Official MTB / Mountain Biking Chit Chat

[Lentsnh2012]

Lucky you on the state park building and maintaining sweet mtb trails!

I'd recomment a hardtail, probably 29er wheel size at your height weight and just starting out. I have ridden some high end full suspension bikes and don't like them, I prefer hardtails and rigid (for the less rocky rooty trails). Hardtails will save you lots of money that will result in much better components on the bike you buy, make you a better rider (learn to pick your line), and you're not sure that you're going to stick with this...although you should. Use the bike, along with diet change and core strengthening exercises to get your weight down where it should be. "thumbsup" Later when you've dropped the weight, gotten in shape (and stronger), and you're sure you like it, you can look at full suspension bikes. You may find that your trails, you, the terrain, etc. you may not want full suspension.

Thank goodness we are a college town that has a huge demand for these type of trails. It has also dramatically helped out our state park.

I went to my local bike store and they helped me out a ton. Since I already have major back problems from being tall and being a mechanic/welder, they pointed me towards a Trek Fuel EX 9 29er. Since I plan to travel the Southeast, it was a more versatile bike. I looked at the hardtails too, but I just can't seem to enjoy it. Maybe it's myself being too wimpy. :lmao:

Our trails around here are extremely rough compared to what you would find on the West Coast. We have tree roots, rocks, stumps, wooden and dirt jumps and more.

I do plan to loose a little weight and to help myself and the bike. I'll loose maybe 15 pounds, but anymore than that and I'll look like a stick. I come from a family with extremely big bones and height (one of my father's uncles was almost 7 foot).

I agree here. I'm 5'10" and 250 and wouldn't trade my hard tail for anything. My second one even. Full suspension is too bouncy for me and makes riding less enjoyable. Can't go wrong with a Specialized either.

Specialized is my second choice for sure, but they only problem is that I would have to drive to Columbus, GA to get it worked on; Columbus is about an hour away from me. Whereas, if I bought a Trek, the store would literally be 2 minutes from my new house.

One of the owners of the bike store pointed out to me the new feature of the Trek's suspension both on the fork and swing arm shock. It has a Climb/Descend/Trail feature that is adjusted to your weight and cuts out unnecessary suspension movement while you're pedaling. It is quite ingenious.

 

[Sh0rtBus]

Most bike shops can work on any bike regardless of brand. Some even offer workshops that show you how to do it yourself

 

[vonclod]

This is in my hood cool place"thumbsup" with lots of trails(not my vid..lol)
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/l_29TmctzVY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
this is a 45 min drive away"thumbsup"
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6S1T6tp1wF0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[wilbywise]

Nice snag on the Fuel 29er, you will love it man! A lot of people get blown away by the amount of gnarly roots and tech stuff we have in the SE. Unfortunately we don't have the mountain height here for solid DH runs but can make up for some great Enduro and XC. Hope you get to enjoy biking as much as I do, it has been a life changing experience for me! Remember to look into the redshield/warranty program, it may save you some hassle and $ in the long run!

 

[Lentsnh2012]

Most bike shops can work on any bike regardless of brand. Some even offer workshops that show you how to do it yourself

Most do, but they frown upon it. It's like taking a GM vehicle to a Ford dealership to get some work done- they will look at you funny. I have worked on my own bikes in the past as well, but I have learned to let the experts work on them. Then, you have someone to fall back on if something goes wrong.

A good friend of mine works at the bike shop as the mechanic, so I'm sure he will show me around regardless. "thumbsup"

Nice snag on the Fuel 29er, you will love it man! A lot of people get blown away by the amount of gnarly roots and tech stuff we have in the SE. Unfortunately we don't have the mountain height here for solid DH runs but can make up for some great Enduro and XC. Hope you get to enjoy biking as much as I do, it has been a life changing experience for me! Remember to look into the redshield/warranty program, it may save you some hassle and $ in the long run!

Well, I haven't gotten it just yet. For some reason the Remedy keeps popping up in my mind, too. The owner had his on display and I just loved it almost instantly. More or less, they're pretty much the same bike. So with either one, I know I'll have a blast with it.

You're right about the roots though! Sometimes they are miniature horizontal trees coming up through the ground. I'll pass by some when I take the R/Cs out there and am just amazed haha. Have you been in North Alabama or North Georgia? Apparently they have some nasty trails too.

Yeah, I definitely plan on getting that warranty- for a small price can save your butt on the big stuff!

 

[Sh0rtBus]

Maybe it's because my local shops carry several different brands. Trek, specialized, niner, fuel, Santa Cruz....you name it, they have it. Of course they catered to Lance Armstrong too because he's used them religiously in the past.

 

[Lentsnh2012]

Maybe it's because my local shops carry several different brands. Trek, specialized, niner, fuel, Santa Cruz....you name it, they have it. Of course they catered to Lance Armstrong too because he's used them religiously in the past.

That probably has a lot to do with it. My local shop primarily carries Trek. "thumbsup"

 

[OTHGbronco82]

Woo hoo! Finally was able to get a tube for my SS. Now I can kill my legs.:roll::mrgreen:

 

[hpiguy]

It's really good to see how quickly this thread blew up. You guys have motivated me in ways you'll never know. With that, I present my new toy, a day early, my leftover 2013 Trek 1.5. (yes I know it's not a MTB :mrgreen

 

[OTHGbronco82]

Lucky you. Get to keep the moto and the bikes inside.

 

[hpiguy]

Lucky you. Get to keep the moto and the bikes inside.

Ha ha, that's just the fiddy (pit bike). But the bicycles are too easy to steal, so they live indoors. My project this weekend is to install the hooks I bought for the bicycles though, so they'll be up and out of the way. "thumbsup" The supermoto lives outside in the garage.

 

[OTHGbronco82]

Ha ha, that's just the fiddy (pit bike). But the bicycles are too easy to steal, so they live indoors. My project this weekend is to install the hooks I bought for the bicycles though, so they'll be up and out of the way. "thumbsup" The supermoto lives outside in the garage.

Mine are in the back yard with an anti theft device we call Cujo. Still has his nuts and will eat your ass if you come in his back yard. Plus the neighbor has some new security cameras too.

 

[rockhugger]

Double thumbs up "thumbsup""thumbsup" Triple Like

That's awesome !!! I did 50 miles the other evening up into the Foothills with a few climbs that were on stage 1 of the ATOC. 3 days of road rides in a row and finally a rest day today.


I want to get back on the dirt SS again soon.

Maybe we should rename the thread : Official "Bikes & Biking fitness chit chat"
since it's Bikes in general. "thumbsup"



.

 

[hpiguy]

Thanks guys! LMAO @ Cujo, and I don't blame you, we work too hard for our things for some dead beat to run off with them. I'm not opposed to renaming the thread the Biking or Cycling blah blah whatever thread, now that you guys have helped lure me over to the darkside. :mrgreen:

 

[Sh0rtBus]

Ha ha, that's just the fiddy (pit bike). But the bicycles are too easy to steal, so they live indoors. My project this weekend is to install the hooks I bought for the bicycles though, so they'll be up and out of the way. "thumbsup" The supermoto lives outside in the garage.

I found an actual clamp-style stand for lack of a better word for hang mine on. Will hold them pretty securely and allow me to work on them while they're hanging up. Think I paid like $60 each for two of them on Amazon. Check them out.

Amazon.com : BIKEHAND Bicycle Bike Wall Mount Repair Rack Stand : Bike Workstands : Sports & Outdoors

 

[hpiguy]

I found an actual clamp-style stand for lack of a better word for hang mine on. Will hold them pretty securely and allow me to work on them while they're hanging up. Think I paid like $60 each for two of them on Amazon. Check them out.

Amazon.com : BIKEHAND Bicycle Bike Wall Mount Repair Rack Stand : Bike Workstands : Sports & Outdoors

Those are pretty slick, but my hooks were $8. :mrgreen: I'm going to invest in a workstand at some point, just need to decide what to buy. Most likely a Park tools stand, as it's one of those things I'd rather just buy once and be done with it.

 

[Sh0rtBus]

Those are pretty slick, but my hooks were $8. :mrgreen: I'm going to invest in a workstand at some point, just need to decide what to buy. Most likely a Park tools stand, as it's one of those things I'd rather just buy once and be done with it.

I considered a stand, too, but figured it might be easier (and more cost-effective) to just buy Bike Hand wall-mounted clamps to serve a dual purpose. Oddly enough, though, I haven't taken the time to clear crap out of my garage so I can mount and start using them. They're still in the box waiting to be hung up. Just cant seem to make myself get busy on cleaning/clearing out my garage. One of those things I keep putting off because I dread doing it.

 

[hpiguy]

Sounds like my spare room where the RC collection lives. But it's getting done soon so I can reclaim some storage space.

 

[hpiguy]

I installed the Cromag saddle that didn't work for MTB'ing on the road bike, going to try it there. Also put my seat bag and tail light on. I don't plan on riding at night, but the weather here can go from 90 and clear to 60 and foggy after a thunderstorm, so I figure it's good to have, plus I plan to ride to work some so it'll be useful on those early AM rides. I also got my wall hooks mounted, as the bikes live inside rather than outside on the carport. Way to easy to pick up and throw in a truck and steal them. I also picked up a truck bed fork lock mount that I need to install in the next day or two as well.

I also realized that I spent a good bit more on my road bike than I did my MTB, when I was all about getting back into mountain biking a couple months ago. What the hell have you guys done to me?

For normal people, this would be the dining room :mrgreen:

 

[Hi-Intentionz]

I have a diamondback outlook any suggestions on tires for like off-road and onroad ??? Pretty much all terrain tires