"Felix" and "Elvira" are done!!

[SAR_boats]

Finally got my wheels back from The Path. Me and my brother-in-law built "Felix" yesterday and we had enough parts left over to build a bike for my daughter. The parts were left overs from (my now retired) K2 Bumpy Monkey, and the last 3 builds I've done...I gave it to my daughter yesterday and she named it "Elvira" (The bike with the big...tires )

Here is the spec list for Felix:
Q-Ball Q-Frame 29er Frame-Up Build
Blackburn Delphi 4.0 Computer
Blackburn X3 Headlights (not installed)
Blackburn Mars 3.0 Taillight (not installed)
Hope Skewer
Hope Seat Clamp
4130 and Dedacciai03 Steel SS 29er, Size specific tubing
Fork:Rock Shox Reba 29er Race
Headset:Cane Creek S-8
Stem: Thomson Elite 100mmX10deg
Handlebars:Syncros/Easton EA70
Tape/Grips: Odi Ruffian Lock-On
Front Brake:Magura LouiseFR 7"
Rear Brake: Magura LouiseFR 6"
Brake Levers: Magura Louise
Cog:ActionTec Titanium 24t
Chain:KMC Kool black SS
Crankset:Race Face Deus XC
Chainrings:Race Face single 34t
Bottom Bracket:Race Face Deus External
Pedals: Crank Bros 5050XX
Rims: WTB Speedisk Trail 29er
Front Hub: Hope Pro II
Rear Hub: Hope Pro II Bolt-On SS
Spokes: 32 DT Swiss Super Comp 14ga
Front Tire: Kenda Karma 29x2.2
Rear Tire: Kenda Karma 29x2.2
Saddle: WTB Rocket V Team Ti
Seat Post: Thomson Elite 27.2


Here is the spec list for "Elvira":
Frame: Unknown 4130 Cromo (Possibly KHS)
Fork: Rock Shox Duke Race 100mm
Headset: Aheadset
Stem: K2 Fourbolt
Handlebars: K2 Comp
Tape/Grips: Odi Ruffian Lock-On
Front Brake: Deore XT rim
Rear Brake: Deore XT rim
Brake Levers: Deore XT rim
Front Derailleur: Deore
Rear Derailleur: Deore XT 8-Speed
Shift Levers: Deore XT
Cassette: Deore XT
Chain: Sram PG-991
Crankset: Deore XT
Chainrings: Deore XT
Bottom Bracket: Deore
Pedals: cheap
Rims:Mavic 217 sup
Front Hub: Deore XT Parralax
Rear Hub: Deore XT Parralax
Spokes: Wheelsmith Elite
Front Tire: Geax Blade 26x2.25
Rear Tire: Geax Blade 26x2.25
Saddle: Planet Bike She Comp
Seat Post: Salsa
Bell: Chris King

[gurp13]

Nice rigs.

[Dino Brown]

Congratulations to your daughter for having a Father kind enough to build her one bad a$s bike. Elvira- I like the name.

Felix huh? 34X24.... just built it..... single speed...... I am sure those Kenda Karma's still have those new tire nipples on them. Right?

Seeing that we are friends (and the fact you are injured), I would be willing to trail test it for you. Just imgine the ribbing you will get showing up for the next ride with new tires. That's what friends are for. I can pick the bike up later this afternoon.

Your Buddy,
Dino Brown

[Pain Freak]

Naw, I'd rather tease him!

[Kid A]

Good stuff Chris. am sure you and you daughter will enjoy them. You gonna do anything "special" on felix regarding brake levers/routing? let me know what you think of the candy flats...may look to change out mine. (Wasn't aware duke came in 120...thought topped at 100?)

Also sorry we missed each other today but looks like schedules were tight. maybe next Sat?

btw- u get custom paint for felix lettering on top tube? looks cool

[SAR_boats]

Originally Posted by Kid A

Good stuff Chris. am sure you and you daughter will enjoy them. You gonna do anything "special" on felix regarding brake levers/routing? let me know what you think of the candy flats...may look to change out mine. (Wasn't aware duke came in 120...thought topped at 100?)

Also sorry we missed each other today but looks like schedules were tight. maybe next Sat?

btw- u get custom paint for felix lettering on top tube? looks cool

Good catch. I must've hit 2 instead of 0 on the keypad.

I actually got a sticker made for it for the name. I tried to get the font matched as best I could.

As for the brake levers: I tried flipping one upside down but that gave the the usual air bubble so for right now I am just going to run it as is. I actually have enough grip strength to actuate the brake just not enough to brake hard.

[guero]

nice chris, i like the retro feel that "felix" has.

[SAR_boats]

Originally Posted by Dino Brown

Congratulations to your daughter for having a Father kind enough to build her one bad a$s bike. Elvira- I like the name.

Felix huh? 34X24.... just built it..... single speed...... I am sure those Kenda Karma's still have those new tire nipples on them. Right?

Seeing that we are friends (and the fact you are injured), I would be willing to trail test it for you. Just imgine the ribbing you will get showing up for the next ride with new tires. That's what friends are for. I can pick the bike up later this afternoon.

Your Buddy,
Dino Brown

She was actually the one who named it Elvira. She thinks Elvira is cool.
If you want to borrow it you are more than welcome. Yes the tires still have the feelers on them. Anything to keep Mike from making me want to cry again .

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by mechmann

dude... i so think you need to check out the hopey steering damper.

Hmm, that might not be such a bad idea.

[Shu]

Bars ends may help keep your hand from sliding off too....

btw why name the bikes?

[SAR_boats]

Originally Posted by Shu

Bars ends may help keep your hand from sliding off too....

btw why name the bikes?

Because each one has it's own personality.

I have a small set of bar ends that I am going to put on.

Originally Posted by mechmann

dude... i so think you need to check out the hopey steering damper.

I'd like to test ride a bike that has one installed on it. Any ideas?

[Fired Yo Momma]

Me likes the Felix.

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by mechmann

the only person i have ridden with that i remember having one was Doug "Pacman" from geoladders fame. He rides with Impy and Aosty and those cats all the time. He had one on his Niner One9. He said his favorite attribute for the steering damper was on steep climbs he could crank it down and it would help keep the front tire from wandering.

think dean has a steering damper on his turner? I have seen a number of people that run them in sedona so they don't bounce too much off the square rocks. From what i hear may be a decent call for your situation

[2wheel_lee]

Sweet rides!

I use a damper on my offroad motorcycles, and I would ride without it. Although it may be hard to understand, but the principles of operation are a bit different between how the damper works on the motorcycle vs a bike, I agree with the above poster, it could add some much needed stability and help one-handed riding.

Although a larger front tire with relatively low air pressure will probably work a little better for you and cost considerably less.

[Sprockethead]

Originally Posted by SAR_boats

I'd like to test ride a bike that has one installed on it. Any ideas?

Dean (DStepper) has one on his 5Spot. Maybe you can convince him to bring it on a loop ride.

[genusmtbkr5]

Nice rigs Chris . Really a great job on the builds. It's always good to finally put the last parts on and then share it with folks who can really appreciate what details it takes to put bikes together. I'll see you soon.

[SAR_boats]

Took Felix out for the maiden dirt run yesterday at the fully loop newbie ride and I was totally blown away. It rides sweet!

The 32x24 gearing spins out at about 10-11 mph so I coast down most of the downhills. I didn't have to walk it as much as I thought I would.

Love the way that steel frame rides. Between the 29" wheels and the tapered chainstays, I'd swear that there is an inch of rear suspensin travel hidden back there somewhere. It rides extremely smooth.

I am also pretty impressed with the Rock Shox Reba Race 29er. I am not a big fan of RS products but that fork is really great.

There might just be something to this 29er fad after all...