So, I have some time on the Blindside now, thought I would go ahead and drop a reveiw.
First off let me start by saying this is my first truly DH bike I have owned.
Ok, first impression was Damn it looks good, clean, and simple. Foundmyself a tad short on cash during the build so I had to look to save some cash, Found a 5th element shock brand new for 25 bucks from Santa Cruz, used a fair share of the parts from the Dirtbag, and added some new goodies to the mix as well. I have been riding it as much as I can this year, as much as I can without pissing off the wife and doctors that is. I would have dropped a reveiw sooner, but I lost quite a bit of ride time this year due to my incedent with my wrist.
So hereis the bike build.
Blindside, large
07 66 rc2
5thelement shock
x9 drive train
hussefelt cranks/teamBB
Shimano 545 pedals
Transition revolution wheelset<hand built by myself>
Race face Diabolus Bars and stem, Evolve seatpost
THE ti rail seat
ODI rogue grips
Hayes Stroker trail V8 brakes
E13 SrS<only way to go>
2.5 Chunder SX front and rear
12/26 Sram971 cassette
13.7 in bb
65 Dgree HTA
As it sits now, with the tire and tube swap this year, It is sitting right at 42.9 by the shop scale, Never in my life did I intend to build a bike this light, although I am sure not dissapointed. I know I can shave quite a bit of weight out of this bike, but I like the build, and I trust it to hold together underneath my 245 lb self.
Geo feels great, its low, its slack, its stiff. It has defently been confidence inspiring this year, and I have found myself going bigger and faster on trails I have been riding for many years, also trying lines I never would have tried in the past as well. The bike pedals awesome, I get great feedback from the trail, and I can know the tires are where I want them. The rear shock took some time to break in as was expected, but now that it is, and its dialed in, it works really well. I can only imagine how much better the bike will be when I finally blow the shock up and either replace it with something more updated, or send it to Avy for an upgrade.
Its not as plush as the dirtbag was over the hi speed rough stuff, but its defenetly faster. I can feel the brake stutter alot more on this bike. No I dont have the floating brake on it, I am pretty lite on teh back brakes, I jsut dont see a need for My riding to add the extra weight there.
Even with the 36-12/26 combo I find myself being able to push the pedals on this bike alot further than you would expect, I climb the local trails further than I ever did on the Dirtbag, and the older KHS<which was meant for climing>
When practicing for my third race this year, the bike decided I was riding a bit over my head, and allowed me to break my wrist, the only trouble I had after that was a broken pull lever, and a bent hanger, I do wish the hanger was a bit stronger, but alas, there has to be something on the bike I dont like. I will add the PC job to the dislikes list, its pretty weak in comprasion to other PC jobs out there, seems to chip pretty easy. Fixed that on mine with some 3m sticky vinyl.
So, some gratiutious shots of the bike for anyone who has not seen them.
Gotta love the velcro padding
ANd some in use shots
A very big thanks to Mike and Cam at Transition for setting me up with the frame, I couldnt to deal with better guys. Thanks to E13 for hookin it up once again with a wonderfull product that stands tough day after day, Also a BIG thanks toe EVS for the hook up on the chest protection that saved my ribcage this year.
I cant wait to get out and ride more.
First off let me start by saying this is my first truly DH bike I have owned.
Ok, first impression was Damn it looks good, clean, and simple. Foundmyself a tad short on cash during the build so I had to look to save some cash, Found a 5th element shock brand new for 25 bucks from Santa Cruz, used a fair share of the parts from the Dirtbag, and added some new goodies to the mix as well. I have been riding it as much as I can this year, as much as I can without pissing off the wife and doctors that is. I would have dropped a reveiw sooner, but I lost quite a bit of ride time this year due to my incedent with my wrist.
So hereis the bike build.
Blindside, large
07 66 rc2
5thelement shock
x9 drive train
hussefelt cranks/teamBB
Shimano 545 pedals
Transition revolution wheelset<hand built by myself>
Race face Diabolus Bars and stem, Evolve seatpost
THE ti rail seat
ODI rogue grips
Hayes Stroker trail V8 brakes
E13 SrS<only way to go>
2.5 Chunder SX front and rear
12/26 Sram971 cassette
13.7 in bb
65 Dgree HTA
As it sits now, with the tire and tube swap this year, It is sitting right at 42.9 by the shop scale, Never in my life did I intend to build a bike this light, although I am sure not dissapointed. I know I can shave quite a bit of weight out of this bike, but I like the build, and I trust it to hold together underneath my 245 lb self.
Geo feels great, its low, its slack, its stiff. It has defently been confidence inspiring this year, and I have found myself going bigger and faster on trails I have been riding for many years, also trying lines I never would have tried in the past as well. The bike pedals awesome, I get great feedback from the trail, and I can know the tires are where I want them. The rear shock took some time to break in as was expected, but now that it is, and its dialed in, it works really well. I can only imagine how much better the bike will be when I finally blow the shock up and either replace it with something more updated, or send it to Avy for an upgrade.
Its not as plush as the dirtbag was over the hi speed rough stuff, but its defenetly faster. I can feel the brake stutter alot more on this bike. No I dont have the floating brake on it, I am pretty lite on teh back brakes, I jsut dont see a need for My riding to add the extra weight there.
Even with the 36-12/26 combo I find myself being able to push the pedals on this bike alot further than you would expect, I climb the local trails further than I ever did on the Dirtbag, and the older KHS<which was meant for climing>
When practicing for my third race this year, the bike decided I was riding a bit over my head, and allowed me to break my wrist, the only trouble I had after that was a broken pull lever, and a bent hanger, I do wish the hanger was a bit stronger, but alas, there has to be something on the bike I dont like. I will add the PC job to the dislikes list, its pretty weak in comprasion to other PC jobs out there, seems to chip pretty easy. Fixed that on mine with some 3m sticky vinyl.
So, some gratiutious shots of the bike for anyone who has not seen them.
Gotta love the velcro padding
ANd some in use shots
A very big thanks to Mike and Cam at Transition for setting me up with the frame, I couldnt to deal with better guys. Thanks to E13 for hookin it up once again with a wonderfull product that stands tough day after day, Also a BIG thanks toe EVS for the hook up on the chest protection that saved my ribcage this year.
I cant wait to get out and ride more.