Masi CXR Cyclocross bike Review

I've been riding this for several months now and have put in the first 1000 miles of punishment on the frame.  The bike overall seems to be PERFECT.  Some of this is my fault due to the fact it was a frameset and I hand picked all the parts.  However as frames go this one is very stiff and responds well to being stood over the included carbon fork (except steer tube) unlike some I've had actually eats a little road noise.  I have used this bike everywhere, 2 gravel centuries, a couple paved metrics, a dozen cross races, and single track.  Here is the list of what I ended up with for extras:

Shifters - Sram red
Derailliers - Sram Force (both)
Cassette - Sram 1050 (11-28)
Crankset - Bontrager Xlite Carbon road ( 53/39)
Handlebars - Origin 8 Gary bar
Wheels - Mavic kysrium elite
Seat - Brook Swift
Brakes - Avid shorty 6
Tires - Specialized houffaize cx (awesome tires! works with or without tubes)

I have to say this being my second Masi bike I really like there frames.  The only thing I would even think about changing on the frame is to add a disc brake mount for more options in the future, but dont settle for a crummy frame just for disc brakes rim brakes work just fine.

Trailerless park ride

I guess I can't call them trailer park rides anymore since the burleys have been out grown :(  But on the plus side the kids can ride the distance now.  Last night was 7.5 miles with about 5 miles of single track. Tonight was almost nine miles with a blacklabel and some super winds.  Patrick can avg 9 mph on a single speed 16" bike.  He complete the ride with us from my house to Colby Park and back (with a 20 minute break at the park) in 1 hour of ride time 8.9 miles.  I was impressed, the only kid complaining at the end was Abbie on the back of the tandem 'it's cold' I said stop soft pedaling and work and you will warm up.  However 16 miles in 2 days is alot for little legs, but the spring is only beginning.

Off the Front

Park Time

Windsor Heights has WAY too much money

Denmans with 3 kids and a Tandem

Took the T-900 for it's first real single track ride tonight.  Also took the Austyn and Patrick for there first solo ride though denmans.  Both of them are really good off road riders already.  We even stopped in a couple spot where they couldn't get over stuff and tried multiple times to get over stuff.  The tandem is a little of a learning curve,  I was surprised that I could get around all the corners and in  between the trees.  I was able to get the front wheel about 4" off the ground so I think with some practice I could clean some of the logs but not very many.  We also were able to climb the hill on the side of the levy, surprisingly you can really get alot of power on a tandem.

Dirt Drop Review

Okay so I got a Origin 8 Gary bar last year for my Touring bike.  I liked it so much I got another one for my San Jose.  After much thought I finally decided to loose the carbon Fsa Kwing on my cross bike and "upgrade" to dirt drops for it also.  So yesterdays metric was the test ride for that.  Good choice!  the metal bars feel alot more stable than the carbon and I like the control I have with the slightly wider drop position. I can tell the difference in the amount of shock and road noise that get to my hands on the gravel but not a bid deal.

Gravel Metric #7

A very windy day of riding took a south route to Bevington then worked my way back into the wind to Badger creek.  Finished my 62 miles under 5 hours :)

Bevington, Iowa
I wish I would have brought enough cash to eat here (Hitching post) there food is great!
but Kum & go was good enough for my budget

Stopped for a break here thought it was fitting, this is were I decided to
bail out on CIRREM.  

Lunch of champions afterwards!