Do You Mountain Bike?

[Kestrel]

Speaking of bumps...

I pulled my brother's old late 90s Trek 800 out of from under my mom's house. Figured if MTB was a great workout for so many MotoGP folks, then I should be giving it a go myself. Little did I know that mountain bikes have basically morphed into motorcycles in the last decade or so. Did some basic maintenance on the bike, threw a few $20s at it, and went on my way.

Been riding some local trails, but unfortunately doing all of this on a fully rigid bike with old schol 1.95" tires in the super rooted forests of NC isn't all that... comfortable. I miss the suspension of my DR, and that's saying something.

Thinking about spending some money to buy some sort of cheap hard tail. Figure with a decent front fork and the big cushy tires that are so popular these days, I can probably get by. And... if I like it somewhere down the line, perhaps throw some more money at it. Damned MTB stuff makes dirtbikes look cheap as shit though.

That said, it's amazing what sort of trails, jumps, parks etc have been created for bikes. I can see myself really getting into this. Seems to draw from a lot of my favorite aspects of OHV dirtbiking.

 

[Sidewalk]

Just finished the season. Going to take a little break, do some fun only riding. Try some road races for fun (I don't race road, just do them for a fun challenge), and then a few endurance races this fall (Grizzly100, Wrightwood50, and 24 hours of Temecula).

Finished the season third overall in points in the Pro Men. Mostly because the faster guys did not show up consistently. I finished 6th yesterday in the race out of 13 (one DNF'ed). But I literally am getting faster with ever race, if I compare my times to my rivals. I'll never be truly competitive with my age holding me back, but I am enjoying the improvements.

Going to try and hit as many national races in 2019. I will definitely get my ass handed to me at those races. But they'll make for great memories!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkeFBX8BlQs/?taken-by=brian_scarbrough21

 

[dking]

When I bought my bike my bike (Backcountry Tahoe City & Truckee) I made them spend a lot of time adjusting the seat position, bar height, reach length, pedal position etcetera to my specific body geometry.

A good shop can do that in less than an hour. Though, I gotta say we had a pretty big disagreement about handlebar width...

Trailhead in the South Bay is really good. Passion was in like San Carlos...

You're on the right track with the riser bars. And, yes you can get stems with more rise as well. Also, there are spacers, usually below and above the stem on the steerer tube; If there are extras above the stem, you can move them below to raise your stem and bars together.

If you know what you want size wise, you can usually find something on eBay pretty cheap. If not, you may want to visit a local shop to get fitted and let them tell you the best options. Good luck.

 

[Harpo]

BIKE, GEAR, and TIRES, Much Random Stuff

I am sad to say, ....I have finally come to except the fact that I have sooo many broken parts, injuries and ailments,... that I will never ride another DH bike and very unlikely even a mnt bike.
Time To Clean House

*2012 Ibis Mojo HD frame w/brand new Fox DH-air shock (16inch)
*As New Fox Talas 36, 160 20mm Fork (16inch)
*BNIB WTB Laser Disc DH Hubs Fr 20mm, Rr 142x15 (both Thru Axels)
*Nearly Complete/Full Sram X0 BRAND NEW 2x10 Build kit (was for the Mojo)
*Gear Absolute Top of the Line, Head To Toe Downhill (DH) & Trail Protective Gear, Pads, Shorts, Pants, Shirts, etc...
*Tires Absolute Top of the Line, DH Tires Nevegal and Tamashi 2.7 as well as New WTB Tail Tires(16inch)
*Wheels DH and Trail wheels, Stan's Wheels, Stan's & DT rims rims. (all 16inch)

So much more awesome stuff I can't even remember it all. No pix yet but if there is any interest i'll get some up.

 

[backup]

I think I might try mountain biking. Is there an SV650 mountain bike equivalent? I don't think I will be doing anything too crazy, I just want to cruise on some scenic trails without getting myself into trouble.

 

[Butch]

I think I might try mountain biking. Is there an SV650 mountain bike equivalent? I don't think I will be doing anything too crazy, I just want to cruise on some scenic trails without getting myself into trouble.

Do eeeet! It’s not the bike that is challenging, it’s the choice os terrain and judgement of the rider. Some DH stuff is nuts. Trail riding is serene...

Be sure to set up the bike with a LHRB.

 

[Kestrel]

Well... The 90s rigid Trek was kicking the shit out of my body, so I picked up an open box 27.5+ boost Diamondback hard tail. Figured if I wasn't going full squish, the plus stuff in the rear would help smooth things out.

It's actually a "women's" model, but there was really no difference between it and the men's outside of colors... and at $500 to my door versus $1300 new... for the components at that price, I'll take it. Stenciled some red 3M vinyl wrap to turn a few little spots of pink into a nice shade of red, and voila, the budget shred machine was born. I'll happily keep that extra $800 TYVM.

Have really enjoyed it so far. Much easier on the body, and has allowed me to push pretty hard on some local trails. I've flown down some singletrack way, way faster than I'd ever be able to on my dirtbike. That sort of riding has really, really been fun. Haven't ridden my motorcycles in almost three weeks now. The only thing I'd like to do is add a dropper post. Outside of that, it has really exceeded expectations. Of course, it is set up with a right hand front brake.

This shit is seriously fun.

 

[backup]

Well... The 90s rigid Trek was kicking the shit out of my body, so I picked up an open box 27.5+ boost Diamondback hard tail. Figured if I wasn't going full squish, the plus stuff in the rear would help smooth things out.

It's actually a "women's" model, but there was really no difference between it and the men's outside of colors... and at $500 to my door versus $1300 new... for the components at that price, I'll take it. Stenciled some red 3M vinyl wrap to turn a few little spots of pink into a nice shade of red, and voila, the budget shred machine was born. I'll happily keep that extra $800 TYVM.

Have really enjoyed it so far. Much easier on the body, and has allowed me to push pretty hard on some local trails. I've flown down some singletrack way, way faster than I'd ever be able to on my dirtbike. That sort of riding has really, really been fun. Haven't ridden my motorcycles in almost three weeks now. The only thing I'd like to do is add a dropper post. Outside of that, it has really exceeded expectations. Of course, it is set up with a right hand front brake.

This shit is seriously fun.

Awesome! Where did you get the bike from?!

 

[Maddevill]

So for us sissies out there, the Lake Chabot bicycle loop is supposed to reopen on July 27. Was closed at the dam.

Mad

 

[Kestrel]

Awesome! Where did you get the bike from?!

Vendor that handles returned merchandise for businesses had it posted on eBay. It was discounted there, and eBay ran one of their 20% off coupons. Sadly they're sold out, as it was a good deal.

Hunt around. From my brief dabbling in all of this, bike folks seem to be way more concerned with "this year's" technology - stuff is expensive, and closeouts of last year's bikes and parts are significantly cheaper than anything "current".

It's kind of nuts... Bike people seem to throw money at things that makes motorcycling look extremely cheap in comparison. IMO for what is spent versus what is actually received, motorcycles represent a significantly better "deal" than anything bicycle related. For what people pay for top of the line full suspension carbon bikes, you could bring home a nice KTM 300. The market is so much larger, and people seem to be so much more willing to throw cash at products, that price vs value is ridiculously inflated.

 

[Kestrel]

I've been riding trails so much lately (3-4 times per week?) that I can't even remember the last time I rode a motorcycle. We have some really fun stuff around here that's (IMO) a lot more fun than OHV riding that is available.

I'm a little torn. Tempted to either sell the DR and find a better street bike, or else just throw on the SM tires and keep it set up for street.

Didn't expect this, but I'll be damned if I'm not having a ton of fun.

 

[backup]

I've been riding trails so much lately (3-4 times per week?) that I can't even remember the last time I rode a motorcycle. We have some really fun stuff around here that's (IMO) a lot more fun than OHV riding that is available.

I'm a little torn. Tempted to either sell the DR and find a better street bike, or else just throw on the SM tires and keep it set up for street.

Didn't expect this, but I'll be damned if I'm not having a ton of fun.

Can you recommend some noobie trails? I plan on renting a hardtail to see how I enjoy MTB'ing before I buy one.

 

[Butch]

Can you recommend some noobie trails? I plan on renting a hardtail to see how I enjoy MTB'ing before I buy one.

There is all sorts of spectacular riding around San Jose. Go up Stevens Canyon to Montebelo. Ride Soquel Demonstration Forest. Come over here and ride Alum Rock Park.

Blah blah blah. Find someone who will take you for a ride on what they think is cool. Hit me up if you can't find anyone.

 

[Kestrel]

Can you recommend some noobie trails? I plan on renting a hardtail to see how I enjoy MTB'ing before I buy one.

I'm in North Carolina Great riding here (both motorcycles and bikes), but not so useful for giving you a recommendation.

I can say that I wasn't sure how I'd enjoy cycling. Looked slow, and a bit dull. In reality, it has been anything but. Great fun flying down narrow wooded technical trails at speed. I've also enjoyed very technical uphill sections that require a bit of trials skills to get up without putting a foot down. Different kind of challenge, but still satisfying. No regrets.

 

[Sidewalk]

It's kind of nuts... Bike people seem to throw money at things that makes motorcycling look extremely cheap in comparison. IMO for what is spent versus what is actually received, motorcycles represent a significantly better "deal" than anything bicycle related. For what people pay for top of the line full suspension carbon bikes, you could bring home a nice KTM 300. The market is so much larger, and people seem to be so much more willing to throw cash at products, that price vs value is ridiculously inflated.

Meh, it's what brings you pleasure. I am saving up for a new SWorks Epic, MSRP of of $8500. I am hoping to get a Pro deal so I will be paying significantly less. But that is what I am saving for just in case. But a motorcycle is worthless to me. I only ride a motorcycle about once a year (not in two years currently) and even then it is at a 24 hour race where I ride someone else's bike. So paying any amount of money on a KTM300 is a total waste.

But I race mountain bikes as a Pro. So, that money is well worth it to me.

Now my "fun" MTB is an entry level Enduro, I didn't pay MSRP but it is $3200 and worth it to me.

Also plan to buy a left over SWorks Venge next year, that's a $10k road bike, but we'll see what kind of discount they offer then. But I also ride about 13,000 miles a year (I have 9000 so far this year), so an expensive road bike is a luxury, but also a luxury like a BMW is to a person who drives 30,000 miles a year and doesn't want to do it in a Toyota Corolla. I did just do a 125 mile, 10k' climbing road race for fun. I was 21st out of 200 something.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1750017241

 

[Kestrel]

I understand your perspective - especially when it is your job... On a hobby level, sure - do what you love. Just seems that folks are more willing to pay for less technology with cycling stuff in general.

Speaking of hobby stuff... Took a trip to western NC this past weekend and rode around 25 miles of trails @ Dupont State Forest here in NC. Weather was great - ~70F at elevation, and no humidity. A little more fire road / forest service logging road connectors in this place than I'd like, but also some fantastic features on the trails. Not a lot of pictures of the rough stuff as I was enjoying riding it rather than photographing it.

Huge waterfall..

Some optional super narrow riverside single track, if you could even call it that.. (More like an actual goat trail.)

The views at the top of the runway...

Yep, actual (closed) runway.

Some very cool creek crossings.... A handful of these.

Typical NC trails...

Pine forests...

Mountain valley ponds...

Dinner plate sized fungus...

And a few more waterfalls...

Great way to spend a Saturday for sure. That said I'm definitely considering my options for a full suspension bike :laughing. I'm sure the frame can take it, but the fork on this hard tail wasn't meant for the sort of abuse I subjected it to on Saturday.

 

[Cali]

Nice pics :thumbup

 

[Cali]

Picked this up just over a week ago, love it so far

 

[Kestrel]

Good stuff! I picked up a leftover Mission last year for pennies on the dollar, and have been enjoying the heck out of it. Plus tires were nice, but full suspension definitely helps to take the sting out of things when you start pushing a bit harder.

Currently in New Mexico for the summer, and got my first ride in yesterday. Was curious how long I could go with tubes before getting a flat... (Rode for the entire last year in NC with tubes and no flats..) Well... it was about one hour before I took a cactus to my hand :mad, and later to my front tire :laughing :laughing :x My cardio could also use some repairs :rofl I don't have my motorcycles out here, but the MTB is giving me the two wheel fix for sure.

I've got a Maxxis Aggressor to go on the rear, and will be grabbing a DHF to throw on the front. Will get those set up tubeless here shortly.

 

[Butch]

It is with a heavy heart...

Nah.
I just have this Alta electric dirtbike and I just seem to be riding it every chance I get.