Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love the bike I have now. It’s light and fast and it handles like a dream. I’m getting a new bike for a couple of reasons
- Brand new parts so it won’t break down on me (my bike has been having that problem as of late)
- Disc Brakes
- Better touring capabilities
Which bike did I find? This stack of beauty:
It is the Vassago Fisticuff and it is amazing. I have come to the conclusion that my style of biking is definitely only suited with ‘cross bikes and this sex machine will suffice all of my adventures. Here is the description from it’s site:
“Jack of all trades, master of none. Like all things Vassago, (except maybe our beer glasses) the Fisticuff is not for everybody.Think of it as a ‘cross bike with a bit of a ‘roid problem. In this case, that’s a very good thing. We beefed up the frame and fork in all the same places where a 29er trail bike experiences torsional forces. The result is a ‘cross style bike that responds like a mountain bike in the rough stuff.
More than simply adding tire clearance to a ‘cross frame, the Fisticuff fits the monstercross nomenclature by way of it’s trail-bike tubeset, drop bar geometry, straight blade fork and all around badassness. Yes, it is a word.
So build it up to fit your needs. 650b or 700c wheels. singlespeed, fixed, geared, skinny tires, fat tires, disc, V-brakes, cantis, drop bars, flat bars… Whatever toots your whistle.
Whether you’re looking for a drop-bar trail bike, a burly commuter, or a touring rig, the Fisticuff is your huckleberry.” http://vassagocycles.com/fisty.html
Basically, whatever I want on this bike or whatever I want to do with this bike is possible, more so than my bike now. Vassago also has a rack specifically made for the Fisticuff that has a max load of 60 pounds, more than I’ve seen for a rack, which is perfect for my trip. I cannot wait to have this bike! Getting this bike also gives me the opportunity to have a bike fitted for me for the first time ever. I was saving up for a Macbook Pro but, bikes are better. This bicycle company is also available from 2 of my local bike shops so I can get this bike sooner than later and have great recommendations for what I should put on it. And since I found it on Freeze Thaw’s site I’m going to them. Plus they have the rest of the things I want like Chrome bags and hopefully they will have the new Warsaw bag so I can get it 
.
On a side note, I’m going to go see if I can get a summer internship/job/learning type thing through them. I doubt they’ll let some kid that is just starting bike mechanics to work there but, it’s worth a try and I can deal with the answer ‘no’.
Well that’s enough from me. I just went on a bit of a “bicycle/internet/research” kick because it’s raining and cold outside. That and chores are so boring haha!
Wow, nice bike. I have to admit, I’m a sucker for a nice cross bike, too though it’s almost pushing the limit into a no-suspension MTB. I don’t know how that would fare on a long distance road trip with the straight forks though. Aw heck, who am I kidding? If I had the money right now I’d pick up a Fisticuff frameset myself.