:rofl:

Since you already know the answer....

Just worry about the rotational inertia, and spend money on wheels. That is the weight that matters most. Frame weight doesn't matter as much. Stiffness does, as does comfort, and the new high end bikes are providing both.

You can get into a good road bike for a few thousand, my Trek was around $3k; the Cervelo R3 SL or the Co-Motion Supremo tandem (both shown above) are a lot more than that, but they should be thought of as the Ferrari versions of current road bikes. Pretty incredible performance for $10k or so.

Look 555, Ultegra accept FSA carbon crank, Deda components.
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...TheBeast-1.jpg

Sorry for the MEGA sized pics....
I figuered it would help you guys identify the parts.

Ya, roadie was what was on my head.
If I had to swap, I think the 1st thing would be the rear suspension - so it's less of a pogo stick. I'm now in Concrete Jungle Gotham City....

http://www.pingable.net/images/bike/bike_1.jpg
http://www.pingable.net/images/bike/bike_2.jpg
http://www.pingable.net/images/bike/bike_3.jpg

:thumbup:

Are you happy with the FSA crank? I've got the FSA SL-K carbon crank with the Mega Exo BB on the tandem, and I am not sure about how durable they have been, but it may be due to the loads they are seeing. At least chain rings are cheaper than Shimano.

I've been putting more miles on the old el-cheapo diamondback XL mountain bike every weekend, but shorter rides than normal since it became a weekly biathlon. Now every Sunday I load up the kayaks and bikes, put about 5 miles on the kayaks and about 10 on the bikes. By then the 100+ degrees paired with high as hell humidity has taken it's toll on me and it's time for a cold shower and some rest......

(and don't worry, she'll have her good 20" 87's back on soon enough with new tires on them)

Ha, Your wheels were the first thing I noticed....

Thank you. That is the same crank I have and like it. Not as much flex as the Ultegra. I have about 2500 miles on them w/out an issue yet. (I just jinxed myself)

Interesting bike. I don't know it, so did some reading. They have quite a following, not sure if Mrazek is still in business or not. Some good components there, a few years old, but still servicable. The early XTR derailleurs (M961) are several generations back, but not bad components at all. Early carbon bars had some issues with cracks and breaking, so make sure they are in good condition.

The real question isn't what would take two pounds off the bike, it is rather what do you want to use the bike for? It is a little like a Jeep Rubicon with big wheels, two locking diffs, and all the other trail mods. Very single purpose. Sure, it is bouncy on the road, but it is great at climbing through a gully over big rocks. If I wanted a bike to ride primarily on the road, I wouldn't start with this one. This is for climbing up that trail, slowly, using all the suspension travel.

There is likely a market for your current bike, but not at what you may have paid to build it up. If you do sell it, I would sell it complete, and not part it out.

Moving forward, start with intended use (road conditions, topography, distance, etc) and then consider budget. Do that before picking a brand, style, or frame material. There are lots of guys here that can advise on that process without spending a grip (if that constitutes correct usage).

some great looking bikes on this thread

Here is mine used for touring mainly in Holland it's a german bike not sure if any of you will have heard of them.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96...p/DSC_9427.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96...p/DSC_9446.jpg

Hey everyone, the race this weekend went well. They changed the course. It was originally skull valley in Prescott, AZ. Then it became an out and back at hillside. (if you googled skull valley road bike race you could probably find the race) It was a crazy descent and then a crazy climb to get to the finish line. The last 9 miles or so it was a 1600 elevation gain. LOTS OF CLIMBING!!!!! I was wishing I had my compact crank. haha. This was my first race! I enjoyed it but I am still not sure if competing is my thing?

I want to start a new/old topic that I know has already been discussed. I am looking for a new alternative to hauling the bikes around with the X. Obviously there are two options. Roof rack or hitch mount. I do not have a hitch so if I went that way that would be an additional expense. My friend has a yakima swing daddy hitch mount. It works very well. I am not sure if I want the bike on the roof because of how high they will be. I am not worried about reach to get them up there. I like the hitch idea because they are in the slipstream of the car but are probably going to get dirtier if there is any rain. If they went on the roof I would most likely get covers for the front of the bikes. If I went for the roof mount I could get dual use out of the roof rack for when I go snowboarding in the winter.

Well, fire away and let me know what your thoughts are on the topic of how to transport your bikes with the X.