Racer-X consolation prize

[BrevCampagnolo]

I bought this as a reward to myself for surviving two and a half years in Iraq. By way of several seemingly unrelated threads, you guys helped me choose most of the pieces. All the details were settled and the deal was struck before I left Al Asad. The bike -- sans wheels -- was waiting for me when I got home, it just took me eight months to decide to assemble it.

:: Dialup Warning ::

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/5467/titus5wz4.th.jpg (http://img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=titus5wz4.jpg)

It’s a large CF Titus Racer-X, RockShox SID fork, Hope MonoMini discs, XTR front, SRAM X.0 rear, SRAM trigger shifters*, Ritchey WCS CF stem and bar, Thomson Masterpiece seatpost, Selle SLR saddle and Ti Eggbeaters. The wheels are bespoke Speed Dreams with Tune Ti hubs, Stan’s ZTR 355 hoops, Maxxis Larsen TT tires and Salsa Flip-Offs. As she sits, she weighs 23 lbs 13 ozs. That might not make the Platinum list at LightBikes but I figure you could ride it in a 24-hour event with minimal worries of a mechanical DNF.

*I ordered it with a twist front/trigger rear combo but it was delivered misconfigured. The replacement twist shifter is on the way.

[mimbresman]

One of the locals here has a Racer X. It is a nice bike. One of the more impressive bikes here. Very light for FS. BTW, that's about what my hardtail Litespeed weighs. Have fun!

[LeeMcGough]

If there was an emoticon to represent a wolf whistle, it would be in this reply. Nice bike!!!!!!!

[rockyrider]

hubba hubba 21036 21037

[K-Man]

Wouldn't kick 'er outta bed for eating chocolate.

[robcycle]

Wouldn't kick 'er outta bed for eating chocolate.... or crackers.

Hot bike! :D

-Rob.

[rockyrider]

shame about the rat bites.... :D

[Hand/of/Midas]

The wheels are bespoke Speed Dreams with Tune Ti hubs, Stan’s ZTR 355 hoops

*I ordered it with a twist front/trigger rear combo but it was delivered misconfigured. The replacement twist shifter is on the way.

The entire bike is really awesome,but these wheels really impressed me and shows you did your research and know your stuff,tune makes really great stuff.

did you get twist front for weight? or what reason?

[BrevCampagnolo]

Thank you for the all the complements. :)

shame about the rat bites.... :D
In a way, I'm glad. Now I won't agonize over biffing and putting the first blemish on it. ;) And the rat story makes for a more interesting conversation starter than, "Yeah, I hit a patch of wet leaves and the front wheel just shot out from under me...."

The entire bike is really awesome,but these wheels really impressed me and shows you did your research and know your stuff,tune makes really great stuff.

did you get twist front for weight? or what reason?
Dave Thomas @ SpeedDream Wheels gets credit for the hoops. I just call and tell him what I need them for and what I'm putting them on. He does the rest.

I was a gear head (forgive me father, for I have sinned....) back before indexed shifting was invented. With friction shifters, if the chain was rubbing the front shifter cage, all it took was a deft left hand to silence it. With 9 speeds rear and a trigger shifter front, I find it can take some micro-fiddling with an already perfectly shifting derailleur to make it run silently in all the useful gear combinations. The twist grip allows a bit of ‘tweaking’ to achieve the same effect but you don’t have to adjust the cable tension or fuss with the derailleur adjustment screws.

[longhaultruker2]

yea,the rat bites just add character:D
sweet ride,BTW!

[rockyrider]

And you could always make up a story where the rat bites happened when they attacked while you were riding the bike, that would sound more exciting.

The Chinese new year (Year of the Rat) is imminent, so in some ways it's appropriate.

[rockhound]

Glad you made it home okay.

Someone I know bought a big musclecar upon returning from Afghanistan, then had to store it while in Iraq. When he got home from Iraq, he bought a 4x4.