californiagrown
Active member
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Official mountain biking thread
- Thread starter bakedpow
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division.bell
Active member
13423285:californiagrown said:
I'll likely be pedaling around the area during the next few days.
If you're in town this weekend go check out Duthie. Specialized is having a demo open to the public for some of the new 2016 models.
Where all have you ridden out here so far?
Bend is a worthwhile bike destination if you haven't done so already. Lots of variety in the area to choose from and/or link together.
californiagrown
Active member
13423655:division.bell said:
Lets meet up for a ride! When are you planning on being up there? Im headed up tomorrow morning, any suggestion on loops for someone of my ability level going solo?
Im usually at either Tiger or duthie depending on how lazy im feeling and how much time i have available. Bend is going to be part of my oregon trip next week: Hood, Black Rock, Ashland, Bend, Hood River.
Ill for sure be at Duthie on Saturday early.
division.bell
Active member
13423679:JuliusJ said:
Yeah, I've been hearing good things already too. I need to get down there soon.
The only time I've ridden Tyler's was right after the enduro race last summer and saying it was absolutely fucking demolished is a complete understatement. Deepest moondust turns of my life...
13423690:californiagrown said:
I'm the wrong one to ask about Galbraith; I have yet to get up there myself.
I'm down, but I have no specific plans yet. Going to sleep in tomorrow and make riding plans after breakfast.
So you've only really ridden Tiger and Duthie (I know you said St Ed's before)? Man, you should branch out a bit more locally before spending hours in a car. Unless you are really going for only epic days, I'd learn some of the trails in your backyard on your mellower days leading up to the Oregon trip.
If you plan on demo'ing bikes on Saturday morning, I'd recommend RSVP'ing here;http://www.specialized.com/us/en/news/latest-news/21769. There should be some cool stuff to ride from my understanding, but I won't be able to make it to the demo this weekend unfortunately.
division.bell
Active member
division.bell
Active member
13423768:ThaLorax said:
Jealous.
Be sure to bump this thread with some pictures after your excursions.
ThaLorax
Active member
13423789:division.bell said:
Will do. I'm driving my Mom's RV from CA back home to the Aspen area and plant to camp there in it, but only have my DJ/AM Steel hardtail with me. That kinda limits me, so I might do one day on the slick rock trail because I haven't ridden that since 2009 (and it's not too difficult) and hike Fischer Towers the next day. Then head home, grab my Turner 5 Spot, and turn around and head back to Moab the next week if I can wrangle a friend or two to join. I want to check out some of the more newly built trails there.
division.bell
Active member
Spent some time on the new Stumpjumper FSR 29er today...fucking wow! My next bike has been easily decided.
For you WA riders that need something to do this weekend, hit up the public demo at Duthie that runs Saturday and Sunday. You can get some saddle time on some future bikes.
For you WA riders that need something to do this weekend, hit up the public demo at Duthie that runs Saturday and Sunday. You can get some saddle time on some future bikes.
californiagrown
Active member
13426400:GANDALF said:
Damn buddy, sorry to hear that. Thanks again for showing around galbraith, heal up quick so we can take some more laps!
13426623:byubound said:
Ill be up there one of those days- first time ill be biking without riding to the top!
ThaLorax
Active member
13423789:division.bell said:
Did not end up going to Moab. It was raining, lighting and 11pm when I got to the turnoff, so I kept going and actually slept at the Kokopelli trailhead in Fruita. There were tons of people's cars in the lot but nobody in them. I wonder where they were? THAT many people can't be bikepacking on the same trail and it's peak run-off so nobody is on the river.
I didn't end up riding either because I woke up to the same weather in Fruita (rain/lighting). Now I'm back home in Snowmass and it's snowing, and supposed to snow-rain every day this week. Mud season can be a bitch sometimes. Might have to trek to summit county and ski A Basin since there's no biking here for a week or so.
ThaLorax
Active member
On a different note:
I'm looking to replace my (circa 2005) protective gear.
What full-face helmet do you guys like to use? I'm looking to upgrade my old 661 Comp. I don't like how heavy it is and it's time to replace it (several decent impacts). The weight hurts my neck when I wear it all day and Snowmass has an awesome lift access bike park practically across the street from my house.... so I'll be riding all day frequently. The new ones seem much lighter than the old one I have (like I said above, circa 2005ish?) but I want an upgrade over the Comp.
Also looking to upgrade my goggles, shin, and knee guards. I have 661 gear from the same year as my helmet and both of them cut circulation off in their respective areas where the velcro straps go.
Any suggestions on both the Helmet and/or protective wear? What do you guys like? Not picky on the price. My motto is, "You can't pay enough to protect your only brain". At the same time, I'm not looking to drop $500 on a helmet either.
Tldr, looking for advice on what you all like for a full face helmet, knee/shin guards, goggle for biking, and (maybe) elbow guards, and (maybe) body armor.
I'm looking to replace my (circa 2005) protective gear.
What full-face helmet do you guys like to use? I'm looking to upgrade my old 661 Comp. I don't like how heavy it is and it's time to replace it (several decent impacts). The weight hurts my neck when I wear it all day and Snowmass has an awesome lift access bike park practically across the street from my house.... so I'll be riding all day frequently. The new ones seem much lighter than the old one I have (like I said above, circa 2005ish?) but I want an upgrade over the Comp.
Also looking to upgrade my goggles, shin, and knee guards. I have 661 gear from the same year as my helmet and both of them cut circulation off in their respective areas where the velcro straps go.
Any suggestions on both the Helmet and/or protective wear? What do you guys like? Not picky on the price. My motto is, "You can't pay enough to protect your only brain". At the same time, I'm not looking to drop $500 on a helmet either.
Tldr, looking for advice on what you all like for a full face helmet, knee/shin guards, goggle for biking, and (maybe) elbow guards, and (maybe) body armor.
JuliusJ
Active member
13426143:division.bell said:
Our shop(s) managed to snag like 10 of them, apparently they sold out very quickly in the early order. Stoked on that.
13426741:ThaLorax said:
I have the launch pro's for elbow and knee pads. They're decent. Not too uncomfortable, little hot. I wear the knee pads consistently, elbows sometimes if I'm riding something gnarly. We have Poc kneepads in my shop but I just haven't try them on yet, probably should for reference... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I know Giro makes a decent fullface for pretty cheap, so does Specialized.
division.bell
Active member
13426775:JuliusJ said:
Yeah they sold very fast! From the baller sworks model down to the one aluminum model, they moved damn quick.
I already can't wait to get back out on one again. So fucking fun. I may try and hit the public demo this weekend time permitting, but it's highly unlikely.
division.bell
Active member
13426808:division.bell said:
Fuck, that was supposed to read "the low aluminum model."
13426905:byubound said:
Won't make it today, possibly tomorrow. Rip it up on the new Stumpy if you can. The 650b version is one hell of a bike now with the 150mm of rear travel.
The 27.5+(6fattie) Fuze hardtail didn't do much for me. Sounds awesome on paper based on specs and geometry, but wasn't as lively as I was hoping for.
cydwhit
Active member
13426775:JuliusJ said:
Which shop are you with?
I think I'm finally getting close to being in the market for a new bike after the stolen Reign fiasco of last summer. I'm probably just going to troll PB for another used Reign or Enduro. I'd love to go 27.5 but I will probably save a few bucks and get one of the older ones.
I've been on Maestro for almost my entire full suspension career so I'd be interested to try FSR, anybody have any kind of opinions?
Planning on riding a bunch this summer, definitely some Washington trips, really want to ride Duthie, probably try to get to Black Rock as well and then maaaaaybe a Whistler stint. I'm pretty comfortable with a mid travel/enduro bike, I think. I'll be mostly riding longer trails but I'm coming out of a FR/DH background so I'll be jumping and riding steep tech stuff when I can find it. Stoked to be getting back into riding, any suggestions/advice are always appreciated!
division.bell
Active member
13423690:californiagrown said:
13426154:byubound said:
So who all went and checked out the new bikes at Duthie today? What bikes did you ride and what did you think?
byubound
Active member
I went out for a little, got on a stumpy 650 and the fatbike they had out. The fat bike was the first I had ridden, so I can't really comment on that. The stumpy was really fun. It honestly felt very similar to the devinci spartan I rode last week but more poppy and nimble. Im loving this new crop of playful AM bikes. Not sure how great of a climber it would be though.
ThaLorax
Active member
13426741:ThaLorax said:
I just remembered I get 50% off on POC through promotive.com. Has anybody tried the Cortex or Cortex DH? Their sizing chart says I'm a med/large but traditionally in hats I'm the smallest helmet you can possibly purchase that's not a kids model. I'd be at the low end of the medium/large size, so I'm worried about it being too loose for me. No returns/exchanges from promotive.com.
Leafman
Active member
Rode the 29" stumpy on Friday. Such a fun bike, way more nimble than my current generation evo. I was especially surprised with how well the bike tracked through corners.
Teanaway Forest
Slick rock action
Two more weeks until full moon, hopefully the weather lines up for some fun night rides.
californiagrown
Active member
How to make rampage look small and smooth:
division.bell
Active member
13427308:byubound said:
13427383:Leafman said:
I ended up riding the 650b on Sunday on the same Grand Ridge out and back and wasn't nearly as impressed with the 650b version overall compared to the stellar 29er. The 29er was the most stable and well tracking bike I've been on yet. Super impressed and am already looking forward to building one up.
2016 Stumpy Expert 29er
650b
...and photo dump of recent rides, scenes, bike shots, and part upgrades
Heading towards the woods and trails at Grand Ridge with Tiger in the background
View attachment 771027
Grand Ridge
View attachment 771030
Totally isolated day at Tokul. We were the only 2 out there.
View attachment 771041
Fat loving
View attachment 771032
View attachment 771034
View attachment 771033
View attachment 771035
Day glo yellow and glow in the dark.
That's the last time I will leave my bike unattended. Came back with some gnarly tape job done...
New carbon bits. Saved .2 lbs from a Race Face Sixc crank and 32t Race Face N/W ring and XT bottom bracket.
Shakedown ride just after installation
View attachment 771038
So I ordered one for myself...
and then my wife wanted one too.
Cleaning day results
And apparently my camera decided to turn pictures into paintings without informing me.
californiagrown
Active member
Sooooo i went and checked out the Stafford Creek Trail because im unempoloyed until next wednesday and because it is a "premium" trail on Evergreen MTB's trail list. Well, ho-ly shit. Fucking all time radness was had today. Probly 2/3 riding up 1/3 pushing but thats only because my technical climbing skills suck- it was never overly steep. The fire road up to Tiger is steeper. It took me about 3 hours to get all the way up to the ridgeline where i was blasted in the face with awesomness that i had nbo idea was going to be there. The pics do not do the sheer size of those mtns justice. Soo damn cool. then i hiked for about an hour up the steep goat trail to navajo peak for an incredible view of the whole stuart range.
And then the ride down. If i could design a trail for a trail bike- not an enduro bike, not a XC bike, this trail would be it. It went from surfy open face, to rocky and tight, to creek bed loose rocks, to fucking perfect flowy duff sections with natural berms, to trenched luge track and everything inbetween. it was never overly steep, it was never overly tech, and at no point was i thinking "shit this is kinda sketchy" or "this is to tech and boring". Fucking all time.
I highl;y reccomend this trip if you are in the relative area and need something fresh from the manicured, purpose built stuff that is all over the seattle area.
So, so cool. Great riding, with spectacular views at the top.
My stumpy at the freshly uncovered meadow before the final push to the ridgeline.
Had no idea this view awaited me when i crested the ridge. I can tell you how big this looks in person.
Cant take enough pictures of this view
shot of Mt Stuart throught he trees on the way up to Navajo peak. this is an artsy shot, right?
Looking East, opposite of the Stuarts, out towards Ellensburg/Wenatchee? you can see forever.
Chilling at the top of Navajo peak, with my cliff bar lunch. Clouds started rolling in right around lunch time, per usual for mtns, but i soaked up the last of the sun with a quick 30 minute nap in the crook of a rock. I cant wait to check out the Stuarts sometime this summer. I love alpine granite stuff and there are a bunch of lakes in those hanging valleys waiting to get fished.
And then the ride down. If i could design a trail for a trail bike- not an enduro bike, not a XC bike, this trail would be it. It went from surfy open face, to rocky and tight, to creek bed loose rocks, to fucking perfect flowy duff sections with natural berms, to trenched luge track and everything inbetween. it was never overly steep, it was never overly tech, and at no point was i thinking "shit this is kinda sketchy" or "this is to tech and boring". Fucking all time.
I highl;y reccomend this trip if you are in the relative area and need something fresh from the manicured, purpose built stuff that is all over the seattle area.
So, so cool. Great riding, with spectacular views at the top.
My stumpy at the freshly uncovered meadow before the final push to the ridgeline.
Had no idea this view awaited me when i crested the ridge. I can tell you how big this looks in person.
Cant take enough pictures of this view
shot of Mt Stuart throught he trees on the way up to Navajo peak. this is an artsy shot, right?
Looking East, opposite of the Stuarts, out towards Ellensburg/Wenatchee? you can see forever.
Chilling at the top of Navajo peak, with my cliff bar lunch. Clouds started rolling in right around lunch time, per usual for mtns, but i soaked up the last of the sun with a quick 30 minute nap in the crook of a rock. I cant wait to check out the Stuarts sometime this summer. I love alpine granite stuff and there are a bunch of lakes in those hanging valleys waiting to get fished.
-MK-
Active member
Looking in to invest in a new cheaper mountain bike. This bike will get ridden pretty hard, and was wondering if anyone could give me some insight on this bike and whether or not it would be a good purchase for a intermediate rider 6' 180lbs
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1635462/?directtofirstphoto
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1635462/?directtofirstphoto
Carl_the_Llama
Member
Finally found some dirt jumps near my house! Stoked!
stupendous-man
Active member
13429399:Carl_the_Llama said:Finally found some dirt jumps near my house! Stoked!
Don't fuck them up
DrZoidberg
Active member
Are fat bikes a trend or something? I was surfing yesterday and that's the third time in a row I've seen somebody riding one on the beach. That is what you call the super fat tire bikes right? This is by the beach, so it's mostly flat and there's probably no terrain to ride mount bikes.
-MK-
Active member
13429645:ThaLorax said:
Ill be riding downhill, with a small amount of xc, but I have to ride up all of my downhill trails.
That bike sold though, and now I'm looking at this one. Insight is appreciated. $1080 shipped
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1753654/
13429668:DrZoidberg said:
Living by a lengthy beach is one of the few situations that I can personally see wanting a fat bike. I've tried riding a regular bike on a fairly compacted beach and it didn't work very well. I imagine that a fat bike would.
I'm not sure that I'd want one for regular mountain biking though. Maybe if the terrain I rode was really sandy, but where I'm at now, I just don't see that advantages over a standard sized bike with med-biggish (2.35) tires.
ThaLorax
Active member
13429743:-MK- said:
At 6'1, you definitely want at least a large. The ad says it's a large so that should do it. The only way to tell if it fits is to test it out though. Ask to meet up in a big parking lot or actual trail and ride it around a bit. If you feel like the cockpit is squished/your hunched over too much, your knees are coming up above the handlebars when pedaling, etc, then it's too small. If you sit on it and you can't get your feet to touch the ground with the seat lowered or you feel like the reach to the handlebar is stretching your arms too much, then it might be too big. If it feels comfortable, it's probably good.
-MK-
Active member
13429780:ThaLorax said:
That's the only problem, im forced to order this bike, as I live in a smaller town with a small mountain bike community and no local bikes to buy. Plus my town is landlocked so I only leave like once a year, so I have to take my chances ordering this for now.
*TURBONERD*
Active member
13430108:Yergz. said:
No, but I'll give you a dollar if I see you at all this summer.
rtl32
Member
Planned build with the Giant Reign I posted above^:
Brand new frame ($500)
Full XT drivetrain/brakes/BB/mechs/cassette/cranks/etc (36t cassette, 38/24 crank) ($650)
Hope Pro 2 Evo hubs / 2/1.8/2mm spokes / Mavic EN521 rims (26" and tubeless of course!) ($450~)
All other components (Dual ply DHF in the front, Dual ply High Roller in the rear, tubeless) ($330)
=1460~ at CRC
Barely used 160mm Pike RCT3 fork ($400)
Barely used Cane Creek DBair (2.25" stroke so the frame has 7 inches of travel instead of 6) ($250)
If I miss this deal I will go with a Monarch Plus RC3^ for like 175
Barely used dropper seatpost (what I can find that isn't crankbros and has a remote) ($100)
Total = about 2600.
STOKED AF
Brand new frame ($500)
Full XT drivetrain/brakes/BB/mechs/cassette/cranks/etc (36t cassette, 38/24 crank) ($650)
Hope Pro 2 Evo hubs / 2/1.8/2mm spokes / Mavic EN521 rims (26" and tubeless of course!) ($450~)
All other components (Dual ply DHF in the front, Dual ply High Roller in the rear, tubeless) ($330)
=1460~ at CRC
Barely used 160mm Pike RCT3 fork ($400)
Barely used Cane Creek DBair (2.25" stroke so the frame has 7 inches of travel instead of 6) ($250)
If I miss this deal I will go with a Monarch Plus RC3^ for like 175
Barely used dropper seatpost (what I can find that isn't crankbros and has a remote) ($100)
Total = about 2600.
STOKED AF
californiagrown
Active member
Anyone in Bend, OR want to ride this weekend? Maybe float the deschutes afterwards when its nice and hot out? Ill bring the beer and food, you provide the time and location.
Im in the final stretch of my 2 week funemployment between jobs and id love to get some riding in with folks in the that area.
Im in the final stretch of my 2 week funemployment between jobs and id love to get some riding in with folks in the that area.