// ARFREERIDERS.COM | HOME OF THE ARKANSAS FREERIDE SOCIETY 2010

So I titled this in the words of Big Black because that’s what we did today….we did work son!! I’ll let the pics speak for them selves, but just to let you know- we now have a full on 10-12ft. double on the trail, and 2 new rollers. Thanks everyone who was able to come out and help, it was much appreciated.

E2

So each year the Bike Industry showcases new products. The news usually starts trickling in after the Taipei show. I remember not long ago- maybe 3 years now, I was challenged by Ed from SRAM- not an outright “I challenge you to this or that” but rather once I told him what I was doing he said it would be impossible to put back together. Basically we (Competitive Cyclist)had a customer that was impressed with some of the anodized bits and pieces on Travis’s and my bike. He inquired if it would be possible to disassemble an X.O rear derailleur and have it anodized and put back together. I was definitely up for the challenge since I love to tinker with stuff. I forewarned the customer that I could not guarantee my work would…..well, work once I put it back together. A couple weeks after sending the parts off, they arrived back and it was go time. This was the first X.O I had torn apart and re-assembled, but not the last. After doing a few now, it’s become quite the easy task. SRAM must have taken notice of the finished project and although I received a sort of verbal slap on the wrist, Ed from SRAM actually thought it was a great idea and was impressed. He even sent our shop a few random Bar clamps and X.O thumb paddles for us to have anodized.

I remember for a while when I would call SRAM in Chicago regarding warranty or tech questions and I would mention my name and what shop I was from, the people there would be like “Oh, so you’re the guy who took apart that X.O and had it anodized huh?” “yeah we heard about you in a product meeting recently”. I would get a laugh from it to say the least. Well in 2010SRAM is going to offer their X.O in various colors to feed the hungry masses who are craving something other than silver or black bike parts. Here are a few pics of some of the stuff we worked on before this idea really ever came to light in the eyes of SRAM. Enjoy- Eric “E2″ Easterly

Customer’s first X.O in Blue

His Thumb Paddles:

Jason Nixon from Sicklines X.O rear in Burnt Orange ano courtesy of Tyler Jarosz @ Twenty6:

Custom X.O thumb paddles for Competitive Cyclist.com

And SRAM 2010 product!!

Well so Kit “I can’t leave well enough alone” Williams showed up Saturday afternoon at my house with his cranks from his Transition Double installed on his SS. This set up has been a hot topic for debate as to whether or not the SS with first gen style VPP technology would actually pedal well or not. Basically the general thought on VPP design is that it is designed to pedal well in the middle ring and the big ring as opposed to granny gear. Kit opted to tear down his Double and give this theory a test on his SS. Keep in mind that this was strictly a preliminary test and that much more real world trail riding time is needed to make an accurate judgment one way or another as to if it’s a desirable set up or not. I will say this though- So Far So Good. Around the neighborhood it pedalled much better than expected- and I climbed my yard a couple times (which has stair steps made from landscaping and plenty of roots, and it’s uphill). No noticeable pedal kickback what so ever. Like I said trail time is going to be needed, and ideally a better chainline would be had if running 135mm rear dropouts and rear wheel than his current set-up of Jason Nixon’s old 150mm dropouts off of his beautiful M6 that was seen on sicklines.com. The bike is set up with a Gussett single speed set-up and a Paul Melvin tensioner keeps the chain snug, but allows for a small amount of chain growth as the bike cycles through it’s suspension. More to come soon. For now check out the photos. Later- E2

Stay tuned- there will be more to come- perhaps video even?