FrankenTrek

Posted by D-Rex on December 12, 2008 under Uncategorized | 2 Comments to Read

I cannot find what the proper mourning period is for a bicycle.
I have to admit, I feel guilty. It’s only been a few weeks since the demise of my 2004 Trek Liquid 25. It was hard there for a bit. But the good folks at Sunnyside Sports helped me through the rough spots. They took me at my word that I did, in fact buy my bike there, even though neither one of us could come up with any concrete proof. I stopped by when they told me that my new frame was in. I felt a twinge of guilt and more than a little excited when they lifted the shiny, new frame out of the box. A 2008 Trek EX-9. But my old friend was gone. I just sat at home, looking at the clear skies and watching every other car drive by with bikes on the rack and smiles on the drivers. What had I done?
I was driving the family through Hampton, Oregon on the way to my parents for Thanksgiving, when I got the call. Barb told me my bike was done. My bike. They had to replace the bottom bracket, a couple other parts, but I was free to pick it up. Suddenly, I started paying attention to the weather. Maybe this mild fall would continue. When I picked up the bike on Sunday night, the whole shop gathered and proclaimed what a deal I’d been given. This frame and rear shock alone retailed for more than my whole bike. The fork and other parts where scavenged from my old Liquid. It was like picking up your wife after breast enhancement surgery, or so I imagine. I don’t remember feeling any guilt.
Well, the weather did hold. No snow meant no snowboarding, no 3DB Wax sales, no interest. But I’ve spent the last couple weeks familiarizing my new frame with the trails around Bend. This would not have been possible last December, or most Decembers. On my first ride, I was riding up Ben’s Trail, on my way to the Heli-Pad and down Lower Whoops. It was awesome. I got off the trail to let some riders pass, then descended a bit, down a couple switchbacks and zoomed towards some riders stopped along the trail. It was Don and Barb from Sunnyside. Don said “Hey, nice bike!”
I yelled “Thanks!” and kept zooming.
“Makes that Liquid look like a piece of crap!” he yelled at me down the trail.
“I know,” I yelled back. At that moment, I felt stabbing pains as I remembered my old Liquid.
That was a good bike. But, for the life of me, I can’t remember what it felt like to ride it.

Welcome to the family Trek EX-9. I shall call you FrakenTrek.