Mountain Biking - a few questions, then i'll shut up and go ride....

1. urban riders (riding) clipless or just standard platform pedal? And what psi do you keep? why?

2. anybody (probably everyone) have a 27 speed they use as an all purpose thrashn' bike. What do you do with that damn chain slapping everywhere?
Chainguide? Rollersystem??

The reason why I ask is that it bugs the hell out of me when runnin' through town, a jump here or there and....well, what can I do to make the rig seem or feel more stable? I dont wish to convert over to a single chain ring because I use the bike to commute to work as well, and that granny helps out sometimes.

3. Although I just bought a bike (hardtail again), I have been wanting a good dual but nothing like down hill. Any suggestion? Gonna go for something a year or two older to hopefully save some cash.

if rider size helps out...5'6" 185lbs

been looking at an uzzi frame, the fsr xc, and others but have no clue. and riding an older frame aint gonna happen with only new products in the shops. Need some input.

thanks.

Lizard Skins on the chainstay makes it much quieter.

1) For Urban, or anything where there is a good probability you need to bail quickly stick with Platforms. This includes doing any jumping or drops.

1)A. PSI depends on a lot of factors. For urban, usually drop 10 - 15 psi to give you a little more cushion on landings to hard surfaces. This will also give a little more traction. You don't want to take too much out or you'll dink your rims and snake bite your tubes. For a rider about 185 lbs, starts at 45 psi and experiment up and down from there!

2)Lizard Skins as mentioned work well, but you can also do a variety of other things including going to a hardware store and getting some plumbing insulation and a roll of black electrical tape and going crazy! An old tube and a bunch of zip ties! Or some handlebar cork wrap (the stuff roadies use on their bars).

You wouldn't need a chain tensioner, you've already got one, your rear derailleur. KORE makes a spring loaded roller guide that attaches to your chain stay, I've used one without great results. The chain would slap against it and make just as much noise. Plus, I couldn't adjust it well enough to get it to where the chain wouldn't rub in my 9-speed set-up. 8-speed was o.k.!

Any type of chainguide is going to limit you up front. There are some new ones now that allow you to use your middle ring and granny gear, but you have to remove your big ring and replace it with a plate. (Try to get ones that are actual bash rings vs. just part of the quides.) Black Spire makes a decent system.

3)An Uzzi SL is basically my dream bike. I rode one and was in Love, but USED bikes complete are selling for $2,000-2500. You've mentioned the FSR XC, that's going to be a lighter weight (more fragile) stick with just the FSR or and Enduro. If you can find a good deal on a '98 '99 vintage FSR with the Max Backbone, that makes a great all around trailbike.

Other good bike....too many to choose from! I'm sure others here will provide input!

L8R