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Then again I believe I read somewhere that Pacific was taking over …not sure if that is true ?

True, they are taking over the bulk low end sales (i.e. Wallyworld or Costco) but they can’t touch Giant and Trek for bike shop sales. Think back to the 90’s, Trek and Giant bought up almost every small time to mid sized bike manufacturer, some they kept and others they bought to kill and eventually limit the consumers’ options. Some have held ground like Santa Cruz and Yeti but the majority of privately owned bike companies are selling at price points above $2,000… hence why Pacific dominates the $350 and under market.

One thing too with Cannondale, Pacific has been on a massive “info squashing” campaign with regard to the fact that none of the C’dale models are made stateside. They didn’t care with GT and it hurt them badly, nobody really takes the new offerings from GT very seriously. Something like you wanted a Yeti but couldn’t swing it financially, so cut your losses and get a trail worthy bike from Asia. GT and a number of other “manufacturers” have become the true mid-priced option… not $3,000 but not $300… more like the $1,100 to $1,500 price point. It’s all fixed into the components, Santa Cruz can’t make a frame in the US and then outfit it with the typical Fox fork and Shimano XT 10 speed and not demand the high dollar. Heck, the fork and components cost more than the mid-line bikes like GT (think $800 msrp for Fox fork and $1,350 msrp for the XT group). When a Santa Cruz or a Yeti frame alone cost $1,000 to $2,000 add on $1,500 worth of OEM “discounted” parts plus Mavic wheels and you’re dead on for that $4,000 price point.

No new bikes for me…

I would find her area, google a local bike shop near her, call the shop and negotiate a box and ship. Make your deal with the lady and have her drop the bike to the bike shop. Pay the box and ship charge to the bike shop and the deal is done.. That is how I did the deal on my XX Team. I think I paid $60 for box and ship from Tenn to Texas.

Another Dos Equis Team Cuda finds its way into a Cudahead stable… sight unseen… tasty!!!

$275 obo

“Barracuda mountain bike. Good sturdy bike. Used in good condition. Been in storage so may need new tires.”

Would seem to be a good price on a great bike!

Here is my current winter project, restoring my top-of-the-line Tange Prestige 1987 Panasonic Mountain Cat 7500 to the glory days. However, I’m going one step better by dumping the 7Up color scheme of ’87 for the jet black of ’88. Recently, I had the frame stripped and media blasted, then it was off to my buddy “Fer” (short for Fernando) the powder coating mad man. He did a beautiful job and the “Wet Black” looks amazing! As a “stock” build is an oddity for me, I pushed myself to find the correct components but finding Shimano XT 6 speed with a u-brake in excellent condition proved to be a painful ordeal. I stayed the coarse and found a complete bike in near new condition, so I splurged and bought the bike just for the XT goodness. I really think it’ll be worth it in the end, I’ll post photos when done, you guys can judge for yourselves.

(updates to follow)

So what idiot has to tell her that folks think she is ugly…

That’s the beauty of it…
nobody…
she knows it, that’s why she calls herself “Cyborg” and backs it up! (see photos)

Don’t fear the Russian… fear Chrissy Santos! She usually makes the Top 10 Ugliest Fighters list.
(That’s saying a lot as there is no shortage of ugliness in men’s UFC & MMA)

Check out the brutal armbar!

If a picture is worth a 1,000 words, these photos should have you puking dictionaries!!!

Be honest now and pick your silhouette and your motivating gal…