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08-02-09, 08:20 AM
Went out today, despite the weather, (almost got caught in rain a few times) to see how the new Dawg rides. For sitting on the shop floor for 3 years, I think it rides pretty dang good. There's a few kinks that need to be worked out with the drivetrain and my brakes.
The bike its self rides awesome. I love the feel of how it forms to the trail. I feel a lot faster, on the down hill sections that is, now. For up hills, I've always been a stand and mash person, but for a fully, I've found that doesn't work very well, I'm learning to stay in my saddle, control the center of gravity and pedal on up. With now having 9 gears, and working front derail. I find myself back in the granny gear a few times......... I'm thinking of taking that thing off. Still contemplating a 1x9 setup, but with the odd terrain of Germany, I don't know how well it'd work.
Back to the downhill, I need to find some more "downhillish" trails.... I love the thrill of it, and I made it a point today not to hit my brakes at all and to trust the bike around the turns. It feels great! the Maxxis Ignitors really do grip pretty well. I even have higher than normal pressure for MTB in them. (shop aired em up pretty high, I haven't let much out, just a few PSI)
The terrain here goes from mud and dirt, to reddish sand, to rocks, back to dirt, leaves, random boulders, many logs, and there's few flat areas, it's either up or down most of the time.
The biggest problem I found today was the fact that I can't read German, so I got lost a few times... (had no clue where I was... ended up in some small towns and by some roads)
Another problem is the trail system I was on has a bunch of trails that branch out, but they're ALL dead ends... they lead to pathways where bikes are prohibited, peoples drive ways (yes... I almost ended up on a car) or to peoples back yard fences. So I rode up/down the trails just too turn around and ride back down/up.
I found many Germans don't put their dogs on leashes.... and said dogs like to chase bikers..... and then they start yelling in German and such, and I feel kind of stupid just standing there nodding my head.
I can't wait to find more REAL trails, One of these days I'm going to try to find the "gelterswoog" apparently that's were the bike club rides all the time, and they're supposed to be some serious trails.
I took my camera along, got a few shots... but honestly there wasn't much to take a picture of. the trails were either very narrow singletrack (mostly walking trails) or flowy double track.
One of the major issues I had with the bike was a chain issue. Everytime I would shift to a smaller ring on my front, the chain would bounce and get caught up against the chain stay and large chain ring..
Scratched the HECK out of my frame! =( =( =( -_-...... My guess is the chains to long, and the shop didn't cut it to the right size. It being a Shimano Chain, no master link (quick link, w/e) I didn't cut it down because I don't have any of those pins.
One of the pictures below shows you my quick fix for this problem, and I didn't have a problem with it, even of rough roots sections.
Cloudy day... trying to beat the weather. It rained as soon as I parked the Kona in my Garage.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii179/Cheeto010/Kona%20ride%201/100_2076.jpg
this is actually a little hill (can't really tell) fun t ride down, had to turn around and go back up.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii179/Cheeto010/Kona%20ride%201/100_2077.jpg
Stupid reflectors... and My saddle needs to be pitched down a tad.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii179/Cheeto010/Kona%20ride%201/100_2078.jpg
Photo Opp.?
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii179/Cheeto010/Kona%20ride%201/100_2079.jpg
cruisn' along
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii179/Cheeto010/Kona%20ride%201/100_2080.jpg
relaxing trail... nothing exciting. =(
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii179/Cheeto010/Kona%20ride%201/100_2081.jpg
Chain issue.... this is the result of it!!
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii179/Cheeto010/Kona%20ride%201/100_2082.jpg
On the stand for the first time!
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii179/Cheeto010/Kona%20ride%201/100_2083.jpg
My quick Fix... no issues afterword. Piece of rubber strapping used by fire fighters to strap flashlights to their helmets, and a zip ties.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii179/Cheeto010/Kona%20ride%201/100_2084.jpg
the ziptie is just above the chain, not rubbing, but its just enough so when the chain tries to jump up, it gets bumped down. The rubber is for added protection, and to cover the scratch's till I find the touch-up paint we used for our truck (almost the exact same color)
The bike its self rides awesome. I love the feel of how it forms to the trail. I feel a lot faster, on the down hill sections that is, now. For up hills, I've always been a stand and mash person, but for a fully, I've found that doesn't work very well, I'm learning to stay in my saddle, control the center of gravity and pedal on up. With now having 9 gears, and working front derail. I find myself back in the granny gear a few times......... I'm thinking of taking that thing off. Still contemplating a 1x9 setup, but with the odd terrain of Germany, I don't know how well it'd work.
Back to the downhill, I need to find some more "downhillish" trails.... I love the thrill of it, and I made it a point today not to hit my brakes at all and to trust the bike around the turns. It feels great! the Maxxis Ignitors really do grip pretty well. I even have higher than normal pressure for MTB in them. (shop aired em up pretty high, I haven't let much out, just a few PSI)
The terrain here goes from mud and dirt, to reddish sand, to rocks, back to dirt, leaves, random boulders, many logs, and there's few flat areas, it's either up or down most of the time.
The biggest problem I found today was the fact that I can't read German, so I got lost a few times... (had no clue where I was... ended up in some small towns and by some roads)
Another problem is the trail system I was on has a bunch of trails that branch out, but they're ALL dead ends... they lead to pathways where bikes are prohibited, peoples drive ways (yes... I almost ended up on a car) or to peoples back yard fences. So I rode up/down the trails just too turn around and ride back down/up.
I found many Germans don't put their dogs on leashes.... and said dogs like to chase bikers..... and then they start yelling in German and such, and I feel kind of stupid just standing there nodding my head.
I can't wait to find more REAL trails, One of these days I'm going to try to find the "gelterswoog" apparently that's were the bike club rides all the time, and they're supposed to be some serious trails.
I took my camera along, got a few shots... but honestly there wasn't much to take a picture of. the trails were either very narrow singletrack (mostly walking trails) or flowy double track.
One of the major issues I had with the bike was a chain issue. Everytime I would shift to a smaller ring on my front, the chain would bounce and get caught up against the chain stay and large chain ring..
Scratched the HECK out of my frame! =( =( =( -_-...... My guess is the chains to long, and the shop didn't cut it to the right size. It being a Shimano Chain, no master link (quick link, w/e) I didn't cut it down because I don't have any of those pins.
One of the pictures below shows you my quick fix for this problem, and I didn't have a problem with it, even of rough roots sections.
Cloudy day... trying to beat the weather. It rained as soon as I parked the Kona in my Garage.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii179/Cheeto010/Kona%20ride%201/100_2076.jpg
this is actually a little hill (can't really tell) fun t ride down, had to turn around and go back up.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii179/Cheeto010/Kona%20ride%201/100_2077.jpg
Stupid reflectors... and My saddle needs to be pitched down a tad.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii179/Cheeto010/Kona%20ride%201/100_2078.jpg
Photo Opp.?
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii179/Cheeto010/Kona%20ride%201/100_2079.jpg
cruisn' along
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii179/Cheeto010/Kona%20ride%201/100_2080.jpg
relaxing trail... nothing exciting. =(
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii179/Cheeto010/Kona%20ride%201/100_2081.jpg
Chain issue.... this is the result of it!!
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii179/Cheeto010/Kona%20ride%201/100_2082.jpg
On the stand for the first time!
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii179/Cheeto010/Kona%20ride%201/100_2083.jpg
My quick Fix... no issues afterword. Piece of rubber strapping used by fire fighters to strap flashlights to their helmets, and a zip ties.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii179/Cheeto010/Kona%20ride%201/100_2084.jpg
the ziptie is just above the chain, not rubbing, but its just enough so when the chain tries to jump up, it gets bumped down. The rubber is for added protection, and to cover the scratch's till I find the touch-up paint we used for our truck (almost the exact same color)