End of My Week

Oh yes the end of my week! (I have tomorrow off!) So It was to the basement for some big gear, low rpm riding with some light weight and core work outs mixed in. Nice work out.

Work was boring today and I spent the day cruising mtbr.com, Gutiar Ted's site and Kerkove's blog checking out the Cannondale Caffeine 29er they got in at their shop. I've been kinda anxious to see what people are saying about this frame and fork.

From what I'm seeing so far the unfortunate thing about the Caffeine is the complete bike specs. I did a look-see at 'em. The frame and fork look freaking boss! But the rest of the package is kinda lame for racing. I think it was a mistake by Cannondale to offer it with such low end specs.

$1600 for the complete bike and the only things I would keep are the frame/fork and Lefty Hub. There is some rumor (according to G/Ted and the MTBR.com boards) that an "upgrade" package may be available for racer types. That would be super cool and of course a carbon Lefty would be even cooler!

That price is cool for most bikes, but in my opinion if you're looking at a quality 29er frame and fork like C/Dale is offering, you know what you want and a frame/fork option would be nice.

It's also been said that the bike is basically all "pre" sold out. Eeesh. I think for racers the best option is if you're lucky enough to be hooked up with a good C/Dale shop or you're fortunate to be sponsored by the Big C, then you could get the hook up on a frame/fork package, spec it yourself and make one fast ass 29er. It's been a LLLLong time since I've bought a "whole" bike I guess certain concessions need to be made to keep it in a price point.

I will say just from what I've read the frame and fork look worth pursuing and it's in my rotating top three of production 29er hard tails that include; the Salsa Mamsita, The Niner AIr9 and the Cannondale Caffeine 29er. The Salsa and Niner get my strongest attention do to fork, hub, and build otpions, but if the Caffeine was available to me cheep in a frame set, well.... ;) I also beg you not to make me think of the lusty frames from Moots, Titus, Quiring (who's price vs quality seems to be the best right now) and Dean.

Looks like I'll be hanging in new bike lust limbo 'till spring, when the Mamasita drops her lovely J-Lo like, carbon stayed tush. 'Till then I'll spend my days mentally spending cash I don't have on various dream builds for it as well as lusting after other sweet 29ers. That should make winter nice and llllong.

Oh yeah, speaking of 29ers, don't forget to keep your ballz peeled to TwinSix.com in the near future for more info on the Walt Works/Twin-Six 29er. Gotta gut feeling Brent & Ryan are up to something damn cool.


Tomorrow looks to be some sweet-ass weather here so I'll be taking the Dos Niner out for a couple hours. My Panaracer Rapages are due here tomorrow, but Mista UPS usually doesn't come here till the PM. Ratz!

Later.