DualRyder

Thanks for the tip. When I took the bike in for service at my LBS, the first thing they did was check if the kickstand was on tight enough. I guess it's a known issue. Haven't had any problems so far but I suppose I'll check it periodically, along with everything else that's bolted on.

therealjoeblow

For added security, you could put some loctite on the bolts if they are known to vibrate loose.

Cheers TRJB

therealjoeblow

I use the basic resin toe clips with nylon straps on those same metal caged pedals. Work fantastic for me. I don't like the idea of full clipless, but need more than just bare pedals.

Cheers TRJB

jmohme

I had the same reservations about clipless, but wanted to try them, so I bought a pair of Shimano pedals that were platform on one side and clipless on the other. I also bought a cheap pair of bike shoes off of Amazon since I didn't know how this was going to work out.

Long story short, I have not ridden my DS 8.4 without clipping in since I first gave them a try.
I did forget to unclip once when pulling into the garage, but nothing bad came of it, and I think it drilled it into my memory not to do that again.

Crappie man

new to forum and new to biking. I am 53 and wife decided she wanted to ride bikes and she loved riding when younger. I never got into it. She has a bad heart she was born with and now they have put pace maker in and she now has energy to be able to do some stuff she hasn't in years. We picked her up a new Trek Mountain bike which is what she had 25 years ago but man is it different. She got the Cali 5. She has had it a week and now says I need one and need to exercise and we can go ride places and it would be fun. Well I said fine and went yesterday and tried all the bikes and I liked the ds4 the best and being we will not be running mountains anyway just some mild off road I chose this one and ordered it and should arrive Friday. Don't know how to post pics but will try to figure out when it arrives. Any ideas on what will be best to keep it comfortable as possible especially on seat?

limbot

@Crappie man Congratulations, which model?

I'm 51 and started riding about 4 years ago. Probably the fittest I've been since the mid 80's now. Should have started MUCH sooner.

Make sure you're fitted properly is the first thing; seat height, reach.

Then after that you have your three main contact points:
Bars - model will depend on if you got the ergo grips or not. Consider some bar ends for more hand positions
Pedals - the OEM ones tend to be cheap and nasty. May be worth looking at replacing with some bigger/wider/smoother ones
Saddle- saddles are very subjective but there's a plethora of options. Padded pants are worth it for longer hauls.

I'd suggest riding it as is initially and see how you go. Don't forget if you haven't ridden for a while your butt WILL hurt initially no matter what saddle you have so give your butt time to "wear in". Small changes to the saddle (back/front/up/down/nose up/nose down) can make a huge difference to saddle comfort.

Last of all, ride and have fun (oh and post pictures when you get it , we loves pics)

Crappie man

thanks

SPyKER

Complete noob, so how do I figure out the saddle bolt size? I need to add one of these to my son's bike.

And I agree with the Loctite suggestion. Red is (almost) permanent, blue is locking but removable. I would go for Red.

dplevy81

My ride:


2016 DS 8.4 in matte black. Set up for 60/40 road/gravel use. Full drive train and all controls swapped out for Shimano SLX 30 speed components. Shimano T551 crank. Bonmixc studded MTB pedals. Brakes upgraded to Shimano M445 hydraulic. Bontrager back rack and interchange trunk bag. For tires i went with clement Xplor USH 120tpi and I love them!! Seat is WTB speed, but it hurts my ass on long hauls so its going bye bye. Selle Italia Max Flite is on order!

ColonelSanders

What crank is that?

Did it come standard on the bike?

dplevy81

Crank is Shimano T551. No it was not standard. I forgot what crank it came with but I changed just about everything.

ColonelSanders

You created your own 8.6 DS.

dplevy81

For the most part. Wish I had a remote lock out fork though. That's coming next winter. Will be getting an air fork from suntour or rock shox over the winter. The bike may also end up white.

ceelint

I'm sure this has been asked a several times.... What's the widest 29er tire I can run on a 8.4 DS?? saw something about a 1.8" but also saw where someone fit a 2"

limbot

Im running Kenda Small Block 8 2.1"s on my 2013 DS8.4

DualRyder

I found this to be very helpful:
Payback Sizing - Fortified Bicycle

Also, loctite is indeed a good suggestion. Not sure why I didn't think of it myself.

jmohme

I picked up a 2016 DS 8.4 a few months ago and just now have gotten around to posting a picture of it.



I bought this bike for two reasons. First is to try to get back in shape, but I also got it because I am a photographer specializing in equestrian events. Most of the sites where I work have multiple arenas spread over a lot of acreage, so I added a Bontrager rear rack and bag to carry my gear from one arena to the next.
Other than the rack and bag, the only thing I have replaced is the pedals. I tossed the plastic pedals that came with it in favor of a pair of Shimano SPDs

The picture above was taken with my phone while shooting a show in Tyler Texas last week.

ColonelSanders

That is such a beautiful shade of red.

gmacintyre

So.....now decided it's going to be a DS for me....I'm down to 2 options and would love to get thoughts.
Option 1 is a new DS4, local dealer selling for $1100
Option 2 is a 2016 8.6 for $960

Is the new model worth the additional $140 when you local at the specs?? Fine with either in terms of color, just trying to determine if I should grab the 16 before it goes.

Cheers

Gregor

ColonelSanders

There is nothing about the new DS4 that makes it worth $140 over the 2016 8.6DS.

The only difference between them that matters is the crankset.

The DS4 has a 42/28 setup and the 8.6 has a triple crank with 48/36/26, plus a trouser guard.

Both should be excellent bikes.

Crappie man

I am new to bike riding. Im 53 and wife decided she wanted to get bikes. We like to hike on trails. That said she bought a new Trek mountain bike Cali 5. I told her I didn't see riding and knew she wasn't going off road with exception to some light trails and she loves that bike now like 3 weeks or so. She had me get a bike 3 days after she got hers and insisted. I was going to get the Mountain bike also but knowing we would not be off road but at most trails with dirt maybe or gravel but nothing much at all other than mainly paved trails and I test drove all the trek. I am so shocked how bikes are today. Unreal difference. I ended up choosing the ds4 and I order it and now have had it like 3 weeks. We have went out every weekend after hiking at least one day and rode and stayed on paved paths and I cant say how nice this bike is. I love it. I need help with the seat hurting my butt because I cant ride 2 days in row and then have to take week off because it is sore so don't know if a more padded seat would really help or not. I can say every other thing about the bike is great. If I thought a new seat would help id buy one because it is only issue I have and wife has none. again I am new to this so don't know if worth 140 more because I don't know what other one is but I can say I love the ds4. Wish I knew how to post pics because I got some pretty good ones.

axxman

Wellcome to 2 wheeling, I am of a similar age and bought an 8.6DS a year ago which is is similar to the current DS4, withing 6 months I was also on a mountain bike and love both. never say never, you can always have more than one bike, I thought I was too old for mountain biking, I am glad to say I was wrong. I use the DS as a "road" bike for paved and gravel trails, and I use my mountain bike for single track. the DS is a gateway drug. cheers.

ceelint

@Crappie man, look into a Brooks saddle.. they only get better with age.

Crappie man

will do. thx

limbot

51 here ..... Yes the DS is a gateway drug, but I've gone the opposite way.

2013 DS 8.4 -> Ridley X-Bow Cyclocross -> Avanti Cadent Endurance Road (all about a year apart)

Sold the Cyclocross, the Avanti is my road bike, the DS is my gravel/firetrail/single track bike (with 2.1" tires).