Well, someday around summer I stumbled across chromag bikes and was kinda sold. I was always flirting with BC bikes and biking. At the same time my dear friend and ex flatmate showed up with his selfmade steelframe that ended up as a coproduction between him and me geowise. And the final result made me nearly as proud as the builder when it comes to riding characteristics. The Chromag Sakura seemed to be something very similar in the numbers and intended abuse. So I finally ordered. And although I thought about some customizing I went with the regular one. A decision that was mostly about trusting Ian@ chromag and his partners to have it dialed in perfectly.
In mid september my frame arrived here in Zuerich and I built it up quitely the way I though it´ld be appropriated. The first ride was somehow a little disappointing. Although I do not have general problems with flat pedals, the flats felt anoying inefficient every time it got fast and rough. (and uphill of course too) and the 90mm stem felt wrong. So I had to go back to clipless pedals, switched to a 70mm stem and stick with the massive way to heavy Tioga DH tires.
Well. After very few rides it was perfectly clear, I payed some serious money to get an incredible bike. Something I could not have asked for, because I didn´t knew.
My riding grow with that bike, It feels completly right. After longterm trialsy slow technical riding I rediscover speed in the same sections. It is my goat till the top of the mountain. It is my well balanced trusty fellow in the rollercoasters. It is my DH rig on my way down (and for some huckers on bigbikes a reason to cry).
But for some reason I don´t give it names.
bottomline: Don´t get yourself a chromag. It can spice up your ride, but I don´t want you to become that fast´n rad.
b.asti
