[fux]

Well,

I have been a fan of Salsa ever since I got to talk to JMC at the world cup downhill in lillihamer in Norway, onboard his lovley A la carte in the early 90`s.... So yeah its taken a while..

Here is my la cruz, to be used as commuter, winter trainer and fire road sprinter.....

Marathon winter 622-42`s and Cascadia 29`er mudguards.

I have managed to clock up about 800 miles in three weeks and have to say that the only grumble I have , is with the seat.

The bike fits me like a glove, something I am very pleased about as I love the matching stem.

Apart from my sore behind, I have to report that its a very comfortable bike and I am looking forward to the spring so I can fit some beefy CX tires and rip the fireroads.

I have loads of roady freands that use MTB`s as their winter training bikes and I simply don`t understand why? They dont use them on the trails.

CX is the way to go, Salsa makes em sexy, sleek and steel. Loads of room for fat (cx/hybrid) tires, mudguards with disks.

What more could a fella ask for?

:thumbsup:

Oh, before you all ask.....

Im missing the v-support for the front mudguard because I have transferd the guards over from an on-one inbred 29`er where I cut them short, too short to be used here but I have fired an e-mail at Planet bike in the hope of purchasing a spare. It sits fine now but doese bounce a bit on the rutty stuff.....

 

[ATXSS]

Good looking bike- like all the orange La Cruzes out there. Really gonna be interesting to see what color follows that in a year or two. That bike always jumps out at me (in a good) way when I walk past it on the rack at the shop. Hope it keeps you happy for a long time.

 

[WildJackal]

Congrats! Fits like a glove - what size did you go with and what is your height/inseam?

 

[fux]

I was out 5 hours on her today on a group ride.

Apart from the shitty weather, it was great.

I am 5`7 and went for a 49cm stock build. I have 29 inch inseam.

My racer is also a 49cm sloping design but a cats whisker longer so it feels prety much like home.

 

[limba]

How do the disc brakes feel with those levers?

 

[fux]

They are bb7 road, so they require less cable pull and work nicely with the levers.

In fact, its going to be a bit of a transition when the road bike comes out to play in the spring. Road brakes suck, more so in rain.

 

[88 rex]

How do the disc brakes feel with those levers?

They work well. I had mine out today on a single track/fireroad/road ride. Singletrack was mostly downhill with rocks, and with winter mittens on I felt confident. I used lots of brake too since I'm not bombing downhill.

BTW, it looks pretty good with fenders, I could have used them today in some muddy sections.

 

[limba]

How do you like the tires? Feel safe?

I found this on the site "Tires need to be run-in for 25 miles / 40 km on hard-top road to ensure spikes are permanently fixed. Avoid rapid acceleration and braking during this period"

Did you do this?

 

[Hand/of/Midas]

I have loads of roady freands that use MTB`s as their winter training bikes and I simply don`t understand why? They dont use them on the trails.
.

Its because they think these conditions are crazy,and need huge tires to be rideable, we think these conditions are easier, and realize CX bikes rock. we get the same thing with roadies here,some even riding full sussers for this.

and dude, i totally agree about the matching stem, locks the whole bike together. The sum is greater then its parts with these. awesome.

 

[dtrek4500]

Very nice bike, I agree even more on using the cross bikes as a winter trainer, as I have a 05 fuji cross comp which I use both on and off road in the warm and cold months. I also just got myself a 07 el merriachi, and I can't wait to build it up. Have fun and stay warm.
Dave

 

[fux]

How do you like the tires? Feel safe?

I found this on the site "Tires need to be run-in for 25 miles / 40 km on hard-top road to ensure spikes are permanently fixed. Avoid rapid acceleration and braking during this period"

Did you do this?

All studdied tyres have to be run in. Avoiding rapid acceleration and braking are the only way to stay upright on sheet ice anyway(40km`s is just a normal days commute too)...... Yes I do feel safe on the tyres btw.

BTW, it looks pretty good with fenders, I could have used them today in some muddy sections.

Mudguards are a godsend. I was out on a 5 hr group road/slush ride yesterday and the fellas were fighting on who was going to sit on my rear wheel. Its a great feeling being out in wet weather and having a dry bum!

I love the bike and even though the weather is worse this year, I think the competition come spring, are going to feel the amount of base training I`m putting in. New stuff realy helps the motivation.

 

[limba]

Thanks for the answers Fux. Have fun on your new bike.

 

[88 rex]

Mudguards are a godsend. I was out on a 5 hr group road/slush ride yesterday and the fellas were fighting on who was going to sit on my rear wheel. Its a great feeling being out in wet weather and having a dry bum!

Ordered my fenders today! I got the "hybrid" version which are a little narrower but should work just fine for me. I was glad to see yours all built up with fenders because I had been pondering the idea but wasn't sure whether or not to pull the trigger.

Now......do I show up to a race next year on a Steel, disc brake equipped cross bike with fenders....:skep: That should turn a few heads.