Recent content by Barbarella

I've been on the XX for a few weeks now and haven't missed my granny gear yet (I opted for the 42/28 front rings). I was apprehensive to ditch the triple but am now a convert. The XX shifters feel much better than my old XO's, the XX's have a shorter throw and feel more crisp. The only downside...

National Geographic (my favorite magazine!), a water bill and a credit card offer.

I live in Berkeley, CA USA. I get ****ed when I'm out riding and cyclists blow through stop signs, cause me to rip a skid to avoid getting hit then get angry when I point out that they had the stop sign, not me. That said everything I need is within walking or biking distance.

Tegaderm is magic for road rash. You can find it at medical supply stores. It promotes moist healing for wounds while preventing infection. The stuff is not cheap but it works better than anything else on the market.

Rock climbing used to be my life then I got sucked into racing bicycles. This past year I was able to get outside and climb a few times. My latest trip is chronicled here http://barbarahowe.com/blog/ Now that cross season has started climbing will have to go on hold until January. If I had a...

Hi Brandon, The Alpha Q steerer has very thin sidewalls requires an aluminum insert to be epoxied into the fork after it is cut. It's not a huge deal it just means that you have to wait overnight for the epoxy to set before you can finish building your bike! Barb

Here's a picture of me looking very pleased with my new bike.

Benefits I've found to wearing a skinsuit: -your shorts can't fall down, this is especially important when it's wet and your chamois weighs as much as your bike -your jersey can't ride up -a skinsuit fits much tighter than a jersey and is less likely to catch on stuff and flap in the...

Hi James, I'm on the new all carbon Hakkalugi's (in the lovely Phlegmish Yellow color)with Alpha Q forks. I'd like to post a picture but the only picture posting option I can find is is to link a url to an image. At the very least there will be pictures after the Start Crossed/Rad Racing...

Ibis Hakkalugi Two Ibis Hakkalugi's One built with Force, one built with Red. Spinergy Carbon tubulars with a mix of Challenge and Dugast tires (some of which are still waiting to be glued). Pictures will be available once I finish glueing everything.

Unemployed. I used to work as a production manager/warehouse manager/inside sales/events coordinator for a cycling clothing company.