Status Update

Here is where I am to date.  And I know its been awhile but good things are in the mix.
Both wheels are here, the rear wheel was purchased from Tree Fort Bikes in Michigan at the lowest price around, complete wheel for cheaper then other companies rims only.  Surly Large Marge rim with XT hub and skewer included.  I am loving TFB, since they are in Michigan everything makes it here very quickly at standard shipping and they have a lowest price guarantee with an option on their site which they load with web deals from other companies to make sure you are buying from they at the lowest possible price.  The front wheel is a 100mm that I had built thru Universal Cycles custom wheels builder option on their site.  Not only was it super fun to play with you have the option to pick your nipple color (which is always a plus) and spokes with over a dozen options with different colors, styles and thicknesses.  It is also a Surly Large Marge but center spun with a XT hub and included skewer.  I opted out of the 135mm/rear swap out option to save not only costs but weight.  I estimate I saved about $75 and a pound in weight.  I almost went with a Vicious Cycles Fat Sheba 80mm rim but read some really bad reviews and kept the Surly/XT theme going.
Whats not in the picture are my Avid BB7s mechanical disc brakes which I purchased via eBay from an online bike store here in Illinois for a crazy low price for 2011's, front and rears and brake levers. Slightly more $$ then the BB5's but with way better features including multiple adjustment locations without tools and drop in replace pad option.
Also what isn't in the picture is the 6'' of snow that we have on the ground.  Can not wait to get this up and running.

"Holy Kick Ass Seatpost Batman" - Robin

Isn't this seatpost sexy?   I am totally in love with Loaded Precision Components xlite seatpost.

The craftmanship is just beautiful and it looks like a million bucks and all for 25% off the website price. I found another great online resource for parts Huck n Roll    The seatpost was in the mail hours after purchasing it and a quick and painless transaction. Highly recommend them.
The anodized blue is just dreamy and the post has a milled appearance which gives it a "ribbed for her pleasure feel" that grips and locks into the seatpost....and man it almost felt like I was writing for a porno there for a second.  Well...back to I LOVE this thing!  Makes me want everything anodized blue.
Huge fan of Loaded Precision Components.

Surly Pugsley Fork

One of the only downsides of ordering the 9:ZERO:7 frame from Alaska was that it did not come with a front fork like the Pugsley Frameset. What that did, besides setting me back an extra $85 was give me the chance to determine my front wheel set-up. Most snow bikes have the ability to be built with two 135mm rear hubs, so you have the ability to have a 10 speed cassette and a fixed or single speed. It is a great option but it adds costs and around a pound in weight. The way around this is the 100mm non-offset Surly Pusgely front fork. I just received mine from Tree Fort Bikes   It is so bomb proof its ridiculous and comes with several braze-ons for brakes or racks.  Jet black fork looks super tough on the frame with the Chris King Patriot headset.
Tree Fort Bikes was super awesome to deal with, one of the cheapest on the market, with lightening fast turn around time and amazing packaging.  They are getting an "A" in the overall experience column

Chris King Headset

My first Chris King headset. Ahh. Isn't it pretty. I have always wanted a Chris King colored anodized headset and this bike was the perfect spot for one. I already have some components from my old Giant mountain bike that I wanted to use on the snow bike and with the red cockpit set-up of red anodized Kooka brake levels and red carbon fiber handlebar and lower section of a blue Caramba double barrel crank the only Chris King headset to get was  .... the "Patriot"
also as a bonus the flag of the Netherlands. Word to the Dutch!

I purchased the headset from the closet bike shop I liked or wanted to give my money to. Bicycle Heaven is a cool shop on a tough corner of 3 bicycle shops. There are three bike shops on the corner of Route 38 and Route 25...three. There is the "crazy guy shop" who sells strange brands, lives part of the year in, Brazil and is total creepy high pressure sales. An ok large brand store that does sell Electra's and I worked at briefly after college as a mechanic. And this newer shop called Bicycle Heaven that is next to creepy guy. Super nice people and got the headset for me at the same price as the cheapest internet shop and they installed it for free.
Great start.

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Good Lesson Learned...the hard way

So...good lesson just learned. If you have the funds, and see an item that you need and/or want at a great price......just get it!! Don't over think it. Don't think that you'll look around, and just check things out. Just buy it.
Lost a sweet deal on a Chris King Headset because I didn't just "buy it now". Just silly, I need one, it was an amazing price, I have the funds, but do you know what I currently don't have...that would be a SWEET ASS CHRIS KING headset. Darn
Back to the hunt!

New Blog - Snow Biker Chicago

SNOW BIKER CHICAGO is up and running!!!
This blog is to cover the building and adventures of my latest bicycle project. One that I hope sees me thru the darkest of winter months....a SNOW BIKE!!!

I have been looking at phat tire bikes for some time and I now have finally set the proverbial snow ball down the hill on a new bike frame. After countless hours online, I placed my order today for a Chain Reaction Cycles - 9:zero:7 snow bike frame. After just seeing the bike for a few minutes and reading thru the site and reviews on the internet I was in love with this frame. I purchased a dark gray - large - aluminum frame from Chain Reaction Cycles in Alaska and had an over all wonderful experience with them. Quick turn arounds on questions and requests made the buying experience just great.
907.... the 312 thanks you