Mountain Biking - My new Bruiser 1!!!

Woot woot!
http://tinypic.com/5yum2s
http://tinypic.com/5yuq8o
http://tinypic.com/5yunh5
http://tinypic.com/5yunn4

That is my little sister. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all, afterall, she is a minor. In the background is my other toy. I just got it today. I've been playing with it and boy that Bruiser is great.

I love the way it handles. The gearing is a little lower then what I'm used to. It probably was becasue I came from a rigid old school bike with light weight tires and less gears. It absorbs bumps and drops really well too! Overall, I love it!


Questions:On my way back from the place I got it from, I had to remove the front brakes to get the front wheel off so it could fit in the Civic. When I put it back on, the front brakes don't seem to be even (one is closer to the rim). Do I just mess with that screw near them (noticeable in the second shot)? Or do I play with that thing that needs an allen wrench? Also, is Trek using a Metric system or an American system? I was just wondering becuase I'm pretty sure both kinds of allen wrenches that I have would fit in the same hole. I also wonder what that sound is whenever I do some large drops and jumps that sounds like a kickstand hitting the frame, even though it doesn't have a stand.

Awesome bike man.

Take the reflectors off though :)

Questions:On my way back from the place I got it from, I had to remove the front brakes to get the front wheel off so it could fit in the Civic. When I put it back on, the front brakes don't seem to be even (one is closer to the rim). Do I just mess with that screw near them (noticeable in the second shot)? Or do I play with that thing that needs an allen wrench?

First make sure you front wheel is all the way in the drop-outs. If that doesn't work, squeeze the levers a couple times. The brakes should've been adjusted at the shop. That little screw on the brake arms increases or decreases spring tension. You can loosen the one on the other side and that should even out the arms. Or, tighten the one that needs to be further out. Squeeze the level in between adjustments.


Also, is Trek using a Metric system or an American system? I was just wondering becuase I'm pretty sure both kinds of allen wrenches that I have would fit in the same hole.

Metric. Most all mountain and road bikes use Metric. For some stupid reason BMX bikes still use American.


I also wonder what that sound is whenever I do some large drops and jumps that sounds like a kickstand hitting the frame, even though it doesn't have a stand.

That's the chain slapping the chain stay. (tubing from bottom bracket to rear hub). You can buy a neoprene cover or make your own using plastic tubing, handlebar (road bike) tape, or an old inner tube.

Me? Chain slap adds character to a frame!

Questions:On my way back from the place I got it from, I had to remove the front brakes to get the front wheel off so it could fit in the Civic. When I put it back on, the front brakes don't seem to be even (one is closer to the rim). Do I just mess with that screw near them (noticeable in the second shot)? Or do I play with that thing that needs an allen wrench? Also, is Trek using a Metric system or an American system? I was just wondering becuase I'm pretty sure both kinds of allen wrenches that I have would fit in the same hole. I also wonder what that sound is whenever I do some large drops and jumps that sounds like a kickstand hitting the frame, even though it doesn't have a stand.

I imagine that you put the wheel back on "slightly" crooked. Just loosen the quick release with the bike upright on the group and retighten. I'm guessing that should take care of it.

I believe it's common these days to use metric systems on bikes (except BMX).

That sound you hear is probably your chain slapping the chain stay when you land.

Nice bike, and congrats (again).

EDIT: Looks like someone beat me to it! :)

Congrats on the new bike.

Just about all bikes use metric sizes.

The noise is probably the chain hitting the frame. Get used to it. ;) Seriously though, do a search and you will find cheap chainstay protectors using an old intertube and zip ties or electrical tape. You can also get a lizard skins chainstay protector for a few bucks.

Questions:On my way back from the place I got it from, I had to remove the front brakes to get the front wheel off so it could fit in the Civic. When I put it back on, the front brakes don't seem to be even (one is closer to the rim). Do I just mess with that screw near them (noticeable in the second shot)? Or do I play with that thing that needs an allen wrench? Also, is Trek using a Metric system or an American system? I was just wondering becuase I'm pretty sure both kinds of allen wrenches that I have would fit in the same hole. I also wonder what that sound is whenever I do some large drops and jumps that sounds like a kickstand hitting the frame, even though it doesn't have a stand.
First of all, congrats, sweet bike. :) Second of all: I had the same problem a few weeks ago on my Specialized Hardrock and I spent about 1 hour tweaking the screws on either side of the brake arms.
http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/howfix_linearbrakes.shtml
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Link to webpage where it's explained fairly well, in the "Tighten screw to pull away" picture, mess around with those screws (with moderation ;)) until you get the perfect balance. It took me ages but now my brakes are working great.
Take the reflectors off and unscrew the pedal reflectors, they break really easily and they'll just litter the trails once they come off.
EDIT: Well I'll be damned, I post and alas, there are three posts before mine. I'm slow. :p

:lol: we all answered at basically the same time!

:lol: we all answered at basically the same time!
:lol:

^^ DUDE, you totally rock!

ok, I don't sound like that in real life, but you're great.

hahaha... I didn't even notice all the reflectors on it...

I was riding and I already heard someone say something good about my bike. :D

Wow, bwahahaha... ok, everyone that answered mad props. Thank you all!

:D Oh yeah, as for the chain slap (the noise you talked about), make a chainstay protector out of tennis racket grip, old inner tubes, whatever, or just buy Lizard Skin Chainstay Protector as someone above stated. ;)

Wait, that is the only part that I don't get. What is hitting what?

Wait, that is the only part that I don't get. What is hitting what?

chain slap. It's where the chain will hit the tube that runs from the BB (where the cranks/pedals are) to the rear of the bike where the rear wheel attaches. The top of the chain will move downward when you land, for instance, and hit that tube.

I love my friends Scott. It has an elevated chain stay. No chain slap. I jump over something and there is slapage all over the place buy when he does it sounds smooth. ahh. I should get and old tube and put it on there...

My Superlight had an elevated chainstay as well. I still got chain slap though. The upper chain would go up and hit the bottom of the chainstay. Not nearly as bad as a normal chainstay though. I have had to get used to constant chainslap again now that I have my Truth.

Nice bike :D

The stock brakes are OK till you do some narly downhill type stuff. I don't know what type of riding you are planning on doing but if you doing long (15-20) down hill sections get some better brakes. Your hands will thank you later. Avids dics mechs are cheap and work damn good for DH stuff
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/11/web/311000-311999/311542_334_full.jpg
did I mention they look good too ;)

What size frame did you get? I don't think you'll have a prob with you knees hitting the handlebars or shifters but if you do, get a longer stem and higher riser bars. These makes a world of difference climbing steep stuff off the saddle.

Have fun with the new toy. Take some action pics when u can :D

I got the 16.5" one. No problems with handle bars or knees so far, but I haven't practiced on anything extremely technical. I will see if I can do something this weekend.

you should be fine with the large frame.

*drools*

Wow.... Thats sick! I have been wanting a bruiser 1 ever since I saw it, and now... I hope the LBS doesn't sell theirs before the end of summer! :D

nice bike, mines better!

I just got back from a ride around a couple of blocks... Wow. I got uphill in grass! That was cool. I never did that on my old bike. I also was able to go down some really crappy asphalt path without worrying about the stabiltiy. I just lean back on it and ride it... That thing is so fun!

I have to keep coming back to the house because I don't have a water bottle or a camelbak yet. So, I have to grab water here at the house.

Another question for all the pro's out there. When jumping curbs/ out of place cement, is it better to lift the front end and let the back to the absorbtion or to let the front suspension to its job? Also, is it better to go quickly or slowly?

A Bruiser 2 eh? Cool. In a couple of years, I might upgrade to a Bruiser 3 if that is still around.

Do your really want the heavier bike? I wouldn't want to pedal that thing unless i was doing some extreme ****, which I don't plan on doing anytime soon.
And for the curb jumping question, never land on your front tire, that could cause you to slightly turn the wheel and flip. Try to land on both tires at nearly the same time, back wheel first. if you do this the front suspension WILL do it's job.

how much the bruiser 2 weigh in at?

My bike with the upgrades is a hair over 31 lbs

I'm not sure exactly how much mine weighs, but i would like to know why it weighs MORE that your bike. Maybe its my fork or soemthing. I'd say mines between 35-40 pounds. Do you know if the actual frame is lighter, I'm pretty sure they are identical though. Maybe its the wheelset.

hmmm... I was looking at Trek's website, and I wonder, why don't they mention the weights? I wanted to know the weights of the bikes BEFORE I bought one...

its not a common practice to list weights, because there are too many variables (mainly frame sizes weigh differently, as do components, etc.)

Ahhh... I understand. Thanks.

I'm not sure exactly how much mine weighs, but i would like to know why it weighs MORE that your bike. Maybe its my fork or soemthing. I'd say mines between 35-40 pounds. Do you know if the actual frame is lighter, I'm pretty sure they are identical though. Maybe its the wheelset.

Most of the extra bike weight is in the forks, cranks and wheels. I do know the Bruiser 2 has double wall rims which is one of the "upgrade" with the bike but I'm sure those rims are built and feel like a tank. I'm not sure if the hub were beefed up as well. You have the Marz MX fork as oppose to the cheap one on the bruiser 1. I'm sure the Bruiser 1 fork is near 7lbs if not more. I doubt the Marz MX weighs that much. I want to put a RocShox PIKE Race which weighs a hair under 5lbs. And probably get some Rynolite wheel set for under $100. They work pretty well for my friend who is alot faster on the DH then me and he also hucks and jumps alot more. Maybe in the end I can get this bike to pedal better up those steep hills.

So your saying that Rhynolite rims are capable of some fairly hard riding? I'm thinking of getting a new set but want the strongest thing I can afford, so it has to be fairly cheap.

you can go ahead and peel that size sticker off too, and really any other stickers you may not want on there.
When going fast off a curb you can pull up if you want, it will be smoother to hit both tires at the same time than either first, but you can also just run right off them, that fork should be able to handle a curb. Just don't try to run right up one, that bike probably wouldn't like that very much. Definitely pop up the front wheel when going up a curb and then throw your weight forward so you don't just slam the back wheel into it too.

^ Thanks for the tips. I actually like the stickers, well most of them.

I got some bike tools, one of those all in one wonders, and a helmet. I need a camelpak now, but they were more expensive then I thought. I'm going to go for the whole hard-core cycling look. Any brands you guys would suggest for gloves, shirts and pants?

Post Some More Pics!

Its a stock Bruiser 1... so nothing interesting there.

I'm not exactly the lady magnet :D so, ummm yeah, that would be a deadly combo if I were to post pix of me on it...

Wow the square tubing on that frame looks really beefy, it makes my dinky little frame seem to weak

well still. post more pics of the bike then. kuz i really wanna get a CLOSE look at the bike. or could you email them to me? rev.monkey@gmail.com please and thank you!

please take pictures of EVERYTHING. (i don't get down to the LBS very often...)

Wow the square tubing on that frame looks really beefy, it makes my dinky little frame seem to weak

Don't make me hit you for making fun of your homegrown...

lol :D

Good purchase chris pnoy. As for your curb jumping question, I think some of the others have misunderstood. You definitely want to lift your front tire up so it lands on the sidewalk and then continue pedalling and ease off the back tire, and it'll roll up the curb. Don't just ride head on into the curb or you might flip if you're going fast enough.

its weird. all this having been said, i ride up on curbs with my x-mart just fine and dandy... i think it might be because of the soft fork tho. :S

its weird. all this having been said, i ride up on curbs with my x-mart just fine and dandy... i think it might be because of the soft fork tho. :S

Do you ride straight into them? Like no lift at all. Just continue riding normally right into it? I did it once and nearly killed myself. And by killed I mean sacked. Same relative amount of pain anyway.

yes i do mean that. and these are pretty high curbs too, about +/- 6", i'd say. actually i dunno how tall they are kuz im really bad at estimating. all i know is that they're pretty high.

I can't right now. I already put it away for tonight. I'll be heading up to a trail about 30 minutes away (I'll be driving there anyway, so I might as well hit the trail there). I will whip out the camera tomorrow and take some pix and all... (not of myself on it though, I mean, I'll be riding solo tomorrow) I'll take pictures of it... I'll post them up tomorrow also.

I think its really hard to just hit the curb straight... I mean, you have to lift it... It's a mtn bike, not a damn monster truck... hahaha... I was just wondering about the actual technique behind it...

well its perspective. i have a ****ty bike and want a bruiser, so i dont care if i dent a rim.

So your saying that Rhynolite rims are capable of some fairly hard riding? I'm thinking of getting a new set but want the strongest thing I can afford, so it has to be fairly cheap.

yah rhynolites have a pretty good name to them. There is a fat thread on MTBR forums about them. Guys are doing 10ft+ hucks to nice trannys with them. My friend does 6 footers to tranny with his. He blazes down the trails at Big Bear on his ol skool GF Joshua3. He's keeping up (20 seconds back in a 13-15 minute race) with the semi pro sponcered guys on his rig. He only had to to true them once. I though about getting Azonic Outlaws but they are $250 and heavier but rave reviews on them too. For me there is no between the Rhynos and the Outlaws so it's go cheap or go for it all. I'm not sure what type of riding you are doing with you bike. I'm not sure if you ride dirt only or do urban stuff. If you're doing the urban stuff, the Outlaws might be a better setup for you.

Don't make me hit you for making fun of your homegrown...

lol :D

Good purchase chris pnoy. As for your curb jumping question, I think some of the others have misunderstood. You definitely want to lift your front tire up so it lands on the sidewalk and then continue pedalling and ease off the back tire, and it'll roll up the curb. Don't just ride head on into the curb or you might flip if you're going fast enough.
Oh Dont get me wrong i am very pleased with my homegrown frame, I love that thing. Buuut at sub 3 pounds i dont think its equipped for the same abuse his Bruiser is :p Oh well, fast anyways

[QUOTE=chris_pnoyAny brands you guys would suggest for gloves, shirts and pants?[/QUOTE]


I like Fox Racing for Gloves and most of my jerseys. I buy long sleeve MX jerseys. If you can find the perforated ones (ventilated) they are much cooler.

Gloves. I use full fingered ones. I like the added protection. I live in FL and where them through the summer. You get used to wearing them.

Shorts? Varies a great deal. I found some great Nike shorts a bunch of years ago and bought 3 pair. They've held up great.

Pants? Don't wear them. I do however have some full length BMX pants that I use for really cold days. (seldom happens down here). I have a pair of Answer and a pair of Fox.

Hydration packs. Don't limit yourself to Camelback. A lot of companies are making great packs these days. Deuter is a great pack. It'll probably be my next pack.

Same wheelset. I think it's the fork. Mine is only like 33 Pounds, I think.

http://tinypic.com/643zp5
http://tinypic.com/643zuw
http://tinypic.com/64409k

Heres some more pix.

I rode on a paved trail for about 5 hours and I noticed a couple of things about it. It's heavy, the gears are really low to compensate for the weight. It can get through a bunch of rocks with no problem. It can't keep up with people on road bikes. I went through BWI trail and then that turned into the B&A trail. I loved the scenery there. My legs are killing me. All the people that passed me were on road bikes, so I did fairly well. I'll stick to dirt trails next time, and I'll try to remember to bring a camera. The bay looked unbelievable!


Anyway, I have a ton more questions!!!~

The front derailleur shifted down twice while I was messing with the rear gears. Also, the front derailleur hits the chain and it makes a slight clicking noise when the rear is on the highest 2 gears. Should I get that checked out? How do I clean the front suspension? Do I just wipe it off? It's got some grease on it still (last pic).

hoo-ray!

i think maybe your derailleur needs to be tighter?

and i think you do just wipe it off.

any more pics? please? :D any close close shots? :D

ill post my email again if you can :D

Close shots of what exactly?

of absolutely everything. shifters, brakes, pedals, stem, crank, derailleur, frame, fork, handlebar, saddle... everything important.