crash from a french tv car that also took out Flecha and Hoogerland in the breakaway.  Not worried about Voeckler in yellow but Sanchez is now 0:37 in front of Cadel.  Considering he's done well in other grand tours, they better watch out for him.

I had to do some work today but the nice weather and being a Sunday, I got out for a bit.

The weather finally cooled down so I was a bit chilled when I started.  Once the hills started, that was no longer a concern.  

I definitely will not be able to complete this challenge.  The last month has been super busy at work so I've been working 50-60 hours a week.  On top of trying not to spend too much time away from family, there's not much to give.  This year I realized that I can get away with 2.5 hours of exercise a week (20 minutes a day minimum) to balance family, work and my sanity.  Last week, I worked out 6:16.  Back in my younger days, that would be just one day but now that is too much time away from family.  I'm really torn.  Today, I can feel the benefits of the last 9 days but at the sacrifice of my family.  I think I have two options.  Ride less or ride before they wake up.  Let's see what I come up with.

Did I mention I love the wide roads of Thousand Oaks area?

Day 5 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE
8.1 miles, 1074'
TOTAL:
69.4 miles, 7765'
TOUR DE FRANCE Stage 5: Cavendish and Thor stays in yellow.  Cav gets his first win this Tour on a crash filled day.  Brajkovic & Boonen both went down hard.  Not sure if they will be riding tomorrow.  Cadel stays 1 second down on GC.

Today is another hot day so I'm only doing hill repeats but only got 2 in before the heat got to me.  Also checked out the difference between Mama Celeste and Luigi.

Mama Celeste in road mode.  RL is more reactive than Colnago and accelerates really well (of course, RL was designed for dirt with 32 tires, not road tires).  On hills, it feels like flying and you can climb longer standing up. 

The first downhill.  This isn't so bad...

This is my road bike.  A 1990s Colnago Master Competition called Luigi.  I've wanted a Colnago since high school so a couple years ago I found the frame and fork on ebay.  As you can tell, I like steel bikes.  Comparing the ride between Celeste and Luigi, this feels more comfy and seems to be a better longer (3+ hour) ride bike.  Doesn't accelerate as well and not as reactive but not in a bad way.  In the way that after a long day in the saddle, when my mind wanders, I won't crash.  Not sure if it's more flexy but when climbing up hills I can't stand as long and tend to sit earlier.

Wide open climb.  If there was more shade, I could have done a couple more repeats but I didn't have the time to do it.  Busy work day and I had to get started.

Rock Lobster Cross Euro "Mama Celeste"

Finally got the bike all built up.  I'm running Campy Veloce front shifters and front derailleur and Shimano Ultegra rear derailleur.  This makes it possible to run it as an 8 speed.  I like it this way since 8 speed is a more durable, cheaper and lighter.  The best combo for me.  As soon as Zank comes out with his cross chainrings, I'm going to get those.

To stop, I'm using the TRP mini-v which are super powerful.  The Thomson stem and seatpost rounds this out except the wheels.  These are the training wheelset which are Campy front and Ultegra rear  with WTB Cross Wolf clinchers.  My racing wheelset are DT 240s on Velocity Escape rims running Challenge Fango and Grifo tubulars.  I can't wait for cross season to start.

Day 3 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE
17.5 miles, 1416'
TOTAL:
38.8 miles, 5017'
TOUR DE FRANCE Stage 3: Tyler Farrar and Thor stays in yellow.  Tyler wins on Fourth of July and Garmin continues on a roll! Cadel stays 1 second down and BMC can save their energy instead of defending the yellow jersey.

After yesterday's hot day, I knew I had to go for a road ride.  It was so much better having the speed and keep some air moving around me.  

In last year's Festive 500, I saw someone's blog who used all their bikes in the challenge.  I want to do the same so this is my rain bike.  A 1980's Holdsworth Mistral called "Worthington".  Internal gear hub, generator hub & led light with fenders are so easy in the rain.  Although I'm in So Cal, it doesn't rain that much but I love to ride in the rain so this bike gets used quite a bit.  I actually time my rides so that I can catch it when the rain is coming down instead of wet roads.  The harder the rain, the bigger my smile.  I think it's from the years growing up in Vancouver, BC.

My comfy bike.  Worthington is set up for long distances although she is a bit heavy at 30 pounds.

The wide safe roads of Thousand Oaks

Getting ready to head uphill

I have this last hill before getting home.  If I'm blown, this hill is a killer.  Today, I saw a rider in front of me and slowly caught him.  Within 10 seconds after I passed him, he got out of the saddle and motored up the hill.  I think he was a little pissed that a bike with fenders beat him.  After he passed, I maintained our gap all the way to the top.  I'm okay with that.

Rock Lobster fitting

Two weeks ago, the whole family did a road trip to the Bay Area and one of the reasons was so that I could meet with Paul Sadoff in Santa Cruz to talk about my custom Rock Lobster cyclocross bike.  It was a good meeting.  First off, he was a good guy and easy to get along with. 

When I went into his shop, it was small but filled with stuff.  Lots of his personal bikes hanging off the rafters but it was great to see his shop.  Many of his equipment were designed by him.  To me that's good.  It means he knows what he's doing and if not, he would have updated it in his 20+ years of framebuilding.  With all his years of bikes, if it didn't work, he would have replaced it already.

What I found is that we have similar thoughts on bikes.  It should work well and just be used instead of hanging on a the wall.  Don't get me wrong, his bikes look great but not like the "artisans" who spend many more hours to make it look pretty.  To me, this bike is for racing and in the off season it will be riding on fire roads.  This bike will be loved but a racing bike gets used hard.

After getting the initial desires of the bike, he measured my current bike and me.  Apparently my legs are longer than the average person my height.  When he measured my arms, he said that he hasn't seen that measurement unless it was on a 5'1" woman.  Yeah, yeah, I know all about that from my rock climbing days and I've heard much harsher criticism from friends.

This bike will be a steel cross bike capable of up to 38c tires, have a crowned fork with straight tubing (I love that look), sterling silver headbadge (I love that too), pump peg, chain hanger, no fender eyelets and set up for linear brakes.  It will be his celeste green team color but with small decals.  Along with that I'm getting a Cane Creek 110 headset, Thomson X4 stem and Thomson seatpost from him.  This thing should be a beauty.

It was great getting verification from him on my gear selection.  Although his team is sponsored by Chris King, he runs Cane Creek 110 headset.  He feels they are the best headsets made.  Also on seatpost and stem, when I mentioned that I wanted Thomson, he points to his bike and tells me that he had an Easton seatpost but only lasted 1.5 years and now runs a Thomson.  Thomson's are light but super strong.  Even on stem setups he likes the 0 degree rise stems with 20mm spacers above and below, just as I was telling him my preference for the same.  Then we talked about hubs and I told him I just got some DT Swiss 240s on my mountain bike and he says that the hubset on the dream mountain bike he's building up.  I think he's going to be the perfect builder for me.

Going for a custom Rock Lobster

Not my bike but will look similar

I've been lucky that I can generally fit most bikes but having an inflexible back and short arms haven't been easy.  I end up with a lot of spacers under the stem and short stems.  I pulled the trigger and I'm on the waiting list for a custom Rock Lobster Cross Euro by Paul Sadoff.  Huge benefit will be to have a custom geometry so the bike will look balanced and right.  It will also have the builder's vast cyclocross experience to get me a racing steed.  It will be a steel frame and fork.  Although I could have gone with aluminum and carbon fork, I know that I want this bike to last and the two pounds in weight savings isn't going to be the difference with me winning or losing.

The things I want for this bike is a rear triangle to fit at least 35c tires, preferably 38c since this bike will be ridden on fire roads during the off season.  I want to have the front triangle to be higher so I don't have a bunch of spacers under the stem.  I'm guessing Paul will use a taller headtube, sloping geometry or both.  To make the bike look balanced, I want it designed around a 0 degree or -6 degree stem.  I also like the look of a steel fork with a flat or sloping crown since the unicrown fork (although lighter doesn't look as nice to me).  Now do I go with curved or straight bladed fork?  I like the look of straight forks but know that curved feels a bit nicer.  For the cranks, I want to be able to fit Campy Ultra Torque crankset because I have one laying around and the q factor is good for me.  I also want the standard (and not so standard) extras like two water bottle bosses, pump peg (a real one not the short stubby things) and chain hanger.  I think Paul does the cable routing with the rear brake and rear derailleur on the top tube while the front derailleur is on the downtube.  The only thing I want is the rear derailleur boss to be on the right since I route my cable around the headset so I don't rub the paint off.  For the look, I asked for no or minimal decals and sterling headbadge.  On the color, I'm hedging towards celeste green which is the Rock Lobster team color but for me, I've always loved the color from a Bianchi.  Now do I powdercoat or paint?

It seems I have quite a bit of criteria but I think it is not too specific.  Bottom line, I want Paul to design the bike that will fit me the best.  The wait is about four months but we're going to try to get up for a fitting in April so it could be a little longer.  I should be able to get it before cross season starts though.