The non professional WTB Frequency i19 TCS rim review

So I've been so impressed with the new WTB Frequency i19 TCS rims I thought I would give you some feedback on them after my second trip up to Downieville this past weekend. First I need to clarify that I'm not known for having the best line choices by my riding buddies! not that I don't have a agenda when I'm pointed down the trail but the fact is if I think to much about the line I'll screw it up anyways! Regardless these rims are very strong and for a 185lb rider, shitty line choices and rocks galore on Butcher trail (man it's getting tore up!) I've yet to dent or burp them! I'm running a WTB Bronson 2.3 AM TCS on the front and Wolverine 2.2 AM TCS rear. Also I'm running them tubeless (who doesn't?) and on that note this combo that WTB has created the TCS rim/tire is the best sealing set up I've used yet! They hold air for days! These are also very light rims at 385g so if I want to go xc racing I can bolt on some lighter rubber and park the Reverb for my Thomson and be ready to race at a sub 25lb's!

So there you have it another review from a guy who likes to ride.

For more info on WTB check out their site
http://www.wtb.com/news/

Liking the brakes so maybe the next review?

Sean

The non professional Santa Cruz Blur TRC Review

Thought I do a little review on my latest ride a Santa Cruz Blur TRC with a modified SPX build kit.

First off I want to say that coming off a 29er back to a 26er wasn't a big change as I would of thought.Yes the 29er rolls faster if your not pedaling and does handle the small chop nicely and takes less thought in climbing technical stuff but that being said I've found I haven't missed those things since I've been riding the Blur TRC. This thing fit's perfectly between my last Blur Xcc and my Nomad Carbon, Light at 26.3lbs with a XT kit and a Reverb seat post.I'm running a 1x10 with a 35 ring up front and a Lopes guide and Crank Bros Egg beater pedals.This things climbs like a goat! much less effort than the 29er by a long shot! I removed the 10mm spacer from the fork to get the full 140mm travel on the Fox fork and added Easton Havoc carbon bars and a Thomson 70mm stem and this thing rips down hill and tracks really well! Also with all the comments of "Pedal Strikes" in the reviews out there I hadn't had a issue even at Downieville on Butcher Ranch on my second day on the bike! Putting the fork to 140mm did raise the BB a 1/4 inch so I'm sure that help:) The Shimano XT components are top notch and the XT Brakes are unbelievable how much power they have even running 6" rotor front and rear!
The WTB I19 hoops with the DT Swiss 350 Hubs work perfect and the WTB Bronson TCS AM front tire and WTB Wolverine TCS AM Rear are a great compromise between XC and DH trails (Tubeless of course with Schwartz Special Brew Sealant) Also Santa Cruz did a great job on cable routing on this bike, no open cables and a guide added for a seat post! The Fox RP23 is the best I've ridden so far it really works well compared to the previous models along with the Fox Float fork you can tell Fox is at their prime!

So hope you find this review interesting as it's my first review:)

Time to ride!

Sean

Downieville Memories

So I headed up to Downieville Saturday afternoon to meet up with Jeff who was staying up with his family in town so he offered me the couch for the night so we could book a late shuttle and ride again on Sunday (Much thanks) I was dying to try out my new ride for the summer a Santa Cruz Blur TRC (yes back to 26" wheels) loved my TBC but had been wanting to give this bike a whirl! It had rained the night before so the conditions where near perfect and Jeff and I had a great ride! On Sunday John came up and we rode with Joe and his son Angelo  and we had a great ride as well.  Funny every time I get on the mountain It's like all the stress in life is just lifted off your shoulders and your mind is wiped clean of all the crap everyday life can throw at you! Then again that's pretty much why we ride! right? :) Anyways afterward we got a burrito at the local Mexican place and then headed over to our friend Will's place (49 Wines) and had a beer or two or three:) Will and I ended up closing the place and just talking about life in general (mine and his) and we both came to a realization that life is all about the memories you have and give to people and not material objects or money so many of us strive for!
So I thought to my self Downieville always gives me great memories so here are a couple of my favorite shots of my favorite place to ride! Enjoy and I'll try to post a little sooner next time :)

Thanks
Sean

Hazard Peak Trail

I was going thru some pictures of my bikes from the past and came across this shot I had taken down in So Cal near a job we did at Morrow Bay. The Hazard Peak Trail system has to be on my top 5 funniest places to ride so far. The trails are clearly marked and each trail head they provide shovels and rakes for people to help maintain the trails! Wait people actually wanting bike riders to have a place to ride? Crazy!!! Any how if you get a chance to get down to So Cal you must stop and spend the day riding these awesome trails near the ocean! FYI mines the Nomad on the left :) 

Giving it all for a good cause!

So it's been awhile since I've last posted but it's been pretty crazy. Last weekend I ran with a 12 person team for "The Relay" a race from Calistoga to Santa Cruz!  Basically each person ran a total of 16 or 20 miles in a span of 24 hrs (or 30!:)

and this little gem was at our 2nd van hand off near Petaluma.

All in all it was a great time and for a good cause but I still prefer riding my bike than running! ;) 

Wicked picture

Friend of mine is going off! on the nature shots!

Just a cool shot!