RT

I am in love with this bike. Performance MTB frame, Vuelta ZeroLite wheels, Dimension 44cm bars, Tektro brake levers, Sunrace 9 speed friction shifter. All other parts came from the boneyard in the garage.

44t 172.5 TruVativ crank (32t middle, no granny), no front derailleur (32t is in case I slip off the big ring under load), Deore LX rear derailleur, 9 speed 12-25 cassette, Tektro Linear brakes, Dimension 130mm stem (yeah, it's too long), and out of print Forte VersaTrac Kevlar tires - these are my favorite commuting tires of all time. Slime tire liners on the inside. Dark grey Jagwire housing, black cork tape and Crank Bros. Smarty pedals complete the build.

I'll be switching the 32t ring and either moving the 44t ring to the middle, with a spare 42t ring on the outside as a bash guard, or 42t in the middle with the 44t on the outside.

21+ lbs.

The drivetrain is so smooth I can't even hear it. The hills were a bit harder, but knowing there was no bailout ring made me work harder, and I'll get used to it. I may sell my other two bikes

After removing the Performance decals from the downtube, there's a shadow of the decal remaining. All the glue is gone (used Goof Off) - anyone have any ideas on how to remove the shadow and make it all uniform black?

doorunrun

Very Nice!

ScotteeD

A lot of the companies apply the decals to the frame then apply the clear coat finish. I would say that is why you see the shadow.

JeremyZ

Looks like a neckache-inducer, but I realize that is preference. Usually, I don't see neckache-inducing bar:seat relationships in combination with mountain bike tires; they seem to work against each other. Did you consider cyclocross tires to take advantage of the aerodynamic riding position?

As for the glue, the glue should come off with the product you mention. Sometimes they need to soak in for a few minutes before they really start to work. If that doesn't take it off, then there is still some sticker left protecting the glue, and it'll need the fingernail treatment.

I stopped using specific products like that when I found that kerosene or mineral spirits works just as well and costs a fraction of what they do.

Doohickie

How many miles each way are you riding on those knobbies? I get tired just looking at them!

JeremyZ

I've thought about it some, with the available clues, and can only conclude that since this guy is from Colorado, he rides up mountains and calls them "hills." I guess he is plenty strong enough to overcome any aerodynamic inefficiency generated by the knobs. Not like us soft flatlanders.

That, or he rides on trails a lot.

Loose Chain

Knobbies, yuk.

sseaman

I like the build up, I run a single 39 tooth ring up front and found it was just about right as on my commute I use neither my smallest or largest cog

vik 

You wouldn't get the decals off if they were under the clearcoat.

I suspect if you just use the bike and get it a little dirty the linger shadow outline will fade to nothing. If you want to make something happen now...try a scotchbrite pad and rub at the area gently.

pathdoc

I might switch to slicks or tire with a more subtle pattern. Overall nice looking setup.