Midriff-ter MTB began as a Rocky Mountain Fusion frame from Colorado with a custom Bronco's paint scheme. Once it landed in the BACK40, it got RaT-ified with a kustom RaT-ina paint job, and the rest is history. A 4 stage process to bring it to fruition with inspiration from vintage patina trucks from days gone by.
The 'Mid' part of the name comes from the 27.5 mid-fat Alex MD35 rims with a 2.8 " knobby on the front that floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee, and a 2.6" ground grabber in the rear that digs in and provides traction in all varieties of terra firma, and even some terra loosa. The tires are set up tubeless, for that unparalleled ride quality and trail shock absorption. Shimano disc rotors are grabbed by Tektro M-285 Hydraulic brakes and levers, to provide sure stopping power in the diciest of situations.
The cockpit is adorned with a Titanium railed Bontrager Evoke saddle mounted on the tried and true Thudbuster LT 90mm travel suspension post. I used it's ancestor the original Thudbuster back in '95 and Cane Creek has made this the go-to for hard tail suspension.
Shifting and braking and handling is in 'good hands' with the Salsa Rustler bar and Oury grips, which I have used exclusively on my mountain bikes since 1989! A Bontrager Line stem secures them to the steer tube of my "expensive date " ~ Funk Me (unquote) Rock Shox Judy SL 120mm suspension fork ( with kustom label fade paint job).
Powered by a Shimano 8 speed drivetrain, with 11-40t cassette and a 1x narrow / wide chain ring, this blends old school durability with new dynamics for a reliable and fun ride. The Bontrager Line pedals with replaceable studs and Action cranks put the 'pedal to the metal' and provide solid contact points for the rider.
The Blackburn frame pouch holds all the necessities for tire repair, a 17 tool multi-tool, and phone for emergency use or scenic location capture. And it snuggles in tight with the Blackburn bottle cage to provide needed hydration along the journey.
This build has put me back on track, single track, that is ; to the bike riding I have loved for the past 36 years. After a 2 year hiatus from the dirt, I am back grinding up hills, sliding through turns, bumping over rocks and roots, and sucking wind !
Here's to a few more good years in the dirt for this guy who is, well, old as dirt.
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