15 years. It's been an amazing period of 15 seasons on the bike riding my Litespeed Sewanee. I still like the bike very much. It is a very unique bike (at least in my city and my country) with many non-mainstream components and custom tuning. I invested a lot of effort and love to build this bike to what it is today, but time (and technology) flies and I decided to go with the 29inch wheel standard, 120mm front and rear suspension, and 1×12 electric (and wireless) drivetrain.
As always, I wanted to start with the frame set. Well, that was the idea, but the cost of a frame set is close to the full price of a mid-spec bike. So, the final decision was – for the first time ever – to get a complete bike and then rebuild it step-by-step into my new dream bike.
Episode I – Rise of the Machine
The story begins. Welcome the SCOTT SPARK RC, model year 2024. This is being my new dream bike. Why SCOTT? Because SCOTT sets the benchmark for the innovation and technology, and I had some personal “conditions and wishes” that best suited the SPARK model. My first requirement was a full carbon frame. No compromises. The hidden FOX shock is a benefit that I welcome very much. A FOX suspension fork is a necessary component (personally I have nothing against Rock Shox suspension, but I prefer FOX on my bikes). Hidden cables integration is the development step that I accept. Next, I wanted a new frame with the UDH interface. Last, but not least, the two water bottles option is a personal lesson I learned riding Sewanee in hot summers. Anything else is less important and I'm sure I will change it over time.
I'm starting to ride the bike as it is. The priority is to adjust the bike and adapt it perfectly to my needs. At the start of the 2025 season I'll be doing some level of customization and components upgrade. Due to the regular warranty period of 2 years, I plan to significantly adapt and tune the bike/frame during the winter 2026/2027.
Let me share my progress on customization and upgrades in the next episodes. Stay tuned for the next episode, I'll be back :)
Episode II – The Force Awakens
APRIL 2025
It`s time for the next episode. Spring is here and I completed a “winter project” of re-building my Spark. I`m starting a new season with the cutting edge technology that changed everything. The SRAM Eagle AXS. For this project I grabbed the newest edition – Transmission. From my point of view the unbeatable drive train ever. I've been riding the SRAM XX 11-speed system for many years on my Litespeed and I've been always enjoying how well it works. But the AXS-T moves my feeling of perfection much higher. Installation and setup were both easy. No more adjustment screws, no more additional B-screw, and finally no setting up right distance between the derailleur and the largest sprocket. The speed of shifting is a bit slower (comparing to the first generation of Eagle AXS), however, the precision is phenomenal. And count on top waxed chain. As per my personal experience from the last season, I waxed the chain by REX Wax again, because this brings many advantages, better shifting counting.
In addition to the drive train evolution, I changed disc brakes, too. For many of you not-to-be your favourites, but I've had only good experience with the SRAM brakes. Many SRAM-sponsored riders ride their bikes with the brakes in silver. I already rode SRAM X0 brakes in silver for 12 years, but I wanted (radical) change. The SRAM Level Ultimate in black was my choice. Feedback on brake power and maintenance will come later.
Want to get more? Alright, move on the wheels. Original Syncros Silverton wheels are „mainstream” in good quality, and in – to be fair – good weight. But aluminium rims and standard (I mean “nothing special”) hubs are not my cup of coffee. If you browse my web-site for longer time, you may find my close relation to Extralite. So no other choice than the Extralite CarboCamber factory wheel set. The wheels have been built by Extralite with the in-house-developed carbon rims and the Hyperboost hubs (the rear one with the SRAM XD freebody). Weight of the pair (complete wheels with the valves and tubeless tape) is close to 1070 grams. Verified. Why Extralite again? I know the products well. I'm fully able to maintain the wheels, servicing the hubs and bearings replacing included. And finally, I wanted to support European company with in-house development and production here, in Europe.
Last, but not least, additional weight reduction and more carbon. Apropos, this project will be a lot about carbon (and titanium). Seat and seatpost. Tune Speedneedle and Darimo T2 with setback. I've been riding tune Speedneedle for many years and I'm 100% satisfied (you may find it out on my Trek and Litespeed bikes). There`s been written a lot about Darimo products. I wanted to try and get personal experience with the Darimo premium quality. Weight as claimed (114 grams), quality to be tested and verified :)
All in all, there`ll be much more to come. As mentioned in Episode I, the significant design change will come in winter 2026/2027. Stay tuned for the next episode.
