We got our hands on a Gary Fisher XCal yesterday. And of course since it came to my place of business I hardly got any work done. I was in a meeting with “the boss” and when I came back the box was sitting there in all its glory. After I put it together and stopped petting it, I realized that I don’t have any clipless shoes nor have I ever worn a pair. So the first matter of business was to go to the LBS and find a decent pair. The guys at Bikes Unlimited really helped me out. I had a budget and they found a pair of Nike YVR’s that fit into my budget nicely. I had a little extra in the budget because they were my valentine’s gift from my wife.

I took the XCal home last night and started practicing with the shoes (I feel your pain Carl). It didn’t go too badly but my yard is nothing like a singletrack so I’ll get a real feel for them then. First impression of the XCal… it looks mean in black, super lightweight, the 17.5″ frame is plenty big, and I feel like I can role over anything. Here are some specs on the bike…

Frame: Platinum Series ZR9000 internally and externally butted aluminum | Disc Specific | Genesis 29″ Geometry

Wheels: Bontrager Superstock 29″, disc specific wheelsystem w/OSB rear | Bontrager ACX 29×2.2 folding tires

Suspension: RockShox Reba SL 29″ | 80mm travel

Componentry: SRAM X.7 rear derailleur + SRAM X-7 Trigger 1.1 alloy shifters + Shimano Deore front derailleur | Bontrager Select 44/32/22 crank | Avid BB7 mechanical disc brakes | Shimano M505 clipless pedals | (Full Specs)

Sizes: SM (15.5″) | MD (17.5″) | LG (19″) | XL (21″) | (Sizing)

Color(s): Metallic Black

Check out more about the bike.