My Main (read: currently 'only') Off-Road Steed

This bike rocks.

When it comes down to it, I simply love mountain biking. Perhaps even more so than road biking. The only thing that really stinks about it is that while it doesn't cost as much as road biking in the short run - the equipment doesn't last nearly as long so you end up taking it in the shorts over the long haul. Dirt really wears on machinery, and the stresses of hitting obstacles at speed certainly don't help either. Finally, heaven help you if you are involved with one of those freak accidents involving protruding debris; many a rear derailleur has met its fate at the end of an otherwise harmless twig.

And maintenance? Spending a good half hour after every ride cleaning my bike, while fun in its zen sort of way, can get pretty old especially if you aren't in the mood.

So my solution was to get a singlespeed which in many ways, is just like getting a big boy's BMX. I know minimum maintenance doesn't hold allure for me only. It's one of the main pretenses for those who swear by singlespeed drivetrains. Simplifying the matter more is the fact that I (following the trend of quite a few others) passed on any sort of suspension whatsoever. I can put as much mileage on as I like and no more monthly/bi-monthly overhauls!

On to the Bike!

The Obligatory Pictures