Mountain Biking

[thaite]

Here's my bike. (http://idisk.mac.com/mebobbyb/Public/idrive.jpg)

I had it all apart and stripped down last weekend so I could clean it an upgrade the components. New: Shimano XT shifters, front and back derailleurs, bottom bracket and cassette; LX Hollowtec crankset, Avid disk brake on the front, Avid SPD7 brake levers, Eggbeater pedals, chain and new tires.

Next month: new shock fork.

Possible upgrade to consider: rear disc brake.

I'd feel really ricey in regards to my bike, except for the fact that my upgrades are for performance, aesthetics second.

I also took it out the mountains in the East Valley this weekend. I tried to jump over a 'speed bump' aka erosion control device aka log, but misjudged the jump. Went over the bars, my legs caught a cactus, my arms bit the dirt. I bent a brake lever (NEW, dammit!) and the cactus flattened my tire. I also got lost in the desert for about an hour. I think I'm gonna have get a couple of those walkie-talkie thingies so I can locate my friends -- or maybe just buy a map.

Next weekend I'll upload some pics of the places I go, so y'all can see.

Anyone else bike, mountain or otherwise?

[Hanuman]

Nice bike man! I used to bike, street, not mountain, I'd like to get back into it though! Happy trails man!

[contra_diction]

i used to trick bike. i had a couple of different ones, for dirt and street. performance was very important to me, but also aesthetics because when biking to do tricks, it's all about looking good. man, this one bike i had was so nice, made of aluminum, it only weighed 5 pounds, but i was young, and it was pretty small, i guess. i can still ride it now, though.

[ren28]

I ride a Litespeed Owl Hollow which I built myself, including the wheels. Completely custom grouppo. I used to be a bike messenger and I probably rode about 5000 miles a year after that. I'm trying basketball these days but I will get back into biking when it's warmer.

[nudel]

i use to race downhill. i really didn't use much in the way of gears or brakes while racing. these days i ride a bianchi diss. single speed. easy to ride. has a pair of disc brakes.

[Chris]

Okay I am envious of your bike. I haven't mountain bike in YEARS. No time. But I want to get back in it though.

[ren28]

Today is a perfect day to bike but my leg is still busted up from last week when a guy gave me a knee to my shin in b-ball. :(

[thaite]

ok, I just bought a new '03 Rock Shox Pyslo XC fork (http://rockshox.com/03RSProduct/03RSPsyloPage/03RSPsyloPage.htm) last night. Waiting for delivery.

[nudel]

Originally posted by buoywonder@Jan 24 2003, 02:30 PM
ok, I just bought a new '03 Rock Shox Pyslo XC fork (http://rockshox.com/03RSProduct/03RSPsyloPage/03RSPsyloPage.htm) last night. Waiting for delivery.
is that a gas shock. i didnt like the new fluid filled shocks. i like my old school rockshox judy gas spring.

its in the neg temps here, no way i'm going out even in the car.

[noname]

I'm a road rider, well I try to be
I ride a Cannondale
I did my first two centuries last September.
I want to do L'Etape du Tour (an event where regular people can ride one of the mountain stages of the Tour de France, in race-like conditions ) one of these years. I gotta sign up 8 months in advance. I also need to find some mountains to train on. And I need to figure out how to get my bike there and back.

[thaite]

Originally posted by nudel@Jan 24 2003, 03:41 PM
is that a gas shock.  i didnt like the new fluid filled shocks.  i like my old school rockshox judy gas spring.
It's a coil spring with fluid dampening. I upgraded from a Judy C, it's a much, much nicer ride now. I got a little bit crazy in the spirit of upgrading and changed out the wheelset with Rhyno Lite Rims and XT disc hubs, so now I have rear-disc also. Also got a new headset with the sealed cartridge bearings.

Somebody needs to stop me.

I came back Sunday from a 16-mile ride that totally kicked my ass. My friend is wanting to do it again next weekend, and I'm less than enthusiastic.

And dammit, I keep forgetting to bring my camera with me. One of these days... <_<

[Fireblade]

Dood, bring you camera to the trails. I've seen some awesome rides, and I wonder where you bike at. Living in the bay area, limits you a bit. I used to bike to Marin from San Francisco. But it's not really mountain biking if all you see is pavement and cars.

And I'm in davis, so I bike whenever I have to. *sigh*

[Napoleon Chynamite]

Used to ride when I was a lot younger (like 13), I think my 21-speed model is quite obsolete by now, these new thingies have like 132 speeds and cable TV attached to the handlebars LOL or sumthin in addition to state-of-the-art suspension and stuff :P

[thaite]

No rain in the desert, so the trails have been getting pretty gravelly. It's pretty easy to wreck under those conditions, so I thought I'd share my latest run-in with a prickeley bush.

Arm (http://idisk.mac.com/mebobbyb/Public/ride/azpinstripes.jpg) and a legs (http://idisk.mac.com/mebobbyb/Public/ride/legs.jpg)

[Faithless]

A built up a sweet little mountain bike (before it got stolen) that had Marzocchi shocks (http://www.marzocchi.com/spa/mtb/?LN=UK).

[thaite]

Man, i really need to get back biking. It's been a few months since I've been out. too damn hot.

[rasheedgonzales]

nice bike. that was one of the bikes suggested when i was looking for a dualie. i ended up getting a norco fluid 3.0. i don't got any pictures of my bike at the moment, but i'm hoping to get a digital camera soon. maybe i'll post some pics of my rig then.

for now, here's a shot of the bike from norco's site: clicky clicky (http://www.norco.com/bikes/2003bikes/images/fluid3.jpg)

i've made quite a bit of upgrades to it since i bought the bike last october... i've built it up to be more of a light freeride rig instead of a crosscountry one like yours is built up to be.

upgrades include:
- hayes hfx-9 hd hydro disc brakes
- truvativ holzfeller 40mm dh stem
- specialized bighit oversized dh bars
- odi rouge lock on grips
- sun singletrack rims (silver) laced to xt disc hubs (silver) w/dt swiss spokes (silver)
- tioga factory dh 2.3" tires
- truvativ xr single clamp seatpost
- fizik nisene saddle

i've also gotten some parts that i haven't installed yet (hopefully they'll be going on soon):
- truvativ holzfeller double ring cranks w/rock guard
- truvativ holzfeller pedals
- xt shifters, front & rear derailleurs (i haven't installed these yet cause i've recently taken up dirtjumping and i don't want them to break while out jumping... i'll wait for my deore stuff to break before putting these on).

i'm also hoping to pick up a new fork (either a '03 or '04 marzocchi z1 fr).

[truMp]

What kinds of equipment would I need to start mountain/road biking?

[rasheedgonzales]

What kinds of equipment would I need to start mountain/road biking?that would all depend on what type of cycling you want to get into. determining this will help you choose the type of bike you want to get.

cycling's also an expensive sport, so you're going to have to determine how much you're going to be willing to spend as a beginner. it'd be a real waste if you dropped a whole lot of cash on a bike and then ended up not liking it or the cycling in general.

after determining these things, it'd be good to shop around for the best bike for the money... it'd also be good to read up on the different brands and components and things of that sort to see which bikes/components are the most reliable and durable, etc.

after choosing a bike you'd like or even a couple bikes - it'd be best to find a local bike shop that carries the brand of bike you're looking for and give it a test ride to see how it fits and how it feels. the last thing you want is to buy a bike that's either too small or too big for you.

regardless of which type of riding you get into (mountain biking and all its forms or road cycling) you're going to want to get a helmet - which is very important.

after that, it's pretty much up to you on what equipment you want to get... a mini pump, tire levers and a spare tire tube or two are always good to have in case of flats while out on a ride. a water bottle or hydration pack are pretty handy too.

forums like www.bikeforums.net and www.mtbreview.com (mountain bike specific) are great for researching stuff.

[rasheedgonzales]

just thought i'd post this for whoever rides a bike, whether its a commuter, road, mtb or whatever...

there's some info on this security concern here: www.bikeforums.net

kryptonite - the world's mega bike lock producer - issues a statement on their site: www.kryptonite.com (http://www.kryptonitelock.com/inetisscripts/abtinetis.exe/templateform@public?tn=home_home)

[FrankieY18]

thanks for the info