| Make: | Vicious Cycles |
| Model: | Motivator |
| Year: | 2004 |
| Size: | large |
| Color: | blue |
| Serial Number: | 2333 |
| Frame: | tig-welded steel - Reynolds 853 |
| Fork: | Vicious Cycles steel unicrown |
| Headset: | Chris King - 1 1/8 in. threadless |
| Front Derailler: | Shimano XTR m901 |
| Rear Derailler: | Shimano XT |
| Rear Cogs: | Shimano XT 12-34 |
| Hubs: | American Classic disc (front) / DT Swiss 240s disc (rear) |
| Rims: | American Classic (front) / Velocity VXC Disc (rear) |
| Brakes: | Magura Marta SL |
| Levers: | Magura Marta |
| Shifters: | Shimano LX 9-speed |
| Cranks: | Shimano XTR 24/34/46 |
| Bottom Bracket: | Shimano XTR octalink |
| Pedals: | Shimano m959 |
| Bar: | Easton EC70 23 in. |
| Stem: | Race Face Deus 130mm |
| Bar Ends: | Bontrager Race Lite |
| Seat Post: | Thomson Elite 27.2mm |
| Saddle: | Serfas Lola |
Big Wheels Keep on Rollin'
The Motivator is my first 29er bicycle. If you're unfamiliar with 29ers, they are mountain bikes that use rims identical in outer diameter to a 700c rim (i.e. road bike) - this gives the bike's wheels an approximate 29-inch diameter, about 30% larger than the more ubiquitous 26-wheel. Is it better? For some things yes, but the main thing is that it's a fun change.
I'd been looking for a 29er frame for some time, but had not found the correct balance of fit, uniqueness, and price in a frame. Suddenly this frame dropped into my lap at a very reasonable price, and everything else went from there. I bought the frame in late 2005 and had it ready for the trails by early 2006.
Vicious Cycles is based in New Platz, NY, and is the frame shop for Carl Schlemowitz. This 10th anniversary (or 70th anniversary in dog years) frame and rigid fork are build by Vicious in New York state. The frame has several unique features (I'll get pics some day) including: unique front brake housing routing that has the housing pass housing behind the fork, Fat City Cycles inspired "bullet-style" chain and seat stay ends, a bottle opener on the non-drive chain stay, and Carl's dog Shayla is pictured on the head tube. All of these make the Motivator a little different from your standard bike.
One of the claims of the "big wheel" set is that the bikes roll over obstacles much better than their 26-inch counterparts, and I agree that this is definitely the case. Downhill this bike feels great - smaller bumps are hardly felt, and larger ones are much less significant to the large wheels. Climbing is good as well.
The Motivator is one of the best riding bikes that I've ever owned, it does everything well. While the big wheels are nice, the frame's geometry is what sets this bike apart from others that I've owned. It is consistently a great bike at all times. But alas, I ordered a custom 650b wheeled bike, and something has to go. The Motivator will be a parts donor to the new bike when it arrives. Assuming that the new bike is all that I hope it to be, this bike will be sold. It's been a great bike for two and a half years.
-el 5/30/08