Update on my broken Ellsworth

[wavinwayne]

Originally Posted By: moribundman
You don't do all that yourself? Where's the fun in having some put your bike together for you?

*patiently waiting for pictures*


I leave jobs like bottom brakets and headset cups to the LBS, since I don't have the special (expensive) headset cup installation tool, and I lack the tools and patience to get the bottom bracket installed correctly. Most everything else, I do myself, except for those times when I just don't feel like doing manual labor.

 

[wavinwayne]

Below is a picture of the new Ellsworth Truth frame, assembled with circa 2002 parts, minus the derailleur cables, which I am convinced were invented so God could laugh at me. I will be taking the bike into the shop tomorrow for new derailleur cables and housing. After that, I'll be back on the trail (until something else breaks).

 

[moribundman]

Looks great!

 

[huffmuds9320]

Nice. Your front derailer height looks like its a bit high, I think it should be lower.

Don't forget to lube the chain.

 

[wavinwayne]

Originally Posted By: lpcmidst128
Nice. Your front derailer height looks like its a bit high, I think it should be lower.

Don't forget to lube the chain.


The derailleur is just mounted loose for now. Final positioning and adjustment will be done by the LBS. Next is shopping for drivetrain replacement parts on eBay, as the current drivetrain has seen it's better days.

 

[wavinwayne]

My anodized aluminum black beauty is all gussied up and ready to ride. I just picked it up from the shop, where I had new derailleurs and housing installed. This bike is probably more American-made than just about anything out there. Frame, fork, rear shock, and seatpost all made in the USA.

Anyway, here's pics, pics, pics!!!

 

[moribundman]

Again, looks great, but something is bothering me. I've held my tongue until now, but I can't any longer! I could not live with the hideous crest on the steering tube, the Gothic font on the down tube, and those stanchion stickers. I'd have to remove all that or paint over it! That's just my opinion and in no way am I saying you mustn't love those few details!

 

[huffmuds9320]

Its alive and ready for trail riding, just in time now that its daylight savings time. Do you like the seat high like that? For trail riding especially going downhill I like to sit lower.

 

[wavinwayne]

Originally Posted By: moribundman
Again, looks great, but something is bothering me. I've held my tongue until now, but I can't any longer! I could not live with the hideous crest on the steering tube, the Gothic font on the down tube, and those stanchion stickers. I'd have to remove all that or paint over it! That's just my opinion and in no way am I saying you mustn't love those few details!


Mori, you are a stickler for the details, and I applaud you for it. If we all liked the same things, the world would be a very dull place, no? I do like all the things you mentioned that you can't stand. I love stickers!

If you owned the bike and absolutely had to rid yourself of the Gothic lettering , you would have to paint over it, as the lettering on the frame is laser etched through the black anodize coating.

 

[wavinwayne]

Originally Posted By: lpcmidst128
...Do you like the seat high like that? For trail riding especially going downhill I like to sit lower.


In the pictures, the seat is approx. 1" lower than my actual riding position. I do a lot of climbing, and with the seat at the pictured height, my legs wear out too soon. Riding very steep downhill requires a unique position off the back of the bike.

 

[moribundman]

I'd probably use black masking tape. Otherwise I'd feel like the Black Baron, swooping down on unsuspecting hikers and wildlife. But sure, you are at liberty to ride around as gaudily embellished as you please.

 

[wavinwayne]

Originally Posted By: moribundman
I'd probably use black masking tape. Otherwise I'd feel like the Black Baron, swooping down on unsuspecting hikers and wildlife. But sure, you are at liberty to ride around as gaudily embellished as you please.

Thank you. I take that liberty and apply it generously!

Also mori, your requested initial durability report will be posted in the next couple of days. I will be giving the new frame it's first official workout on Tuesday afternoon, if things go according to plan. Stay tuned..

 

[moribundman]

Break a leg. I mean good luck. Don't break a leg!

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: wavinwayne
Originally Posted By: lpcmidst128
...Do you like the seat high like that? For trail riding especially going downhill I like to sit lower.


In the pictures, the seat is approx. 1" lower than my actual riding position. I do a lot of climbing, and with the seat at the pictured height, my legs wear out too soon. Riding very steep downhill requires a unique position off the back of the bike.


Also, a downhill bike looks a tad different. That picture makes me almost laugh.

 

[wavinwayne]

Well mori, I took the new bike out for a break-in ride today. Everything functioned flawlessly, with no surprises. The new Truth felt great; my legs not so much. I've been riding the road bike almost exclusively for the last couple of years year, and it shows big time when I ride the mountain bike. My anaerobic fitness is not nearly as good as it used to be when I rode the mountain bike only. I hope to achieve a good balance between road and mountain riding this season.

 

[moribundman]

What kind of MTB trails do you have available?

 

[wavinwayne]

Originally Posted By: moribundman
What kind of MTB trails do you have available?


Very technical (rocky), with lots of short, steep climbs. There is a video on youtube of me riding the local trails a few years ago. just search for wavinwayne on youtube, and you should find it. WARNING: Wear sunglasses, as my white legs will blind you.

 

[moribundman]

Ah yes, I remember the video and those blindingly bright limbs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htsO6x9beRY

 

[tdi-rick]

Looks great !

and saddle height is determined by leg length. If you want to pedal efficiently, you need the saddle at the right height, which is tough when you have stupidly long pins.
I think there's a 70mm drop from my saddle to my bars on the MTB, so like Wayne, I sit off the back going down.

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: tdi-rick
saddle height is determined by leg length.


... and by toe length.

In case of a road bike your leg should be almost fully extended with the foot on the pedal in the down position. Many people sit way too low and look like hunched over circus chimps with crooked legs on their bikes. In case of an MTB that you actually ride off-road you do want to sit a bit lower.

A good indication whether your saddle is too high or too low is knee pain. Knee pain in the front indicates the saddle is too low, while knee pain in the back indicates the saddle is too high.