Trans Am 2014 Build Kit

As you're reading this I am hopefully a long ways into my trip, hopefully at least halfway, but most likely not (it's a long goddamn race). I posted my packlist and here is the build kit. I am a big fan of run what you brung, this has been a slow build from the stock parts to a fairly decent setup.

The frame is my forever trusty Surly Cross Check. I have had this one for two years now and riding a X-Check for two and a half (first was stolen; growing pains).

The cockpit.

Cinelli Spinaci

On the cockpit is a Garmin Etrex on the stock stem/handlebar setup. I was running dirt drops for a bit, but for this race this is my best go; Salsa Bell Lap Bars. Those aero bars are the Cinelli Spinaci bars, which used to be all over the pros, til they made them illegal. Handkerchief neatly tied away.

Ultegrea 9 speed shifters.

I always liked my stock barends that came on the Cross Check, but when the plastic snapped on the rear shifter it was time to get new shifters. For the same price as a new 9 speed bar end I found these Ultegra brifters on eBay. Being able to shift while standing has been absolutely great. I may go barcon on the front in the somewhat future, but I will always run the rear on a brifter now.

Mini-Vs

I had been running Tektro CR-720s for the longest time on the Cross Check. The problem was that I started to realize how bad fork shudder really was, especially when my Kool STops started wearing down. I did some hunting and found these Tektro Mini-Vs to stop the shudder. They are a pain to setup, but once they are in it's great. I still have the CR-720 in the rear for better modulation, since everyone knows V's are all or nothing sort of deal.

Big chain jumps.

Deore XT

My drivetrain is mostly Deore and Deore XT. I've always liked the added durability of mountain stuff as well as the wider gear range on the rear mech. The cassette and rear deraulleur are XT, the cranks are regular Deore, which I accidentally got the smaller size (42, 32, 22 vs. 48, 36, 26) which explains the large jump. People have asked how it shifts, the short answer is not great. The long answer is that it just takes a minute, but it will up shift, it just requires holding it. Since I don't do a lot of aggressive racing this works for now. I'll be upgrading to a Tiagra triple after the race to get a higher top end, since the 22-32 combo is far too small. The front deraulleur is a no name swap I got, but it works okay. I never understood why people hated front deraulleurs so much until I went indexed.

Not the lightest, but durable.

As my everyday rig I wanted to upgrade the wheelset, Velocity seemed like the best choice. They are not the lightest, but they are more durable than a light alloy or carbonset. Laced to a 105 (132.5mm spacing on the frame meant I could choose mountain or road spacing, but 105 was in stock when I got them and I'm glad actually, they hold together better than the Deore). The rubber is Schwalbe Marathon Racer, I've used a lot of Schwalbe in the past and have always been happy with their performance, especially compared to their German brethren Continental. These are a lighter casing Marathon.

Bad vegan.

Yep. I am a vegan on a leather saddle. To be fair I bought it when I was only vegetarian (probably still not good enough, huh? Well whatever, fuck off elitist PETA scum). I have had this a long time and it is super comfortable. It's a B17 model, if I could, I would upgrade to a Swift or Titanium railed saddle, but I won't buy leather again, the Cambium will be next on my list of gear.

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Is that a Thompson seat post hiding under there? It sure is. I got this on a full bike purchase (a Surly Steamroller that was a super pimp build). Since I ride the Cross Check more I decided to swap the $10 seatpost for the $100 one.

But where does all my gear go? Revelate or bust.

Viscacha with some hanging addons for accessibility.

Besides what is hanging off of the Revelate Viscacha, I have my sleeping bag, pad, and clothing stuffed into the rear. The internal cinch strap makes it easy to squish down and keep the weight closer to the seatpost.

Hiding spares next to my bag.

My Revelate Tangle bag holds just about everything else, electronics, toiletries, some tools, and there is some spare room for food too. The tube placement was a secret I learned from Gary's packlist on While Out Riding (although revisiting this sight shows his aren't exposed to the elements, I should fix that, huh?). This is a spare, because my first backup is hidden...
 

HERE!

I'm always trying to find places to put things and I had this Jannd strap and my tube, levers, and patch kit all bundled together. It took me a bit to put it together, but it found it's home leaving more room in my frame pack for water and food.

That's it. Once again I'll know how well this works better at the end of the race, but before take off as I write this, I think I did pretty well.