She's a thoroughbred!

[Aquaholic]

So, I got my first ride in yesterday on my new One. As you can see I left it in SS mode. I started my climb about 1000 am. There wasn't a soul in sight. Temps were balmy, around 60 degrees. I geared up and hit the trail.

I was tentative at first climbing up the initial chunky, trialsy, section we call "Extra Credit". I was just taking it easy, being cautious, seeing what kind of pedal clearance I had. Feeling out the gearing. I walked a few areas that I normally ride, just to be on the conservative side.

The pictures of me riding are at the top of a brutally long and steep 3.5 mile, asphalt climb we un-affectionally refer to as "Alp du Wheeze". It's hideous. I surprised myself in making it to the top without stopping once. I have never been able to do this climb without stopping before on a singlespeed. I thought I was going to throw up.

I was catching my breath and out of nowhere a guy pedals by. He took a few pics for me and then I continued on.

Off towards Indian Creek. More climbing awaits. The picture of me from behind, if you squint, you can see Indian Creek to the left of my helmet. That's where I'm headed. "The Waterfall Climb" is on this next portion.

I finally topped out at Champagne Pass, at the top of Indian Creek, elevation 5425 feet. BTW, I gave the Waterfall climb two solid attempts and didn't even come close. It's just not feasible to do on a SS.

Arriving at the intersection of Indian Creek and Noble Canyon. I was just going to head down, but I was out of water. I decided to continue climbing up another 1000 feet to Sunrise Hiway where I could water up at a well. The time was about 1300 at this point. All is going well, I feel pretty good and I'm starting to really understand how to climb this bike.

After watering up, I began my descent back down. This is a very fast section of Noble. Twisty and flowy. I came round a corner at warp speed to find this huge tree had fallen across the trail. Those big punjab sticks would really hurt if you don't get the anchors out in time!

This last pic is after the forest section is over and now the trail enters the rocky, desert section. I'm getting a bit tired at this point, but I have to keep on my toes as the stuff coming up can really bite me if I'm not paying attention.

I finished my ride at about 1600. I was pretty worked! I hadn't ridden my SS in many months and I had forgotten how much pain SS'n is.

But, the bike worked flawlessly. It feels pretty solid in the rough stuff, she really wants to rip. I feel that I was being just a bit overly cautious, not taking any chances. Just feeling her out. I didn't really fly the bike at all, not yet. The fork feels solid. I need to relearn how to ride this bike, as it has been about 4 months since I rode JJ's personal bike. I found at times I was leaning to far forward with too much weight over the front end. It doesn't repond well when I do that. It wants to be ridden more like a jet ski, hanging off the back, keeping the front end light. When I did that the front end would float over the high speed chunk. Amazing.

But, at the end of the day, it's still a rigid bike, and I had to back it way down in some of the bigger rock gardens. And just use extra care to focus on line choice. The big wheels work quite well and gave me excellent traction in the high speed stuff. In the switchbacks it railed.

The climbs that I couldn't make, I didn't spin out at all. I just didn't have the leg to pull it off. There's just no way a SS is going to clean some of these climbs. It's too bad, I really do enjoy the silent drivetrain and not having to worry about shifting all day long.

That said, I think I'm going to throw the 3 speed on for this weekend. I think I can make the waterfall if I'm geared down.

She's a thoroughbred, that's for certain. This bike demands that you bring your A game to the ride. It's not a "lets go for an easy spin ride", bike. Not at Noble anyway.

There were times that I really started to feel like I was getting a handle on things, but I need more saddle time on her before I start getting aggro.


[SIZE=3]Ride mileage was 26. Time 6 hours. Total climbing probably 3,500 feet.[/SIZE]

Good first ride, though. I'm stoked!


Aqua

[Aquaholic]

........

[CabRider]

allow me to be the first to comment on the baptism of your One.

after a few rides, you'll be flying for sure!




P.S. nice bike! wonder how many hits this thread will get! hehe

[jrm]

whats the lowest gear ratio? Nice bike by the way.

[Aquaholic]

Originally Posted by jrm

whats the lowest gear ratio? Nice bike by the way.

Currently, as a SS I'm running 32 up front and 20 in the back. The 3 speed cogs are 12/20/28.

[Axis II]

That bike funny lookn'. It gots lotsa tubes.

[pseudo intellectual]

Originally Posted by Axis II

That bike funny lookn'. It gots lotsa tubes.

It's a mixte

[iliketoridebikes]

if there was a trophy for the bike with the most pictures taken of it then your bike would win it

[Axis II]

Out of curriosity how much does that thing weigh? Frame weight and full build.

[Axis II]

Originally Posted by pseudo intellectual

It's a mixte

I thought a mixte was a woman's bike?

[pseudo intellectual]

Originally Posted by Axis II

I thought a mixte was a woman's bike?

mixte is a $10,000 word for a woman's bike

we better stop this leg pulling... I'm really not envious

[FoShizzle]

Originally Posted by iliketoridebikes

if there was a trophy for the bike with the most pictures taken of it then your bike would win it

his bike pics have received almost as many hits on the internet as his "other" more compromising pictures found on the web; check them out at www.ilovesheep.com

[donkekus]

Did you add the 90° bits to both the caliper and the levers on the Hopes?

Looks fantastic!

[Hubert]

Aqua, your bike is really stunning! But I thought you were using Time pedals on your mountainbikes. Why did you decide to run the Eggies on this build?

[DirkSSter]

Originally Posted by Hubert

Aqua, your bike is really stunning! But I thought you were using Time pedals on your mountainbikes. Why did you decide to run the Eggies on this build?

He has Time's on there...take a look at the photo by the downed tree. The photo of the 3-speed is from when JJ had the bike (I'm guessing).

[Aquaholic]

Axis II: 22.5lbs. as a SS. 23.5lbs. as a 3 speed.

Donkekus: Right angle Banjo's for the reservour assemblys, only. They look a little odd at first glance, because our eyes are accustomed to seeing hydro lines coming off at right angles. This routing makes much more sense then with the other fittings. Those were begging to get torn off in the event of a crash.

Hubert: Good eye! JJ prefers Crank Brothers. I run Times.

FoShitzzle: See illustration below.

[CPATCRASH]

The bike is sweet! But can't you two play nice?

Originally Posted by Aquaholic

Axis II: 23.5lbs. as a SS 23.5lbs. as a 3 speed.

Donkekus: Right angle Banjo's for the reservour assemblys.They look a little odd at first glance, because our eyes are accustomed to seeing hydro lines coming off at right angles. This routing makes much more sense then with the other fittings. Those were asking to get torn off in the event of a crash.

Hubert: Good eye! JJ prefers Crank Brothers. I run Times.

FoShitzzle: See illustration below.

[motoman711]

Originally Posted by Aquaholic

I gave the Waterfall climb two solid attempts and didn't even come close. It's just not feasible to do on a SS.

I think that what you mean to say is that it is not feasible on an SS [SIZE=3]by YOU[/SIZE] :-P

[Aquaholic]

Originally Posted by motoman711

I think that what you mean to say is that it is not feasible on an SS [SIZE=3]by YOU[/SIZE] :-P

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