chris_pnoy

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...

the wonginator

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

chris_pnoy

Ahhh... I understand. Thanks.

jsigone

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.

bruiser2

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.

alcahueteria

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.

chris_pnoy

^ 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?

the wonginator

Post Some More Pics!

chris_pnoy

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

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

phantomcow2

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

the wonginator

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...)

swifferman

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

lol

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.

the wonginator

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

swifferman

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.

the wonginator

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.

chris_pnoy

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...

the wonginator

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

jsigone

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.

phantomcow2

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 Oh well, fast anyways

a2psyklnut

[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.

Jason222

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

chris_pnoy

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).

the wonginator

hoo-ray!

i think maybe your derailleur needs to be tighter?

and i think you do just wipe it off.

any more pics? please? any close close shots?

ill post my email again if you can

chris_pnoy

Close shots of what exactly?

the wonginator

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