You know the saying “good things come to those who wait?”, well, the original saying, which was shortened for public consumption was written by a cyclocross racer in Belgium back in the 1850’s. His text, which was later transcribed on his tombstone said “good things come to those who wait all ‘cross season…”
Here we are, at the end of the 2014 season, with all but two races left for the year, States and Nationals. Most of us are at our peak fitness, or maybe we’re already packing on the winter weight, but for whatever reason, suddenly I feel a lot stronger. Those parts that have been waiting for months suddenly have a home and my bike rack in the house, with that empty hook, finally has a mate. This is the peaceful twin, to the black metal steed, my Geekhouse Mudville.
When this project was first announced, I was honored to have Luis and Geoff from Mudfoot think of me to be involved. I can’t help but think Aaron Stinner may have had something to do with it as well. After a few email correspondences, Aaron agreed to ditch the “production geo” and go full custom. He asked which geometry I preferred and to be honest, I was completely satisfied with my Geekhouse, so we stuck to that for the most part, save for a half a º steeper head tube.
Then the question arose: disc or canti? Since this is my race bike, I chose cantilevers. I’m not opposed to disc brakes, I’d just prefer them to be on an “all-road” bike with a lower bottom bracket. Part of the fun of riding a cross bike off-road and on trails is the geometry.
Aaron Stinner loves True Temper and vice versa, so he chose a full OX Platinum tubeset, with a milled down head tube to reduce weight. The wheels are something new. My first tubeless setup thanks to the Pacenti SL23 rims and a “fingers crossed” moment of setting the 40mm WTB Nano tires up – which seem to be working. Chris King R45s and Paul Components skewers round the “feet” off of this Mudfoot.
ENVE everything and one of the new – to me – Fizik Kurve saddles. I’ve been riding one of the old ones on my Geekhouse all season. I stuck with the Speedvagen ENVE stem because I like the integration and functionality of it. Now all I need is to find my spare Hunter Nugz… The component – or rather components – that brings the entire build together is my favorite group, designed specifically for cyclocross, SRAM’s CX1. As a working unit, it’s unmatched in my opinion and if you ever have the chance to ride it, you’ll see what I’m talking about.
Most of the discussion with regards to the frame’s powder and the carbon bits’ paint has been had over at the frameset Gallery post, so head there for any questions you might have and all I’ll say is, yes, this bike rides really nice. Part of the difference I notice is in the rear end. My Geekhouse’s stays are a bit beefier, so that was the first noticeable difference.
For now, using my Mudville as a pitbike has helped in both this weekend’s past races, but the future of that bike is uncertain. Maybe I’ll make it a singlespeed? Or maybe I’ll keep it the same? The build kit and geometries are almost identical, which is great for a pit bike but very redundant. I love both bikes, but it just so happens this one is new and something new always delivers a boatload of confidence. At least, until I crash on some trail, somewhere.
The build weight, with 40mm tires and pedals is 18.5 lbs.
I want to thank Aaron Stinner and Geoff McFetridge for making this happen, Jonathan at Mellow Johnny’s for the build and all the companies who support Mudfoot.
#rubbersideup