Any mountain bikers on this board?

[saba 0]

Spreed will get a kick out of this. Me in the light blue/purple kit with flourescent green shades getting hit by falling dudes. From last weekend. I am semi-famous in the race scene for this with lots of pat on the back for keeping it upright. Better to be famous.......

http://www.vimeo.com/11013767

[Too Old 1]

And that fitting wattage increase is exactly why I am going to fork over for a tap and a fitting on the next upgrade go round. Luckily for me I found out that one of our pro woman is a professional fitter for a pretty high end bike shop in town

BTW nice Spreed. I saw a TCR being built up while my right shifter was redone. Love the bike and Too Old Giant in the industry are a benchmark frame as far as carbon goes

Yep, love my c/f Giant mountain bike. Eventually I'll move from aluminum to c/f for the road too. Giant has some great product and also pricing is reasonable.

[saba 0]

Not to steal Giant thunder but my new race machine. Props to my inlaws for letting me upgrade my frame.

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Further props to fatwabbit for letting me parlay my extra hockey gear and misc bike parts into my new race machine

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Just came back from PA for a race and rain for the next 3 days, but will get a nice white garage door pic and clean her up post race pics of the bike to share. 3rd race on the BMC. Never had a more comfortable dialed in fit in all my bike ownership. Those Swiss-Americans sure do build a great race machine

[fatwabbit 93]

No problems man... think you need to fit a crowbar or something along those lines somewhere on the bike.. just swing it around when there's a big crowd cycling next to you...

[Spreedizzle 1]

Not to steal Giant thunder but my new race machine. Props to my inlaws for letting me upgrade my frame.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Further props to fatwabbit for letting me parlay my extra hockey gear and misc bike parts into my new race machine

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Just came back from PA for a race and rain for the next 3 days, but will get a nice white garage door pic and clean her up post race pics of the bike to share. 3rd race on the BMC. Never had a more comfortable dialed in fit in all my bike ownership. Those Swiss-Americans sure do build a great race machine

Sexy. The Swiss sure do make a nice ride. I test rode that same frame for a ride before I decided on my TCR. Both felt just about the same with regards to power transfer with the edge going to the TCR due to the oversized BB shell and press fit bearings. Steering on the two felt comparable, but a little more relaxed on the BMC. The TCR just edged it out for me personally, but the BMC sure has a MUCH better looking frame and color scheme when compared to my TCR which is certainly more subdued which I appreciate.....but I love the drool factor of yours. ;)

Lemme know how you like those tubulars as I am on the Dura Ace dual clinchers and running the Hutchinson tubeless clinchers which feel so close to my old tubies without the fear of a delam.

And you are right....MAD PROPS on keeping it vertical in that cascade of man and machine in the crit. Just a touch of wheels on a couple of guys as it didn't look like the hammer was down, or near a serious turn. Nice job!!

[AnthonyJTa 0]

Last thread I needed to find on MSH...haha. I've been putting off hockey to start running and cycling (I've even registered for a spring triathalon).. I'm doing a 175 mile 2 day charity ride so I just picked up a Trek 1.2 and I'm addicted. The shop guys let me roll in a Madone 4.5 and I'm already obsessing over this bike. They recommended a carbon Giant as well... I'm even considering a mountain bike next spring Any tips you guys can offer up for a new cycling guy? I was thinking of joining a riding club to learn to ride in a peloton, drafting, climbing, etc.

Hockey and my compulsive nature got me into trouble. Cycling and my compulsive nature could potentially lead to divorce. haha

[jeffw 1]

Yeah cycling takes gear whoring to a whole new level. I haven't even gotten the road bike bug yet.

[AnthonyJTa 0]

Yeah, I mean I won't go as hard core as looking into BMCs, Felts, Blues and Cervelos or anything.. Investing in a nice composite Trek, Specialized, or Giant will do for me..... for now. I do recall a loooooong time ago checking out a Bauer Triflex silver and saying "This is amazing... I'll splurge and get ONE" next thing I knew...... haha

[Too Old 1]

Lol... the problem is cycling is a lot more expensive than hockey. Well, maybe it's not necessarily a problem... just more of a challenge!

[saba 0]

In cycling you get what you pay for. IMHO concentrate on your drivetrain and wheels, frame material is immaterial (ha). I would concentrate my shopping off season for the best deals. Your LBS is not going to cut you a deal on a bike in May when its 85 and sunny, as people are coming through the door for tubes, tires, etc... Late fall, winter is where you will find the best deals. Now for the tricky part get sized up, this might be one of the single most important things you do. Every bike company is different, top tube, headtube angle, standard or sloping. Like skates once you find the perfect fit you can ride for days. I cannot speak for the other bikers on the board, but my wattage and power has jumped the more time I have really spent getting my bikes dialed in. I'm so into my fit performance that I am going with a 3-d fit to get max results. You don't have to do all that but it is important. If you get a good thing going with your LBS please buy there, but in DC, well bargains are hard to come by and I have only loyalty to my bottom line. I have no quams with testing bikes out at my LBS and I always give them a chance to match what I find on the internet, but if there not close, well....I am sure they will make money off of parts, labor, and the rest of my team.

Here is an example of an excellent deal, however BMC IMHO are very hard to fit as they run big. That is a lotta bike for a reasonable price. However not only would I do their fit calculator and talk extensively over the phone, but would throw my leg over one at my LBS

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?P...PRODUCT.ID=6950

If you commit to the sport most folks I know fall in love with it. Its an investment in your health, wealth(its saves big time money if you commute), and well being(rides for me a very spiritual)

[jeffw 1]

Yeah I don't monitor wattage or anything like that but a couple weeks ago i decided to raise my saddle about a quarter inch and the difference in the power I was able to get to the ground was astonishing. I haven't touched my granny ring since I made the change.

[Too Old 1]

Woo hoo! Found what I've been looking for! '06 TCR Advanced frame/fork/headset/post. Will transfer over all my stuff from the current Raleigh R700 aluminum frame to this. Will need to buy a braze-on front derailleur, and a rear derailleur hanger as the previous owner kept it for a spare. Can't wait to have another carbon fiber ride to go with the NRS C1 mountain bike. :D

[Spreedizzle 1]

Always glad to see another member of the Giant family. :)

Be sure to post pics once she is fully built up.

Nice find/pick up.

[Makoto 3]

Here's my new toy:

[saba 0]

Local training crit. Spent most of the time surfing the top 3 learning to save energy for the final lap and sprint. About 500 yards to go sitting in 5th wheel guys ramp up the sprint on the left, I start to activate to get into the mix when the pile goes sideways right in front of me. Over the bars I go into a ditch, nicely scratched up on my right side elbow cut, bent right shifter, otherwise non for the worse. I am starting to hate crits and guys who freak out any time someone comes near/touches them in any way

UPGRADE request for Cat IV with my 11 mass starts forwarded TONIGHT

VO2 max, 15lbs, and a renewed conviction to place in Cat IV to upgrade starts NOW

[jeffw 1]

Epic Fail

Recall of 2010 Specialized ERA and Epic's

Specialized Bicycle Components Recalls Bicycles Due to Fall Hazard

Last update: 5/5/2010 12:31:00 PMWASHINGTON, May 5, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: 2010 26" Epic and 26" Era Bicycles Units: About 1,350 Importer: Specialized Bicycle Components Inc., of Morgan Hill, Calif. Hazard: The shock absorber mount can break and the shock absorber can make contact with the wheel spokes, posing a fall hazard to the rider.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported. Description: This recall involves alloy seat stays on the following 2010 Specialized 26" Era and 26" Epic bicycles: 2010 Epic Marathon Carbon, 2010 Epic Marathon Frame, 2010 Epic Expert Carbon, 2010 Epic Expert, 2010 Epic Comp Carbon, 2010 Epic Comp, 2010 Era FSR Expert Carb, 2010 Era FSR Expert and 2010 Era FSR Comp. Sold by: Authorized dealers nationwide from September 2009 through October 2009 for between $2,000 through $5,500. Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop riding these bicycles and contact a Specialized dealer for a free repair. Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Specialized toll-free at (877) 808-8154 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's web site at . Photos available at CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https:// Firm's Recall Hotline: (877) 808-8154 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Copyright © 2010 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

[Zamboni 6]

If anyone is looking I have a '99 Giant XtC DS1 frame size 18.5" for sale. 3" travel both ends. Has a nearly new '99 SID XC fork on it with a new King aheadset, a $300 custom Risse Astro-5 air/oil rear shock, Formula Evoluzione hydraulic disc brakes, Mavic X223 disc/Formula wheelset, Shimano square-taper BB, XTR front and rear derailleurs, Lizzard Skin chainstay protector, and a few other goodies too will be thrown in. Color is yellow/black rear triangle. Has a couple of cosmetic dings in the top tube. A couple years ago I got a carbon fiber Giant 16.5" frame and moved some parts over to it from this one. If this one had fit me I'd still be riding it!

Sent you a PM, I'm near Toronto and looking to replace a stolen bike....any other members with 16-18" mtn bike to sell PM me.

[AnthonyJTa 0]

See, a handful of guys I know told me be very, very weary of buying used carbon fiber frames/forks, etc... I found some nice deals on decent 2-3 year old top of the line bikes. I just get all spooked out when guys are like "oh carbon, beware!"... I got a little rash (from a flop, not a crash) on my carbon fork and the guys were like "Don't ride it!!"

Any sort of truthfulness to this, or is it just "urban myth" so to speak? Anything you more experienced guys do in regards to finding decent deals on a used carbon frame?

[Too Old 1]

Well, when you consider the newest aircraft use carbon fiber among other composites I feel the fear is totally unfounded. Surface scratches are a non-issue. If it gets into the structural layers of carbon fiber then I'd have it looked at. Calfee will repair carbon fiber frames. I'd be more worried about a paper-thin aluminum frame failing than nearly any carbon fiber one out there. My mountain bike has carbon fiber for the front triangle, shock rocker links, fork lowers, rear shock body, rims, pedal bodies, and other smaller parts. Road bike will have the frame, fork, seatpost, and some other odds and ends. Inspect it just like you would and should with any frameset be it steel, aluminum, titanium, etc. and you'll be fine.

[jeffw 1]

Yup my yeti has carbon seat stays and handlebar and I thrash that thing. It worried me a little at first but now it never crosses my mind.

[Too Old 1]

Got the needed braze-on Ultegra front derailleur today. Also new KMC chain and black Continental GP4000S tires to replace the yellow Michelins. Stripped the R700 frame and all is sitting waiting for the TCR to arrive on Monday morning. UPS tracking shows it's on time and is 2 hrs away right now ready for the last leg of the trip. The R700 frame will head to the bike shop tomorrow as it seems an employee there may want to buy the frame/fork/headset. If not... off to eBay it goes. Will post pics hopefully Monday night of the new ride. :)

[Spreedizzle 1]

KMC chains are simply unreal. Nice choice on those.

For an overall riding tire, you simply can't go wrong with the GP4000's. Good riding tire, very puncture resistant, and they wear like iron. Race day though......nothing trumps a pair of Michelin Pro Race 3's though. ;) But they are thin and cut way too easily for a daily tire.

[Too Old 1]

KMC chains are simply unreal. Nice choice on those.

For an overall riding tire, you simply can't go wrong with the GP4000's. Good riding tire, very puncture resistant, and they wear like iron. Race day though......nothing trumps a pair of Michelin Pro Race 3's though. ;) But they are thin and cut way too easily for a daily tire.

Yep. Build pics coming tonight or tomorrow. Looks nice with the NRS carbon mtb too. :)

It's LIGHT too! Roughly 2.5 lbs lighter than the old aluminum Raleigh was. :)

[saba 0]

BOOOOOO on the PRO Race 3 boooooohisssssss, we got them as a team deal and I have them sitting in the back of my closet(how about no puncture resistance but do ride well) . Stick with the Conti's and Vrederstein but do treat yourself to some Latex tubes or better yet go tubular at some point

[Too Old 1]

Here you go... '06 TCR Advanced frame with carbon fiber fork & USE carbon fiber post, Ultegra Octalink BB with FSA carbon Team Issue crankset, KMC chain, Ultegra derailleurs, levers, brakes, Dura-Ace cassette. WTB saddle. ITM stem & bar. Arundel Dave-O cages. Dura-Ace carbon clinchers, Halo bolt-on skewers. Continental GP4000S 700 x 23 tires with lightweight butyl tubes. Performance mag/ti pedals. Garmin 500.

The family: