Dude Benchmark summit.

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This photo was taken May 8, 2011 looking south west from the summit of Dude Benchmark. This lower peak is actually quite prominent when looking north from the Salt Lake valley. I rode the ridge from Ensign Peak about 4-5 miles, gaining around 2,200 feet to reach the summit. The last half mile the bike was carried over sporadic snow fields. This ride was one of the first bike summits for the 2011 season.

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	Wasatchvoyage	Re: Awesome ..
	Hasn't voted	Larry! Cool to hear from you man. Since I overhauled the bike this past February, it's pretty much been running the same components. The bike frameset is a 2008 Giant Trance X, medium 19". Fox Float 32 RL 140mm fork up front, Fox RP23 rear shock. Upgraded Enduro Max Pivot bearings, custom gray powdercoated upper and lower suspension rocker arms. 2011 Giant Trance X bolts/covers for the suspension linkage. The front and rear shifters and derailluers are SRAM X9. Jagwire titanium cable housing. Sram PG971 chain, Sram PG991 cassette, 11-34T. Front crankset is an FSA Afterburner, 170mm crankarms. 44-32-22T. FSA MegaExo bottom bracket. The brakes are Hope V2's, 203mm (8 inch) V2 rotors front and rear, Goodrich stainless braided lines. Running Specialized BG contour lock on grips, Specialized Phenom Saddle. Sunline 30.9mm gray seatpost, Sunline 110mm gray stem, and Sunline V1 gray platform pedals. Loaded AMXC silver handlebars, 711mm width and 15 degree rise. Crappy Giant bar ends. Tires are Maxxis Minion DHF's, 2.5's. Wheels are Crankbrothers Cobalts, with an anodized black and silver finish only available under contract for Titus Bikes of AZ. (Ebayed) The QR's on the bike are gray anodized bolt-ons, not sure who makes them. The bike has proven that it can take a good amount of use with minimal maintenance. I clean it up pretty good every two weeks, keep the suspension at about 150 psi. The chain and drivetrain are lubed weekly. So far this season I've gone through a set of brake pads. By the end of this season I expect to have to replace the tires, rebuilt the RP23 shock, and probably replace the chain on it. Love this bike!
		Posted Sep 28, 2011 11:44 pm


	Wasatchvoyage	Re: Awesome ..
	Hasn't voted	Thanks Larry, really do love these bikes! The Trance is 29.5 lbs. The frameset is actually quite light compared to some other bike's in it's class. Mine has some components on it which surely add a bit, though I've gotten used to the weight now and how it handles in different terrain. I run discs pretty much on all of my bikes now, mainly for the sheer braking power needed on a lot of these longer descents. The Giant Trance X is sporting Hope V2's to remedy the problems I was having last year. I cooked about three or four 6 inch rotors last year on a couple descents in Collins and Peruvian Gulch here above Snowbird and Alta. After checking out what was available with more power I opted for the Hope's. So far they've held up really well, though I've already gone through a set of pads. I descended Collins Gulch a month or so back without any issues or having to stop and let the discs cool. A lot of it is probably the 203MM (8 inch) rotor size. The Hope V2 have a larger 25mm piston housed in CNC Machined aluminum calipers also. Good stuff. I'm running the Hayes Nine carbon setup on the Rockhopper, with 203mm discs. That setup has held up well also, though I do take it a little easier when descending on that one. V-brakes are great for a lot of road and more relaxed XC style riding for sure. IMO they are easier and less expensive to maintain than discs. Not too sure how they would hold up on these steep descents off these peaks though.
		Posted Sep 30, 2011 11:39 pm


	Wasatchvoyage	Re: Awesome ..
	Hasn't voted	Thanks Larry, it's all been in trial and error so far, bit it's all working out. I haven't ever competed at all, since 98% of the time I'm always solo. It would be interesting to take off this heavy pack, put a number on the front of the bike and see the results. Personally I think I'd get a nice lesson in humility, though it would be interesting. Haven't had a problem getting ahead of some of the other bikes on the more popular trails with the pack on, though some of them put me to shame.
		Posted Oct 1, 2011 10:36 pm


	Wasatchvoyage	Re: Awesome ..
	Hasn't voted	I just got my wife a pink and white single speed Schwinn beach cruiser! We've ridden together down on the Parkway Trail a couple times, and it kicks her in the rear every time. I usually stay with her on the trail in case she wipes out or something happens with the bike. It's good though for her even though it wears her out a bit, she'll get used to be more comfortable on it.
		Posted Oct 3, 2011 8:00 pm