Karate Monkey vs. Inbred 29"er!: The Parts

As promised yesterday, I am going to go through some of the component highlights of each bike and give you my impressions of them.




Here we have a view of one of the common parts to each of the bikes. The classic Avid BB7 mechanical disc brakes. These have a super easy set up, are easy to maintain, and have incredible stopping power that is easily tunable to your liking. I would highly recommend them on the value per dollar spent alone. That they also are super low maintenance and perform flawlessly is a bonus. Also pictured: Salsa skewer, which is the best skewer in the world. No questions. Period! Also, the Nokon cable housings. Love them or hate them. They are expensive, they are sealed from the elements, they have zero compression, ( good for mechanical disc brakes), and they last for a loooong time. My Karate Monkey's set is going on four years now. Still works great. Did I say that they have gone through three winters worth of slop and crap? Worth every penny you pay for them, in my opinion.





Ahhhh! What can I say? This is hands down the most comfortable saddle I have ever sat on. You owe it to yourself to try this saddle out, or the more mountain bike inspired Nisene, which has a baggy short friendly profile. Fizik also makes the Arione in several different color combinations to suit your fashion tastes.


The seat post is the highly functional Salsa Shaft. It has independant bolts for adjustments of tilt and set back. It's ingenious, it's strong, it looks good, it's light weight while not being scary light, and it's so inexpensive for what you get. It's been hailed as a top notch product by some bike rags. Don't mind them! Guitar Ted Productions gives this it's hearty approval! That's gotta be a better endorsement, 'cause I say so! Ha ha!

Okay, that's it for today. I'll have more for you all tomorrow, and through out the weekend. Remember to get out and ride! That's what it's all about. Also, good luck to Mr. 24 and Buchanandale as they head out to race twelve hours on a soggy Ferryville course this weekend. Go Cannondale riders! Look for race reports from them come Sunday or so.