Any mountain bikers on this board?

[saba 0]

Few photos

Leesburg Bakers Dozen fun race but am really getting the bug to join a squad full time and race the roadie

http://s598.photobucket.com/albums/tt64/biplrsaba/

Just ordered some SOUL s4.0 stealth sticker package red nipples. Will post pics as soon as they come in 3 weeks big bummer. Looking forward to having 46mm aero. Really am impressed with my DT1.1 with 240 hubs things seem indestructible, but alas, lack that bling factor so important to a roadie

http://www.bikesoul.com/s4.html

[Hidious 0]

I dunno if it's been posted already but i just found this vid on my hdd. Just an awesome trail!

(damn youtube has disabled audio)

[saba 0]

Leaving the tribe just placed my order for a Sir9 in gold should be in my hands by the 18th. Looking forward to it and my Soul S4.0 46mm for the roadie.

Been bitten by the racing bug recently. Going to do the Tour of Tucker County on the roadie and SM100 on the mtn side. I find that all this bike riding has given me a real nice balance and power on the days that I do skate

[jeffw 1]

+1

Noticed that I also recover 1000x faster, too. B)

Have fun on the SIR. I almost built a RIP before I settled on the YETI. There'll be a 29er in my future at some point I'm sure but for now I'm absolutely loving the 575.

[s4gobabygo 0]

i used to race Jr-X/Semi-Pro/Colleciate-A in XC and Cat-2/Collegiate-A in road until i took up beer as a hobby and my metabolism slowed down. now i just ride recreationally. i'll get some pictures of all the bikes up soon. what a great way to stay fit for hockey! i'm slow these days though, cause i only get out to ride a few times a month.

[hockeysc23 0]

Just got into the sport. My roommate biked a ton in colorado and he spoke highly of it so I went out and got a:

GT 2.0 Avalanche with disc brakes. Probably not the sweetest ride here by far but it was a nice hardtail that was under my budget of 500. And most of the reviews I read said the frame was good to build off of and expand.

Went riding about a week ago (before all this damn DC rain) and had a blast. Definitely a hobby I plan to pursue more.

[s4gobabygo 0]

xc trail bike... this is pretty much the only mtb i ride these days. stumpjumper 5" with fox float 120RLC, XTR, Hayes nine. 26.6 lbs

http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/picture...ictureid=215790

grocery-getter. stumpjumper frame, kona rigid fork, xt/singletrack wheels, XT/XTR, hayes nine 6/7" brakes, heavy. this was a slalom/dirt-jumping/urban bike when i had a 6" fork on it, but now it's mostly used for beer runs when driving isn't an option.

http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/picture...ictureid=215791

single-speed/dust-gatherer. custom geometry, 853 steel with mostly cheap parts now, except for a sid race and some light XTR/bontrager valiant/DT revolution wheels. 20.3 lbs

http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/picture...ictureid=215792

the retired xc race bike. XT/XTR, mavic crossmax, Sid SL, 22.9 lbs

http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/picture...ictureid=215793

the roadie. scandium/carbon fiber, custom geometry, full Dura-Ace group, 16.8 lbs with pedals, 2 bottle cages, and computer.

http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/picture...ictureid=215794

[Spreedizzle 1]

Rough life when your single speeder "dust collector" is a DEAN. ;)

Some new additions to the Orbea Orca:

FSA K Force Lite Carbon Compact crankset with Ceramic Mega Exo BB

Specialized Barmac integrated carbon Bar/Stem combo

Lovin life on BOTH upgrades.....especially the transition to the Compact crank with a 11-21t Dura Ace 7900 cogset

It's like sex on wheels. ;)

[saba 0]

My next move is to get away from the 50/34 12-25 combo for something to utilize some speed on the flats. Still need to climb well. Until I can change/afford a new crankset, you guys have any gearing advice?

[s4gobabygo 0]

Rough life when your single speeder "dust collector" is a DEAN. ;)

haha thanks. that's a converted bike from back in the day when i was sponsored by dean. i used to race that bike (with gears) in the norba national series around 2003-2004ish.

My next move is to get away from the 50/34 12-25 combo for something to utilize some speed on the flats. Still need to climb well. Until I can change/afford a new crankset, you guys have any gearing advice?

i use a 53/39 crank with a 12-25 on the roadie. 39-25 is still a very clime-able bear, and 53-12 is long enough for marty nothstein. just get new rings for your crank.

[Too Old 1]

I went to a 12-27 on the mountain bike to save more weight. I rarely used the granny up front with the old 11-32 or whatever I ran in back. Figured a 12-27 D-A would knock weight off and force me to use low up front if needed on the steeper climbs. Just now been able to get back out on local trails as they've dried out after winter.

[s4gobabygo 0]

i had a similar solution... back when i was racing MTB, i used a double crank with a 30/44 and a 11-34 cassette. i never really used the granny ring up front, so i just deleted it. 30-34 is still a mega low gear. if you're going slow enough to use a shorter gear than that, it's time to get off and run!

[Spreedizzle 1]

My next move is to get away from the 50/34 12-25 combo for something to utilize some speed on the flats. Still need to climb well. Until I can change/afford a new crankset, you guys have any gearing advice?

In my book......the compact with a 11-21 is KING!!! Plenty of cadence still available for good climbing. Personally.....I run out between a 95-115

cadence. I won't spin out a 50-11...and most people won't unless they have the cadence of Ullrich.

http://home.earthlink.net/~mike.sherman/shift.html

That is an excellent site to help you decide between Compact, and Standard, and your various cassette options. Particularly good since you can plug in your desired/average cadence.

That being said however.....I do have a Dura Ace 7800 with very good rings on it, in a 172.5 if you would like that as opposed to your compact.

[reyno2ac 0]

Proud to say after a couple days of searching that I finally picked up a Garry Fisher Wahoo Disc! Took it around the neighborhood for a few days and got out to Indian Lake Park in MI. Great bike for the money and so far I'm glad I stretched my budget to get the disc version. I'll get some pictures up later, if I ever get around to it.

[Too Old 1]

IMO discs are a great improvement for mountain bikes. When you can't stop after riding through mud or water, or eat up sidewalls and pads... you really appreciate discs.

[Makoto 3]

Here's some pics of my usual riding scenery and a bit of my rig.

-Mike

[legiahockey 3]

nice pics mike. i definately miss the california views.

[Makoto 3]

nice pics mike. i definately miss the california views.

Thanks. I have no complaints about the scenery, but as with everything in life, there are pros and cons to living in So Cal.

-Mike

[legiahockey 3]

haha there sure are. good thing your bike didnt get jacked while you were taking those pics ;}

[hockeysc23 0]

Any recommendations for a good backpack/camelbag to take on the trails? Sorta new to the sport so all advice is always appreciated.

Thanks.

[reyno2ac 0]

I've been using a bare bones camelBak for 10 years and its done fine for everything from hiking to the bottom of the grand canyon (of course I did have a rather large back pack on too) to any mountain biking that I could throw at it. The one I have is 70 ounces and only has one small zippered pouch and a bungee cord to hold a jacket or whatever so it doesn't carry a lot but it is plenty when I'm out biking because I throw my power bars in my pockets.

If you have an REI near you then you could go check out all the different ones there, it really just depends on how much water you want to carry and how much extra storage you think you will want.

[saba 0]

I would hit up REI during the 20% off one full item or the attic sale this weekend if your a member. There is always a good deal going on camelbak. Depending on how long you ride I would tailor my bag purchase accordingly. If your going out for 1-2 hrs you dont need that much cargo space and 100oz is plenty

Look at the MULE and Lobo(good choice)

With that said my next purchase is going to be the Ergon BD1. I am a big fan of the grips and have heard great reviews on the BD1

lastly watch bonktown and chainlove, they have hydration packs come around at clearance prices

[hockeysc23 0]

Some good suggestions. Thanks Saba for the link ... looks like the ones on steepandcheap.com

Just what I need more sites to spread my money around haha.

[Makoto 3]

haha there sure are. good thing your bike didnt get jacked while you were taking those pics ;}

Luckily crime on the trails isn't an issue. Now leaving my bike on the roof of my car while I get a bite to eat...that's a whole other story.

Any recommendations for a good backpack/camelbag to take on the trails? Sorta new to the sport so all advice is always appreciated.

Thanks.

I have a basic Camelback that is large enough to carry a windbreaker, tube, patch kit, pump and maybe some snacks. The model is no longer available, but a camelback w/ some cargo for whatever you ride w/ should suffice. I haven't used any other manufacturers, but I've had great results w/ Camelback.

[Cove 39]

I'm from BC so all I do in the summer is ride. I currently have a Transition Bottlerocket that's being built up for some slopestyle riding. I also used have to Norco Shore but that's gone now replaced by a Transition DirtBag for the days I want to go big or ride the Shore. I'll probably be using the BOttlerocket for Whistler when the park opens up as it's a fun little hucker. I'm not sure if this is the same kind of riding you do but good on you for getting into it, it fills the adrenaline need that hockey sometimes can't completely fill. Super expensive sport though, I spend more with my bikes than I do for hockey.

I envy you sir, partially for the bikes partially for living in BC.