It a compromise to having the complete seatmast you’ll see on road bikes. I believe it allows the frame designer more control over the desired feel of the frame by eliminating an external factor like a seatpost. Yes its lighter however the supplied carbon seatpost is a normal 330mm length.

Official trek spiel:
Seatmast systems are lighter and offer an added level of compliance to a frame, allowing the rider more control and less fatigue. However, traditional seatmast systems require cutting the frame to achieve the perfect fit.

With our no-cut system, riders can get the performance advantage of a seatmast system with the versatility and adjustability of a traditional seatpost.

Yeah agree, carbon cage maybe, and I could loose a CM off each side of the bars to reduce it a bit.

It wouldn’t take much to drop it a whole kilo to be honest, simply going XTR would do that, however that’s the cost of a pair of hand built wheels for the CX season. Oh decisions, decisions

Yes, I race the regional XC series as well as the national marathon (?) series, both in the UK equivalent of expert class

Apart from the client, Gothenburg

You can be lardy and fit, for sure. I’ve had my single figure body fat arse kicked a number of times by people carry extra weight, no shame there.

How do you define equal fitness? If we use Watts/KG, then its a question of can the skinny guy add muscle quicker than the bigger guy loose weight. I’d still state that the bigger guy will have further to travel to reach his max fitness level.

They have more “potential” as they are starting further back on the fitness scale.

Stick some rigid forks on the Chameleon and some thinner tyres as a first off.

You’ll quite likely regret selling it, and you’ll certainly get less than you want for it.

Surprised about Offenberg too, two of the best/most technical courses gone.

Cool, I’ll keep a look out for it/you.

? you based in Swedenland ?

See you at Bockstensturen then! Might need to take it for a quick test spin 😀

Update.

Frame broke Thursday last week.

I dropped the frame off at the dealers on the Friday with original paper work and photo evidence.

Dealer contacted Trek Europe then Trek USA

Supplied more photo’s

Heard nothing

Out of the blue a new 2011 frame arrived at the dealers yesterday and they are even being reimbursed by Trek to built it for me.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/cross_country/9_series/elite_9_9_ssl/#

Hopefully I’ll pick it up built next Wednesday.

Fantastic customer service. Very pleased I’ve recommended Trek to three friends who’ve gone on and bought them.

That looks like its going to be really nice!

I’d have gone for a matching Ritchey seatpost so everything looked the same, but that’s just my obsessiveness.

Is this for XC racing purposes?

Nice, very very nice.

Will look even better without that headset stack, as you’ve said

Enve make some lovely road rims as well, up there with Zip 303/404’s.

I run some horrid Kenda tyres for normal training, messing around rides and last season raced with Michelin Mud two’s. No punctures from either so far….

This year I might well go tubs for racing

Worth looking at Sapim CX Ray spokes if you’re into weight savings.

If you’re not racing then forget going with tubs then, a normal clincher rim will be perfect.

Talk to Jonathan at Strada, lovely handmade wheels:

http://www.stradawheels.co.uk/shop/velocity-major-tom-cyclo-cross-wheelset/

Last years race bike, now demoted to road riding and turbo training duties.

OK, thanks, the Cotic website states a steel fork is provided.

Lovely Cotic X there!

Does anybody know the weight of the fork? Would have thought that there was some potential weight loss there by going carbon?

Paul78 – What wheels are those?

Canyon AL 8.0, (I’d rather had 11 speed Campag than Ultegra),

thanks mrmo, good to know.

njee, are all the carbon Treks coming with tapered headtubes now? I’m waiting on a warranty on my 2009 elite 9.9ssl.

What does that mean to my current fork, can I use it as-is?

Mine, poor camera phone photo, sorry

3T bars and stem, lovely!

Meant to racing Saturday in the regional XC series but a broken Trek means I’m having to ask around for a loan bike until a new one arrives.

Waiting in hope at the moment.

Canyon?

Thanks, one of the reasons I bought the frame was the reputation Trek had with their warranty, even for those who race.

I’ll report back tomorrow.

Thanks John, just checked the Dugast website, didn’t realise they did the Rhino in a 29er.

nice photo’s, is rider 219 of these woods?

Curious to know if that’s a 29er with tubs?

Sounds expensive for them, shipping just forks over cost me £15.

Good article that, no idea of the location though

Class!

For rock, pop, classic, or opera then whole albums, if its jazz then I may listen to a particular performance.

Bump, still looking…

YGPM

Yeah its a US based magazine, swap it for a copy of Privateer?

I use a Bell Sweep for XC racing, excellent fit and vents well. S Works lids look nice but not tried one

The Shutt one is nice, I’m using it when the weather dictates. £69, well worth it:
http://www.shuttvr.com/shop/productdetail/Shutt-Race-Cape/