DREAM BUILDS 2019
THE CHEETAH AND THE GAZELLE became the first and second fastest animals in Africa as a direct result of their predator/prey relationship. Whenever two species interact, there’s a symbiosis that slowly makes each more adept at existing with the other. And it’s not always antagonistic. Flowers evolve to attract and feed bees and hummingbirds, who then spread their pollen. Those flowers eventually take on a color and shape that is every pollinator’s dream date, and they then replicate that color and shape as closely as possible as many times as possible.
Manufacturers have a similar relationship with riders. They design a frame aimed at a particular audience, and then spec it to attract the largest possible share of that audience. They amass warehouses full the plastic-wrapped OEM components that have the broadest appeal, and then bolt them together with Henry Ford-ian efficiency and economy. The system is marvelous but, as in nature, it’s somewhat rigid. A gazelle can’t suddenly choose to use wings or skunk spray or porcupine quills to fend off a cheetah.
Maybe that’s why we love the idea behind Dream Builds so much. It defies nature. When someone sits down and carefully chooses each part on his or her bike, that person is breaking free of the focus groups and market analyses that drive the bulk of the industry. They make personal choices that may be whimsical or even irrational. But they will create a bike that is a true extension of themselves. Here, we’ve got five machines that are reflections of their creators’ personalities. We hope they’ll inspire you to think about your next bike, or maybe your current bike, and go a little wild.
TRAVIS ENGEL’S SCOTT RANSOM
I make a lot of romance analogies when talking about my favorite bikes. The Evil Following was a beautiful stranger. The Kona Process was a one-night stand. But the bike you see here is a homewrecker. It’s the bridesmaid I met just before I left the bride standing at the altar.
I was already engaged with an Orbea Rallon. One was actually ready to be custom-painted and air-freighted to me from Spain. And we probably would have been very happy together. But then, at Bible Summer Camp, I rode the Scott Ransom.
I’ve known for a while this bike was just my type. Long-travel 29ers have been beckoning since the Wreckoning. My backyard is perfect for these body-friendly, trail-angry creatures. But such big bikes sometimes pose a threat to my wanderlust and to my BMX-inspired riding style. I didn’t want to go any squishier than 150. Luckily, the Ransom has some tricks up its 165-millimeter sleeve.
The Fox Nude shock doesn’t have the advanced damping of an X2 or Super Deluxe, but it also doesn’t have that dainty feel when an undergunned shock is on a trigger-happy bike. For something without fine-tunable compression damping, that’s quite a feat. But it doesn’t help me channel my inner Clint Reynolds (Google him). For the trails that tempt me with berms and lips both natural and unnatural, Scott introduced Ramp Control. The little black switch shuts off part of the Fox Nude’s extra air volume, instantly making it slightly more progressive. It’s why
