Lizard Skin Bar Tape......

I Have Been running Salsa brand bar tape on my "Singular Gryphon" since I built it. with the wet winter months now here and having completely destroying my Salsa tape on a night ride (Dang Saplings), I decided to try something new. I after reading a few reviews online I went with Lizard Skins DSP. It is thicker than cork tape and seems to feel way more durable.

It was easy to install and in the directions it tells you Not to stretch during installation. I have only done one ride so far but it was in damp, cold conditions and the grip was fantastic and the tape doesn't hold water like some corks do. The Tape is ideal for drop bar MTB's or cyclocross. There are a few negatives, the first being Price , it cost almost twice normal tape ( if it holds up twice as long then the point is moot) and the bar plugs suck, the first one broke during the intsall so I am still using some old school Cinelli's that have been in use since mid summer when I lost a Salsa plug from a crash. I will post more in the spring to let everyone know how the tape held up through the winter.

NIMBA Mid Week Time Trial at Rum Village

NIMBA, which is Northern Indiana Mountain Bike Association, has been holding a Mid Week time trail, it is an informal races series, no points or plaques just fun. Even though I am still about 20lbs away from racing shape I headed out to Rum Village for the fun.

The rules are easy. 1 lap, follow the marked course, every starts one minute apart. Oh and you must be a member to participate. After seeing how well maintained the NIMBA trails are it is easy to join this group. I joined as a family and I can honestly say its probably the best $25 I have spent all year.

The course was mostly fast though some corners are getting sandy from the dry season we have had. I had a good time on my Singular Gryphon, and even though I didn't have a blistering time I didn't embarrass myself.

Here are the results that I borrowed from The NIMBA facebook page:

1. Pat Kulwicki 27:16, #2 Ryan Fisher 28:14, #3 Matthew Flournoy 30:07, #4 Pierre Crevier 30:45, #5 Jason Krause 31:32, #6 Daniel Scott 32:50, #7 Joe Canarecci 33:08, #8 Alex Diaz 33:28, #9 Bob Ayers 33:44, #10 Adam Rocker 33:59, #11 Jim Hintz 35:11, #12 Lou Cappadona 35:17, #13 Emily Andrews 35:17,#14 Ryan Kelly 36:11, #15 Chad Mcglocthan 41:53

Thanks to NIMBA for the effort and I will see you next Wed. when the series shifts to Potato Creek!

Singular Gryphon 250 Mile Review

I have been riding my Singular Gryphon a lot the past two months, I have well over 250 singletrack miles on it and close to another 150 on pavement. I have ridden it on everything I can find from fast on semi technical terrain ( well as technical as there is in Northern Indiana)to a lazy Charity road ride. The bike continues to impress me.I knew the frame and the way I was specking it out would be a solid build. I also knew the bike was going to be a good all-rounder, But the way it shines in singletrack has made me a huge fan. The handling is very crisp,I can handle tight switch backs with ease. It also handles jumps and drops equally well. I have owned several 29ers, 69er and a 650b (not to mention a slew of 26" bikes back in the day).

The Gryphon out performs them all. One of my past favorite bikes was my Karate Monkey, the two complaints I had with the KM were 1. I felt like I was always trying to get the bike to turn in the twisties and 2.the old style KM fork was harsh. One the Gryphon I don't have to wrestle the bike in the twisty stuff I just lean and we go! and the front fork is much more compliant. Part of the key to the magic is having a frame and fork engineered to go together, by not making the Gryphon geometry suspension corrected, it allowed them to really dial in the handling.

After my time on a KM and a Gary Fisher Rig I acquired a Trek 69er. I loved the way the 69er carved the twisties, but missed the smoothness of having a big wheel behind me. Once again the Gryphon carves like the 69er but the back wheel eats up and absorbs all the bumps.

Something else I have discovered on my saddle time, is that Drop bars are very off road friendly! I really feel that Being in the drops is very if not more stable than when riding a wide straight bar. On my past single speeds I have run the everything from the the wide Salsa ProMoto's, Jones H-Bars and a Mary Bar. I am currently running an Origin8 Gary Bar and I may or may not eventually try a Salsa Woodchipper.

I am not a lightweight (200lbs) but there is not a lot of flex when I hammer and I feel more like I am sitting in the bike rather than on top of it(which is common for most 29ers) I would highly recommend a Singular to anyone. The attention to detail on the frame is top notch, the welds are clean, the paint and logos are flawless and Customer service is top notch! I posted a pic on mtbreview.com and Sam (who owns Singular) saw in the pic that I hadn't received a Headbadge with my frame. He posted that I should contact him to get one. I sent Sam an email and within ten days I had a beautiful pewter Gryphon Headbadge to install on my frame! To me that is awesome after the sale service, I have never seen or heard of John Burke (Trek) or Mike Sinyard (Specialized) cruiser the boards to see if their customers where satisfied.

I haven't posted the complete build specs yet so here it is:

Frame/Fork : Singular Gryphon

Headset : Chris King

Stem : Ringle Evolution

Bars : Origin8 Gary

Tape : Salsa

Crankset : RaceFace Evolve SS

Chainring : Salsa 32 tooth

Pedals : Eggbeaters Stainless

Chain : Sram pc 970

Rear Cog : Surly 18tooth

Wheelset : Hope Pro Evo Hubs laced to Stans Arch EX Rims

Tires : Bontrager 29.3EXP (setup tubeless w/ Stans)

Brakes : Avid BB7

Levers : Cane Creek

Seat Post : Thomson Elite lay back

Post Clamp : Salsa

Saddle : WTB Shadow

"Biking the Bend"

BIKE THE BEND 2012

This past Sunday I rode in South Bend's annual "bike The Bend" ride. It is a non competitive ride, that is enjoyable and it really brings the cycling community together. I saw everything from Boutique Brand Titanium rigs to 20 year old Wal-Mart bikes, and everybody had a great time. The organizer's laid out a 37 mile course through South Bend and Mishawaka running mostly along the river trails. There where some unique stops along the way like the Studebaker Museum in Old Downtown South Bend & The Potawatomi Zoo. I rode my Singular Gryphon on the entire course,stopping at every Sag stop to get my "passport" stamped.

I also want to thank the Local Law Enforcements for their efforts, the did an incredible job keeping the routes open and car free the entire way! I heard that over 1500 cyclist registered for it!

I finished up where I started at St. Patrick's Park. They had Games for the kids, live bands, food venders (Had me some hot dogs from Skinny's) one attraction that caught my eye was a ride using bicycles. I really can't explain so I will show you....

A trip to Potato Creek State Park, Indiana

The weather was beautiful 72 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. So I loaded my Singular Gryphon int my CR-Z and headed to Potato Creek State Park. Potato Creek is about 15 miles south of South Bend. Being a State Park you have to pay to enter. The daily user fee is $5, or a yearly pass is available for $36 and is good at any Indiana Park.

The trail itself is roughly 7 miles long, it really doesn't have much elevation changes, but it does have a real fast flow. It's not real technical at a normal pace, but if you Hammer it there are some corners and drops that may catch you off guard. It really is a fun well marked and well maintained trail system.

I will be back real soon!

the Singular Gryphon has landed

Just got done putting my "Gryphon" through it's maiden voyage. My wife made a little video to mark the occasion....enjoy

Wheels!

Almost got enough parts to build "the Gryphon"

The Gryphon Has Landed!

My frame just arrived! a beautiful Singular Gryphon! thanks to Marty at "The Prairie Peddler".
this pic is a tease more will follow I promise!

Some parts for the project

New Project Coming!

I know its been awhile but I finally have gotten squared away, debts paid and promises kept (some of them late... sorry RM) but I am putting a new ride together for 2012











I will show more after my frame arrives and I start building!