Learning to Fly

[Aquaholic]

Today was my first real ride on the Jones. Wednesday's ride was more of a slow first dance. But, today...it was obvious that Miss Jones wanted to get down and shake it!


[SIZE=3]Mannn, this girl wants to fly![/SIZE]


More pics to come.

[Padre]

Downright incredible.
The bike.
Your riding.

Your "investment" is already paying dividends.

[burner]

Nice! I think that's what we were all expecting to see... so is noble 100% rideable on the SS now?

[MTBNate]

Sweeeet!!!!

[Nat]

Nice! More, more!

[Drevil]

In-frickin-credible pics, especially the last one.

[volpepazza]

Great photos, great riding. More please!

you ride noble all the time. you should be up here in Utah with us this weekend!

[ozlongboarder]

Thats what I'm talking about!

[Aquaholic]

Those orange Niners are sweet!

[goneskiian]

Originally Posted by Aquaholic

Those orange Niners are sweet!

DAMN! Sweet riding Aqua!

Looks to me like the dude on that Niner is thinking the Aquajones is pretty sweet! LOL!

Cheers!
-Ian

[TheSingleGuy]

Originally Posted by Aquaholic

Those orange Niners are sweet!

So is your "art."

I have another request - we all love the pictures, would you be able to take some video of yourself riding that machine? For those of us who can't watch you riding it in person? Pics are awesome, and just leave me wanting to see more.

As they say here in Japan "Onegaishimasu!"

Chris

Edit: Of course I mean would you be able to have someone take video of you riding. Bit hard to video yourself!

[LJintheUK]

More pics please, and video too.
How are those Salsa rims holding up so far?

[erol/frost]

Nice art

[noslogan]

Originally Posted by burner

Nice! I think that's what we were all expecting to see... so is noble 100% rideable on the SS now?

That's like asking Jordan if he can dunk on a court he's never played on.

[bigwheelboy_490]

But where is the Cape? With that red get up it would only seem appropriate!

Great pics and nice looking ride none the less!!

[Aquaholic]

Here's some snaps of San Juan Trail today. Killer conditions from yesterday's rain!

[Aquaholic]

And a few more.....

[OneGearGuy]

Hot Damn Aqua!!!!
So glad to see that your bike is an extension of your very being.
And you're not afraid to pin the throttle and ride that thing the way it was meant to be loved.
Enjoy every minute... and thanks for the inspiration.

OGG

[FoShizzle]

as usual, awesome friggin pictures!!

it will be very interesting for you to report on riding those same trails again with the Turner after having ridden them with the Aquajones. i'll bet it just feel "different" the next go around.

[ozlongboarder]

Aqua care to share your thoughts oh how the big wheels fly compared to the 26ers? Obviously the FS is going to make a huge difference but what about stability in the air for those high speed hits where you get a few feet high but a long length? I find the 29er to be more stable at lift off, in the air and on landing.

Would you like to have a 6" tavel 29er? I would.

Keep those pics comming!

[Wish I Were Riding]

Your smile in the last pict, says it all.

[bigwheelboy_490]

Do you actually see any vertical deflection in the fork when you're riding? I'm assuming that you probably got some video, and just wondering if you see any deflection in the rear end? (of the bike).

[Enel]

Aqua:

Question...Do you find the bigger wheels make rolling over those boulders easier compared to the 5-pack? In other words, does the pucker factor go down a bit.

I'm also curious to note if you needed to change anything in the overall cockpit set up, or did Jeff nail it right out of the box?

E

[Tappoix]

[SIZE=3]Above the planet on a wing and a prayer,
My grubby halo, a vapour trail in the empty air,[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Across the clouds I see my shadow fly
Out of the corner of my watering eye[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]A dream unthreatened by the morning light
Could blow this soul right through the roof of the night [/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]There's no sensation to compare with this
Suspended animation, A state of bliss[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit, I[/SIZE]

[unit]

For some reason, that makes me happy (the 3/4 speed was cool, but I guess I preferr SS).

Do tell on the adjustments....did you have to make many?

Thanks so much, for the great pictures.

How does it feel to have the most famous JJ bike? I mean any jones creation is pretty neat, unique, legendary, (gasp) artistic....but yours (because of this and other threads) has got to be the most widely known (for now at least). I know that you probably never plan on breaking up with her...but how are you going to feel in 30 years when you are unable to fly like that, and young punks are still comming up to her wanting autographs?

Seriously, Thanks for the trip. I knew what a Jones was, but never really appreciated them before the first thread. I still dont know you, but it looks like you can dish out what that bike was built for. Keep it up.

Ken

[ozlongboarder]

Nice.

[motoman711]

Originally Posted by Aquaholic

And a few more.....

The only thing that I can see that is excessive is the grin on your face.

[steevo]

Cool shots.
Really need to see some picks of those landings.

[movingmountain]

niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

[pacman]

The Niner rider is thinking "Where the heck does Aquaholic put his water bottles?"

[~martini~]

So how ya hangin' with the H bars? I seem to remember you saying that you'd give 'em a try, but that you'll probably stick some risers on there eventually. From the looks of it, you've adjusted to them just fine! Are you going to keep them on there?

[Impy]

Very nice aqua! Sweet bikes, awesome shots.

[Chequama Mama]

Sweet! Watching the build was fun and all, but seeing it in action is way better!

YO MAMA

[Aquaholic]

Thanks, Ya'll for the nice comments. But, can't we really get back to discussing whether this bike is artwork or not?

With this bike setup as a SS, there are some climbs that I haven't yet been able to nail. But, I've only got 3 rides in. I'd really like to keep the gears off of this bike if I can hold out. I think that it mucks the bike up with all of that stuff on it. Still, I'm confident I can make those climbs with the 3 speed bolted up.

The peeps that were watching me huck off of that boulder on saturday, said that they could see the rear end compliancy at work as I landed. I dunno, I'll see if I can get some video of it. The rear end definetly does move when you put your weight into the rear end.

The fork is amazing. I mean, it's still a rigid front end, I can't pin it in the chunky, fast sections like on my squisher. But, if I ride it like a jet ski... the front end stays just light enough to keep me from getting pounded.

The rims seem to be pretty stout for a XC rim. That boulder that I jumped yesterday at SJT....if you look closely you can see an embedded rock on the landing. I did this jump twice and on the second one, I didn't commit with enough speed. I didn't clear that boulder with my front wheel. I came in nose heavy. There was a loud explosion as the tube popped. Not a pinch flat...the tube exploded! I rode it out for about 20 feet on the front rim. Upon inspection it looked fine. Still true and no dings!

Ozlo: So far, I can't tell much difference between flying this bike or my 5Pack. Other than, being a full rigid bike, I obviously have to be very careful how and where I am going to land. There's a lot bigger margin for error with a squish bike.

Enel/Unit: JJ nailed this thing the first time. He had little pieces of tape all over the bike with notes, arrows, and instructions. For example: where to route the hydro lines and arrows lining up the brake lever placement, etc. The only readjustment that I have made to the bike was to dial in a bit more bite on the lever engagement.

I am going to raise the bottom bracket(1/2"), to it's highest setting for a bit more pedal clearance. I am getting a few pedeal strikes, but some of that is inevitable. With my Turner, I sometimes just bash into stuff with little finesse or regard to the cranks.

This bike has no bash ring and the cranks are far to pretty for that kind of abuse.


PS Tapp: Pink Floyd?

[DMFT]

Art? Who's Art???

- Sick ridin' & pic's Aqua, very sick! That's it! "Art" took the pic's!!!

[bigdrunk]

You again?

Originally Posted by colker1

guess i touched a nerve.. thanks for the attention guys. now go play w/ your threads and forget about me. btw.. i'm proud to be hated by your bunch. art is much bigger than your silly bikes.

[Wish I Were Riding]

Originally Posted by colker1

art is much bigger than your silly bikes.

Isn't there a famous qoute that says "art is in the eye of the beholder"?
Most of us think JJ's bikes are art.
You don't. Now lets just let it go please!?!

[goneskiian]

Isn't there a famous qoute that says "art is in the eye of the beholder"?

Actually I think that goes "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Not that I'm disagreeing with you though. I think you've got it right in a sense. I've seen what some people consider art (at least enough to hang on their walls) and I, for one, much prefer JJ's sculpture to that stuff.

For me, bicycles are sculpture in motion.

Loved the Pink Floyd by the way! Great work Tappoix!

Cheers!
-Ian

[unit]

I love the pictures...but
while Floyd is nice, I think the number by Pantera might me better "The Art of Shredding"

"Art"...that is sooo last thread...lets get back to pics and videos before the cops come and shut down the party.

Ken

[cactuscorn]

this thread is pure joy. aqua is one of the coolest folks ive met on here since i started really hangin out last fall. his pics, storys and insight are as top notch as his character. then theres this bike and how its envelope has been burst clean open. top it off with taps creative mix of pics and lyrics. very cool pal. im glad i was directed here from my usual squishy bike forum.

[bigdrunk]

Cati,

I am sorry you see it this way. On the 29er forum, we all know FoShizzle does bigger drops and catches more air and pimps more chicks than Aqua! If you hang here, you will come around.

All kidding aside (sorry Shizzle, I still want to cruz up to your hood and ride too), I live in the same town as Aqua and can't believe I haven't gone on one of his "Tour de Nobel" adventures yet. He is definetaly the Shiznit. It would be cool to have him show me the right lines to ride at Nobel.

Originally Posted by cactuscorn

this thread is pure joy. aqua is one of the coolest folks ive met on here since i started really hangin out last fall. his pics, storys and insight are as top notch as his character. then theres this bike and how its envelope has been burst clean open. top it off with taps creative mix of pics and lyrics. very cool pal. im glad i was directed here from my usual squishy bike forum.

[FoShizzle]

Originally Posted by bigdrunk

Cati,

I am sorry you see it this way. On the 29er forum, we all know FoShizzle does bigger drops and catches more air and pimps more chicks than Aqua! If you hang here, you will come around.

All kidding aside (sorry Shizzle, I still want to cruz up to your hood and ride too), I live in the same town as Aqua and can't believe I haven't gone on one of his "Tour de Nobel" adventures yet. He is definetaly the Shiznit. It would be cool to have him show me the right lines to ride at Nobel.

agreed.....I almost got a famous "Aqua pass" for Noble this weekend but my cold worsened and I have to do a girly local ride instead Noble definitely intimidates me but I too would go just to see Aqua show me how it is done.

[bigdrunk]

You are lucky, you have a cold, I don't have any front wheels. I aint riding this weekend.

When you end up coming down to ride Nobel, clue me in. I will show you the wrong lines to pick when riding the techy areas, I found them all a couple weeks ago the hard way.

Originally Posted by FoShizzle

agreed.....I almost got a famous "Aqua pass" for Noble this weekend but my cold worsened and I have to do a girly local ride instead Noble definitely intimidates me but I too would go just to see Aqua show me how it is done.

[FoShizzle]

Originally Posted by bigdrunk

You are lucky, you have a cold, I don't have any front wheels. I aint riding this weekend.

When you end up coming down to ride Nobel, clue me in. I will show you the wrong lines to pick when riding the techy areas, I found them all a couple weeks ago the hard way.

you bet! though I doubt I will need anybody's help to pick the wrong lines.....i am highly skilled in that regard.

cheers

[cactuscorn]

i have no doubt that faux taps dat stuff like a rock star. consider the fact hes so bad ass he no longer needs a avitar. alas im just a visitor here and my wheels are a small as my manhood so what do i know?

[Aquaholic]

[quote= aqua is one of the coolest folks ive met.[/QUOTE]


Damn You Cactus Coot!

Don't come around here talking like that, man. I don't want these peeps getting the wrong impression.



PS FoPopsicle. It's about goddamn time you got rid of that F'n avatar!

[cactuscorn]

ya mean this isnt MAMBLA????? dammit!

[Aquaholic]

............

[b12yan88]

Originally Posted by Aquaholic

............

How does that bike feel on the nose ? Do you ever ride on your front wheel when you turn a sharp corner. Im not talking about doing just a pivot i mean riding it through on the front wheel.