Mountain Biking, Espresso, Photography, Travel, Fish, and Palindromes

After months of researching the best 29er bikes under $3000, I found a great deal on CL for a 2011 Specialized Epic Comp 29. In 2011, the Epic Comp 29 was $3000 brand new. This bike was upgraded with Easton Haven wheels (setup tubeless), Continental X King 29 rear tire, XT front and rear derailleurs, FSA 2X10 crank, and FSA bottom bracket. It also has the Specialized BRAIN technology incorporated into both the Fox rear shock and the Rockshox Reba fork. For about half of my initial $3000 budget, I couldn't pass it up! FIRST IMPRESSIONS Just from looking at it, I thought the Epic looked big.  The frame size is Large, but I guess the 29" wheels really made it seem tall.  Once I got it home, I compared it to my Cannondale Jekyll 900 SL (Medium frame) and found that it really wasn't that much bigger.  It is, however, noticeably lighter. Since I just purchased the Epic, I've only had it out once. That one time was enough for me to know that I love this bike. I took

"If money wasn't a factor…”  This is the poor dreamer’s adage.   Six little words (in this case four words, a contraction, and an ellipse) that cry, “Shiny, new, desire”! This is a simple expression of desire to attain that which is fiscally unattainable.  With that said, if money wasn't a factor…my new 29er full suspension mountain bike would be a Santa Cruz Tallboy C with the SPXXC292X10 kit (Shimano XT all around paired with a 2x10 drive train . This isn't Santa Cruz’s cheapest 29er, but it isn't their most expensive either.  Its middle-to-high end components on a carbon frame.  Unfortunately for me, at $5500-6000 a middle/high end Tallboy is still $2500-3000 higher than my budget. Those same components on a Santa Cruz aluminum frame would still be $1500-2000 more than my $3000 threshold.  Determined, I decided to compare other bike models that fall within my budget to see what kind of wallop I can get for my wallet.  Yes!  Research time!  I studied si

I am really close to someone who suffers from a disorder that I classify as obsessive-passion syndrome (although it’s more of a “hobby-accumulation trait” than a true medical disorder.) My friend’s real problem is that he has more interests than he has time or money...and every few months he finds something new to do, become, have, or see.  Mountain bikes with 29 inch wheels, high-end espresso grinders, DSLR cameras with associated accessories, vacations, cichlids, and words read the same backwards as they are forwards…nothing is safe from this obsession. To this end, my friend spends hours studying any information that he can garner on the topic du jour.  He researches researcher’s research.  He reads expert opinions and consumer reviews to determine which brands and models are the best.  He scours the internet to discover the best prices. Then he creates beautiful spreadsheets with components, sub-components, specifications, and the best price for each model in his price ra