Hmm....a strange phenomena

Finally got to break out the new Spearfish for it's maiden ride last nite @ Bankert Rd. This is Salsa's new short travel(80mm) full suspension frame built up w/ XT 10sp, Hope/NoTubes wheels and a Reba SL(set @ 100mm). Bike rode great, need to play w/ pressures a little, but the whole time I was riding I was missing my single speed. Is it possible that I have shifted to the darkside completely? I am thinking that the Spearfish is going to be 1x10 in the very near future. When I am on the single speed I have no problem bailing and walking if something is too steep, funny thing is I do the same thing on a geared bike. Enough of my internal conflicts.


Now to the bike business @ hand. The Spearfish is built up w/ the new XT 10spd stuff and a set of Hope/Stan's wheels. I have been riding this stuff for about eight months or so now and I have to say that it truly rocks. The shifting takes me back to my first set of XTR 8spd shifters back in my racing days. Shifts are smooth w/ audible clicks  and dual action triggers are what I feel are the best in the business. The only caveat is I am not a big fan of the new XT chain. I have managed to break it twice, both times it was repaired w/ a Connex quik link(this one is reusable, unlike it's SRAM counterpart) and it has been trouble free thus far. The plan is to replace it w/ a Whipperman before the shop trip to Raystown in October.
As to the wheelset, I LOVE these wheels. The hubs are smooth, easily convertible to different axles and they are not too hard on the eyes either. But, the thing that makes these wheels are the NoTubes Flow rims! These are by far the best rims I have ever ridden. Being that they are a welded joint rim, rather than pinned, they are stiff beyond belief. Couple this w/ the ability to set up tubeless w/ Stan's yellow tape, fluid and valves, you cannot beat this package. I am running them w/ non tubeless tires and have not experienced a single issue once I got everything sealed up. By going to this set up I have eliminated alot of thorn related flats.
That's what I've got for today. If my ramblings detract from your blog viewing experience, just let me know and I'll adjust accordingly.
Up next: 2012 Rock Shox Reba RLT and the WingnutGear hydro pack along w/ some trail musings.

GET OUT THERE AND RIDE!!!
Cheers Mike