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 Cycling has been more than a hobby for me since my teens. Originally a way to escape from the house and clear my head for a day, it became my primary means of transportation well into my 20's. Partly due to financial considerations (my student loan could either buy me a car to get to work, or a super-durable custom bike, and the bike didn't need insurance or gas) and partly due to an unfortunate youthful penchant for rolling or otherwise blowing up automobiles.
I still have my custom-built Vitus-framed, Mavic SSC-grouped road bike, although my weight at 230 lbs now is too heavy for it. In 2004 after a layoff of many years I rediscovered cycling through my new StumpJumper FSR. In my hands its a transportation tool, and a kids toy as I rediscover the fun of crawling up and bombing down mountainsides. As Linda puts it; I ain't 18 anymore but so far nothing broken except a front derailleur when I dumped it while riding down the center of a running creek.
Mods to this bike:
- A NiteRider Blowtorch HID headlight.
- ANOTHER Blowtorch headlight, where the two are mounted wide one on each end of the handlebars, just inside of the grips.
- Avid mechanical disc brakes.
- Performance gel racing saddle cover (i.e. butt pad)
- The thickest thronproof inner tubes you have ever laid eyes on.
- Tuffy strips.
- Performance Terra Trac tires.
The Stump FSR is easily one of the best values in mountain bikes today. The frame geometry and shock combo results in almost zero pogo when honking on the pedals, and remains both agile and extremely comfortable to ride. The bike can take tremendous punishment. Try T-boning a street curb and be amazed that it soaks the shock right up (but don't do it too often. My score on curbs is 3-1, with the "1" being a rather unsettling experience).
One Niterider Blowtorch is enough to light up the world. Two is just downright excessive. When it comes to lighting, I like excessive. Few things are as satisfying as riding at night and watching motorists merging into your lane do a double-take and back off. These things give you better visibility than an automobile and keep you safe by making you the most noticeable thing on the road.
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Personal BS
