There's something about Ritchey bike parts that make me happy in the pants. I don't know what it is exactly, but I find them very aesthetically pleasing.

That is all.

Hello Bottecchia Contestants,

After carefull consideration, scrutinizing pain, and a little randomness I have selected the winner.
You will be notified by PM as not to make the other people jelous.

That is all.

I WON!
http://smokeys-trail.com/we-won-t-forget.jpg

Is there anything more to being american these days than flags, eagles, religiosity and dogmatic rhetoric?

PS. Show your patriotism by buying an America's Pride Ring!

If you haven't given a firefighter a ******* today, you're helping the terrorists.

I really wonder what these people get out of creating a webpage with animated stars and stripes backgrounds, horrendous embedded patriotic songs, and copy and pasted made up inspirational stories and threadbare hymns, and mindless support for government and war.

hah.. suckers.

Cool, post pics when it is done. What plans do you have for it? Fixed? I think it would make a great commuter as it has eyelets for fenders.

There isn't anything wrong with being patriotic, per se
But you're right ... I think these patriots are blinded by their media and super-sized meals.

Stuff like "Made in America by hardworking Americans" just makes me cringe.

there is when you dont even put up a fight while youre civil liberties are being taken away openly and you support government sponsored terrorism...

ahhhhhhhhahahahahahaha well said man!

U.S.A!......U.S.A!

While I find America's brand of hypocritical patriotism distasteful, Canadians lack it in a bad bad way. We would benefit as a country from a bit more flag waving I think. .02$

I think a lot of Canadian patriotism is packaged as anti-Americanism, which I don't think is right. Good people with a questionable government.

I agree... while I enjoy slagging the States as much as anyone else, THAT is not an indicator of how I feel about my country.

I like bicycles.

I love Americans and always have; they are mostly really nice and really friendly but yeah, they have a very questionable government. However, most countries put into their position (the most powerful in the world) would like have to have a government with similar clandestine campaigns and attitudes. Watch what China does in the next few decades.

yup good people lead by a crazy sphere of shady influence where even the elected officials aren't REALLY in charge

I didn't really win...

PS. I hear that TJ is not a patriot. Get him!

Burn him !!!! ....oh wait that's me.... *hides where they'll never find me* The barren landscape of the Pakistani/Afghan border. "Ossama wuz here"...wtf?

I'm moving to China in March! OOOMMMMGGGG!!!!! :O

I think its awesome that China can shoot down satellites now. They should turn it into a sport or something.

What really bothers me is the international outcry against China for doing it. America has a huge history of experimentation with weaponizing space. I'm just afraid they are going to use this case to scare the population into going along with giving a few billion to lockheed martin et al for 'space defenses'. Its like China is being treated like a little brother being told they are not allowed to smoke cigarettes by people who are smoking cigarettes.

The US recently revised their 'Space Policy', setting out, among other things, that they have the right to deny access to Space any state or nation that is 'hostile' towards the US. This is to ensure that Space remains a peaceful place. Jerks!

Digg or slashdot?

I think I'm moving to Tokyo in September, there goes all my savings here comes a lot of bikes parts.

Newspaper?

SS Love
 

http://closednode.net/images/bicycle...r/IMGP3317.JPG
.
http://closednode.net/images/bicycle...r/IMGP3312.JPG
.
http://closednode.net/images/bicycle...r/IMGP3316.JPG

I guess this is for TJ to hype up his new SS.

Here's my SS, or rather 2 speed.
32 : 15/16 (I wanted a 14T)

The rubber knot keeps the chain/tensioner from slapping the chainstay.
It happens a lot when I'm riding like a fun-boi.

Richey Dropouts! :)

hey that's exactly what Keith has put together for me.....do you get alot of slap with that tensioner? I'll be 42x18&16. Can't wait to try it. So Keith told me that despite my having never cracked open the BB in the entire time I owned the bike and hosing it down it was surprisingly not a BB of rust and filth. Woohooo couple more hours and I get to see it.

Such primitive forms of communication :crash:

It only slaps when I jump off curbs and stuff..

42x16 = fast

I'm rolling on 1.95" tires! :eek:
Maybe if I had some 1.5 I'd dare use that ratio.

SEALED BB FTW!
SEALED everything for that matter.