2011 Rocky Mountain Element Team RSL build progress

So parts have arrived. But been super busy with work and helping friends out. Redid the brakes on a friend's subaru, some plumbing for my parents, built up the Lynskey road bike for another friend.

On top of all that I still have to do the brakes on my own Subaru, and also replace the steering U-joint too.

This is the progress so far for my 2011 Rocky Mountain Element Team RSL

weighed: Continental RaceKing Supersonic 2.2 (26")

Continental RaceKing Supersonic 2.2 55-559 (26")

Continental RaceKing Supersonic 2.2 55-559 (claimed 470g)

Continental RaceKing Supersonic 2.2 55-559 (claimed 470g)

weighed: Deda Newton Road Handlebar 31.8mm clamp

Deda Newton Road Handlebar 31.8mm clamp (40 cm C to C)

note: Deda measures their handlebars outside to outside. Therefore a 42cm bar is actually 40 cm centre to centre.

Deda Newton Road Handlebar 31.8mm clamp 40 cm (C to C), (Claimed 209g)

weighed: Token X-wing all carbon saddle

Token X-wing all carbon saddle Size: 268x140mm

Token X-wing all Carbon Saddle (claimed 110g)

weighed: Tune SpeedNeedle Saddle

Tune SpeedNeedle Saddle

Tune SpeedNeedle Saddle (Claimed 97g for leather version)

weighed: Easton EC90 Zero Setback 31.6mm

Easton EC90 Zero Setback 31.6mm @ 400mm

Easton EC90 Zero Setback 31.6mm @ 400mm (claimed 199g)

weighed: Ciamillo ZERO G Ti

Ciamillo ZERO G Ti

The brake set that started the weight weenie road bike brake trend. Best there is, there is no substitute.

Ciamillo Zero G Ti (Claimed 136g without brake pad holders)

weighed: Tune 'Wassertrager' Carbon Cage

 Tune 'Wassertrager' Carbon Cage

note: Only works with Conical water bottles (such as Tacx)

Tune 'Wassertrager' Carbon Cage (claimed 9g)

weighed: Hope direct mount

Hope Direct Mount adapters for Shimano XTR SL-M970/SL-M980. These are the equivalent to SRAM matchmakers but for Hope brakes and Shimano shifters. An excellent way to save weight and reduce cockpit clutter.

www.hopetechusa.com

Hope Direct Mount for X2 Race brakes - XTR version

Aluminum hardware (bolts)

weighed: Shimano FD-M970-E

Shimano FD-M970-E

When a mountain bike frame calls for (requires) a direct mount front derailleur. You have to buy an E-type front derailleur and remove the E-type bracket.

Shimano FD-M970-E (claimed ?)

E-type bracket removed for direct mount configuration

E-type bracket

weighed: Shimano QR15 Fox through axle

Shimano QR15 Fox through axle
Part # 820-00-374
Notes: Comes standard from Fox when purchasing a Fox QR15 fork.

Shimano 820-00-374 (FOX QR15) axle, (claimed: unknown)

weighed: Tune DC15 Thru Axle Skewer for FOX (QR15)

Tune DC15-FX

Tune DC15-FX (claimed 40g)

Note: Be careful which one you buy. There are three versions. FOX, RockShox, and DTswiss. You need the version that matches the make of your fork.

weighed: Selle Italia SLR Fibre Carbon Rail Saddle

 Selle Italia SLR Fibre Carbon Rail Saddle

Selle Italia SLR Fibre Carbon Rail Saddle (Claimed 135g)

weighed: Shimano Yumeya SP-81 shifter housing

Shimano Yumeya SP-81 shifter housing

Shimano SP81 shifter housing - 1.9m long, 47 grams. (24.7 grams/metre)

Shimano SP81 shifter housing - 1.9m long, 47 grams. (24.7 grams/metre)

weighed: ESI Silicone "Chunky" MTB grips

ESI 100% Silicone MTB Grips

Best shock absorbing grip in the industry!

ESI "Chunky" MTB grips. (Claimed weight 60 grams)

weighed: Syntace Duraflite 31.8 Carbon 600mm

Syntace Duraflite 31.8mm Carbon 600mm length

Syntace Duraflite Carbon 31.8mm @ 600mm length (claimed 143 g at 600 mm)

weighed: Syntace P6 Carbon HiFlex 30.9 x 400mm

Syntace P6 Carbon HiFlex, 30.9mm, 400mm

Syntace P6 carbon hiflex, 30.9mm @ 400mm (claimed Ø 30.9 mm - 213 g (400 mm))

a Foxy Fork - a black F100 RLC Fit QR15 beauty

The fork chosen for my Rocky Mountain build took some while to find. Aesthetics in my opinion is just as important as a light bike. What we have here is a black 2011 Fox F100 RLC FIT, tapered steerer tube (1 1/8 "to 1.5"), QR15 fork. This fork is not normally available at the retail level as black F32 series forks were only available as original equipment manufacturer (OEM) offering. Meaning sold to bicycle companies to include with their frames as complete bikes. I've seen these black OEM ones go on ebay for anywhere from 250 USD to 700 USD. I unfortunately missed out one that went only for 300 USD brand new. This one I purchased from www.calgarycycleonline.com/. I've purchased many parts on closeout from them in past. Keep an eye out, you may see something you like for a crazy deal.

Fox lists a F32 F100 RLC Fit w/ taper steerer tube and QR15 lowers at 1490g. A delta of + 65g is very respectable weight, that is only a variance of ~4% over claimed weight. I've seen Fox forks be almost 200 grams over manufactured claimed weights. Perhaps the OEM forks were built with tighter quality assurance during the initial manufacturing ramp. A lot of times companies will screen and pay attention to yield and adherence to specifications more during initial stages of production and stop or lesson their monitor once they are producing in high volume... Nevertheless I'm very happy.

The only thing missing from this fork is the Kashima coating. Kashima coating was not offered to OEM Fox Forks in 2011. It wasn't until 2012 that OEMs could get Fox forks with the special super slick coating.

Last but not least here is the Fox QR15 skewer made by Shimano.

2011 Rocky Mountain Element Team RSL weights

So what is the most important aspect to a self confessed weight weenie addict? The weights of course!

 Weight of the frame is without seatpost binder or the rubber condom to prevent water from getting in from the seatpost/seatube interface, without water bottle cage bolts.