Gravel Road Rocket

I finally found the time to put together a project that I started last fall.  The frameset is a Van Dessel Gin and Trombones.  I bought it off the 'net for $350.  The seller told me that he was sponsored by another company, and had this (his personal bike) repainted and kept in the pits.   I had all of the parts minus a front der ($45).  It has a carbon fork/seat stays, BB30 and tapered headset.  I personally dig the color. 19.5 lbs as shown:

I guess the saddle is new as well.  After my recent plumbing problems I wondered if I should be sitting "on" the saddle rather than "in" the saddle.  I went back to the drawing board and measured myself with both the Specialized and Bontrager seat measuring thing.  My ischial tuberosity measurement said I need a 155mm saddle.  Aside from my Brooks, the other saddles I was riding were 134mm.  Not supporting my "sit bones" may have been forcing me to put pressure on the soft parts and causing me problems.

The first thing I noticed is that I needed to lower my saddle 2cm.  Definitely less pressure as well.  I've only ridden it a couple of times, but I am optimistic.  Hopefully I will ride long this weekend and test it further.

This bike will not see any mid to back of pack finishes on the gravel events this spring.  I was one of the unlucky ones who missed the lottery drawing of the Ragnorak.  I will miss transiowa due to a conference in New Orleans.  The Almazno 100 will be ridden with the man child on a tandem.

A recent sale of some TT wheels has made the thought of a new fatbike a workable idea. 

More things to sell:

Offset 29'er wheels

Cannondale Slice Framset (54cm):

Have a good weekend.

J-No