Gran Mal build complete!
 

Well, the multi-month odyssey is nearing an end. I said complete but it's not quite. Still need two niggling items to complete: Problem Solvers seatpost shim (temporary solution was this fugly Norco two-piece) and my white Sunline saddle (on backorder).

Other than that, she's done and I could not be happier. Now I just have to learn how to ride it. First race was Sunday. Finished it Friday night and got in four practice runs on Sat. + one on Sunday - -that was it. Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire. Anyway, I need to figure out how to jump again. I forgot it wasn't my flickable Yeti - -top tube and wheelbase are longer -- and augered a couple landings nose-first in my second run. Blew a 10-second lead and my chances at a third straight state championship. Ah well, that's racing.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...a/IMG_0110.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...a/IMG_0108.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...a/IMG_0107.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...a/IMG_0106.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...a/IMG_0105.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...a/IMG_0109.jpg

awesome!

Jeez man that looks terrible. I'd HATE to ride that down a big hill. ;)

Nice. One of my favorite bike colours.

that is simply sweet and down right sexy.

CONGRATULATIONS D....

I’m sitting here with my shin weeping from by last bike ride and oh’man did those syncros make me cringe… Nice build and I’m digging the color of the frame.

What is the chainstay wrap made of?

HAWT...but enough of the still shots...let's see some action shots!

Looks amazing!

Now take advantage of your hydros and move them out for one finger braking.

Looks real nice. If aesthetics have anything to do with it, it should be at least twice as fast as the Yeti once you get the kinks worked out.

thats a sick bike, thats too bad about the lead

My unscientific study shows that older guys like blue bikes. Gastro, when you getting yours?

PS - nice bike.

Very, very nice! Nice to see it all coming together for you.

When I get older, I guess.

It's no fun if you don't strike back.

noice.

NOS Schwinn 10-speed handlebar tape. I bought a roll of red and a roll of blue once out of the LBS's closeout bin. Makes great wrap.

Yeah, that's next. I debated with myself for a while - - "in?out?" - - before I decided to try it this way. It's too easy to grab too much of a handful for sure.

Thanks, gastro. Yeah the blue alone should get it halfway there ;) Now I just gotta ride it faster so I don't slow it down :o

As requested - - in action:
Step-up (courtesy Martin Milsted)

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...pup_Martin.jpg
Over the camel humps (courtesy Martin Milsted)

http://home.comcast.net/~milsted/261.jpg

Down the waterfall rock (courtesy Cory Bibby)

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...inorthreat.jpg


This thing really inspires confidence. Each season I make a pledge with myself to finally do part of the expert/pro line of the course I've always wussed out on before. My final hurdle was to attempt what they call the Seattle Line (after the waterfall section) - - about a 10' near-vertical roll that cuts out two whole corners if you clean it. Well, I DID it on my last practice run Saturday! I don't completely own it yet, but I can do it in race conditions now . . . woohoo!

That looks sweet, now I want a downhill rig. But I'm not planning on hiking that up my local trails, and I don't live anywhere close to a ski resort. I'll just have to trick someone into driving me up to the ridge... hmmm...

What happened to your glove in that first action shot?

^^ Fell out of my helmet on the push to the top.

That's how I feel about the V10...it just wants to go faster and faster...I need to acquire the same characteristics as the bike! I can only imagine what it would be like if it was blue!

And thanks for the action pics...I have to get someone with a camera out to the DH course at COP so I can actually get some action pics of myself.

I don't know much about downhill bikes but that mofo is sweet man. Good job.

Nice.

nice pics of the bike and of you in action!

Very nice ;) Now can i have one? lol

I could tell it would be fast. Very nice.