Dirtbag Kaffenback

  Till 2006 had a a Rocky Mountain Rail cross bike. Unfortunately it finally tapped out with a cracked right side chain stay. And after moving towns in 2007 and picking up a 29er in 2008. Kind of forgot about replacing the Rail for 3 years.

  With ever increasing road riding as well as looking for alternative to always taking the Chromag. Decided the best option was another Cyclocross frame. Simple reason versatility and ability to take knobby tires for winter. Because I like the feel of steel frames I went for a steel frame and it had to have the ability to either be disc or rim brake.

Unfortunately the steel frame options are where a bit limited a year ago and hard to find used. Remembered On One also sells Planet X, specifically the Kaffenback. Which while not a true UCI type cyclocross frame still is capable of what I was looking for. And it comes in at $189 USD without fork.

   The initial build was aimed at simply to get it on the road and cheaply.  Only through use does one find the tendencies or parts and frames. And it is to me better to buy better parts individually over time as I figure out what I need.

 The wheels are Bontrager rim brake rims on Bontrager hubs I got for $75. Tires where Kenda Kwickers  and paid $50 for the two. Chain and cassette are basic Sram.

 Found a Kona Project 2 Cyclocross fork for $30 including shipping off Pinkbike.  No disc mounts as was just wanted to get it road worthy. The headset not pictured was a freebie from the shop I had worked at.

Non drive side crank was $20 from a local shops old stock bin.
                               The BB is standard Shimano.

The drive side crank is from the Rocky Mountain Rail I cracked the chainstay's on in 2006. So cost was free. Chainrings free as well.

 Seat post is an old one from my mountain bike which was bent. Cut the lower part of the seatpost off which took care of the bent section. So cost was nothing. Salsa seat collar $2.

              Shimano road front derailleur...no idea the model...free

            Shimano rear road derauilleur   From my parts bin...free

Tektro CR270 brakes front and rear. New from a shop for $45 total.

 Easton EA-30 stem, 90mm length. Came from the 29er I didn't like. The extender was free.

                Bontrager road saddle. Bike shop parts bin...$10

            Handlebar $10 from bike shop close out. Tektro levers $30.
            Kelly Take Off's parts bin so free with Suntour GPX shifters.
                                             Bar tape $20

 So in the end the total was maybe $450 total. Which got me riding right away. And allows me to hit some easy singletrack as I desire as well as road. Plus a bit of gravel.  Now of course this was a dirtbag build as I wanted to get riding immediately and then after ride time figure out which parts I would like to switch out.

 So after 8 months of use and other then some brake pads and of course wearing out tires. Those parts I want change to are disc brake calipers, disc wheels, Retroshift levers, switch to a 60 or 70mm stem, and maybe a different bar. Though the bar I'll wait to see if the shorter stem improves things.

 If things work out the new parts will be ready for the Test of The First Gravel.

 

Snow Minion

Another day another snow ride from 2 days ago . Shorter ride time but still better then longer time on the Squirrel Wheel.


               Someone beat me to fresh tracks.

                    Winter sun at the Beeratorium

        The Mistress awaits more snowflake meyhem.

             What passes for DH frash tracks.

                        I have been here before.

Snow Flake Homicide

With the new snowfall we received in the last couple of days. Today felt like a good day to cause mayhem and terror to snowflakes.


                                   Your virginity is MINE.

             And taken. With no whimpers, just some low squeeking.

All this virgin untracked trail And no one comes out and rides it? I would have thought we would see more tire tread. But I guess minus -14 is to cold.

 The snow flake mass murder tool of choice...with 2.5 tires.

Squeeky Insularity

Awoke to it snowing and maybe 5-7cm's in the back yard. And after a quick check of the tea leaf and pigeon entrail readers aka Environmment Canada forecast. The thought of some frash tracks came to mind.

The trail head was as to be expected. No one else other then a couple of dog walkers.

                           Will it be slick.....nope.

Beeratorium and no beer or Rum today.

                             Ah...first tracks.

Some shiny Gold coloured chain ring bolts arrived from the Irish.

2013 Dreams, Goals, Fantasies, and Delusions

 It's that time of year again where one looks at the future year and comes up with a fantasy list of things for the year. Delusions of frames, events, ride, and filling that you say you will do before the 80 car freight train of reality with Murphy as the Engineer laughing evilly comes screaming into it all at freight train speed.

 So here we go,

Events:

East Cup Kingston Stop April 21
Kingston Endurance Ride
Anti Race October 19th
Dundas Monstercross Fall

  Now I must mention that 2013 has one very important requirement for any event.  Only can do events that require entry fees that are within a 50 minute drive of my house. Anything past that time can only be done if it is free. Simple reason to do this is to avoid last years numerous event cancellations due to fuel costs.

 One addition. I am looking at putting on a wee old school MTB time trial in the summer. As well as test run the course for an cx bike type gravel grinder.

Frames, Bikes, and Parts:

Canfield Nimble 9 Frame size large
Retroshift
Dropper seatpost
On One Fatty
Disc brakes for CX bike
Disc wheels for CX bike
CX chromo fork... disc of course
Cree XM-L T6 light for helmet mount

 Only listed the big ticket items as little things like Hope master cylinder seals are minor details really. Though I do admit that after nearly 3 years of delays it would be nice to make the 29er frame happen.

Misc,

Ride Shabomeka trails
Join MTB Kingston
Ride Camp Fortune
Get down to a 38" waist.
Clear overgrown unofficial K&P section.

 In reality nothing earth shattering that would cause NORAD to go to status yellow.  Though as long as Murphy firmly understands that there is a line and it's open season on him if he crosses it.

Snow Buzz

After work on Saturday morning it was to Collins Bay for a 90 minute snow ride.

Looks like ice covered creek but only strong enough to hold a dog.

Dog walkers where being useful.

Near the end and time for Tim's.

New year's eve Snow

Headed out to do a couple of errands and took the bike.

Snow on knobbies 

Wow... it's a highway

Good thing I wasn't on foot.