Dreams to reality

Last year when my bike got stolen, I went on a mission to get a bike that I want for a while, Trek remedy carbon, 2011 9.9 model cause of it's colour.  Between search the classifieds and talk to the agents it was a miss. I "settled" for an Ibis Mojo SL which was great spec at bargain price.

On new years eve I spot a remedy on the classified. 5mins after I email the person I decided it will not be fast and good enough and gave him a call. I arranged to have a look the next day. 1 January 2013. After sleeping in and recovering from New Years activities I confirmed that he is home before I go to have a look.

I got there and the bike was standing in the sun. It is so stunning. High spec and so light. Checking the bike I felt the fork is not well be he did say it needs a service. That and some other things I use to after loads of negotiations got a price bit down. I felt I like a 5 year old on christmas morning.

The money was not really there to be spend but how do you say no to your dream bike becoming available after 6months of searching. My plan was to try and find one in Canada when there for BCBR but now it is not needed anymore.

The bike had an Crank bothers Joplin post on which is know for play in many places. All though it did not effect my ride after a few days use the seat did not want to stay up. I clean and stripped it( small service) and discovered I was leaking oil. Now I did not really use its function as I learn to ride technical with seat up. Off it go and my Thomson post go in. At this point the bike was weighed and tip the scale at 12.01kg for 150mm all mountain bike, WOW. Anyone that picks it up cant believe how light it is.

After some TLC on the fork the ride is great. I still need to get the fork settings dialled. The way it handle jump landings is like landing in butter. It is so smooth. Roots and small buts is handle great too.

The brakes on the bike is Formula R1 which is basically new, so much that the hoses have not been shortened to the correct length yet. The front and rear has 180 rotor. Now I'm use to 180 front but 10on the rear locks so easy, almost to powerful, has taken some getting used to.

Normally when you get a secondhand bike there is load to do to get it to your own requirements that your happy with. On this bike much. I had to get the fork serviced, brake hoses shortened, and put on some protective tape for rubbing. Otherwise the bike is great. At some point maybe want to put on a wider bar as 710 feel just bit small.

Getting the protective tape on the curves was challanging

After so riding with it I'm LOVING it. The Ibis got the back seat for now and here the problem as well.  Both bike is kind of the same things. Now I can make the Remedy I play/go crazy bike by making it bit more beefy, and make the Ibis the lightweight long distance machine. At the moment the only thing not really needed to change on the Remedy to be made play bike is rims. On the Ibis the wheels and fork is the heavy items. Not sure what I'm going to do yet.

Get some air on the Paarl DH course

The past weekend I gave in to some friend try to get me in to doing downhill event with them. Paarl DH course is not that long but it is hard work. On my 3rd run on practice day my conti rubber queen front tire decide to fail. Luck for my I have learn for others and my self to take a spare tire. The only one close enough for dh use was a 2.35 high roller, which in the end performed well. The bike handle great through the whole weekend. The owner was just bit scared of the jumps, not willing to risk it 2 weekend before my 2day Lighthouse to lighthouse race. The super light weight compared to dh bike meant I could accelerate much better and with soe hard pedal did not do to bad. Got 26/38 in open men class.

This is really a do it all bike. It pedals well enough and is light enough to do any long distance event, and cant take enough of a hit to do DH races at respectable pace. This is exactly what I wanted.

Next for the bike will be a new Conti Rubber Queen for the front and want to give Specialized Ground control a go for the back wheel. Also considering try to get hold of an DRCV fork. The DRCV tech in the back shock works great.

Bike spec:
2011 Trek Remedy 9.9 Carbon
Older talas lower with newer upper kashima coated and taper steerer
Industry9 hubs with ZTR355, 15mm front axle, 12x142 rear
Formula R1 brakes
XTR shifters
XTR direct mount front derailleur
XTR rear derailleur
XTR crank with bashgaurd and 36 middle blade
Thomson stem and post
RaceFace sixc handlebar
Angled headset 0.5 slacken