At last after weeks of waiting all the pieces have been received and added

This is for me at least the best bike around, I have built it up from scratch putting about the best parts available on it, it rides like a dream, XC is just great , it handles really well, even downhill is just great.

Frame : Rocky Mountain Element 70 version ‘Tribal’ 18″
Forks : Fox 32 RLC 100mm
Front Derailleur : Shimano XTR, Rear Derailleur : Shimano XTR
Shifters & Levers : Shimano XTR Dual control
Bottom Bracket & Chainset : Shimano XTR
Headset : Chris King
Stem : Race Face Deus 90mm XC, Handlebars : Race Face Next 630mm XC carbon
Seatpost : Race Face Next SL XC carbon
Front Brake : Shimano XTR 180mm Disc, Rear Brake : Shimano XTR 160mm Disc
Wheels : Shimano XTR Wheelset 2008
Saddle : Fizik Gobi, Pedals : Time Atac carbon
Weight : 12 Kilos

Update 2009, nothing changed as this is really the “bee’s knees”, it’s a brilliant ride, perfect for XC riding which I prefer, everything is just right with the bike

I have tried many other bikes, none handle and feel like this one

For the moment I’m running Maxxis Ignitor USB 2.10  for the front tyre and Maxxis Larsen TT USB  2.10 at the back, am testing the Maxxis Crosmark on the Lapierre as the front tyre and will see which I shall use this summer season

Update, after 18 months riding I decided to change the bearings on the pivots, there are 6 bearings to be changed, I basically did this for fun but realised that it had  to be done as one was dead and others were damaged, note that I never use a power washer to wash the bike just a garden hose.

2 *  Rockey’s reference 6901RS

4 * Rocky’s reference 6001LB

I ordered the replacements from http://www.bocabearings.com

buying

http://www.bocabearings.com/main1.aspx?p=product&id=14127&n=#BRK-078C-YS/C3

and

http://www.bocabearings.com/main1.aspx?p=product&id=10426&n=#BRK-021C-YS/C3

To change the bearings its quite easy but you need the tools to take of the pedal set to get to the bottom bearings

To take out the bearings you need to dismantle all of the back section so that you can lay flat the pieces (very important, other wise bye bye frame ….), firstly to ‘wallop” out the old bearings and secondly to place the new ones, I used a flat piece of iron with a heavy rubber mallet to get them in, attention they must be laying flat again (very important, other wise bye bye frame ….), and finally to sink the in I used a socket set that was that same diameter as the bearings so that I didn’t damage them, you most not hit the rubber part

At the back of the frame where the carbon bars join the bottom bars are IGUS bushings these I have not replaced but I cleaned them up, do not oil/ grease them

When you take the bolts out to dismantle the bike be careful that you don’t lose the conical washers and be careful when you put them back later that they go back on the right way (smaller side to the bearing)

All in all this was not to difficult, it took me a afternoon, about 4 of the bearings out of 6 were used with one completely dead, so it had to be done, the bearings cost me about 100 dollars so not to expensive, and while I had the pedal set of I changed it for a new one as it was becoming worn and of course changed the chain, cassette, dérailleur and all cables as well

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