Getting Back Into Mountain Biking

[RiceBurner]

Nice! Awesome lookin trails. Glad your feeling more at home on that bike.

 

[OTHGbronco82]

Lookin' good. I went on a ride saturday with a friend and ended up clipping a pole and crashing like 5 feet away from a hot girl. Then my tire just barely hit my leg and caught part of the scab today. It's been an interesting couple of days so far.

 

[hpiguy]

Thanks guys.

And I've done that too. Pulled a wheelie in front of a group of hotties in downtown Houston and looped it right in front of them, still clipped in too. :lmao:

 

[C*H*U*D]

...I couldn't get past how slow and numb the steering felt. I've got a good 30 years on 26" bikes, so maybe that's my issue but I wasn't going to spend the $$ to find out.

I was the same way. I tried to like them, but it always boiled down to the handling issue, and I think all my time on a 26 is what made me sensitive to the slower handling of the 29. I think if they fit your style they are great, but they don't fit mine at all.

 

[rottenbelly]

Still getting some time on mine. Found out I hate the fork. Need one I can tune.
Found a mule deer shed while riding the other day.

 

[hpiguy]

^^Very cool!

My fork kinda sucks too, but I knew that going in though. Check out X Fusion forks, they get great reviews, I've heard they have good customer service, and are quite a bit cheaper than the competition. I'll be putting one of their slide forks on the X Cal as soon as funds allow.


http://www.xfusionshox.com/product/forks.html

 

[RaleighRCer]

I started riding again this week. Nothing special about my bike, it's an older Giant Boulder se with 26" wheels. Looking to get a 29er later this year but have a limited budget. Any recommendations?

 

[OTHGbronco82]

I started riding again this week. Nothing special about my bike, it's an older Giant Boulder se with 26" wheels. Looking to get a 29er later this year but have a limited budget. Any recommendations?

What's your budget?

 

[RaleighRCer]

Less than a grand. Not much for a good mountain bike, but its what I can afford.

 

[OTHGbronco82]

Give me a day or two and I'll have a list ready. I'll start at $1000 and go down from there."thumbsup"

 

[Natedog]

Did a few miles at the local trails today after work, climbs are still whipping my ass but I love the 50mm stem so far, much more comfortable and doesn't feel twitchy at all with the 28" bars. I also picked up a computer today, didn't get it installed until I got home however. This way, I'll know exactly how lazy I am each week. :mrgreen:

COngrats on quitting smoking, buying a bike and getting in (and hopefully staying in) shape! That is a sweet looking SS (single speed) trail....mmmm.... "thumbsup"

Ride, enjoy and repeat as needed. 8)

 

[Natedog]

I started riding again this week. Nothing special about my bike, it's an older Giant Boulder se with 26" wheels. Looking to get a 29er later this year but have a limited budget. Any recommendations?

The best bike is the bike that is ridden regularly....I don't care how much it cost, upgrades, blah blah blah...ride what you got, shop carefully with test rides, research and buy when you can. The best hardtail 29er deal I've seen lately: Novara Ponderosa 29er Bike - 2014 at REI.com

The best SS 29er rigid deal (love mine, one of the funnest bikes I've ever had): Nashbar Single-Speed 29er Mountain Bike - Overweight Code G Restricted

Rider up! "thumbsup"

 

[Natedog]

Still getting some time on mine. Found out I hate the fork. Need one I can tune.
Found a mule deer shed while riding the other day.

I'm glad to see that you are out RIDING it. "thumbsup""thumbsup""thumbsup" Unless it really sucks balls, ride it until it's worn out or you're ready to upgrade bikes...then buy a better bike with a better fork, it costs much less in the long run. I see lower end bottom bracket/crankset, cassette, deraillers, please don't feel insulted as it's not my intention...too many people by a bike and immediately upgrade parts which is usually a waste of money...grips, bars, pedals, saddle not included.

My first real mtb had Rockshox Dart fork, my bike before that was old, rigid, way out of date but in good condition for $100 from a friend...I rode it until my fitness improved and the frame finally cracked where top tube joins the head tube. That is when I bought the brand new bike with Dart fork...it was the shiz and I rode it a lot until I sold it, and upgraded again.

EDIT: I love to see peeps pics of them out actually riding.

 

[OTHGbronco82]

So, for some good bikes with a decent build we have:

1. KHS Aguila
2. Giant Talon 27.5 4 and 29er 2
3. Specialized Hardrock line of bikes(go for hydraulic disc brakes)
4. Specialized Rockhopper 29
5. Trek X-Caliber 7

Here's a link to a good article with some pretty good ideas:

Best mountain bikes under $1,000 - BikeRadar

They're all 29er which is a really god starting point for getting into mountain biking."thumbsup"

 

[6sharky9]

Just today I put on some accessories to get ready for some riding.
Cheap bike computer
water bottle and cage
Cheap Bag to carry some tools and patches
Cheap mini air pump
Upgraded the pedals to Wellgo M-20

2014 Motobecane 550HT

Frame Custom 7005 Aluminum Trail-Tuned POWER STAY frame, bi-axial gussetted downtube, sculpted rear dropouts with replaceable rear derailleur hanger, 2x
Fork: SR Suntour SUNTOUR SF12-XCT-V4-MLO-DS W/LOCK OUT and pre-load adjustments 100mm
Crankset: SUNTOUR XCT-V3 22/32/42T, Aluminum Arms 175MM(18~23")
Bottom Bracket: Sealed Cartridge SUNTOUR BB10-XCT-SQ
Pedals: ATB Beartrap (metal cage - other brands have plastic)
Front Derailleur: SRAM FD-3.0-A1 TOP PULL
Rear Derailleur: SRAM X4 long cage
Shifters: SRAM X4, 8 Speed Triggershift (24 speeds total)
Cassette/Freewheel: Cassette 11-32T 8 Speed (24 speeds total)
Chain: KMC Narrow 8 speed
Hubs: Formula DiscSpecific Aluminum (black) Rubber Sealed Ball Bearing mechanism, QR
Spokes: Stainless Steel
Rims: DA18 - Double Wall Aluminum
Tires: Kenda Blackwall 26 x 2.1
Brakes: TEKTRO Draco Hydraulic Disc Brakes (front and rear 160mm)
Brake Levers: TEKTRO Draco Hydraulic Disc
Headset: Cane Creek Internal Sealed caged ball bearing VP A42E 1.125 inch
Handlebar: Skye Comp W:620MMxR:20MMx6 DEGREES, ALLOY BLACK Aluminum Riser
Stem: Skye Comp Threadless EXT:90MM(13"~16")/110MM(18~23")x10 DEGREES, ALLOY BLACK Aluminum
Tape/Grip: WTB Dual Compound Palm Pillow
Saddle: WTB Speed V with comfort groove
Seat Post: Skye Aluminum Micro-Adjust 300MM

Not too bad for less than $350 shipped (Early pre order) Now $399

 

[rottenbelly]

I'm glad to see that you are out RIDING it. "thumbsup""thumbsup""thumbsup" Unless it really sucks balls, ride it until it's worn out or you're ready to upgrade bikes...then buy a better bike with a better fork, it costs much less in the long run. I see lower end bottom bracket/crankset, cassette, deraillers, please don't feel insulted as it's not my intention...too many people by a bike and immediately upgrade parts which is usually a waste of money...grips, bars, pedals, saddle not included.

My first real mtb had Rockshox Dart fork, my bike before that was old, rigid, way out of date but in good condition for $100 from a friend...I rode it until my fitness improved and the frame finally cracked where top tube joins the head tube. That is when I bought the brand new bike with Dart fork...it was the shiz and I rode it a lot until I sold it, and upgraded again.

EDIT: I love to see peeps pics of them out actually riding.

I hear ya. I was used to riding top of the line, best of everything bikes back in the day. Had 3 bikes worth over 17k back then.
My main goal was to get back on one and get back into shape and see if I was gonna stick with it. Then upgrade next year of so.
Going for a spin tomorrow to look for more sheds.

 

[hpiguy]

Wholesomey whole grain leather and Ti goodness was waiting in the mailbox for me today :mrgreen:

 

[rockhugger]

Wholesomey whole grain leather and Ti goodness was waiting in the mailbox for me today :mrgreen:

Is that Rich Corinthian Leather? "thumbsup"

 

[hpiguy]

I think it's neanderthal mammoth skin actually, given the CHROMAGnon name. :mrgreen:

 

[rockhugger]

As long as it's not Babboon butt hide.
Natedog and I are hittin up our local favorite spot
For an evening ride... Both on big wheels & no gears.
I'll try post some pics of the more attractive ride
features if you don't mind.


"thumbsup"