Hamster wheel

Keeps of spinning
Did you receive that special gift that you wanted for Christmas from your better half, GF, or mom? If the answer is YES then lucky you. If instead you got something else then...be thankful and sell that thing for bike parts. Hey such is the life of bike junkie!

Santa already made A list and he already delivered the goods to the nice kids all over the world now for those who received coal (like yours truly) then make a list, save up, or work hard, and purchase that freaking shiny new part for 2015 you do not need no handouts from some dude with flying reindeer.

Hamster list

• Shimano XT or Zee brakes - they are both priced close to each other, both are compatible with shimano ICE TECH system, the XT a bit lighter and little prettier hanging from your cockpit. While the ZEE sports four piston calipers versus two from XT probably overkill for my riding. More is better perhaps?
• Rockshox Reba - finally seeing reasonably price brand new reba's on local bike market. With non remote models going for 18k srp the price difference from the Manitou and Suntour air fork offering pretty close. It also comes with 1 1/8 steer tube, and 9mm QR perfect for my bike.
• Shimano Zee 1x specific crank set - probably the least likely upgrade. But when the right deal comes I might pull the trigger.
• Flat pedals -  replaceable pins, thin profile, light and a wide foot print for my size 12 teva's. Spank, point 1, Xpedo? Price usually dictates the purchase but a good pedal will last for years without much fuss on maintenance so I am putting that into consideration.
• Tires - Schwalbe tires present on my bike been nothing but trouble lately. Rocket ron a nice tire to use both on and off road but the darn thing just pinches tubes like crazy when the air pressure drops. Will try the more road oriented racing ralph at the back and maintain the less worn roro at the front for training duties. While a more aggressive set of tires going on for the trail (yet to be determined).
• One-up 42t sprocket and Radr cage - this one really depends if I can pedal 11-36 XT cassette on ANY climb I encounter. If I fail with initial setup of xt back-end with 32T chain ring then I still have the option to buy a smaller 30T at the front before springing for the One-up goodies.
• Stanton Sherpa - probable replacement for my near expiring Commencal 29 er frame. Sherpa delivers with 853 reynolds steel tubing, 68.75 HA, 435 CS length all the right "numbers" that make a nimble, fun bike. Plus I won't have to worry about transferring parts, since the sherpa and the camino shares the same components numbers like head tube, seat post, BB.
• Surly krampus almost has the same geo as the camino (69 HA, 445mm CS) with option of running either regular 29' rim, tire or the 29+ rims and 3' inch tires. Along with that feature the surly bike made of magic cush material known as steel. It is like getting two bikes for one 29+ for trail, rowdy riding. While normal 29 inch more subtle usage like touring, road training.

Pics from the net

Ernest "naughty boy" Hamster