Super 8
Some Christmas Cheer

Dear Santa - Tim's List

Photos Dave Smith and Google Images

Dear Santa, 

Off the hop 2017 has been a fantastic year. I think I've been particularly well behaved too. So Santa, I'm fairly sure you'll agree, I must be on the "Good List." I've gone and acquired almost everything I desire, so there really isn't much I want. With only a few requests for this Christmas, I'm hoping you can make the following happen:

1. Some Style

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying my riding is completely devoid of style. I have that angry crab racer thing down pat. But I've always been so impressed with those gorgeous, shoulder buzzing, one foot tables. You know the sort, the perpendicular near vertical bike, with the one foot dangling across the top tube. I have no idea how to work up to that move. Maybe I'm too old. Santa if you could drop off an instruction video, coaching classes, or some applicable exercises, that'd be most appreciated. 

Table.jpg

I love this style.


2. Waterproof Shorts

I really like riding through the winter. I love the sound of the rain falling and agglomerating into burbling brooks. I love the whimsical clouds that drift through the trees. I love how everything has a different degree of grip to offer, from none at all to sticky hero dirt. What I don't love is swamp ass and cleaning up afterwards. A pair of waterproof shorts to keep my tushy drier would take care of dislike #1. I'm all ears for suggestions on dislike #2.

race face agent.jpg

Waterproof shorts like the Race Face Agent would be perfect for winter riding around these parts.


3. We Are One Agent wheel set

I've been really impressed with the We Are One wheel set I've been reviewing so far. They've been thoroughly thrashed all summer, and continue to impress. I'm now in the wet months where we'll see if the Project 321 hubs prove their worth. Based on my experience so far, I'd love a set of these for Christmas.

nsmb_2017_gearreview_weareone_wheels-2049.jpg

Some lovely, local Canadian made hoops would go nicely under the tree


4. IWC Pilot's Watch

I'm a huge fan of mechanical watches. It's been a year since my last notable acquisition, and my wandering eyes are already looking around. After visiting the home of IWC in Schaffhausen, Switzerland their watches have caught my desire. I rather fancy their Pilot's Watches and Spit Fire series. Gorgeous pieces of man jewelery. 

IWC Pilots Watch.jpg

The IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph ... ummmmm um


5. Vintage DH Bike

I've always loved those crap car challenges on Top Gear, and I think vintage car racing is neat. Over some beers a few of us devised a mashup version for bikes; vintage DH bike race class. The rule book is growing in length, but basically the bike has to be old, cheap, heavy and pretty crap. Perry can even bring his BMW. I can't wait. Santa if you have an old DH bike lying around the shop, I'd love to take it off your hands. 

Super8.jpg

Huba huba.

Is there a vintage bike you'd love to hang on the garage wall?

Tags: Dear Santa, Christmas List
Posted in: Features, Gear

Trending on NSMB

kiwiana2 Kiwiana
[Forum] 2025 NSMB Hardtails Thread
Press_camp_Heretic-meybeck_jean-195 2025 Rossignol Heretic
CQ_2025_Injury-01 First Look: Cooper's New Titanium Hardware
[Forum] 2025 NSMB Full Suspension Thread
DM sea otter 2025 90 Some Sea Otter Stuff for 2025
DM matt kona heihei poc garber velocio 26 2025 Kona Hei Hei
Deniz merdano raceface era Ergon GD1 18 Race Face Era Bars and the Bar Width Conundrum

Comments

whatyouthink
+2 Tim Coleman Beau Miller

not to say i can do nasty shoulder buzzing tables but everything i have seen is if you lay on your back with your bike, you can practice that motion to understand how your arms and legs have to move to create that shape. easy safe way of practicing. the rest is commitment

Reply

Timmigrant
0

Hey that's a great tip, I'll be trying that. Thanks!

Reply

Kevin26
+1 Tim Coleman

I think these guys instructional videos are hit or miss but this one hits everything I've worked on 

https://youtu.be/mKvNk4KZXQk

For me learning to wrap the wrist around the bar you are pulling across your body was a big step and since then I've been working on the legs and hips

Reply

Hepcat
+2 Cooper Quinn Tim Coleman

This is the greatest idea in the history of mtb.

9, taping rocks. ★★★★★

Reply

hankthespacecowboy
+1 Beau Miller

I'm all about the vintage DH racing concept. The article about the Balfa BB7 nearly sidetracked my quest for a new squishy bike... Curious what the rulebook is looking like for your vintage DH series?

Reply

Timmigrant
+2 Beau Miller hankthespacecowboy

A Balfa BB7 is high on my want list for this racing category. The rules are an ebb and flow sort of thing:

Rule #1 Under $700 for the entire bike

Rule #2 2003 or older

Rule #3 Modern helmet without visor or period correct helmet. Sunglasses or period correct goggles

Rule #4 As many period correct parts on bike

Rule #5 9 speeds max

Rule #6 Single chain ring, the bigger the better

Rule #7 Double crown fork

Rule #8 Don’t be a dick

Rule #9 Min weight 40 lbs. Rocks will be applied to underweight bikes with duct tape. You don’t pick the locations.

Rule #10 Only Maxxis tire allowed is the Mobster, maybe a High Roller

Rule #11 Max bar width and wheel size is 26". Because #26forlyfe

Rule #12 25 minute time penalty for Intense M1 and Iron Horse Sunday. Those are cheating.

Reply

bart
+2 Tim Coleman Cooper Quinn

Are Hucktails allowed?  of course with same parts spec and dual crown fork - perhaps a Morphine with gazzi's?

Reply

Timmigrant
+2 AJ Barlas bart

Oh hardtails are absolutely allowed. My first DH race was done on a hardtail with a 7" double crown fork. Thems my roots!

Reply

cooperquinn
0

Allowed?!

They're ENCOURAGED. 

But, keep in mind, they're subject to the same weight restrictions as squishy bikes.

Reply

pete@nsmb.com
+1 Tim Coleman

Rule #4 needs a bit of work, methinks. Not enough incentive for ppl to go the extra mile. What if I add a Titec Hellbent saddle - and about 2.4 lbs - to the mix?

Rule #10 - High Rollers were all the rage back then. Mobsters were bike park fodder. But anyway, where would anyone find one?

Reply

Timmigrant
0

There are plenty of Mobsters on bikes on PinkBike buy and sell.

Reply

AJ_Barlas
+2 Cooper Quinn Tim Coleman

Roll out the Michelin Comp 16s and the Azonic Big Boy saddles. Pre Hayes HFX 9 brakes too!

Reply

cooperquinn
0

Its all about the "spirit" of the rules here, especially for #4. 

Show up with anything brand new and shiny*...... that's gonna be a penalty. Something like a Hellbent saddle is probably going to escape the judges ire. 

*The exception is handlebars. You're allowed to swap bars, for safety, to a new bar. However, it must be reduced in width to 26" or less.

Reply

pete@nsmb.com
+1 Tim Coleman

I forgot to ask: What trail will be used as the race course for this? That answer will carry eeyuge consequences.

Reply

cooperquinn
+1 Tim Coleman

Standard Fiver courses.

Timmigrant
0

Most likely CBC and or Ned's.

xy9ine
+1 Tim Coleman

i don't need any more bikes in my garage, but damn i like this format. that said, i'd relax all rules except for 1, 2, & 8 to encourage more participation / allow people to dust off whatever old iron they have kicking about. fully rigid clunker lining up with a 50lb tank bike? all good.

Reply

Timmigrant
0

These are less rules and more guidelines. Run what ya brung, but beware that anything deemed advantageous will be heavily penalized.

Reply

cooperquinn
+1 Tim Coleman

Think of it as LeMons rules, Perry. 

All rules are hard and fast rules; all competitors and judges can be bribed with libations appropriate to the severity of the infraction.

The M1 rule was actually crafted in the spirit of the E30 rule - an automatic 50 lap penalty.

Reply

extraspecialandbitter
+1 Tim Coleman

I have a 2002 ish Super T if anyone needs to retro out their bike.  It's heavy and flexy.

Reply

deleted_user_5817
0

This comment has been removed.

cooperquinn
+1 Tim Coleman

Boy. We're gonna need a lot of rocks and tape to bring that up to fighting weight.

Reply

trumpstinyhands
+1 Tim Coleman

I've got one of those Super 8s under my bed!

Reply

Timmigrant
0

Did you want to sell / donate it to the cause?

Reply

DaveSmith
+1 Tim Coleman

re: item 1 on this list. This is a gift for me as well - i should really add it to my list.

Reply

Timmigrant
0

Maybe we can go practice on our backs together ...

Reply

fed
+1 Tim Coleman

Hi Tim, Those We are one Agent wheel set seem very interesting, have you ridden The Santa Cruz Reserve wheel set? if differences between the two etc.  Thanks a lot, and happy Holidays

Reply

Timmigrant
0

Hey Fed, I haven't had a chance to demo the new Santa Cruz Reserve wheels, but I sure would like to. With Hope hubs the We Are One wheels come in a $600 cheaper than the Santa Cruz Reserve. I'd say the Hope and DT hubs are comparable. Considering the success I've had with the We Are One wheels, I think the $600 CDN differential would be hard to overcome to justify the Santa Cruz wheels. Weight is comparable, durability of the We Are One has been fantastic, fit of tires is excellent, the quality and finish of the We Are One are outstanding. 

Side note: I'm a fan of DT Swiss hubs, so I'd like to see a We Are One wheelset with those hubs in the future. It'd also make comparison of wheels a bit easier.

Second side note: for $75 more than the Reserve you can get the We Are One with the Project 321 hubs, which is the variant I'm testing. These hubs have been outstanding so far. If you desire a fast engagement hub these are the best I've tested so far. The friction is minimal, the sound isn't obnoxious, and the freehub is really slick with the magnetic pawls.

Reply

deleted_user_8375
0

This comment has been removed.

fartymarty
0

I've got a Keewee Cromo 8 frame I have had on sale on Pinkbike for ever if anyone is after an awesome old DH frame.... 

Part of me wants to keep it for my kids once they are big enough to ride it.  The other part of me would like to see someone else get some fun out if it like the Keewee K98 I sold earlier this year to an old skool DH fanatic.

Great idea for a race format though.

Reply

Timmigrant
0

What year is your KeeWee Cromo 8?

Reply

Please log in to leave a comment.