New year, New bikes, What's Next?

Welcome to a new year, another time for people to make new goals, aspire to greater life outcomes, diets, and adventures...usually ending in a luckluster attempt to impress friends over social media.  What about myself?  I realized I really like bikes, trying to go fast with fellow shredders and that's about it.  2018 is just a continuation of the stoke!  Riding is fun, but racing is the true addiction, with more and more events in the Enduro discipline popping up, my mission is to get out to the most possible before the ever diminishing checking account runs dry #BrokeCollegeKidRacing.  

So far the year has been off to a solid start, adding two fresh Specialized rigs to the bedroom which is looking more like a bike shop each day, but it just wouldn't be right to leave them freezing in the outside workshop, plus air pressures would change too much right?  Anyways, the new XC set up starts off with an Epic HT frame.  Jumping to conclusion early, this bike is cross country goals.  The Spec crew cut weight on an already light bike, got the head angle a tad slacker which better fits my downhill turnbars, and overall eliminates that awkward hardtail feeling for your average full-suspension guru. 

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Keeping to my intentions of becoming a speedy enduro racer, I had to get my hands on the updated Specialized Enduro for 2018, going with 29er wheel size for optimal acceleration.  A company that always pays attention to detail, implemented a few key changes making this an even more capable machine.  Longer reach,  the little "flip-chip" between the shock mounting and the yoke adjusts head angle and bottom bracket height, immediately closing the gap between Trail vs. DH bike.  To be honest, once setting it up in the low/slacker setting, I haven't touched it...a true downhill slayer that is ready to sprint up any climb as well.  Not to mention, the local Santa Cruz weather has provided some miraculous riding conditions which has added up more hours behind bars than expected lately.  

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First off, the Epic is fast.  This thing screams speed the second you start rolling around on it, making me wish my leg power could keep up with the intentions of this bike.  Climbing sees you moving quite a bit faster than I remember on my last hardtail, which may have more to do with trying to avoid Slurpees, but I'd bet the bike is pulling the weight in this situation...no pun intended.  For the Enduro, I couldn't stop smiling with each passing lap.  From hucks, g-outs, berm smashing, and rocks, the thing reminds me of what a DH bike is like, but one that actually carries speed when you're crankin.  Like a proper trail bike, it can pedal with ease but you don't realize its true potential until you're pinning it down something super steep and rough.  After some all time group laps and a few KOM's, I think it's living up to its name.  

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What's next?  Well since the majority of race series leave you anxiously waiting until close to summer until bringing the action, I'm trying to find my cross country fitness in hopes of being as competitive as possible in the local CCCX XC events beginning in a few weeks.  Once that pain settles, it'll lead into the Sea Otter Classic, all California Enduro Series, Crankworx Whistler EWS, and hopefully a Big Mountain Enduro or two.  We'll see what's possible while trying to balance things out, that Bachelor's degree will come at some point also.  

For now, catch me on the trail or possibly the road commuting once gas money becomes extinct after race registrations open, but we'll always be sending it!

Also I am super excited about support from Bell Helmets for this season, the world renown company happens to be headquartered about 15 minutes away making for a perfect connection.  The newly released Sixer trail helmet has been a favorite with a design and comfort level that makes it feel practically weightless on your head.  Plus the new Super DH and Full 9 lids give that extra protection and confidence when railing off that next jump or cliff side.

Epic HT Build: 

S-Works Large frame, Gamut TR 760mm bars/60mm stem, ODI Elite grips, Rockshox SID 100mm fork, Roval Control SL 29 wheels, Fast Trak Grid 2.3 tires (front/rear), Shimano XT shifter, brakes, 160mm rotors (front/rear), XTR 11-40 cassette, XTR derailleur, XT pedals, Praxis Works LYFT crank/34t ring, press fit BB, Power saddle. 

Enduro 29 Build:

Large frame, Ohlins TTX coil/525 spring, FOX 36 160mm fork, Gamut TR 760mm bars/50mm stem, ODI Elite grips, SRAM Guide Ultimate brakes/200mm rotors (front/rear), Butcher Grid 2.3 tires (front/rear), Praxis Works AL32 wheels, Girder Carbon crank/32t ring, threaded BB, chainguide, Shimano XT pedals, XT shifter/derailleur, XT 11-46 cassette, Fox Transfer 150mm dropper post, Power saddle. 

Thanks for reading!

-Nicky D instagram/twitter: @nickyd358

2018 Sponsors:

Specialized Bicycles, Praxis Works, Bell Helmets, 100%, SV Cyclesport, ODI Grips, Krawl Loco Clothing, Muc-Off, Stikrd, All Mountain Style, Hammer Nutrition.