fatpunk

So the other day I took my Sedona in because the handle bars kept rotating no matter how much i tightened them down. Secretly I was praying they would tell me it would cost more to fix than the bike was worth so I could justify to my wife I needed a real road bike. But anyways, while they had my bike I decided to grab my Gary Fisher/franken bike and try out a trail the local mtn bike guys recently created.

HOLY CRAP I'M IN LOVE!!! It's not near as fast as riding on the road but wow the technical skill and balance you have to have is amazing. I must of fallen 4 times, went head first into some bushes, bent my seat post, tore my ear phones apart and ripped a hole in one of my t-shirts and destoryed my rear tire.

I went back to my local shop with dirt all over my clothes, a grin the size of texas and eyes as big as alaska as I drooled over their selection of Giant 29ers like a kid in a candy shop. I still want a road bike because I feel like I will enjoy my 30 plus mile rides more on one vs my Sedona but Papa want's a 29er too!

Those who ride mountain bike trails, what type of bike do you ride and what do you like? I'm defiantntly going to pick up some OT at work so I can get a 29er and a road bike.

Shellyrides

LOL Love it! I want to get my kids out on there bikes and try some trails.

jsigone

I have a 29er Rumblefish, 5" suspension on both sides. GREAT bike, just a tad bit slower on the climbs oppose to my 29er hard tail. But it's the go to bike on the dirt. Good time to buy a bike, since all the new 2013 are coming into stock. Should be able to find 20-30% off pretty easy.

I'm a MTBer on a road bike Just prefer it allot more cuz its fun and can get more out of a 1hr session then you can on a road bike sitting at red lights.

This is probably the ONLY bike I've left in stock form other then grips and pedals. Ride it, beat on it and keep on ticking.

new rumblefish by jsigone, on Flickr

fatpunk

The rumblefish is spooorrrttty!

Mr. Beanz

Whenever I go mtb, I'm usually talked into climbing 22% grades by skinny friends, Bass-turds!

I do like firetrails as I only ride mtb to get into climbing form. I'm not into the DH side of MTB, too old!


skyline by gulpxtreme, on Flickr


081909G by gulpxtreme, on Flickr


Untitled by gulpxtreme, on Flickr




Nothing fancy, just a hardtail 26'er



I tried some single track forest type riding with 21 streams to cross. A bit purtier scenery but I HATE getting my chain gunky and all that.

Mr. Beanz

I'd rather jsut do loops for the climbing than venturing out for scenery. I guess I don't really care much for flowers and all that stuff.

Mr. Beanz

I used to ride my MTB 2 or 3 times during the week. But as seen int the video, way too crowded with walkers now. Back then, maybe 5 or 6 walkers. Now it's hard to find parking (2 lots and street parking).

bigbones73

Very impressive Mr. Beanz! That Potato Mountain ride looked like a real killer. I would have had a stroke.

jsigone

I'm w/ Beans on that theory....not much sightseeing but have a ton of fun w/ climbing involved of course

https://contour.com/videos/watch/cala...ed-by-hotsauce

Mr. Beanz

Thanks, for me, coming down was more of a chance for a stroke!

eyemage

Excuse me?

Mr. Beanz

What, you don't know you're skinny?

CliftonGK1

I like the "go fast downhill" part of MTB just as much as the "earn your downhills" riding to the top part, so I bought an enduro bike. A little heavier than a regular trail bike, beefier rotors, longer travel suspension, and a little more laid back head angle; the Specialised Stumpjumper FSR Comp EVO.
2 x 10 drivetrain wtih an ISCG chainguide, hydro brakes with 200f/180r rotors, 160mm front/150mm rear travel, remote dropper post with 125mm travel, and a 67-degree headtube. Slacker than the FSR Trail's 68-degrees, and with a longer travel fork it really lays the front end of the bike out further and gives you a nice forward balance to let the suspension do its work while letting you rail turns with more power-drifty action than an XC bike.

Mr. Beanz

Whatever you do, don't squeeze the front brakes too hard before a switchback while recording video with one hand.

Walking back to the truck with a separated shoulder.


4602145044_c0450d18ba by mrbeanz1, on Flickr


4602147058_a9874c5f65 by mrbeanz1, on Flickr

Esteban58

these last two comments are the yin and the yang of mountain biking... great pics!

fatpunk

This is the trail that I fell in love with and fell off of over and over again. I was so annoyed when I couldn't make this race.

Pamestique 

Pretty much I am almost always mountain bike all the time now... I was a fairly confirmed roadie but living in So Cal and with all the traffic and accidents here, fear has driven me to riding the hills. But frankly I love it... I love travelling through wilderness areas and I love the challenge of climbing and descending. Just last Friday my friend and I went to Big Bear and stayed away from the lifts (which were closed anyway) and did a beautiful climb up Snow Summit and came down an e-ticket singletrack called Pine Knot Trail.

I have been riding mountain bikes since the beginning. I bought a fully rigid RockHopper back in the 80's when I lived in the Sierras and have been riding trail since. I went from the fully rigid to a series of hardtails and then graduated to full suspension bikes. My first was a used Gary Fisher, then a Specialized Stumpjumper and now a series of Santa Cruz Superlights which I love.

I am "old school" in that I don't see myself embracing the 29er or 650Bs fad - I love my 26ers and there ability to negotiate, tight, gnarly singletrack. I personally don't get the 29er thing but realize that is what most shops are now pushing and pushing hard. I suspect in a couple of years there will be a glut of 29ers for sale on Craigs List. I think 29ers are great for Big Guys who don't really fit the 26 bikes, but now I am seeing little girls (and guys) riding them - the wheels are about the same size! It just looks weird!

jboyd

I feel your joy. I almost refuse to ride on pavement anymore. Dirt and gravel are all I want, and I almost can't stand riding in the daylight now. I have gotten hooked on trail riding at night with crazy good lights. It is all a wonderful addiction.

For the record, I am riding Giant XTC1 29er hardtail with the big ring dropped and replaced with a bash guard. I weigh in at about 260.

fatpunk

How do you like the XTC1 29er? I've been eye balling one at my local bike shop.

Tandem427

I got rid of my 26 hardtail and bought a Lightfoot Cycles Bigfoot fat-tire recumbent. I never really felt comfortable with the 26 in rocky terrain; always afraid of sticking the front wheel and going over the bars. No worries about doing an endo with the long wheelbase on the Bigfoot. It rolls right over the tough stuff like an ATV. Riding the easier trails in the snow should be a blast, too.

jboyd

I am one who has trouble sticking with one bike for very long, but the XTC1 has been my longest stretch where I just have no N+1 bike lust. don't need it. The wheel set is bombproof. I beat the living hell out of this thing and all it does is want more. I have had it for 2 full riding seasons and have wore out the Maxxis Aspens and other than that, have replaced the 3rd ring with a bash guard and put Red Azonic 420's on to match the Red Anodized Basher. That is it. I have never had the wheels retensioned or had the brakes reworked. The Fox 32 fork is like a rock. I blow it to about 130# to cover my weight and it is perfect.

Oh, did I tell you I love my XTC1?

Seattle Forrest

On Sunday, I climbed a grade that would make your head explode. 100 feet of elevation gain, over the course of 3 feet. Had to leave the bike at home, though.

CliftonGK1

The ride back down would be the gnarliest huck in history.

fatpunk

Yeah I want one.