Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.CliftonGK1
03-06-12, 09:57 PM
Less than 10 months ago I finished up my Vassago Fisticuff CX/monstercross racer, affectionately nicknamed Strawberry Shartcake after the stock "shart brown" paintjob and the team kit matching pink components I decked it out with.
Two weekends ago I took it out for a casual ride around Bainbridge Island for the Chilly Hilly ride with Cascade Bicycle Club. Sadly, an unleashed dog bolted after a rider in front of me and I t-boned him (the dog) square center at around 20mph. While the pooch rolled and shook it off, I supermanned my dismount and my steed did not fare so well from the impact...
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/428011_10150632525026764_519101763_9152758_270239033_n.jpg
The dog's owner is reimbursing me for the frame (totalled fork, bent downtube) and mangled front brake. Amazingly, I barely even got a scuff from this; I attribute it to mad CX wipeout skills and 3 layers of clothing.
My new frame/fork arrives next week. Bummer that I couldn't find another Fisticuff; but I upgraded to a 2011 Conquest Pro. Had to throw some $$ at a new headset, BB, chain tensioner, and some BB30-to-GXP adapters; but it's worth it in the end. Lighter rig and hopefully I'll notice some handling improvements over the slackish angles of the Fisticuff.
I am gonna miss the fact that I could beat the Vassago like it owed me money, and with the exception of essentially slamming it headlong into a wall at 20mph it was nigh indestructable.
Two weekends ago I took it out for a casual ride around Bainbridge Island for the Chilly Hilly ride with Cascade Bicycle Club. Sadly, an unleashed dog bolted after a rider in front of me and I t-boned him (the dog) square center at around 20mph. While the pooch rolled and shook it off, I supermanned my dismount and my steed did not fare so well from the impact...
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/428011_10150632525026764_519101763_9152758_270239033_n.jpg
The dog's owner is reimbursing me for the frame (totalled fork, bent downtube) and mangled front brake. Amazingly, I barely even got a scuff from this; I attribute it to mad CX wipeout skills and 3 layers of clothing.
My new frame/fork arrives next week. Bummer that I couldn't find another Fisticuff; but I upgraded to a 2011 Conquest Pro. Had to throw some $$ at a new headset, BB, chain tensioner, and some BB30-to-GXP adapters; but it's worth it in the end. Lighter rig and hopefully I'll notice some handling improvements over the slackish angles of the Fisticuff.
I am gonna miss the fact that I could beat the Vassago like it owed me money, and with the exception of essentially slamming it headlong into a wall at 20mph it was nigh indestructable.