That was at a place called Catamount. It's a XC ski area during the winter, however they pack the summer single track too! It's really cool. Almost spoiled. However there are plenty of free trails in vermont as well for year round trail riding.
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Official MTB / Mountain Biking Chit Chat
- Thread starter Brandon
- Start date
That was at a place called Catamount. It's a XC ski area during the winter, however they pack the summer single track too! It's really cool. Almost spoiled. However there are plenty of free trails in vermont as well for year round trail riding.
johnnyh66
Scale Detail Engineering
Awesome!
I was hoping there was Fat Tire talk in this thread...
I was at our lakefront spot the other day and saw a guy strolling over our Class 3 course... now I have to have one!
Started researching and came across the Surly Pugsley.
Seems great but expensive... went to the LBS, Wheel & Sproket.
Turns out they are a WI company (I live in IL) an they manufacture bikes under the name Badger Cycle works... the first bike they are releasing: Fattywompus
So, I may got hat route... the 2x9 (Fattywompus Two) setup seems like a steal at $1299 with drilled wheels and hydro brakes.
Badger Cycle Works
I was hoping there was Fat Tire talk in this thread...
I was at our lakefront spot the other day and saw a guy strolling over our Class 3 course... now I have to have one!
Started researching and came across the Surly Pugsley.
Seems great but expensive... went to the LBS, Wheel & Sproket.
Turns out they are a WI company (I live in IL) an they manufacture bikes under the name Badger Cycle works... the first bike they are releasing: Fattywompus
So, I may got hat route... the 2x9 (Fattywompus Two) setup seems like a steal at $1299 with drilled wheels and hydro brakes.
Badger Cycle Works
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johnnyh66
Scale Detail Engineering
Eff Fat Tires, I'm going opposite.
always clowning around!
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hpiguy
Rock Crawler
Johnny, for the money I'd stick with a known brand like Framed rather than the Badger you listed. Also, I don't know how much snow you get, but I've read where a lot of guys that ride in a lot of snow prefer mechanical discs rather than hydros. Just food for thought.
Also, for not a lot more money, the new Framed Alaskan alloy is pretty damn sweet. Best part is it's ready for the Rockshox Bluto fat fork, so come warm weather you throw that on and go shred singletrack till the snow hits again. They offer a package with both forks BTW, and it has better components. It's actually the bike I was wanting until recently myself. If you sign up for an active junky account, you get something like 8% cash back reward also if you buy from http://www.the-house.com
Also, for not a lot more money, the new Framed Alaskan alloy is pretty damn sweet. Best part is it's ready for the Rockshox Bluto fat fork, so come warm weather you throw that on and go shred singletrack till the snow hits again. They offer a package with both forks BTW, and it has better components. It's actually the bike I was wanting until recently myself. If you sign up for an active junky account, you get something like 8% cash back reward also if you buy from http://www.the-house.com
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johnnyh66
Scale Detail Engineering
We get a lot of snow... not much yet this year though.
But, I'm more interested in very technical rock crawling/riding... I was thinking the hydro brakes would be stronger to hold me when needed. And I'll probably do some off trail woods and off trail downhill riding as well.
I pretty much gave up riding after moving to Chicago because it's so boring to me... When I lived in Pittsburgh, I used to bike up the hills on trails/single track and then cut straight down through the woods very slowly and technical... over rocks/logs/drain pipes... whatever was there.
I basically want a crawler... very low gear ratio, light weight, strong, high clearance, stable/ balance
Here's some examples of the lakefront... I believe there is endless fun to be had out there.
But, I'm more interested in very technical rock crawling/riding... I was thinking the hydro brakes would be stronger to hold me when needed. And I'll probably do some off trail woods and off trail downhill riding as well.
I pretty much gave up riding after moving to Chicago because it's so boring to me... When I lived in Pittsburgh, I used to bike up the hills on trails/single track and then cut straight down through the woods very slowly and technical... over rocks/logs/drain pipes... whatever was there.
I basically want a crawler... very low gear ratio, light weight, strong, high clearance, stable/ balance
Here's some examples of the lakefront... I believe there is endless fun to be had out there.
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johnnyh66
Scale Detail Engineering
btw, I'm not sold on the Badger or anything... it's just that they are local.
hpiguy
Rock Crawler
^^Yep fatbikes are badass for that also, I'm actually amazed at how much my fatty has boosted my technical riding skills, and confidence along with it. If you're mainly doing that type of riding, then I'd recommend a suspension fork also.
Hydros are nice, don't get me wrong, but I'm really happy with my BB7s and speed dial levers. They're also easier to service and adjust than hydros, albeit at the expense of giving up a slight amount of braking power and feel compared to entry level hydros. The majority of fatties are going to be equipped with mechanicals due to their intended use, so don't let they sway you on bike choice, brakes are easy and cheap to upgrade later on.
If you shop around, you can find great deals on Shimano XT hydros, and those are some serious brakes that can be had for super cheap if you look around.
My best advice for bike choice, is go demo ride some bikes, and pick the one that fits and feels the best to you. In the end, that matters way more that who's name is on the downtube.
Hydros are nice, don't get me wrong, but I'm really happy with my BB7s and speed dial levers. They're also easier to service and adjust than hydros, albeit at the expense of giving up a slight amount of braking power and feel compared to entry level hydros. The majority of fatties are going to be equipped with mechanicals due to their intended use, so don't let they sway you on bike choice, brakes are easy and cheap to upgrade later on.
If you shop around, you can find great deals on Shimano XT hydros, and those are some serious brakes that can be had for super cheap if you look around.
My best advice for bike choice, is go demo ride some bikes, and pick the one that fits and feels the best to you. In the end, that matters way more that who's name is on the downtube.
K_B
I wanna be Dave
Framed also offers some crazy package where you get both forks and two sets of wheels but we're talking around $3000 for that package.
It seems to me that the higher end Framed bikes are not as good of a value as their more entry level offerings. Even though you can get more for less, it's almost worth it to me to look into an alloy Fatboy that has the coveted 1x11 drivetrain and sacrifice the Bluto fork.
I've also heard that you can swap out the mineral oil for standard DOT4 brake fluid to avoid temperature extremes. But I wouldn't get too hung up on that either. I think it's gotta get pretty damn cold before the mineral oil starts having problems. It seems that every other person I've talked to is either pro mechanical or pro-hydro.
It seems to me that the higher end Framed bikes are not as good of a value as their more entry level offerings. Even though you can get more for less, it's almost worth it to me to look into an alloy Fatboy that has the coveted 1x11 drivetrain and sacrifice the Bluto fork.
I've also heard that you can swap out the mineral oil for standard DOT4 brake fluid to avoid temperature extremes. But I wouldn't get too hung up on that either. I think it's gotta get pretty damn cold before the mineral oil starts having problems. It seems that every other person I've talked to is either pro mechanical or pro-hydro.
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hpiguy
Rock Crawler
Check the prices on the replacement cassette for that coveted 1x11 setup, that's what steered me away from it on my next bike. It's ridiculous, like $300 or so. Compared to a 10 speed cassette being under $100. But, like most things, the early adopters always get hosed.
And you CANNOT swap DOT4 in place of mineral oil on brakes that use it to the best of my knowledge. That is, unless something has really changed with the internals on brake systems.
And I agree on the Alaskan model lineup, the alloy with bluto only was what I was looking at. But, my wants have changed now.
And you CANNOT swap DOT4 in place of mineral oil on brakes that use it to the best of my knowledge. That is, unless something has really changed with the internals on brake systems.
And I agree on the Alaskan model lineup, the alloy with bluto only was what I was looking at. But, my wants have changed now.
For anything geared for winner riding I would go with bb7. For the summer it's a toss up between hydro and mechanical. I have been on winter group rides where all the hydros had problems and the mechanicals were completely fine, it was really Damn cold!
hpiguy
Rock Crawler
Got some MTB goodies for Christmas from the family, all going on the fat bike.
Protaper G2 bars
Avid BB7 brakes F&R
Avid speed dial levers
Got a Race Face 70mm stem on the way
And a new Feedback sports pro series ultralight stand to install it all with. I really needed the stand, my cheapo sucked.
Protaper G2 bars
Avid BB7 brakes F&R
Avid speed dial levers
Got a Race Face 70mm stem on the way
And a new Feedback sports pro series ultralight stand to install it all with. I really needed the stand, my cheapo sucked.
K_B
I wanna be Dave
A friend has that same stand. He loves it. He won't stop giving me sh*t about my cheapo! I've been contemplating going to BB7s myself. If I'd knew then what I know now, I would have splurged a little and got a bike with the BB7s to begin with.
hpiguy
Rock Crawler
K_B, I have BB7s on my other SS along with the SD7 levers and couldn't be happier for the money. Don't get me wrong, they're not hydros, but they're pretty close. And my cheapo stand served me well, still have it for a backup or a loaner / travel stand.
jsowens
RCC Addict
Yeah the prices of some of that 1x11 stuff is insane. It's trickled down some and eventually it'll be relatively inexpensive eventually. Very similar gearing can be had with a 1x10 conversion and a 40t or 42t extended range cog. The only difference is the range won't be as smooth shifting as the 1x11. I will say, though, the 1x11 setups are pretty sweet to ride. I got to take a spin on one at a Specialized demo day and loved it. It was enough to convince me to convert to a 1x10 setup. Eventually I'll probably toss on an extended range cog as well.
Well this is cool, got an email from strava and it created this: Your 2014 Strava Story
Post yours up if you're on strava
Also, the new xmas toy :mrgreen:
Post yours up if you're on strava
Also, the new xmas toy :mrgreen:
Attachments
Nice! "thumbsup"
hpiguy
Rock Crawler
My strava story is kinda sad in comparison, feels like I rode a lot more, but I guess not. I'm gonna smash this in 2015!
Your 2014 Strava Story
Your 2014 Strava Story
