Not really, but when the above was waiting for me after work yesterday, I got more exciting than I have about skiing for quite some time. Always seem silly to take the best looking component on the bike, coat it in grease, and hide it from the world in the dirtiest place inside the frame.
This bike began back in 2007, when the largest bonus I ever expect to receive from work (unless I go back to the for-profit sector) arrived unexpectedly. I contemplated getting a Pugsley, packraft, or full suspension bike. I got the latter, and rode the Lenzsport Leviathan in a huge number of in-retrospect almost unbelievable rides in the years to follow. Eventually, largely but not solely due to our move to Montana, my interest verged from pure mountain biking to wilderness exploration, things often but always mutually exclusive. I wanted a bike better suited to my new interests, and for the final time the Leviathan went up for sale. After some negotiation, I traded it for a Salsa Mukluk. And after around 3 months of waiting and the slow accumulation of parts, I rode this bike for the first time last night.
Giggle factor since has been rather high.
Mike and Brian were indispensable, building wheels, acquiring parts, and providing technical and spiritual assistance. Hiccups were few: I cut the steerer on the first fork too short and had to get another, and the seatpost I had previously was too short. And last night panic ensued as my Phil bb wrench could not be found. Fortunately the LBS came through and sold me a new one.
This bike was built primarily to be simple, bombproof, not need upgrades ever, and to suit all genres of riding in which a fat bike might be needed. The secondary goal, largely driven by the former desires, is to make a bike which will go from Cordova to Gustavus in the early summer of 2013.
To that end, the build is as follows:
-17″ first generation Mukluk frame and fork, Thomson setback post (410) and 90mm 0 degree stem, Mango King Headset.
-Surly front hub, Choppers USA rear hub, Large Marge rims, whatever spokes and nips Mike thought was best.
-BB7s, Avid FR5s (bling!), 760mm Kore Torsion low-rise bar, Ergons, Fizik Gobi XM saddle.
-145 mm +5 offset Phil Wood bb, 165mm Race Face North Shore cranks, 20t and 30t rings, Spot bash, 17-19t Dos Eno freewheel, ancient Shimano derailleur shifted with barrel adjuster and a bit of cable.
-Atomlab pedals, cheapest SRAM 9 speed chain available.
-120tpi Big Fat Larrys.
-MYOG frame bag.
This is going to be fun. Questions taken in the comments.
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