Official MTB / Mountain Biking Chit Chat

[OTHGbronco82]

Well, my drivetrain upgrade on the downhill bike is about half done. I just need a cassette and chain and it's done. Then it's on to the brakes.:mrgreen:

 

[johnnyh66]

got another fat flat... think this one was a puncture.

Hmm.....I'm guessing you didn't go tubeless yet?

You know, if you don't want to go tubeless you "can" run the sealant in your tubes also. Defeats the purpose of making the wheels lighter but will also help prevent you from getting flats. "thumbsup"

I tore the sidewall open.

I think I'm going to buy a couple more tires... I need to reinforce them with kevlar!

 

[gdb85]

Yikes! No sealant will help that. The only thing I might suggest is less expensive wire bead tires if you like playing & rock hopping in that area you post up. 100-140.00 dollar tires can get quite costly.

You might want to look into the Panaracer "Fat-B-Nimble". They are only 4" wide though but the Kevlar Bead can be had for 55.00 and the wire bead for 36.00 on ebay

 

[jsowens]

I'm probably going to end up getting the saint shifter. I have formula T1s right now. I feel like I could use more power. Plus they're kinda noisey and rub like no tomorrow.

I've never seen a set of Formula brakes that didn't rub like crazy. A friend of mine has the same brakes as you and his rub a whole lot. Can't go wrong with Shimano brakes and I'm hearing good things about the new Guide brakes from SRAM.

 

[Mnster]

A single stick, all it takes to destroy a derailleur, bend some spokes, scratch the frame and cause a 2 mile walk home in the dark.

 

[OTHGbronco82]

I've never seen a set of Formula brakes that didn't rub like crazy. A friend of mine has the same brakes as you and his rub a whole lot. Can't go wrong with Shimano brakes and I'm hearing good things about the new Guide brakes from SRAM.

Yeah, I have most of the rub out. But not near enough to make me happy. I've narrowed it down to Zee's and Guide RSC's. It'll probably end up being the brakes, rotors, and adaptors.

 

[K_B]

Ended up selling my Giant Reign and getting a Trek Fuel EX in an attempt to find a bike that would climb better. I soon discovered it was actually a fitness thing (go figure!) so I sold the Trek which kinda sucked on the downhill stuff and picked up the new Specialized Stumpjumper 6Fattie 27.5+. Stupid name aside, I'm enjoying the bike so far.

 

[Natedog]

Yikes! No sealant will help that. The only thing I might suggest is less expensive wire bead tires if you like playing & rock hopping in that area you post up. 100-140.00 dollar tires can get quite costly.

You might want to look into the Panaracer "Fat-B-Nimble". They are only 4" wide though but the Kevlar Bead can be had for 55.00 and the wire bead for 36.00 on ebay

Great tip on those Panaracer tires! "thumbsup"

I've never seen a set of Formula brakes that didn't rub like crazy. A friend of mine has the same brakes as you and his rub a whole lot. Can't go wrong with Shimano brakes and I'm hearing good things about the new Guide brakes from SRAM.

Avid hydraulics are pita to bleed and I've had some Juicy's with fawkin sticky pistons no matter what I did to them. :twisted: Shimanos are my next hydro brakes, for manual cable disks you can't beat Avid BB7s...cheap, reliable, easy to fix and adjust, stop great, metallic pad option to quiet them down if needed more stop power too.

A single stick, all it takes to destroy a derailleur, bend some spokes, scratch the frame and cause a 2 mile walk home in the dark.

Yep lol...that's when I get out ma chain breaker tool and make her a single speed for the ride out! ;-)"thumbsup"

EDIT: K_B, nice new bike...much better and yes fitness is the most important aspect of biking. Put a fit rider on most any bike that is properly fit and they will kick azz, but a spensive bike does not make a 'fit' rider, gotta build strength and stamina. Road riding is great for both of these and as spinny recovery rides between mtb rides.

 

[gdb85]

Ended up selling my Giant Reign and getting a Trek Fuel EX in an attempt to find a bike that would climb better. I soon discovered it was actually a fitness thing (go figure!) so I sold the Trek which kinda sucked on the downhill stuff and picked up the new Specialized Stumpjumper 6Fattie 27.5+. Stupid name aside, I'm enjoying the bike so far.

I got a feeling you're going to like that! "thumbsup"

IMO I think that is the ultimate trail bike set up (27.5 plus) There are going to be a lot of new bikes in 2016 with that size wheel/tire. Full suspension and hardtails.

I got my eye on the FUSE PRO when it's released and I just got two new bikes this summer, lol. 8)

 

[K_B]

I got a feeling you're going to like that! "thumbsup"

IMO I think that is the ultimate trail bike set up (27.5 plus) There are going to be a lot of new bikes in 2016 with that size wheel/tire. Full suspension and hardtails.

I got my eye on the FUSE PRO when it's released and I just got two new bikes this summer, lol. 8)

So far, it seems to be the good all-rounder I've been searching for. Lots of traction so I have a lot more confidence on descents. But you gotta just trust the bike because there's not as much feel in the front-end like my other bikes. I'm used to making tiny corrections all the time with my old bikes but with this one is more or less "point-n-shoot". Seems to climb about as good as the Trek did too.

 

[jsowens]

IMO, Avid brakes are pretty easy to bleed. It's a little time consuming getting all the air bubbles out, but not very hard. I guess I'm use to it with how many I've bled. Want a pain in the ass set of brakes to service...buy a set of Hayes.

Stumpjumpers are awesome bikes. I took mine out this morning in my hometown to check out some trails I've never been on before. The new Monarch Plus Debonair rear shock is an absolute game changer on it. It's insane how good it feels. Perfect companion to the Pike up front.

 

[hpiguy]

I'm diggin' the hell outta that 6 fattie!

 

[hpiguy]

My favorite MTB got a new chain, and now that you can finally find them, some of the new B+ sized tires. I got lucky, and my fork had plenty of room for them. WTB trailblazer 27.5 x 2.8, can't wait to try 'em out tomorrow!

 

[hpiguy]

Took the now B+ side on a post work ride today. My initial thoughts...

Rained us out yesterday, and I was first man on the trails today. How do I know? Because I collected about 50 spiderwebs. You can only see the one, but there are three on my brake cables in this pic. Pedal or GTFO!

At the bottom...

On the way up. Damn roots, made it to the last one and spun the back tire

At the top...made the climb for a second time in a row on the SS.

Do you see it?

Also, have I mentioned lately, I love this bike? :mrgreen:

Strava deets

 

[Natedog]

Yes, I see it. What hydration pack are you using? My Camelbak Antidote bladder is pissing me off, the dam new funky style fill cap o-ring leaks intermittently, I've lost a good amount of water couple times this way.

 

[hpiguy]

Nate, I run the Camelback Charge 10LR. I like how it carries the weight lower on your body, and distributes that weight well. Headed for some tough riding this weekend if all goes well, so I may add a bottle to my 2L water capacity, just in case. I had some issues with my antidote bladder initially, mostly just teething issues with me getting used to the new system. I know they'll make it right if you let them know however, lifetime warranty (that they actually stand behind) and all.

 

[RiceBurner]

A single stick, all it takes to destroy a derailleur, bend some spokes, scratch the frame and cause a 2 mile walk home in the dark.

Brings back bad memories. Had that happen a month ago. Cost me a XTR derailer/hanger and some spokes. 30 minutes in, on a trail 2+hrs away. Single speeded my way back to the car.

 

[RiceBurner]

I tore the sidewall open.

I think I'm going to buy a couple more tires... I need to reinforce them with kevlar!

I run light weight race tires and cut sidewalls often. I clean the area with ether and a paper towel and use a automotive patch inside to reinforce the cut. Been running all summer on a tire with two patches in it. Saves $

 

[hpiguy]

Just got back from a weekend riding / camping trip. It was so great to get away and disconnect for a while.

First day was at DuPont. My ride got cut short and included some walking, did just over 18 miles.

Map reading class 101

Top of Airstrip with my buddy Mike

Fixing a flat on Mine Mountain. I would do this a couple more times before heading for the truck, flatting again, and walking the last 3 or so miles. Couldn't find anything in the tire or wrong with the rim, turns out it was a small rock gash in the sidewall.

Bottom of what I think is Reasonover

Accommodations for the evening

Second day was at Pisgah. Rode a variation of the big M loop starting from Sycamore cycles. Some pavement and easy bike path stuff to the horse stables, then Clawhammer to Maxwell cove to Hickory Knob to lower Black Mtn to pisgah hwy to grassy to Sycamore. Just an incredible ride! Right at 16 miles, and lots of clmibing!

My buddy Mike (I think) coming down Black

The group

Post ride was Hubba Hubba BBQ and beers at The Hub

I'd post up Strava deets, but the Garmin wonked out (imagine that, a Garmin product being buggy LOL) as usual.

 

[JeremyH]

HPIGuy, that looks like fun!!!

I recently decided to fix my MTB and took it for a spin over the weekend:

It's been a while since I've been on my mountain bike, but I had a blast!