Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Ordered my new frame today

So, I got fed up with waiting around for Redline to get the Conquest Pro back in stock in 60cm. No shops anywhere seem to have one. The factory email address is apparently broken, so my email got returned when trying to ask RL when they'd get new stock.
That being the case, I went with another company and ordered a Vassago Fisticuff frameset this morning. It's a little bit different than my original idea of a pure CX frameset since the Fisticuff is sort of a CX/29er Frankenframe. I'm not planning to DOMINATE my race category, so a pure race frame isn't a necessity. A frame that I can throw a pair of wide 29er rims and big fat tires to go play on some MTB trails without having to be too dainty about things; that's a nice option to have.

Too bad it only comes in (company's own words) "Shart Brown" as a colour option. So it's gonna look pretty narsty with my pink accessories on it. Like a Neopolitan ice cream that somebody stole the vanilla out of.

Like a Neopolitan ice cream that somebody stole the vanilla out of.

That's funny - that's the same image that came to my mind.

build pics forthcoming?

That's a nice looking bike...I kind of like the brown. Sort of like a Karate Monkey but I like the looks of the top tube on the fisticuff better. I have been planning a new KM this year but the fisticuff is now in the running.

build pics forthcoming?

Oh yeah, there will be pix. Although it's partially pre-dirtied since I've been commuting on the new wheels I got for this build. I suppose the colour combo could be worse. I was considering the All City Nature Boy, which only comes in day-glo green. With my team's pink/black/grey kits, neither one is good, but the Nature Boy would be horrible.
Horrible colours are fine, as long as you're fast enough to back up your atrocity. I don't know that I'm fast enough to look that crazy.

congrats on the new ride in progress. Can't wait to see some build pics!

OK, so I'll be getting my frame tomorrow, and my headset should arrive before the weekend. This leaves me with just a choice of stem, bars and seatpost. Here's the final components list:

- Vassago Fisticuff frame/fork (keeping the Fistifork, might use the Ritchey Carbon I have for race season, dunno yet.)
- IRO wheels; cold fusion 30mm rims on high flange hubs, 32h 3-cross with Sapim spokes
- Shimano freewheel
- Truvativ/SRAM S300 single crank with GXP bottom bracket
- Shimano XT pedals
- Tektro CR720 brakes (KS Salmon pads)
- Jagwire Ripcord brake cables
- Cane Creek SCR-5 brake levers
- Chris King No ThreadSet
- Lizard Skins bar tape
- Selle Italia Diva gel flow saddle

I've been happy with the Salsa Moto-Ace Bell Lap bars on my other 2 bikes and I'm almost convinced those are the way to go with this build, but I like the Salsa Woodchipper, On-One Midge and the WTB DirtDrop as options as well since I plan to set this bike up as a monstercrosser for the off-season to hit the MTB trails.
If I go with the Bell Laps, then for a stem I'll end up with a standard road selection for the 26.0 clamp. If I go with one of the off-road drop bars then I can look at 31.8 clamp MTB stems.
As for seatposts, I love my Thomson post on my brevet bike, but to save $$ I'm probably going with an Easton or something else in the $30 - $40 range instead.

Frame arrived with a big ol' scary tear in the side of the box, but there's only a little tiny nick on the underside of the bottom bracket shell so I'm very happy.

They weren't lying, it's definitely "shart brown", but it's growing on me.
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/199055_10150125857196764_519101763_6475291_1104979_n.jpg

It's got really nice looking welds.
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/200275_10150125858601764_519101763_6475315_2201301_n.jpg

Good looking logos.
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/200058_10150125860801764_519101763_6475357_2861877_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/188504_10150125861501764_519101763_6475368_1041960_n.jpg

Here's the nick I mentioned. Meh, whatever. It's going to see worse on my first race.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/197133_10150125862776764_519101763_6475392_7350865_n.jpg

You will be able to blend in and camouflage yourself in the mud, with that shart brown.
:thumb:

I was gonna ask you if it was a "sparkly" metallic brown - but I see now with the pics that it is a flat - very popular these days.

I for one, am one of those weird people who likes brown... but I usually go for the sparkly... :D I just purchased a Salsa Vaya - the 2010 model came in metallic "Upside Brown" - I love it! :love:

2011 models are flat orange.... still cool, but just not brown....

OK, so I don't have a garage door to take pix in front of, so here's pix in front of my elevator door.
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/200060_10150153540231764_519101763_6586659_415764_n.jpg
Gotta chop the steerer once I do a couple of test rides and figure out where I want the bars.

The brown/pink combo worked out better than I originally thought. It's pretty sweet looking. Ignore the painter's tape on my bars. I didn't have any electrical tape to finish them properly, and that will get remedied tomorrow.
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/205495_10150153540341764_519101763_6586662_2154946_n.jpg

That actually looks really cool. Much better than I expected.

Looks good! Plus style points for BF spec pic :)

OK, I admit to my self confusion about how well all that works together. It shouldn't, but it does!

Nice looking ride, Clifton!

Well done.