The Black Mountain Cycles MCD has been a staple of my bike stable for years going back to 2018 when I got it. That happened to be the year it came out and this pink color was a very limited run. Now Mike Varley no longer offers this model, instead morphing what this bike does into what is called the "Mod Zero".
So, the ol' MCD is kind of a rare bird, and in pink, even rarer. Not that this matters to me, it just is. I only knew that when Mike had a run of Monstercross frames made in pink probably ten years or more ago that I was kicking myself for not getting one when I had the chance. So, when Mike reached out to me to say that the initial run of MCD's would have a pink option, I was all-in.
This bike gets used for testing a lot, so it has had various wheel sets, saddles, seat posts, and handlebars. I actually almost never can tell you what the bike is running at any given moment unless I go down to the Lab and look at it!
It's a great bike. I've no doubt that the Mod Zero does everything the MCD does and more, but I am fine with this bike as it is. It is very comfortable and it easily handles 700 X 47mm tires on wide-ish rims.
As far as changes go, I think things are going to normalize there for various reasons. Right now? I probably would only change some more of the drive train to GRX.
The quirk concerning this bike that I often find amusing has to do with its color. I seem to cause a stir in the country when I show up out there on this bright pink rig. I have actually witnessed cars slow-rolling a mile away when they spot me on the MCD. Other bikes? Usually the rural folk take little notice of me.
I haven't had any negative feedback on my riding a pink bike yet. But I probably will at some point. I'm good with that.....
5 comments:
I enjoy all of your unique builds, GT. But the Bubblegum Princess takes the cake for me! The purple Spinergy wheelset in contrast with the pink frame is just....*chefs kiss*. I'm happy you were able to snag one of the very limited MCD framesets that Mike had painted pink, and built it up the way you did.
With respect to the color pink. I used to have a pink rain jacket that I wore a lot until the zipper finally wore out. I also kind of noticed the similar attention it drew out in the country. I also enjoyed the juxtaposition of riding a singlespeed bike with my little pink jacket in the middle of January in treacherous conditions, and a massive, lifted, dually pickup truck with tinted windows barreling by.
@Tomcat - Thanks! I feel it is kind of a daring paint scheme and build, but I do LOVE this color combo as well. I am happy to know it hits you in a similar way.
I had a former boss and mentor when I first started in the bicycle business who told me that since cycling is FUN that the colors that represent it should be FUN as well. Drab, all black, or dark, flat schemes weren't his thing and while that is cool sometimes, I lean more toward the FUN colors part that old boss of mine was fond of as well.
Ironically, this is the bike that inspired me to own the Mod Zero I have now. A few years back, during COVID, I pinged Mike about getting a MCD frameset, but he’d just sold out of them and found out his manufacturing partner had upped the order minimums considerably. As a result, it was a long wait for the frameset to arrive (2023), but the bike has been totally worth the wait.
It’s one of those bikes that immediately felt comfortable. On its first ride, I followed some buddies on singletrack through Wilderness Park and was amazed how easily I could hang the rear wheel out and drift through corners. It’s a handler, for sure, but it’s also a great choice for a less technical all day gravel adventure. The riding position is super comfortable and the ride quality with those big tires is amazing. A winner for sure.
Thanks for the inspiration, Brother! Cheers!!
@MG - I am really glad you ended up on a Mod Zero! I would really prefer some of the Mod Zero's features over what I have on the MCD. The thing is, I don't *need* them enough to get a Mod Zero, and as you know, I have WAY too many bikes already!
But I highly recommend Mod Zero's to anyone that asks me about my MCD. I think Mike knocked that one out of the park. I will have to get out there someday and see your Mod Zero, Brother, and more importantly, see YOU!
Love ya!
Love you too, Brother! I can’t wait to see you again!! Have a merry Christmas!!
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