The journey started on Saturday morning, i went to Penang Island which consumed MYR 120 for fuel covering 650km of mileage
The objective? I went to my wife's best friend wedding and Penang was the last destination. After visiting few friends in Penang, I resumed with my "special" task, which is collecting an Azonic Evolution complete Dirt Jump bike. I met Kevin, the owner of the Azonic which decided to sell off his bike due to his plan to migrate to Australia.
He sold the Azonic at MYR 1000, at first, i thought it is a really damaged bike because Kevin described it as a used DirtJump bike and after googling it, what makes me more worried is the frames is a 2002 model... hmmm, i thought this is it, i made another stupid mistake... i promised to him that i confirmed to buy his bike on the 23/11/08 via phone although the pics posted on the net is very very blurry, not forgetting that the post already nearly 2 months old on the date i contacted him. A promise is a promise so the deal is on.
The Azonic Evolution in her previous life begging for mercy to avoid cruel dismemberment(pic taken by the previous owner), Before dismantled to fit into my car small rear compartment.
I can't afford to buy new stuff that's why i decided to buy this bike and dismantle the parts i interested with, install unused parts from my recent bike(Dabomb Sputnik) and sell it to a friend.
I met him today, what a surprise, the item condition really mesmerized me.... the front shock is SWEET!!!! superbly like new, it is a Marzocchi Dirt Jumper 1 which is the high-end version for DJ use in 2002 with THRU AXLE, the bike frame condition is OK and the bike seems like never been ridden for years.... maybe 5 or 4 years cos the tires have cracked badly. The design also aren't old fashioned at all... it is just nice.
The Dirt jump 2 specs
# 130mm Travel
# Open Bath SSVF Valving
# Coil Springs
# Mg Powerwrap'M'-Arch
# External Preload & Rebound Control
# 30mm Aluminum DJ Stanchions
# QR20PLUS Drop-outs
The fork comes with compression and rebound setting options, nice! cos i tested Rock Shox PIKE the day before and i really recommend it for those whom going for PIKE or RECON, try to get coil spring (low-maintenance) with compression adjustability/external flood gate adjustability (I used RECON 351 without flood gate adjustability and the fork just too soft and reach/bottoming full travel easily, you dont want that when you attempting to land on a steep slope, it is just too harsh... i can hear clunking each time i clear a big drop... and yes, i sold it)
Kevin's Azonic Evo specs
Frame: Azonic Evolution
Crank: Deore LX 2002 with aluminum bashguard, only one ring used
Hubs: Rear LX front unknown Thru Axle
Single speed conversion kit
Stem handlebar: Azonic short and Azonic riser
Headset: YTF industries
BB: Shimano LX
Brakes: XTR V brakes, Deore XT levers
Rims: MAVIC D521 rims
I was thrilled and happy till i forgot that i was going to wish for a lower price...LOL. most marzocchi used fork are selling between 1000~1600 MYR without hub but this one comes with a thru axle hubs, rims, frames etc etc!
At that moment, I thanked God very much... why? previously last week i was going to buy a Marzocchi Bomber Z1 BAM 1996 fork but the deal turned sour cos someone bidded the fork price higher than i offered to the trader. There is always good things behind every mishaps.
Pic of Marzocchi Bomber Z1 BAM
After left Kevin, I continue with more house visits and push-off back to KL at 7pm, to make the story short, we reached KL at 11.30pm.
At home, i inspected the Azonic frame thoroughly, the weight of the Azonic frame is 2.5kgs while the Dabomb C4 is 4kgs, I was tempted to use the Azonic Evo frame at 1st due to its weight, but after thinking deeply, i will continue with the C4 buildup project.
Azonic Evolution and Dabomb C4 Geometry comparison, Azonic have longer rear section
The Azonic Evo frame is in Good condition with minor scratches, but i found out aluminium frames is easily damaged especially at the rear dropout section. As you can see at the dropout section, there are chipping aluminium marks, a deep round wound. In my opinion, further release and locking hubs might leaving deeper scars/wounds at the dropout, it is not impossible that the rear wheel might wobbling if the rear dropout contact surface with the hub arent flat anymore. So, this is the pros and cons of aluminium frames. (please refer to pics)
After finished with this blog updating, i think i will continue with frame coating film for the Dabomb c4 using an anti oxidization chemical. The chemical will be sprayed into the frame internal to lock-out from moisture since c4 is CrMO, it will rust lightly but not as fast/worse as raw steel.
Holding the Marzocchi Dirtjumper 1 2002 really brings me back to the memories of 2002..... sighhhhh.... I can hear 2002 songs inside my head.... Summer girls by LFO, Lady by MOJO, Vertical Horizon.... Slumber OAG..... fuhh fuhh fuhh
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
My first words
Well, this is my first blog about my mtb experiences, I have zero knowledge or in depth skills on mtb but i think i wanna make a journal about it and a bit about my life. So here it is.....
Until now, i have owned numbers of mtb but none of em are full suspension, only hardtails
1) Indian Firetrail1994- MARIN (owned 1999)
2) A CR-Mo hardtail, i forgot the brand (owned 2002)
3) Avalanche 2.0 2002- GT Bicycles (owned 2002)
4) Scab 1996- Kona (owned 2006)
5) Alite 2000- KHS (owned 2007)
After these 4 listed frames, well, things get funny, why?
6) TFS350D Trail- Merida (owned 2008)
7) Grenade Cr-Mo 2005- Dabomb
8) Sputnik 2005- Dabomb
9) C4 2008- Dabomb
The last 4 bikes are changed in the same year, i usually sells the frames and replace it with another, it means i only own one bike at a time, MTB scene have evolved soo much if compared from what i have seen back in1995, at that time i am just a student (15years old), standing in front bicycle shop display cabinet, hoping i could own an RM 2000 bicycle... at that time MTB only have 2 types: full sus or hardtail. just as simple as that...
huh.... but now.....
You have to own more than 1 type of mtb to meet your riding style.... and that is why i have changed frames several times, just to find the perfect match for my riding style...
Talking about style, i just want to learn on how to fine handling the MTB, soundslike trials eh? but i wanna use it for urban assault, dirtjump and trail riding....
Finally. I decided C4 by Dabomb is the best as i have tested Dabomb Grenade, both have the same spec; Cr-Mo tubing, Reynolds. 14.5inch frame size, Small. and yup, it is heavy, but this is the price to pay if you wish for frame strength.... I sold the Grenade to someone at Muar, Johor as i thought i am going to try aluminum frame, Grenade is flawless except for the weight, other than that i could found any reason why should i let it go but after evaluating other frames, dabomb still makes the best frames (interms of geometry), I tried dabomb full-sus range (Cherry Bomb and Da Pukka) the frames are very well designed with neat welds but for the outstanding strength, they willing to sacrifice WEIGHT, dabomb frames are a bit heavy even for the aluminum frames. I remember dabomb philosophy, "we make good bikes, but we won't spend it for multi-million marketing".
The Dabomb C4 was selected after a nasty fall at Putrajaya (seems basikalputih.blogspot.com Flat fingerz got a follower now- I am white now LOL and thanks Flat), the Sputnik i used was a good Hardcore HT frame but the 16.5 inch size was a big burden during tight corners and jump, my mistake, before it is installed as one-complete bike, the frames looked small and fits nicely for me but it isn't. So bye bye Sputnik. Sold.
Future specs: Singlespeed MTB
Frame: Dabomb C4 520 Reynolds tubing
Headset: Dabomb DirectionAL
Stem: Azonic shorty
Handlebar: Azonic Double Wall -Chubby
Fork: Marzocchi Bomber II 2002
Brakes: Shimano SLX hydros
Crankset: Truvativ Fire X with truvativ bashguard (2 rings removed)
Pedals: Kona CR-mo (thanks Scab)
Seat post: Race Face
Saddle: WTB
wheels: WTB
Hubs: Rear Novatec, Front Thru Axle.
Here is pictures of my ex-bikes
Until now, i have owned numbers of mtb but none of em are full suspension, only hardtails
1) Indian Firetrail1994- MARIN (owned 1999)
2) A CR-Mo hardtail, i forgot the brand (owned 2002)
3) Avalanche 2.0 2002- GT Bicycles (owned 2002)
4) Scab 1996- Kona (owned 2006)
5) Alite 2000- KHS (owned 2007)
After these 4 listed frames, well, things get funny, why?
6) TFS350D Trail- Merida (owned 2008)
7) Grenade Cr-Mo 2005- Dabomb
8) Sputnik 2005- Dabomb
9) C4 2008- Dabomb
The last 4 bikes are changed in the same year, i usually sells the frames and replace it with another, it means i only own one bike at a time, MTB scene have evolved soo much if compared from what i have seen back in1995, at that time i am just a student (15years old), standing in front bicycle shop display cabinet, hoping i could own an RM 2000 bicycle... at that time MTB only have 2 types: full sus or hardtail. just as simple as that...
huh.... but now.....
You have to own more than 1 type of mtb to meet your riding style.... and that is why i have changed frames several times, just to find the perfect match for my riding style...
Talking about style, i just want to learn on how to fine handling the MTB, soundslike trials eh? but i wanna use it for urban assault, dirtjump and trail riding....
Finally. I decided C4 by Dabomb is the best as i have tested Dabomb Grenade, both have the same spec; Cr-Mo tubing, Reynolds. 14.5inch frame size, Small. and yup, it is heavy, but this is the price to pay if you wish for frame strength.... I sold the Grenade to someone at Muar, Johor as i thought i am going to try aluminum frame, Grenade is flawless except for the weight, other than that i could found any reason why should i let it go but after evaluating other frames, dabomb still makes the best frames (interms of geometry), I tried dabomb full-sus range (Cherry Bomb and Da Pukka) the frames are very well designed with neat welds but for the outstanding strength, they willing to sacrifice WEIGHT, dabomb frames are a bit heavy even for the aluminum frames. I remember dabomb philosophy, "we make good bikes, but we won't spend it for multi-million marketing".
The Dabomb C4 was selected after a nasty fall at Putrajaya (seems basikalputih.blogspot.com Flat fingerz got a follower now- I am white now LOL and thanks Flat), the Sputnik i used was a good Hardcore HT frame but the 16.5 inch size was a big burden during tight corners and jump, my mistake, before it is installed as one-complete bike, the frames looked small and fits nicely for me but it isn't. So bye bye Sputnik. Sold.
Future specs: Singlespeed MTB
Frame: Dabomb C4 520 Reynolds tubing
Headset: Dabomb DirectionAL
Stem: Azonic shorty
Handlebar: Azonic Double Wall -Chubby
Fork: Marzocchi Bomber II 2002
Brakes: Shimano SLX hydros
Crankset: Truvativ Fire X with truvativ bashguard (2 rings removed)
Pedals: Kona CR-mo (thanks Scab)
Seat post: Race Face
Saddle: WTB
wheels: WTB
Hubs: Rear Novatec, Front Thru Axle.
Here is pictures of my ex-bikes
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