Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

With a ton of snow on the way and with a long day at the office behind me, I felt the need to get outside for a ride before being locked in on the trainer for the next couple of weeks until the snow clears.  The only problem was, snow from a different storm was planned for tonight.  No problem...I'll just take out the 29er.

I haven't gotten to ride the bike in some time between triathlon training on the tri bike, riding the new road bike and riding the new cyclocross bike.  And I'm sure glad I did.  With large white flakes starting to come down, I headed out to the trails around my house.  In daylight, the trails aren't all that bad, but do offer some really fun rooty type riding with some rock gardens and a lot of hills.

In the dark, however, things get much tougher and with the snow coming down hard, tougher yet.  The trail was frozen and still partially covered with leaves.  It was difficult riding, but it was so much fun.  I didn't go far but I had a blast, got the heart rate up and got the duldrums of my ho hum day in the office behind me.  I gotta do that again!!

My Review of the Pivot Vault Cyclocross Bike

As you know, I recently purchased a Pivot Vault cyclocross bike. I got this bike on a killer deal after my initial purchase of a Niner RLT fell through. I have to say, I can't complain one bit. This bike is my new favorite ride!

I was looking for a bike to ride in crappy weather, especially in the winter, so disc brakes was a big deal to me. And I knew that I wanted something that I could ride both on the road and on the many gravel trails and single track around my house. The Pivot Vault is one heck of a bike for that.

The carbon frameset is nicely complimented by Shimano Ultegra 11 drive train, some TRP hybrid hydro disc brakes, and a very sturdy 386EVO bottom bracket. For what I paid for this bike, I got a steal. I did make some changes right off the bat. I replaced the Kenda small bloc tires with Schwalbe Sammy Slicks which are better in muddier conditions. I also replaced the saddle with my favorite Fizik Arione. I used an older, lighter alu handlebar as well, although I might switch back to the FSA compact bar that was supplied with the bike.  I also replaced the crank with a matching Ultegra crankset for purposes of consistency and some small weight savings.

The bike is not the lightest bike, despite the fact that it is carbon. I haven't officially weighed it yet, but I would guess around 18lbs. As a trainer bike, this is all fine with me. Plus, once I add the bike lights, the tail light, my heavier mountain bike shoes and pedals and all my winter clothes, does it really matter anyway. I'm not going to be feathery light on this bike much of the time. So it serves me well for my training purposes.

The first thing I noticed about the ride is how stable it is as compared to my road bike. I mean, it was quick and responsive but as stable as a barge. You are not slipping out anywhere on this bike. You can also tell that it is made for bumps and bruises and to be ridden hard. This bike is no prima donna meant only for the roads. I've now taken it on single track, over roots, mud, gravel and I've even done some bunny hops on it...it just keeps on tickin'.

The adjustability of the bike can't be beat. You can set it up with either disc brakes or cantilever brakes. How many bikes can say that?

The Stan's wheels supplied come with tubes and tires but are tubeless ready. I purchased the sealant but have not installed it yet. I think running tubeless will be a game changer on the bike. I was bouncing all around on my ride today. I am anxious to see the changes that come from the switch to tubeless.

The bike is nimble and quick, although I expect to be much more response and quick once summer comes and I don't add another 5 pounds to the bike.

I am still getting used to the Ultegra 11 drive train. I've been riding SRAM red for years now and I am used to the confirmatory click that comes when you change gears. The Shimano shifters give you no such direct feedback leaving me wonder whether the gears actually changed. Again, this is in part due to the fact that I've been riding with heavy winter gloves. Perhaps when those come off I'll feel the click a bit better. I will say that the shifters are buttery smooth and take absolutely no effort to switch from gear to gear or multiple gears at one time. This is my first shot at an 11 speed system as well. I can't say that it is an end all be all, but I'm sure that extra gear is a nice addition even if it is not in the front of my mind while I ride. At no point did I say to myself, wow it is nice to have that extra gear.

I have to say that this is, by far, the most fun bike in my stable. It's ability to ride smooth on the roads and trails provides an incredible amount of versatility during a ride and makes riding so much more fun and interesting. There is no where you can't go. And you don't have to endure the penalty of thick nobbies on the road or the fear of riding of slicks on rough terrain.  This bikes provides the ability to ride both. It is unbelievably well equipped right out of the box and rides extremely well. Additionally, its ability to convert to a canti system from disc brakes is unmatched in the industry.

If you are looking for a fun ride, I highly recommend the Pivot Vault.