Jason's Blog Site

A very good friend of mine donated a new bike frame in my direction. So armed with spanner and screwdriver I started the proceedure of swapping my parts from my old frame to the new. Big thanks goes out to my mate Dave, cheers mate!



The frame is a 7005 aluminium triple butted 'Leader' model LD-516H high performance frame. The reviews for this frame are very good, a good light weight but very strong frame, more popular in the USA than in Europe.

The crank set I use is the shimano XT hollow form set and bottom bracket. Attached to these are 'Crank beater' pedals with platforms, for SPD shoes or for that quick trip to the shops.



At the back I'm running shimano XTR gears with an 'SRAM' hollow pin chain. These have been on the bike for a couple of seasons, and are showing now signs of wear. Just goes to show that it pays to get the best!



In an attempt to cut weight down, I sourced a few carbon parts, such as the seat stem and handlebars etc.



I found the XT gear changer remote a great addition to the bike, which allows for gear change whilst in cruise mode. Also attached to the handlebars is the lock-out remote to my 'Rockshox' Psylo shock forks, not the lightest on the market, but coming in about 3.5lbs is quite light, the remote allows me to lockout the fork when hill climbing or roadwork, then when the mood takes a quick flick of a switch and I'm back in suspension mode and ready for the downhill crosscountry that is all about mountain biking.



Stopping the bike is left to 'Hope' mini's, which have great weight saving and incredible stopping power. I could'nt finish without mentioning the tyers, came across the 'Continental' cross country tyre, at a width of 1.5, its nice an slim cutting through the mud and great on hard pack trails.

Well that's about it, I love this bike, it weighs in about 20lbs!! which is lighter than a lot of £2000+ bikes.

The only weight saving I can do know is more closer to home, that's me!! Must get out more and drop the weight and stay in shape.