As promised, here are the photos of the build.
First job - have the headset pressed into the frame and the crown race fitted to the fork. This is the job they did.
Not bad, but when I picked it up I had to ask him to redo the bracket - he'd fitted it upside down. This, after being assured that the mechanic is one of the best in the state, and after getting it from his own mouth that he has fitted Hopey steering dampers before. $20 for the pressing and fitting the crown race on the fork.
Next, mount the frame on the workstand and start attaching all the goodies which came off the XtC. Note the high quality of the workstand and the excellent ventilation in the work area.
Here's the drive train. The crankset is new ($100 from Chain Reaction) as are the gear cables and housing ($32, c r c). The grey housings are to accent the gun-metal grey hubs on my hand-built wheelset (not fitted yet) and the nice "bling" XTR RD. I've stayed on a monochromatic theme throughout - black/grey/white/silver on all parts. Yum!
The view from the front. Enticing and enchanting enough to ensure a stunned look from the roos on the single track right up until they boing off the bars ....
My only misgiving during the build has been this stress bend in the brake line. The Hayes HFX-9 brake callipers have the hydraulic line coming straight out and into the Brain canister. It's not good, and I need to find some sort of corner adaptor to provide a bend in the hose.
And here - finally - is the money shot: makes me hot and sweaty just looking at it!
All that remains for me to do is swap the current standard XtC3 wheelset out for the nice set I'm currently running on the recumbent. That's going to happen when I build up the Deep Vs for the 'bent.
Setting the sag on the bike was a saga, as noted in
this thread. After doing a search, I found out the rear shock takes about 20 seconds to sag to normal ride height after climbing onto the bike. I put a cable tie on the stanchion, climbed onto the bike and sat quietly. At the recommended pressure (for my weight) of 105 psi, I achieved about 20% travel, so that's where I'm starting with this bike.
So, of course, I just had to take it for a quick fly down the road to the nearest bit of dirt. Inadequate as that was, I can see this bike being a dream to ride after all my previous HT MTB riding. This thing really does act like a HT until the rough stuff gives it a kick up the arse, after which it becomes a buttery smooth ride. Cool! Hammer as hard as you like without any bob, then soak up the bumps, all without flicking a switch!
Come Tuesday night, I'll be taking it out for a ride on the 12 hour course at Jarrahdale with some mates. Can't wait!
Cheers,
Graeme