Redline Update!

Had a few rides on the Redline, and I've uncovered a few issues that need to be addressed...

First, these Tektro brakes stink. The arms themselves aren't bad, but the pads are horrid chunks or WalMart worthy poo.

*bleah!*

Love these Redline labeled hubs. Who needs to machine between the rotor mount holes on the flange when the frame already weighs 47 lbs all by itself?!? Weight savings?... please.

The handlebar also weighs a ton, but mostly because it is 28" long out of the box. I lopped 1" off each end.

Solved the brake issue by throwing on some BB7's from Price Point. Less than $50 a wheel!

Boom!

Badda-Bing!

And the King is installed. Pretty.

And the one that got away...

Drat.

FleaBay

Loot for the in-door here at One Utahdog Center, World Congress of the Americas.

New-Old-Stock DX clipless pedals complete with cleats.

King Pretty and Strong pink headset, dated 2007 so pre- 'Sotto Voce'. Thanks be to god, because Sotto Voce is uglier than Uma Thurmon. Uma Thurmon is U-G-L-Y!

Genuine Land Rover cargo nets for the beast.

And a useful shop manual for a car I don't own.

Yet.

A 29er?!? Redline Monocog 29

My friends are going to kick me in the Johnny Bucket for this one for sure. Rumors are true. I took leave from work on Wednesday and picked up a 29er from Zencog. $499. For that price it is NOT made in Pennsylvania!

Then I took it completely to pieces and put it back together for my own sanity. Now it is all my fault if the thing explodes under my feet. When I was through, I had these turdish bits left over.

And no, it did not get Crank Brothers pedals.

737's baby. The original SPD's. The Porsche 911 of clipless. OK, that last bit of hyperbole may be a little too thick. I probably should have cleaned them before I installed them, but come Sunday they will just be dirty anyway!

Done and done! I swapped out the original bits for some goodies from the stash; Control Tech post, SDG saddle, the 737's, Altek levers, and various tweaks to fit my knuckle dragging Roswell Alien physique!

The Redline has a big challenge ahead of it. One of the reasons I picked the Redline over say, a bike like a Gravity or Dawes from Bikes Direct, is that I want to give the 29 concept the best fair shake I can without buying a Turner Sultan! The Monocog is a well regarded 29, and I think I can give the 29 experience the trial by fire it deserves. I've ridden a few 29's on the trails before, and I've universally thought them to be cumbersome and slow. Will extended 29 use prove to be something I get used to? Or will the Redline just show up as another too-long, too-big 29 made for folks who can't steer around roots. We'll see!

Now I'm going on eBay to find a "Save the Ta-Ta's" pink King headset for it. I'm a pimpy tramp. Pretty and strong.

Yes my wife wonders aloud why I need an 11th bike, but she is very understanding of my 'problem'. Plus, I sent her pictures and auction links to stuff like this all last week.

This old Scirocco even has a salvage title, so bringing home the Redline instead is a win/win for all...comparatively speaking!

That car is pure Sex. For a child porn dealer maybe.

The Robinson Project, Part 6!

Update!

Wheels and headset fitted. Little girls love purple. Old dads love purple too, because it isn't PINK!