I can’t be unique in ‘thinking/dreaming’ about getting a new bike every time I walk into a bike shop. If you’re a rider, you just can’t help it. I think it’s the smell of the rubber… haha… I don’t know. Maybe it’s something the shops pump into the air – some kind of ‘buy-a-bike’ mind melding gas. You walk in and the bikes sit there, gleaming, in their racks, just calling out to be ridden. And, really, who am I to be so cold hearted that I can’t give at least one of them a good home. Well, today I got the call, ‘Sheldon, good news. You can come pick up your new bike!’
And there she was, a gorgeous XC mountain climbing machine, with my name on it. Ken got to enjoy one of these moments last summer, when he picked up his brand-spanking new Specialized Epic Marathon Carbon. I was nearly as excited as he was when he go it. If you’re like me, you think about bikes, well, let’s say, quite a bit. You read about them, you talk with you buddies about them, and you set your sights on the ones that you imagine yourself riding someday. Normally though, that ‘someday bike’ comes with a bigger price tag then you’re ready to tackle. So, you start to scrimp, and you start to save. Slowly you get a little money set aside. Every now and then, you have to bring up the website and read over the specs again, call up some reviews and pop back into the bike shop to drool over it just to remind yourself why you forwent those dinners out, the concerts, and maybe some arguably needed repairs around the house. The next thing you know, if you’ve been good, you realize that you have some real scratch socked away, and you start to get excited. Then, pretty soon, when you have enough and you’re 100% set on the exact ride you want, you get to role into your local bike shop, and do what you’ve been dreaming about and talking about for months – you get to walk out with your dream bike… For me, that was today! WOOOO!
As I’m writing this, I’m looking over at it and smiling ear to ear. So, what did I buy? What is my new ride, my dream bike? Well, there is a person or 
two out there who already know, but i’ll ask you to keep a lid on it for now. I’m going to see just how well my good buddy Ken Hurd knows the better half of Bikridr. And just calling the brand won’t cut it. I want brand and model. Nothing like putting you on the spot, Ken! hahah… Really, if you can’t guess right off the top of your head, the photos ‘may’ tip you off.
I’ll be out on it this weekend, and can’t wait!!!! I’ll also have some more photos for the BIG REVEAL :-) Today was a good day.
Whatever it is I’m jelous… :-)
Somehow, reading this blog has mad it to my morning routine.
Sheldon, I think you should make things a little more interesting and put something on the line here. perhaps if Ken gets it it right, he gets to keep the bike for a week or so.
as for me, I have faith in Ken so I bet that he will get it right.
That’s awesome. Makes me jealous. Your description is so accurate. I’m always going to various bike websites and bike shops and dreaming of that perfect bike someday. I too love the smell of rubber that fills my lungs as soon as I walk into a bike shop. mmmm….
Fantastic idea Sam… I have some inklings of what she is already, but I won’t commit to it now.
Smarty… It’s your rig – what are the stakes?
Absolutely let’s raise the stakes! I have a sneaky suspision Ken may guess correctly. He’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he can have flashes of brilliance at times. So, with that in mind, I want this little wager to somehow benefit our loyal Bikeridr readers. I propose this:
We’ll set up a ‘draw’ of sorts, then invite our readers to enter thier names into the draw for a day of riding with Ken and me, and then Bikeridr will pick up for the tab for beers afterwards. So, now, obviously, if Ken guesses both Brand and Model correctly, we’re riding in Edmonton and the beverage tab is going to be on me – BUT, if he guesses wrong, then we get to ride in his backyard (Kananaskis) and drinks are on Ken.
One last caveat – In any case of a dispute over the accuracy of Ken’s answer, our readers decide if Ken’s answer is correct ‘enough’.
Sound fair, Ken?
Sounds like a plan. Though I have to admit, knowing your style I’m already leaning towards the CCM Vandal.
That thing’s got Smart written all over it ;-)
That cassette only has 9 cogs…that doesn’t look like a cyclocross rig to me.
What’s the deal Sheldon? What’s this ‘XC mountain bike’ business?
It’s like you’re some kind of hardcore MTB racer or something…
Put my name in the hat for the draw. I have a feeling it won’t end up being a road trip though…
now that is getting interesting. to sweeten the deals, If Ken gets it right, his pizza would be on me, and if he does not, then I will owe sheldon that pizza!. I have faith in you Ken
WHAT?! Sam… You’re pulling for Ken?! Where’s the hometown spirit here? At least Gord is on my side. So, alright then, we’ll post the contest! Game on!
Don’t hate the playa Smart, hate the game.
Sam knows a winner when he sees one ;-)
Sheldon, Don’t take it personal. nothing but business :P. Oh yah, I think Gord is on Ken’s Side “I have a feeling it won’t end up being a road trip though…” Sorry Sheldon :P
It’s not a sled unless you can point it downhill and it plows over everything. Did you buy a V10?
HAHA… I won’t take it personally, Sam. Not to worry. But I’m gunna be pushin’ the pace just a little bit more on our group rides from now on ;-)
HEHE, I might have to tie a bungee cord to your bike so I can stay up there with you.
Based on the SRAM rear mech, colour, suspension design (seatstay pivot), and wheels, none of the brands RVC shows on the website have a high-end X/C rig that matches. The only bike that really would match is an Rocky Mountain Element, but the colour and stock specs are wrong. Every other brand or model is VPP, single pivot, or has the shock in the wrong place (you would see it in the builder photo based on the angle). I was lame enough to not ride today, so I didn’t get to see it :).
Well, though Steve stole my thunder, I have to agree that the new rig is a Rocky Element.
Should I be able to score any extra points, I’ll go out on a limb and suggest that based off the ‘carbon’ colored seatstays and the candy apple red of the frame it’s one of the following:
Given that most of the Rocky’s I’ve seen are spec’d with Shimano kits, I’d throw my money on option #2. Essentially a 2009 frame Smarty got built up all special, just for him ;-)
Smart? Care to enlighten the masses? And post some more shots of your flashy new rocket?
It’s a stock 2009 Rocky Mountain Element 90, hurrah! Nice bike. I’m still riding the old ones this year.
Yes, it appears that Steve was a little quick out of the gates here, and beat Ken to answer. It is in fact a right of the box 2009 Rocky Mountain Element 90. That was some ‘schmancy’ detective work. So, in light of Ken not really getting a fair shot at the guess, I’ll have to call for a do-over of some kind. I’m not sure what that will be, but I’ll put on my thinking cap!