Coming up will be season 2 on my Transition Blindside. It turned out to be evrything I'd hoped it would be - - as plush and bottomless feeling as my Gran Mal was but without the stretched-out 'lead sled' feel. It pops when it should, plows straight lines like it should and corners like it's on rails.

Of course, what's better than a 'perfect' bike? A perfect bike with new bits. I finally got it all put back together yesterday with the new parts. Haven't even gotten to burn in the new pads/rotors yet; but I did get it out in the snow for a little glam session (in flat-light overcast - - dang!):



2009 RST R-1 Super has semi-open oil bath, rebound and compression damping circuits:



New Sunline W-I-I-I-DE V-One bars (745mm):



The new Boxxer-compatible top crown allowed use of some Twenty6 direct-mount bling (thanks, Tyler):



Hayes Stroker Ace 4-pistons round out the package:





I really did not like the stock cable/hose routing for the rear (through the upper shock mount / swing link and down the seatstay) - - too much movement and sharp edges to wear on things. I left the shift cable alone for now; but this was an excellent opportunity to reroute brake line. Floater rod was a willing participant and the routing passes right by its front pivot now. All I needed was a couple self-stick plastic hose guides in the center of the downtube:



Now if our south-aspect slopes will clear of snow some, I might get a chance to try it all out before the season starts.