Official mountain biking thread

13822354:Psullivan said:
Thanks man. I defiantly don't have the 3,000 but I ave heard that bike parks sell their rentals at the end of the season. Do you know if this is true?
Click to expand...

Its true, but I would not recommend it at all:

- All bikes have more mileage on them than manufacturers recommendation

- All bikes have been beaten to shit by noobs, they will have some degree of damage on the frame. (I tried a rental Norco Aurem 2016 and the bike felt awful all around. My Devinci Wilson 08 was in better shape)

- They are Spec bikes, meaning you get the lowest end model

- None of them get recommended maintenance, so the most expensive parts like fork, shock and bearings will be stock and you will have to pay to maintain them

-They will maintained by a guy just like you and not a shop employee

- The cost of initial maintenance will be as expensive as the bike itself...especially fork, shock and pivot bearings

-Absolutely no warranty is guaranteed

- The sale price will be a fucking joke comparing to the worth of the original (a 4500$ bike will be sold for 2000$)

The best deal you can get is being a used one by someone who loves biking and needs to sell it for space or money. Make sure you get the dates of last service for every part and test ride it before buying. Its rare you will get a lemon, even if the bike a 4 years old popular brand bike. Just make a serious effort to research what is out there and you can find an awesome bike for less than 2,000$
 
13822374:freestyler540 said:
Its true, but I would not recommend it at all:

- All bikes have more mileage on them than manufacturers recommendation

- All bikes have been beaten to shit by noobs, they will have some degree of damage on the frame. (I tried a rental Norco Aurem 2016 and the bike felt awful all around. My Devinci Wilson 08 was in better shape)

- They are Spec bikes, meaning you get the lowest end model

- None of them get recommended maintenance, so the most expensive parts like fork, shock and bearings will be stock and you will have to pay to maintain them

-They will maintained by a guy just like you and not a shop employee

- The cost of initial maintenance will be as expensive as the bike itself...especially fork, shock and pivot bearings

-Absolutely no warranty is guaranteed

- The sale price will be a fucking joke comparing to the worth of the original (a 4500$ bike will be sold for 2000$)

The best deal you can get is being a used one by someone who loves biking and needs to sell it for space or money. Make sure you get the dates of last service for every part and test ride it before buying. Its rare you will get a lemon, even if the bike a 4 years old popular brand bike. Just make a serious effort to research what is out there and you can find an awesome bike for less than 2,000$
Click to expand...

I second this. You will spend a ton of money just getting the bike into any kind of decent shape with initial maintenance. There are some shops (very very few) that will do a good work over of the bike before selling it, but most just cover the paint scars and any visible damage.

I just built a bike. I got about a $2000 bike for about $800 total just by buying parts separately and building it. I will say that a lot went into this because there are SO many different standards now that you have to line up.
 
Fucking lol... My life in the past two weeks:

Get new job, buy new bike, my first bike, and be stoked on riding

Ride stock bike around for a bit

Buy new pedals, grips, gloves, helmet

Step on sharp thing in the ocean and nearly cut toe off

Can't ride new bike or try out new gear... Or walk properly

Only consolation was I got to install the pedals and grips. I'll probably clean the chain and make some sort of chainstay protector or something since I'm bored.
 

13822724:DrZoidberg said:
Fucking lol... My life in the past two weeks:

Get new job, buy new bike, my first bike, and be stoked on riding

Ride stock bike around for a bit

Buy new pedals, grips, gloves, helmet

Step on sharp thing in the ocean and nearly cut toe off

Can't ride new bike or try out new gear... Or walk properly

Only consolation was I got to install the pedals and grips. I'll probably clean the chain and make some sort of chainstay protector or something since I'm bored.
Click to expand...
 
Had a Norco demo tonight. I was on the revolver. Loved it, but not for the downhill. Think I'm gonna get me a Norco sight
 
13822831:.lencon said:
29 mobbed up the hills
Click to expand...

Right on. Yeah you know, people are always calling 29ers gay, but i fucking love mine. Long travel, slack geometry 29er's are fun as shit. Still extremely playful and fast as fuck. Obviously they crank up the mountains too (especially running sram eagle :).....)
 
13822833:GANDALF said:
Right on. Yeah you know, people are always calling 29ers gay, but i fucking love mine. Long travel, slack geometry 29er's are fun as shit. Still extremely playful and fast as fuck. Obviously they crank up the mountains too (especially running sram eagle :).....)
Click to expand...

Yeah.. idk if I would want one for my one and only bike, but I have a lot of respect for them now.

If I could find a well built 29er for the style of riding I do, I would really consider it.

Maybe a Norco sight C9 would be sick
 
13822862:Sklar said:
You're plus sized
Click to expand...

Your mom's plus sized.

Also, on the MBT stoke, doing my first adventure race tomorrow, 17ish miles on the bike, and I get to use the frame bag I sewed!
 
Planning on hitting Tiger Mountain on saturday morning (the 24th) and riding predator while im in town. Anyone keen?
 
I'm looking between these three bikes, at least online. There's some shops and REI's around me so i can go look in person but these seem to be great deals. What do you guys think? Woods trails and stuff like that, lots of climbing. I like the Kona lightweight frame but I've read people didn't like the tires.

http://www.jensonusa.com/Mountain-Bikes/Jamis-Dragon-650-Sport-Bike-2016?cs=Dark%20Shadow

http://www.jensonusa.com/Mountain-Bikes/Jamis-Nemesis-Comp-Bike-2016?cs=Black%20Ice

http://www.jensonusa.com/Mountain-Bikes/Kona-Kula-Bike-2015?cs=Black
 
13824031:a_pla5tic_bag said:
I'm looking between these three bikes, at least online. There's some shops and REI's around me so i can go look in person but these seem to be great deals. What do you guys think? Woods trails and stuff like that, lots of climbing. I like the Kona lightweight frame but I've read people didn't like the tires.

http://www.jensonusa.com/Mountain-Bikes/Jamis-Dragon-650-Sport-Bike-2016?cs=Dark%20Shadow

http://www.jensonusa.com/Mountain-Bikes/Jamis-Nemesis-Comp-Bike-2016?cs=Black%20Ice

http://www.jensonusa.com/Mountain-Bikes/Kona-Kula-Bike-2015?cs=Black
Click to expand...

Its a tough call, all bikes are quite good. I would recommend the Kona Kula. The bike has the best components of the 3. The Recon gold is the highest end fork and the rear derailleur is the best of the 3. The head angle is a comfortable 69 degrees. The XT rear derailleur is a reliable one. They dont give the brake model so I cant say too much. for 1000$, you get a better deal.

The Dragon 650 is the other one, the bike is lighter and the added 20mm travel will help with forgiveness on the downhill sections. Its a steeper head angle, but not by much. The derailleur and the brakes are low end models, but if you are starting out, you wont notice the difference. The price is better.
 
I also figure the steel will last longer but if I want to make the bike progressively lighter, might as well not start out with steel. idk. We'll see. Some reviews said the tires are bad and the paint chips but I don't care for the paint, and people might just be nubs blaming tires for their shitty skills so who knows.
 
Anyone here with a fox 40R fork? I can't seem to turn the preload knob at all. Recently had it in for a full service just after I bought the bike it came with (used 2013 mondraker summum) so I'm not sure if its supposed to be turned on this model or what since I would expect everything to be working after the full service..
 
Moving to BC, looking to get right back into it after not biking for awhile, hoping to get some runs at Blue before moving, so been lookin around kijiji. Been browsing the thread and im thinking I dont need a full on expensive as hell DH, is this what I should be looking at?
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-mountain-bike/barrie/jamis-parker/1278884998

Reviews are good for it, seems like a good deal for 600, offered him 500 already, thinking about just going for the 600. Fuck I just wanna get riding
 
13798194:.nasty said:
new bike day!

17218688_10210450999366117_1586765333730510129_o.jpg
Click to expand...

looking back through this thread..

How do you like your recluse? Pretty sure I'm picking one up next week. I got to ride around just a little bit on it and I like it from what I can tell.
 
13825867:.lencon said:
looking back through this thread..

How do you like your recluse? Pretty sure I'm picking one up next week. I got to ride around just a little bit on it and I like it from what I can tell.
Click to expand...

Well I came off a 2016 Tracer (so not the current model), and with a longer wheelbase/slacker head angle (not by too much) it descends even better than the tracer did. At the same time, the steeper seat tube angle really helps for climbing (not to mention it's a good 1.5 pounds lighter than my tracer was). It's got a nimble freeride style geometry that has really helped push how much i'm able to flick it around and be playful.

Only thing I'd recommend is springing the extra 7-8 hundred bucks for the elite build over the pro build so you get the carbon wheels. Not so much for the weight savings (the mavics on the pro build are very light) but for the stiffness aspect. The Mavics on the pro build are strong but still flex more than I want them to.
 
13826286:.nasty said:
Well I came off a 2016 Tracer (so not the current model), and with a longer wheelbase/slacker head angle (not by too much) it descends even better than the tracer did. At the same time, the steeper seat tube angle really helps for climbing (not to mention it's a good 1.5 pounds lighter than my tracer was). It's got a nimble freeride style geometry that has really helped push how much i'm able to flick it around and be playful.

Only thing I'd recommend is springing the extra 7-8 hundred bucks for the elite build over the pro build so you get the carbon wheels. Not so much for the weight savings (the mavics on the pro build are very light) but for the stiffness aspect. The Mavics on the pro build are strong but still flex more than I want them to.
Click to expand...

I actually bought the foundation/expert build before you posted this. Bought it a few days ago and it rips. Only been on one good ride with it but I'm impressed. A true all mountain bike in my eyes. Climbs well and descends great!

It's the best bike I've ever been on. I'll post pics when I get the chance.
 
13826365:.lencon said:
I actually bought the foundation/expert build before you posted this. Bought it a few days ago and it rips. Only been on one good ride with it but I'm impressed. A true all mountain bike in my eyes. Climbs well and descends great!

It's the best bike I've ever been on. I'll post pics when I get the chance.
Click to expand...
I do like the murdered out color the most out of all of the options, might've gotten it too if I didn't find a brand new pro build for 4k on pinkbike haha.
 
13826421:.nasty said:
I do like the murdered out color the most out of all of the options, might've gotten it too if I didn't find a brand new pro build for 4k on pinkbike haha.
Click to expand...

Damn that is a steal. Mine was 3k, pretty good deal, but yeah you walked away nicely.

I've always thought it was weird how Intense did their color options. I've always liked their colors, but it's just weird to me. Kinda just glad I didn't get that orange/pink one. But mine and all the other recluses are so sick!
 
[img=]871898[/img]

13826426:.lencon said:
Damn that is a steal. Mine was 3k, pretty good deal, but yeah you walked away nicely.

I've always thought it was weird how Intense did their color options. I've always liked their colors, but it's just weird to me. Kinda just glad I didn't get that orange/pink one. But mine and all the other recluses are so sick!
Click to expand...

Guess I should post a pic...
 
13826428:.lencon said:
[img=]871898[/img]

Guess I should post a pic...
Click to expand...

lookin good! yeah the orange one is hideous haha. I do wish intense would make all colors available in all builds like santa cruz does (not to mention using a threaded BB like santa cruz does haha). I like all black bikes so that people never stop you on that trail and go "OMG IS THAT THE NEW RECLUSE?!" haha
 
13826429:.nasty said:
lookin good! yeah the orange one is hideous haha. I do wish intense would make all colors available in all builds like santa cruz does (not to mention using a threaded BB like santa cruz does haha). I like all black bikes so that people never stop you on that trail and go "OMG IS THAT THE NEW RECLUSE?!" haha
Click to expand...

Haha I don't mind people asking me. Most people it seems haven't really heard of intense anyways so I have to tell them I'm actually on a nice bike And not a Walmart brand lol.

But yeah; that's one thing nice about all black
 
I've gone through like 3 tubes in the past 8 rides before realizing that my rim strips are crawling up to the sides of the bead seat and there are like 6 nipple heads that are completely stripped with shards of metal pinging around in the rim. What the fuck?

Anyone rode some slack long travel hardtails like the commencal meta ht? I'm kinda outpacing/scaring myself on my 100mm xc bike on the downhills trying to keep up with my friends on their FS bikes. But I really like the price, simplicity, and climbing abilities of hardtails, so how would a long travel hardtail compare to a shorter travel FS
 
13826499:No.Quarter said:
I've gone through like 3 tubes in the past 8 rides before realizing that my rim strips are crawling up to the sides of the bead seat and there are like 6 nipple heads that are completely stripped with shards of metal pinging around in the rim. What the fuck?

Anyone rode some slack long travel hardtails like the commencal meta ht? I'm kinda outpacing/scaring myself on my 100mm xc bike on the downhills trying to keep up with my friends on their FS bikes. But I really like the price, simplicity, and climbing abilities of hardtails, so how would a long travel hardtail compare to a shorter travel FS
Click to expand...

That Kona hardtail is pretty rad. I still would never go back to a hardtail, the climbing abilities and other positive attributes they have in that regard don't even come close to the positives you get out of a full suspension. Climbing on 140-160mm travel FS bikes isn't as bad as it used to be years ago
 
13826499:No.Quarter said:
I've gone through like 3 tubes in the past 8 rides before realizing that my rim strips are crawling up to the sides of the bead seat and there are like 6 nipple heads that are completely stripped with shards of metal pinging around in the rim. What the fuck?

Anyone rode some slack long travel hardtails like the commencal meta ht? I'm kinda outpacing/scaring myself on my 100mm xc bike on the downhills trying to keep up with my friends on their FS bikes. But I really like the price, simplicity, and climbing abilities of hardtails, so how would a long travel hardtail compare to a shorter travel FS
Click to expand...

Chromag bikes. Seriously. Also Transition just came out with a couple new hardtails that look sewpah seek
 
13826499:No.Quarter said:
I've gone through like 3 tubes in the past 8 rides before realizing that my rim strips are crawling up to the sides of the bead seat and there are like 6 nipple heads that are completely stripped with shards of metal pinging around in the rim. What the fuck?

Anyone rode some slack long travel hardtails like the commencal meta ht? I'm kinda outpacing/scaring myself on my 100mm xc bike on the downhills trying to keep up with my friends on their FS bikes. But I really like the price, simplicity, and climbing abilities of hardtails, so how would a long travel hardtail compare to a shorter travel FS
Click to expand...

I rode trails for years on a NS Bitch hardtail frame with 5" up front as my only bike. That said, save up 2 grand and buy a sweet used FS bike on Pinkbike. There's tons of 26ers available for great prices.
 
I just went on a group ride for the first time... I thought surfing was a lot of work. Those people are in great shape. I've also never ridden something so rocky and full of roots. And I almost cut my toe off a month ago and it's still not quite healed, so that didn't help. I bailed earlier than the rest and now my toe is swollen. Still fun, though.
 
Been getting alot more into mountain biking this summer riding local trails around the twin cities as well as cuyuna and the duluth traverse further north (word class trail systems imo and suprisingly highly ranked by imba) -wanted to give a lil plug for minnesota mountain bike scene as I have a feeling its larger or as large as some of the more well known mountain bike states besides cali (not having actual mountains hurts tho) Also got to ride whistler and now at a resort in the sierra nevada of spain which have definitely changed my perspective. Anyways I've just been borrowing my dads bike but wanna get my own to bring out to school this yr in colorado. Having ridden some downhill now I definitely want something that I can take out to breck or keystone, but I still wanna bring it home in the summer and rip the local xc trails. I got to try out an enduro bike at afformentioned sierra nevada bike park and this seems perfect for what im thinking. So all that being said can anyone recommend some models to look for used that wouldn't run me more than $1500, and/or thoughts on other types of bikes that might work.? Also will it be possible to get a decent bike for that price? Thnx doods
 
I was riding on Saturday and clipped a tree trunk with my pedal at a decent speed. More or less stopped instantly, although I managed to walk away perfectly fine despite a dramatic fall. I think I bent the axel or spindle or whatever you're going to call it on the pedal. It still spins fine, but it's ever so slightly bent relative to the crank. Doesn't seem like it's going to break or anything. Deity Comps are pretty strong apparently.

May or may not have bent the derailleur hanger too. Hard to tell. Probably will just replace it anyway.
 
13827425:DrZoidberg said:
I was riding on Saturday and clipped a tree trunk with my pedal at a decent speed. More or less stopped instantly, although I managed to walk away perfectly fine despite a dramatic fall. I think I bent the axel or spindle or whatever you're going to call it on the pedal. It still spins fine, but it's ever so slightly bent relative to the crank. Doesn't seem like it's going to break or anything. Deity Comps are pretty strong apparently.

May or may not have bent the derailleur hanger too. Hard to tell. Probably will just replace it anyway.
Click to expand...

If you bent the derailleur hanger I'm pretty sure you should be able to bend it back really cheap at your local bike shop. Had that done once and was definitely allot cheaper than buying the hanger alignment tool myself or buying a new hanger.
 
The Big Mountain Enduro comes to Snowmass tomorrow for the only American stop this year, and I'm sick with mono and can't go watch the pros slay my local trails and get access to trails that I don't even get access to. Also, because of the mono, I'm not allowed to mtn bike for a month. This means I'm actually going to have to go hiking.
 
13827757:Mar-O said:
If you bent the derailleur hanger I'm pretty sure you should be able to bend it back really cheap at your local bike shop. Had that done once and was definitely allot cheaper than buying the hanger alignment tool myself or buying a new hanger.
Click to expand...

I think I fixed it. I had everything apart and messed with the limiting screws on it a bit. The hanger might be a tad bent but it's not randomly switching gears and whatever anymore so it's in order. Went riding for a bit and didn't drop a chain. I'll take it.

I know there's tons of variations in tires, but what's one you can't go wrong with for loose, dry dusty stuff, dirt and general woods stuff. Not lots of roots or rocks or wetness. What's the fulltilts of tires?
 
13827874:DrZoidberg said:
I know there's tons of variations in tires, but what's one you can't go wrong with for loose, dry dusty stuff, dirt and general woods stuff. Not lots of roots or rocks or wetness. What's the fulltilts of tires?
Click to expand...

There's so many options out there, but right now I'm running the Maxxis High Roller 2.3 on my front and the WTB Vigilante 2.3 on the back and I think it might be my favorite tire combo I've ever used in my nearly 20 years of mtn biking.
 
13827878:ThaLorax said:
There's so many options out there, but right now I'm running the Maxxis High Roller 2.3 on my front and the WTB Vigilante 2.3 on the back and I think it might be my favorite tire combo I've ever used in my nearly 20 years of mtn biking.
Click to expand...

Loving my Maxxis High Roller 2.3s Im running them on the front and the rear though. Still super nice.

Also, you should go even if you have mono.. thats just one of those things you need to do when you're sick haha.
 
13827881:.lencon said:
Loving my Maxxis High Roller 2.3s Im running them on the front and the rear though. Still super nice.

Also, you should go even if you have mono.. thats just one of those things you need to do when you're sick haha.
Click to expand...

Personally, I like having a round shaped tread on the rear tire. That's why I threw the Vigilante on the rear. I don't like tall, knobby/flat tread on the rear. I feel I can initiate turns better with a roundish rear. Keeping the High Roller up front helps with tread while climbing and digging in while in mid-turn/preventing front tire washout.

And ya, I'm going to try and make it to at least one of the stages. Snowmass built a new trail for the race. Can't wait to ride it after (a month from now, when I'm allowed to exercise again).

**This post was edited on Jul 27th 2017 at 12:31:35am
 
Also, order a new derailleur hangar for your bike. they're not expensive, and easy to replace. It makes a huge difference in your bikes performance. On almost all bikes, they're made of very soft aluminium, so they're literally made to break so your frame/drivetrain doesn't' break instead.
 
13827975:ThaLorax said:
Also, order a new derailleur hangar for your bike. they're not expensive, and easy to replace. It makes a huge difference in your bikes performance. On almost all bikes, they're made of very soft aluminium, so they're literally made to break so your frame/drivetrain doesn't' break instead.
Click to expand...

Having snapped a hanger at the furthest point on the trail, I now make it a point to carry a spare with me. Quite often, they don't bend back very well and snap due their super soft construction. Carry a spare- it's cheap, weighs nothing, and takes up almost no space in your pack/saddle bag/wherever you stash bits. If you never need it, no big deal (sell it when you sell your bike) but if you do need it, it's one of those trip wrecker/life saver parts.
 
13828053:onenerdykid said:
Having snapped a hanger at the furthest point on the trail, I now make it a point to carry a spare with me. Quite often, they don't bend back very well and snap due their super soft construction. Carry a spare- it's cheap, weighs nothing, and takes up almost no space in your pack/saddle bag/wherever you stash bits. If you never need it, no big deal (sell it when you sell your bike) but if you do need it, it's one of those trip wrecker/life saver parts.
Click to expand...

Are breaking those very common? Don't think I've ever broke mine or talked to anyone who has.

Have had and have known many people with derailleur problems, but I don't think it came from the hanger.
 
Yes, it's pretty common. I've only ever broken one, and it was on my DH bike... but I'm a feather weight and rarely break parts.
 
13828117:ThaLorax said:
Yes, it's pretty common. I've only ever broken one, and it was on my DH bike... but I'm a feather weight and rarely break parts.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty light too, so that probably why I haven't had that experience yet. Hopefully I never have it:P
 
I'm super light so I'm not gonna snap anything with my own weight either. But, I clipped a tree stump with my pedal and the bike flew more or less derailleur first into a tree at a reasonable speed. I wouldn't be surprised if that did it.

So are the hangers universal or something? I saw that people carry them and thought it was a good plan. Everything works now but I'm gonna get one anyway along with tires.
 
Any good helmets with MIPS that don't look super dorky and aren't outrageous on price?

Currently looking at Fox Metah, Troy Lee A1, and Giro Montaro
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top