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Official MTB / Mountain Biking Chit Chat

Weather was fantastic here today, so I took the new wheels out for the first ride at Tsali with some friends. The wheels and tires are both awesome, left loop was pretty wet for the first half (but it was open) and even if I did slide, it was very predictable. But usually the bike just hooked up and railed, very impressive. Working on learning to ratchet the cranks and use that high POE hub, made a couple tech sections for the first time on this bike today using that method. I've also geared up to 32/20, my legs hate me for it, but it's much better in the faster sections.

The bike did great, but I really struggled today for some reason. The fat bike has spoiled me for this time of year to be honest. We have a ton of leaf covering, that hides the roots and rocks and makes it impossible to pick your line. With the smaller and skinnier tires, I got stopped dead a few times (including one fall) by things I couldn't even see. I can't freaking wait for warm weather and the damn leaves to be gone so I can make up my mind on what squishy bike / wheel size I want this year, and I'm really getting hung up on the wheel size thing, it's driving me nucking futs.

But, we had a blast other than my buddy breaking a seatpost clamp and ending his ride.

P1000244Large_zps2865edc3.jpg


Still better than sitting on the couch!

P1000251Large_zpsb10601da.jpg
 
OTHGbronco82 said:
My two rides I got in today. First one I got lost a little bit and crashed on my second one.

https://www.strava.com/activities/242471636

https://www.strava.com/activities/242502596
Click to expand...

How'd your lights work? Just got lights recently and opened up a LOT of riding time. No more having to quit cause its getting dark. I use one on bars and one on head. Works out great, can see where I'm at and where I'm going. I use the same light for both should something go wrong(battery/bulb failure) I should be good.
 
hpiguy said:
Weather was fantastic here today, so I took the new wheels out for the first ride at Tsali with some friends. The wheels and tires are both awesome, left loop was pretty wet for the first half (but it was open) and even if I did slide, it was very predictable. But usually the bike just hooked up and railed, very impressive. Working on learning to ratchet the cranks and use that high POE hub, made a couple tech sections for the first time on this bike today using that method. I've also geared up to 32/20, my legs hate me for it, but it's much better in the faster sections.

The bike did great, but I really struggled today for some reason. The fat bike has spoiled me for this time of year to be honest. We have a ton of leaf covering, that hides the roots and rocks and makes it impossible to pick your line. With the smaller and skinnier tires, I got stopped dead a few times (including one fall) by things I couldn't even see. I can't freaking wait for warm weather and the damn leaves to be gone so I can make up my mind on what squishy bike / wheel size I want this year, and I'm really getting hung up on the wheel size thing, it's driving me nucking futs.

But, we had a blast other than my buddy breaking a seatpost clamp and ending his ride.

P1000244Large_zps2865edc3.jpg


Still better than sitting on the couch!

P1000251Large_zpsb10601da.jpg
Click to expand...

You always ride in the most scenic places, envious. Of course I may be bias, all single track looks good to me"thumbsup"
 
Thanks RiceBurner! I'm very fortunate to live where I do, and I try to remind myself of that and be thankful for it. I actually turned down a big job offer in Atlanta last year based mostly on the fact that I'm so into cycling now that I can't imagine not having great riding (MTB and road bike both) close by.

On the night riding, I'm the same, one light on the bars and one on the lid works well for me. Night riding is a really different thing, but very cool in it's own way. It completely changes the trails, and the lack of people and the quiet and solitude can be really nice after a hard day at work.
 
RiceBurner said:
How'd your lights work? Just got lights recently and opened up a LOT of riding time. No more having to quit cause its getting dark. I use one on bars and one on head. Works out great, can see where I'm at and where I'm going. I use the same light for both should something go wrong(battery/bulb failure) I should be good.
Click to expand...


It worked pretty good since my trails are horse trails and not super sketchy. If I had the money I'd go for another light on the front and one on my head or at least one more for my helmet. That way I can see when going straight and when turning.
 
hpiguy said:
Nate, the newer bonty tires get much better reviews. But I don't really focus on that to be honest, I get advice from what the fast / technically proficient guys in my area like, and that's what I buy. I also am a big supporter of my LBS, as they've been really, really good to me (beyond good actually, and I've become very good friends with them away from the shop also), and they're a Trek / bontrager shop. Wheels are probably right at 2000 grams, as the stainless freehub body adds a bit of weight, but you don't have to worry about gouging it with a SS cog over time. I also don't focus that much on weight to be honest, or I'd have done Arch rims. But I'm a bigger guy at 6'2" and 200lbs, so I like a wheel set I never have to second guess, and I like the wider rim on the Flows also. I can appreciate the guys that worry about weight, respect it even, I'm just not one of them.
Click to expand...

I should've added in, that I was loving the Bontrager smaller block tread pattern tires that came out couple years ago, but when I fondled them at LBS the rubber didn't feel grippy and that was what lots of peeps were saying on reviews...hope they have changed as you said. "thumbsup"

rockhugger said:
And then there is me, the total goof ball, I look at what everyone else is running, and if I see a trend towards one thing, I look at the other options and usually go a different direction. Sometimes it's a mistake, but sometimes it's a gain. "I've never seen that part go so fast" is the desired effect. Like I said, I'm a goof ball.

If I ride a group often, I tend to study other riders styles, coupled with their gear choices. It's important to note that knowing your riding style also helps in making gear choice.

on Wheel weight:
The only weight to worry about on a set of wheels is the weight furthest from the center axis. I'd ride 5lb wheels if 4.75 lbs of it were in the center. :mrgreen::mrgreen:

Your wheels are a good balance of weight and long term durability with the brass nips. They look hot!!! I love hand built wheels, and chics in Bikinis :shock:
SS wheels are inherently strong by design anyway with Zero Dish.

Ride on"thumbsup"
Click to expand...

and that! "thumbsup"
 
That looks like one of this bikes that hurts your face!

From smiling too hard for too long"thumbsup"
 
Last edited by a moderator:
^^Agreed, that thing is sick! Me and a buddy of mine are going up to Beech Mtn this summer to run their DH course and try it out. I'll rent a bike if I don't have something capable by then. We'll see if my moto background helps or not.
 
I think gt's solution was to add every kind of pivot and linkage that is out there into their rear suspension design and some how it works. Their bikes seam to always be on the podium of dh events.
 
That's always been the case. Pay the best people enough and they make anything work, whether it's right or not.
 
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