Fast

That would be my mountain bike. I picked up my Titus Racer X from Benidorm over the weekend after getting some work done. With ship date for trip to AZ looming, a test ride was imperative. Last year, I had a 44t/29t chain ring set up with an 11-34 in the back and I just recently picked up a 42t big ring. I figured losing 2 teeth in the front was no big deal as I don't think I've EVER spun out on the mtb. I also went with an 11-32 in the back because even on the steepest/longest pitches (think Mt. Snow) I rarely used the 34. Doing the math, you're faster walking. So the new drivetrain configuration now afforded the use of a medium cage rear derailleur. A couple of advantages here would be improved shifting by allowing for shorter chain length and a little more ground clearance to (hopefully) avoid the dreaded rear derailleur shearing. Been there, done that. I think smaller chain ring difference up front will also improve front derailleur performance as well.

So I headed up to the lake for a couple laps to see how she's running. I was immediately impressed with rear derailleur performance- fast and very crisp, almost like a road derailleur. The Stan's ZTR wheels are amazing. The Karmas at 35psi were rolling magnificently. I was enjoying the ride experience thoroughly when I looked over to the lake and I saw a bald eagle lifting off the ice. There was no doubt- white tail feathers and a white head, not to mention immense size. It took off flying North, probably headed for the Colebrook Reservoir on the CT/MA border, ~8 miles "as the eagle flies".

I ran 175mm cranks last year and though they provided better leverage for torquing over techy stuff, my lower back would feel like someone was jabbing knives into it toward the end of a race. I popped out the cranks, sold them, and picked up some 170s. As I was riding the lake, it felt like I was spinning better, applying power evenly throughout the pedal stroke. With the 175s I lost some of the power at the very top and bottom of the stroke. My hope is that the better spin with the 170s will help with the technical loose 20% climbs where constant torque is needed. Sound like fun, right?

Kicking it up a bit on lap 2, I was surprised how fast I was. I guess it's not bad for a sub LT ride over rolling terrain on a mtb. I'm not sure how much of it was the wheels or maybe I'm in better shape than I think I am. The bike weighed a tick under 23# which is pretty damn good for a full suspension mtb.

Returning home, I cleaned the bike up and I was now faced with the enviable task of breaking it down and packing it in the TriCo case. This was my maiden voyage in this arena so I did a little research on the internet and bombarded Doug with multiple emails. I ended up removing pedals, chain, handlebars from stem, seatpost/saddle from frame, and rear derailleur from hanger. I wrapped handlebars with towel and ball bungeed to frame, wrapped rear derailleur in foam and placed in rear triangle. I put spacers in brake calipers, and spacers in rear drop out and fork. I didn't have to take air out of fork but it probably would have allowed for a few more inches of space. The lady at the FedEx "authorized ship center" (more on this later) said I had up to 80lbs for my size package (huh huh) so I also threw in the following: hand pump, shock pump, tools for bike assembly, mtb shoes, helmet, spare tire and tube, camelbak, canister of Perpetuum, bottle of Hammer Gel, water bottle, chain lube, Stan's, grease, and probably a few other things I forgot. Placing foam over bike and gear, I then put wheels on top of that layer, rotors down. The 26" wheels fit comfortably but I can see how a 29er would probably require tire deflation. I then placed another piece of foam over the wheels along with the other half of the case. Looking at this "bike gear sandwich" I thought to myself that this compression procedure from 20+" to 11" is going to be a barrel of fun. Strap by strap, inch by inch I finally got it. I sweat more in that half hour than I did on the ride that night. I had read that this procedure is a lot easier when someone can stand on the box while you tighten straps. I agree.

In the days leading up to the bike packing I probably was on FedEx.com maybe 50 times running all sorts of size/weight scenarios for shipment to AZ. There is a "hold at location" option with FedEx so that Sunday night we can hit the FedEx near our hotel that's open 24hrs and pick up the bikes. So TriCo says their bike box dimensions are 47" x 30.5" x 10.5". My actual measurements of the box were 47" x 29" x 10 5/16". The deal is that FedEx uses some sort of dimensional weight formula. Not sure exactly how they calculate this but here was the breakdown:

47x 31x 10= $113.82

47 x 30 x 11=$110.76

47 x 30 x 10=$103.36

47 x 31 x 11=$166.27 <--Effed

These costs are for 60lb ship weight (though I'm allowed 80 with no price difference) along with $4k of insurance.

So I was told by a woman at the Packaging Depot (do not go there fellow cyclists) that "their measurements are very precise and FedEx uses lasers". I'm kicking myself now for not measuring box height after packing the bike, but oh well. I guess I assumed because each side of the box was flush that it was at the most, still below 11" in height, given empty box height of 10 5/16". Length and width dimensions remain unchanged as the contents of the box are in no way changing my initial measurements. I wheel the box in the place, a guy puts it on the scale and it's 72#. Ok, no issues there. He gives me a form to fill out while he busts out his trusty tape measure. Here we go. He literally measures all 3 dimensions in less than 10 seconds. I stopped midway through my form filling and asked him what measurements he got. He says, "47 x 30 x 12". He gives me an attitude as I questioned his height measurement. "It was over 11", so it's 12"," he flatly states. (.1" over and FedEx apparently rounds up) Well, I knew this was heartbreak hotel. I asked him the cost. "$130". I wasn't about to get into a measurement debate with this guy but it almost seemed like he knew that by inflating one of the measurements it would result in a significantly higher cost. At this point I really just wanted to get the damn bike shipped. I opted out of insurance because I didn't feel like giving this douche another dime of my money. I find it funny how the lady I spoke with earlier said that FedEx uses lasers for measurement but this a-hole takes a height measurement of a less than 12" tall package from a standing position with a floppy tape. Oh well, lesson learned. I will no longer go to an "authorized ship center" or Packaging Depot for that matter, ever again. I'm hoping sending bike home will cost less. If there's a measurement issue in Tucson, I will be going behind counter and measuring the damn box myself. Or strangle employee with it.

Sorry for rant. I'm done.