Thursday, October 02 2008, 12:00 AM
Bottomless CL Day!
Sick deals back to back all day long.
Completely forget to mention the other bike on my short-list.
Heckler @ $1200 ? Pros: Simplicity and efficiency. I've been endlessly impressed by the semi-active single pivot design of my trusty SC Superlight- no muss, no fuss. It was initially my intention to make the jump from 4" travel to a 6" travel bike via this frame. But then I started thinkin'...
You know what? Right now there's no doubt in my mind that that 5.5 EVP on CL today was the right bike at the right price. Okay, I mean at that price there's no question- it's the only choice. For me, anyway, so If you change your mind, let me know... Congrat's to whoever got 'em, though. F'n great buy. It shoulda been me. Just sayin'.
So. I've been waiting on a 5.5, and I missed them today and now they're all gone. On my birthday, no less. There, I said it. I'm a little surprised they put 'em all up at once- they coulda spread the love a little, but whatever- moot point. At least I can quit waiting, now I can wring my hands and moan. Just kidding- kinda.
Okay, cross the 5.5 off the list. I'm just gonna have to spend more money elsewhere. The 5.5s are
long gone @ $1000. Whew. Okay. What's next?
5.5 EVP @ $1400? Not likely- and especially if I can't get one in Red. I'd have a hard time buying one of these now, knowing that I coulda had it for so much less. (Hey, maybe that's another reason frame builders like Jeff Steber don't like to see their frames sold at deep discounts online.) The EVP frame itself is my least preferred choice here anyway. Wow, don't I sound haughty. I'm light enough on my bike, to feel confident on the Spider tubeset. And I've never strayed from my line in search of the really big hits, per se. It was the price that made the EVP the most attractive choice, for me. That, and the hope of getting it in Works Red or Intense Red.
5.5 FRO @ $1800 ? Pros: I'd much rather have this over the 5.5 EVP... same thing, half pound lighter with the Spider tubeset and quicker-to-speed... rep is that it's likely the best handling FS XC/Enduro/Trail bike out there when it comes to fast, agro trail riding. Cons: Like the EVP, it's last-gen VPP technology (it's sooo last-year -I know- I'm just sayin'. We're talkin' about a lot of money, here)... Oh, and the Intense Red one went bye-bye while I was sitting on my hands waiting for CL to give up their EVPs. I could still get one in Works (raw) at this price if I moved fast, but I'm not sure I want Works...
Blur LT2 @ $1800 ? Next-gen VPP technology... With the new design, they've flattened the suspension rate curve- it's more active in the initial part of the curve, deeper at the bottom end of the curve. I like the new maintenance-friendly zerk fittings at the pivots and I like the looks of the hydroformed top-tube... I'm not particularly (or, at all) concerned where it's manufactured (Taiwan), but the fact is, Intense gets the nod over SC for build quality, fit and finish, and performance. It's pretty close, though.
Tracer VP @ $2300 ? Heh heh heh. The much-anticipated heir to the venerable 5.5's throne. What's to say about this? Pros: The nuclear option- the best of everything, the most drool-worthy ride in it's class and for the money, anywhere. Cons: Not exactly drawbacks, but I don't need a 1.5" head tube or adjustable geometry to compensate for my suspension choice- a longer-travel fork'd be overkill for my purposes. I'd be building it as an XC/Enduro/Trail bike, not an AM/FR bike... I'm not crazy about the looks of the hydroformed headtube junction and seat tube junction with the top tube. But it sure does look "purposeful", I'll give it that! The Blur is more elegant-looking IMO, but -honestly- the Tracer's looks are growing on me the more I look at it- which is why I've gotta pry my eyes away. This is way more than I want to spend. Say, do you like music? What say we break this up with a song? "She's such a charmer, oh no":
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRqg0L7uewA
Really, it's the Intense 5.5 FRO or the Santa Cruz Blur LT2 at roughly the same price. Setting aside color preference, the Intense has the edge in quality, weight, and performance. The Santa Cruz has the benefit of redesigned and improved VPP suspension technology. Which leads to the question why not spend $400-$600 more for the whole enchillada- the Tracer VP?
Wait. Wait! Wait one F'n minute! My brother. My brother is a authorized dealer. He sells Intense Cycles at his shop! I haven't seen or spoken to my brother -or any member of my family- in (slightly) more than 5 years. I probably shouldn't have just told you that. I'm confiding in you. Awkward. Point is, I bet he'd be glad to hear from me, it's been so long. Right? If only to know I'm still alive- I mean... I am. I bet he'd probably pass on some kind of discount for his long-lost brother, the black sheep of the family... My brother's a real stand-up guy. We used to be real tight. Maybe he'd give me a big discount, maybe on a Tracer even... Wait! Maybe he'd have time for a ride...
Oh yeah, Intense Spider XVPs are $1099.97 at backcountryoutlet.com with code: 38M-1-GGDSP. That's $100.03 cheaper than they were on CL, btw. Get 'em while they're hot. I wish they came with the RP23, but hey. Everything in the outlet is 50% off with that code (check your e-mail, you got one, too). Happy birthday. I wonder if my bro's aging as well as I am...
any chance we'll see these tonight?? It's getting gold out there!!
Any chance we will see some CHROME messenger bags?
i might be interested in one, with a gel cover for my fat butt....i'm mostly a mtn bike rider, but the vertigo i got was immediately so comfy thought i'd look for one of their road bike saddles since rainy season is coming to the bay area...literally tomorrow!!
Can you please stop putting Shimano stuff up at silly expensive prices? Their MSRP is a joke and you can get their stuff (non-outdated SAINT ahem) for soooooooo much cheaper at other places. Honestly $65 for old style Saint levers???
Responding to number posts including kyuzo13. I have had the prologo choice for a couple months. The saddle is extremely light and fairly ergonomic. The seat does not have a raised rear so it is most suited for road biking verus XC were you tend to slide to the back on steps.
The one I purchased included the standard pro cover with 8.5mm padding. I put a hundred miles on it and found it uncomfortable after about 35 miles in the saddle and I ride about 1000 miles a year. So it was more for the 1000+ mile rider.
I few weeks back I picked on the gel cover with 13.5mm? padding and gel insert. This changed everything. My sit bones didn't get sore after a 60 miler and overall fit was great! One other added bonus for kyuzo13, if you mount the gel cover and ride for an hour or so the gel will form a bit to show where your sit bones are hitting the seat. I you are riding the outer edge of the pad you probably want to use the max.
Overall this is my new favorite seat.
See their web site for more info, but what I can tell is that there are three basic cover types in various colors: solid PU, perforated PU, and gel, with the PU covers in slightly different thickness too, from what I have been able to gather. I am surprised that the PU covers are selling as well as they are... color matching for folks? *shrug* I got the Choice Double last week, which came with the solid and perforated PU in 11mm (I think) which both weighed 56g - total saddle @ ~220g w/ solid ti rails. I haven't had time to test the saddle yet.
Actually, in the past week they've had the Choice Saddle, Choice Gel Cover, then the Choice Max Saddle. I wasn't sure which to get...so I got them all. I think I'm leaning towards keeping the Max and returning the Choice + Gel Cover. Anyone else have any thoughts?
only saw the vertigo which i bought...my bad. doesn't the saddle come with a cover of some sort, or are these different variations for different buttoxes???
CL has offered Prologo Choice saddles several times, FYI.
i bought the vertigo for my mtn bike and so far really love it...could use a nicer saddle for my road bike as well, but a cover by itself is of little use...
I have a set of radars and they are awesome
It was cool raining and dark this morning, and a jacket like this would work great.
i wish oakley's factory would blow up.
on a weekend of course when nobody is working.
Do they have some sort of pricing thing going on? Who makes their shoes or what are they close to in sizing? I normally wear a size 11 shoe, but the Specialized 45 road shoe fit me great. Specialized states a 45 is for a shoe size 12. I'd love to buy a pair of nice mountain shoes, but I would have no idea on sizing.
It would be sweet to see either the Sidi Genius 6.6 road or the Diadora Ergo mtb shoes (that I missed by 5 seconds yesterday).
And if you need new cleats, they are pretty expensive so I would just buy the whole pedal set.
I have Candy SL's on all my bikes, even my road bike. They are the best.
If you are the fence I would pick up these pedals. They are most excellant in all terrain. Only draw back is cleats wear out in about a year.
My friend has the "Works" 5.5. That's the raw finish right?
It's a great looking finish, I'd definitely pick one up with the RP23 if I had the cash.