YiPsan Modifications

Lately I have made quite a few modifications to my YiPsan mountain bike. On the list was an XTR crank, a new bash guard, Effetto Mariposa Caffelatex tubless gunk, and a Shimano SLX double specific front dérailleur. This post is regarding the latter.

It is no secret that a bash guard is quite nice for East Coast mountain biking. The SLX dérailleur helps two-ring riders further exploit the benefits of ditching the big ring. This modification dramatically increases your tire/front dérailleur clearance. On my YiPsan the cage of the dérailleur is completely out of the way. The tire would hit the stay before the shifting component. This is a real benefit for those of us who like fat tires. If you are a bash guard user you should consider this alteration. If you are considering running a guard you can learn more about them here. Cheers!

1976 Raleigh Tourist DL1

I have always wanted a rod-brake bicycle and last weekend I achieved that goal. I am now the proud owner of a 1976 Raleigh Tourist DL1. The bike is in near mint condition and rides great. The neat and funny thing about this bike is that the technology is curiously retro for 1976. The bike could have easily been made decades earlier. I guess the folks in Nottingham England were feeling nostalgic when they built this bike. The bike will be at the shop for a while so stop on by and check it out. www.thebicycleescape.com

2010 Giant Bowery Mash Up

Here is Giant's fun and funky new fixed gear, the Bowery Mash Up. All decked-out in retro colors and able to be set up fixed or free. Love it or hate it, it is most definitely funky. More pics here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thebicycleescape/

Crown Jewel

The latest build here at old TBE was this Independent Fabrication Crown Jewel (of the steel persuasion) for Dennis. The frame is built with Dura-Ace 7800 bits and a Chris King headset. The elegant down tube decal is the script style. It is newer to the IF decal options.