[mikevinw]

I built and rode an Ala Carte last season and really enjoyed it. Started out rigid and than put a RockShox Recon Gold RL upfront. Liked it even better. At the end of the year I decided to go full suspension, and so I stripped it down. I loved the frame so I spent the winter months piecing it back together. LX/XT drive train, wood chipper drops, Avid SD7's (had a brand new set laying around). I now have a sweet rigid fire/loggong road, light single track rig. Can't wait for the weather to break a bit.

 

[AZ]

Nice. What stem did you use?

 

[mikevinw]

Profile Design 105 x 40d. I have a bit of adjustment left with spacers. It feels pretty good, but might take some tweaking after some time in the saddle.

 

[CLONG]

Drop-bar 26ers need love too.

That looks really nice. Don't you love those Panaracers in the snow? I used to commute all winter when I lived in the city and they never let me down...so to speak.

 

[AZ]

Thanks , very nice bike , enjoy it .

 

[MMcG]

Really versatile.

You could go discs and even run it as a 650b or you can even squeeze 700c wheels in those suckers.

 

[Goodbarsix]

Very nice looking bike!

 

[mikevinw]

I had it out on the maiden voyage/ test ride this past week end. I gotta say I love the drop bars. I only did a road ride, about 23 miles. It's real comfortable and I hit the stem height/reach right on. I absolutely love these shifters. Though they aren't in the ideal spot, it's not awkward at all. They are just on! You can dump the whole cassette in a second and vice versa. They don't skip a beat. Plus I think ALL front derailleurs should be friction shift.