Official MTB / Mountain Biking Chit Chat

[hpiguy]

^^Amazing views!!

Got out today myself, took my favorite bike and rode from home to the trails and back. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon at all.

[mikl]

Originally Posted by lunatick

I didn,t find my Avids hard to bleed either

Yes, they can be easy, but they can also be a pain in the a$$. According to a SRAM tech rep the reason the Elixir's can be tricky is the Taperbore feature. It creates tiny crevices that can trap air. It can be difficult to get all the air out. So if you don't have any air in the system to begin with the bleed will be easy. This makes sense as well as Shimano have made a big deal about their internal fluid paths in their system. If you get a chance to see their clear acrylic demonstration brakes, check them out. Pretty cool. SRAM also had a lot of internal quality control issues a couple of years ago that didn't help.
The new Guide brakes don't have Taperbore for this reason (and others).

[Natedog]

Originally Posted by hpiguy

^^Amazing views!!

Got out today myself, took my favorite bike and rode from home to the trails and back. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon at all.

OMG that is SS heaven, look at all the flow and the beautiful scenery! That last pic reminds me of a few trail here, it's like riding through a tunnel of trees!

[hpiguy]

Thanks Nate! I've always said I'm very fortunate to be able to live where I do. The mountains are home, and always will be, I love it here. And, pretty much everything within an hours drive is doable on the SS for me at this point. I'm still surprised at times how far my riding has come in 18 months, and I love being on the bike more than anything I can think of.

[gdb85]

OK, after 3 1/2 months of trying to dial in the Niner, I just could not get comfortable on it, so I pulled the trigger on a Specialized 6Fattie Expert. Only three rides on it the first week here and it is prolly the best bike I've ridden,...no lie. I can't speak highly enough of this bike, from the Comp model to the S-Works, IMO, has to be "the go to" trail bike man!

[hpiguy]

^^Congrats man, that's a sweet ride!

[OTHGbronco82]

Originally Posted by gdb85

OK, after 3 1/2 months of trying to dial in the Niner, I just could not get comfortable on it, so I pulled the trigger on a Specialized 6Fattie Expert. Only three rides on it the first week here and it is prolly the best bike I've ridden,...no lie. I can't speak highly enough of this bike, from the Comp model to the S-Works, IMO, has to be "the go to" trail bike man!

That's based off the stumpjumper fsr right?

[gdb85]

Correct. It is a StumpJumper FSR just with the 650 plus size tires.

[K_B]

I've got the Comp version and I suddenly have carbon envy...

[OTHGbronco82]

Originally Posted by gdb85

Correct. It is a StumpJumper FSR just with the 650 plus size tires.

Then I can agree with your earlier statement. The stumpy is one of the ultimate trail bikes. I like my carbon comp 29 but I needs a 2.5 in the front and some slightly stiffer rims. Oh, and a pike and a monarch+. Or maybe a DVO Diamond. Hmmm.

[gdb85]

I hear ya on the Pike & Monarch but this new 2016 Fox stuff is pretty amazing.

[OTHGbronco82]

Fox schmox. All black everything.

Mine would look pretty close to this if I put a pike and a monarch + on it:

[BigSki]

You fawkers are making me REALLY miss my Stumpy FSR Elite... I've been on my hard tail a few times in the past month ( for the fist time in 4 years) but damn I regret selling the dual squishy FSR....

[jsowens]

Originally Posted by OTHGbronco82

Mine would look pretty close to this if I put a pike and a monarch + on it:

Mine does look like that with a Pike and Monarch Plus on it

I agree, though. The Stumpy is one of the best trail bikes out there, IMO, and it gets better and better each year. Mine is a 2013 Comp that I've pretty heavily upgraded and it's one of the most capable and fun bikes I've ever ridden. The Pike/Monarch Plus combo is a game changer, as far as I'm concerned.

[hpiguy]

Speaking of trail bikes, I went to the shop and built up my new bike yesterday, and got in a shakedown run today. Bike is incredible! Headed to Pisgah next week for four days of camping, and proper break in!

Size XL (21.5) 2016 Fuel EX9, weighed 29.1lbs with VP Vice pedals
I added;
Race Face Respond 60mm stem
Race Face Atlas 785x15mm riser bars
SRAM 28T chain ring
XR4 expert 29x2.30 TLR front tire
setup the tires tubless
swapped the brakes to moto brakes
re-routed the rear derailleur cable
I also backed my rebound off 2 clicks at each end from Trek's settings, seems to work better in chunky stuff

[jsowens]

Originally Posted by hpiguy

Speaking of trail bikes, I went to the shop and built up my new bike yesterday, and got in a shakedown run today. Bike is incredible! Headed to Pisgah next week for four days of camping, and proper break in!

Sweet bike! I really need to make it down to Pisgah sometime. It's not that far from me. 2-3 hours, I think.

[OTHGbronco82]

Got to go ride out at Laguna today for the first time. I'll have to post the video of one of the downhills I have as soon as my computer quits being an asshole and cooperates.

[hpiguy]

Originally Posted by jsowens

Sweet bike! I really need to make it down to Pisgah sometime. It's not that far from me. 2-3 hours, I think.

Thanks man! Shoot if you're that close, we should try and put a Pisgah ride together next year. The remainder of this year (other than next week) and first few months of next year are hit and miss for me scheduling wise, but after May 1st (work related) I'll be good to go.

[ped453]

Nice bike hpiguy. Can you guys recommend me some good set of tires that are both good for pavement and bites good in the trails at the same time. The reason is I usually have to bike around 5 to 7 miles of pavement before I get to the trails. Same goes for when I go to work. I have to bike around 2 miles before I hit the trails. Right now I am running Kenda Nevegals 2.35 for the front and Conti mountain king 2.2 for the rear and it's slowing me down on the pavement, but great combo on the trails.

[rottenbelly]

Originally Posted by ped453

Nice bike hpiguy. Can you guys recommend me some good set of tires that are both good for pavement and bites good in the trails at the same time. The reason is I usually have to bike around 5 to 7 miles of pavement before I get to the trails. Same goes for when I go to work. I have to bike around 2 miles before I hit the trails. Right now I am running Kenda Nevegals 2.35 for the front and Conti mountain king 2.2 for the rear and it's slowing me down on the pavement, but great combo on the trails.

Sometimes I ride about 6 miles to get to a local trail on the pavement.
I air up my tires to a higher psi till I get there then drop them back down. Only takes a minute or so. I just carry a nice low pressure tire gauge with me.