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Results 1 to 11 of 11
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Mt. Shasta, CA
    Posts
    7

    First cross bike!

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    The first snow is on the mountains; that means that cross season has arrived and so has my very first cross bike. It's a 50 cm (I'm 5'7" w/a 30" inseam) Van Dessel Hole Shot. I sourced the frame and parts myself, and a cross junkie friend just finished building it up for me. Definitely a "girl" bike: Short reach Shimano levers, Ritchey Biomax bars, XTR short cage rear derailleur, 11-32 SRAM cassette, and 50-34 compact crankset, Terry Damselfly saddle, good cheap wheelset, (still waiting on the) XTR M970 pedals. Total price tag came to about $1500. This bike is bound for the Southern Oregon Outlaw CX series (can't wait!), and will also do double duty on the local fireroads and fast singletrack.

    My 5 year old daughter and 3 year old son can't wait to come out and watch mom ride her cross bike. I think they mostly just like the cow bells.

    Stay tuned for the "first race" post in a couple of weeks...

    Thanks everyone for the inspiration.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    I'm the only one allowed to whine
    Posts
    10,557
    Beautiful!
    Congratulations!
    "If Americans want to live the American Dream, they should go to Denmark." - Richard Wilkinson

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    RI
    Posts
    49
    Very cool bike! Congratulations! Good luck with racing!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    293
    Very pretty! Can't wait to read your race reports!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Md suburbs of Wash. DC
    Posts
    2,131
    I've seen a few Van Dessels in the local 'cross circuit. Definitely let us know how yours does!
    "How about if we all just try to follow these very simple rules of the road? Drive like the person ahead on the bike is your son/daughter. Ride like the cars are ambulances carrying your loved ones to the emergency room. This should cover everything, unless you are a complete sociopath."
    David Desautels, in a letter to velonews.com

    Random babblings and some stuff to look at.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Mt. Shasta, CA
    Posts
    7
    Thanks for the encouragement. If it weren't for my little kid cheering section, I probably would avoid the race scene altogether - so it's kind of a big deal for me to commit to this. I had narrowed the frame choices down to the Javelin Primitivo, Van Dessel G&T, and the Van Dessel Hole Shot. I opted for the "budget" frame and with the savings I was able to justify upgrading a bit on some of the components. The short-reach shifters (Shimano R600) are a dream come true: braking while in the drops - what a concept!

    I love reading everyone's race reports; keep them coming.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Suburban MA and Western ME
    Posts
    1,815
    Great looking bike, and good for you for getting into racing! I don't have my own cheering section at the races, but what you will find is that the spectators will cheer for everyone, and it really does make a difference! And your children will LOVE it!

    Good luck, and be sure to post a report after your first race!

    SheFly
    "Well behaved women rarely make history." including me!
    http://twoadventures.blogspot.com

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Cape Cod, MA
    Posts
    414
    Very cool-looking bike! Have fun in your first race and give us a full report (with pictures!)

    Linda

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    S. Dak.
    Posts
    488
    A very rich looking bike. Enjoy and do tell us about your race experiences.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Maynard, MA
    Posts
    145
    That thing is ILL. Congratulations. And tell us how your races go.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    44
    Great bike! Have fun with it!

 

 

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