Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Vaya con el Diablo...

Pictured at left, my next bike, a Salsa Vaya (pic shamelessly pilfered from the Salsa blog), though my build will be a bit different.

Working with Tom at The Bicycle Escape to bring it all in, then building it up slowly on my own, so when it all falls to pieces under my ass in the thrombotic heart of some corn-fed midwestern burg, I'll have no one to blame but myself and baby Jesus (co-pilot).

Right.

Here's a potential list of parts—I invite comments/suggestions on the selection, so let me have it if you're feeling passionate and can put a string of words together in an intelligible sequence:

Frame: Salsa Vaya, 56 cm
Headset: Chris King, Black
Derailleur, front: Shimano XT, Top Pull, 3-Speed
Derailleur, rear: Shimano XT, Long Cage, Black
Shifters: Shimano Bar End
Crankset: Shimano XT, Black, 175mm
Chainring: 48/36/26T
Cassette: Shimano XT, 9-Speed, 11-34T
Chain: Shimano CN-HG93, 9-Speed
Pedals: Crank Bros. Eggbeater 3//
Hub, front: Shimano XT, 32H, 6-Bolt, Black
Hub, rear: Shimano XT, 32H, 6-Bolt, Black
Quick Release: Shimano XT, Black
Spokes: DT Swiss Comp 2.0/1.8 mm (double-butted), Silver, w/ Brass Nipples
Rims: WTB SpeedDisc XC 700c, 32H, Black
Handlebar: Salsa Woodchipper, 46 cm length
Stem: Thomson X2, 1-1/8 x +/-10° x 100 x 31.8, Black
Brakes, front and rear: Avid BB7 Mountain, 160 mm rotor, 6-bolt
Brake levers: Tektro RL-520, Black
Saddle: Selle Italia SLK Gel Flow
Seatpost: Thomson Elite Setback, 27.2 mm diam, 330 mm length, Black
Seatpost Clamp: Salsa Lip-Lock, Black
Tires: Schwalbe Marathon Supreme, 700x35


I went with a more rugged parts mix borrowed heavily from the Salsa Fargo specs, 'cuz rugged rules. That, and I want to avoid parts-compatibility issues, since I know basically nothing about geared bikes anymore.

More to follow on just what the hell I plan on doing with what must be my 7th or 8th bicycle.