New bike...

[Fovea]

I am building up a EZ Sport LE from my old steel ez sport.

Same seat, same bars, but Ultegra crank, Shimano Deore LX rapid rise rear, and XT front ders.

The AL frame shaves a whoppin 9 lbs off the bike, and I feel it on the test rides I have done... Wow does it climb good.

Pics soon.

[Fovea]

1. Wow.

I can't begin to say how different the AL version of the bike is.
It climbs like a goat, and really jumps out on the flat.

It seems a couple inches shorter, and the cornering is sharper.
The tracking is right on. If I had better balance, I suspect I could ride this bent no hands.

Amazing what going to a 32 lb bike from a 44 lb one will do.

[wtmusic]

2. Pictures? nt

[Fovea]

3. Here we go... aluminum EZ sport

Light for a bent, Ultegra and Deore XT power train.

Built it from the frameset.

[Longhorn]

4. It must be really cool to build your own bike.

That looks like a nice one. Looks comfortable, too. Thanks for sharing the photo!

[Fovea]

5. It really gives me a sense of acccomplishment

It does take some special tools, but if you do most of your own upkeep, the tools are a bargain.

I don't do wheels, though. I just can't seem to make it work for me. I think it is an affect of the stroke.

But yeah, the bike is really a lot lighter than the steel version.

[Kolesar]

6. I'll bet!

I have only done repairs and overhauls on my bikes, but I know the special thrill of cutting cable housings and repacking bearings. Your mind just takes you away to dreams of riding nirvana. (I rode my bike to work today and am still mildly euphoric.)

Did you go with a splined crankshaft or traditional square-taper? What kind of gear ratios work on a 'bent?

[Fovea]

7. Specs.

Shimano Ultegra splined hollow BB with 52-42-30 road triple.

Shimano Deore XT rapid rise Rear Der with long cage.

11-32 Shimano LX rear hub on Alex DA16 rear rim with Serfas 100psi flat prevention strip tire.

Deore XT front Der.

Sram half pipe shifters.

Alex DA 16 front 406 ISO rim with Kenda Kwest 110psi tire.

Giant adjustable 1 1/8" quill long stem.

Handlebars and seat came from older steel ez sport.

Light, stiff, and fast. It climbs better than any other bent I have ridden.

[BiggJawn]

8. Nice Bike!

Curved tubes! Cool!

[seemunkee]

9. Looks great