How in the world did your parents meet?

I'm using the American terminology (e.g. African-American). Both my parents are Ecuadorian. A funny thing is that in Canada we don't hyphenate our origins. If you were to walk into little-Italy and ask a random café patron, "What origin are you?". The answer will be, "I'm Italian" even if his family has been here for 3 generations.

We do the same, sometimes. I rarely call myself an Italian/Polish-American. I just say I'm Italian and Polish. If I were in another country I would certainly refer to myself as American though.

I was given a lead on where some "DH" runs might be by some guys when I was cutting through the local DJs to get some place. I just drove out there (sadly, like the closest decent things, it was a 15 min drive both ways) to check it out on foot as it is far to wet to ride. I was fairly impressed. Not sure on the actually elevation, but I'd estimate the runs (at least the one that I slid down and the one I ran up) to be around .5 miles, all downhill with some fairly steep spots (this estimate was based on the fact that the main fire road that goes straight up the hill was about 1/4 mile according to google earth). That doesnt sound like much, but its not bad for Ohio. The guys who I talked to at the DJs said the runs were around 1.5 minutes. Nothing crazy, but it looks like fun. Cant wait for sunday.

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/w...r/100_0873.jpg

The dust normally shouldn't be here until late July/August.

Nice pedals

:lol:

I don't want to create a help me buy something thread so Ill dump this question here.

I've destroyed the stock rear wheel on my '09 rockhopper. Mostly due to my ignorance(I've been educated now) and partially to me being 220-235lbs and I am not the smoothest rider.

My LBS recommended this wheelset as a strong relatively cheap replacement.

http://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com...d&productId=86
Weights not a big deal to me.. I ride by myself just for fun..

I ride only XC. Usually everyday weather permitting, and my local trail has a quite a few rocky sections. I think a 2 foot drop is the most I reguarly encounter.

My front wheel is completely fine, still completely true. So I was considering instead of buying a new wheelset just put the money into a stronger rear wheel. Buy a rim/spokes/hub individually and take them in and get the wheel built.

I've been reading reviews trying to get a handle on what suits my needs.
DT spokes are good? Not sure which specific ones too look at..
I asked chelboed about rims awhile ago and he recommended
As far as a hub.. I havent really got a clue. I think the one from my stock wheel is salvageable because I just tacoed the rim and broke a bunch of spokes. The stock hub is a
I also found this
http://www.instructables.com/id/S8T2I8KFCEIJ24L/

I dont really want to ruin any more wheels because I didnt keep em trued. Ive also been reading the wheel building chapter in Zinn's mountain bike matience book and playing with the idea of trying to build my own.

Any suggestions? My price range.. is flexible..

721 is a good rim. If you are worried about strength you might think about building up a 36h.

I can build wheels, it took a lot of patience and cussing but it really does feel rewarding when you're done.

Got my build kit and wheelset ordered, it's just a waiting game now.
Went with The I-9 XC wheelset but need a 20 thru hub on the front so they will be a little heavier than the stock XC set.

Hmmm...XC wheelset on a Blur LT with a 150mm frikkety frok? What a weenie.

That thing's gonna be friggin' sweetness of Gnar! I can't wait for you to let me take it off some sweet jumps!







Oh wait a min...I 4got the fork has tupperware lowers.

Yeah, it should come in about 25.75 lbs minus pedals. that's what I was shooting for. Long Legged XC ride, lighter than the Epic.

Holy crap Dogg! That's a feathery ride.

Well we received our household goods, and got the keys to our house, so I finally got to put my trek together again.

Everything is working fine on the stand..
I was all excited, and was going to take it out on a nice LOOONNGGGG ride (road and dirt walking paths) just to ride... but my tires are flat..

I had the presta-shrader adapter, I put it in my pack, and then left...
my dad decided he would clean the garage and organize it today... and Poof... there goes my adapter..

so.... I got all excited for nothing.
I got a lifeless bike still. lol


on the plus side, it made it, no chain stays or fork (what I was worried about, since I saw how the packed it) wheels are a little out of true, but they weren't perfect to start with.
my rotor is still true, and the chain rings ares destroyed (they had my bike resting on it, and I aint got a bash guard yet...)

Everything went together smoothly, and with minimal adjustments(had to mess with the barrels. and re-do the limit screws) she shifts like a pro.




- side note
I found a cable, and hooked my laptop to my 40 inch tv, and now I got a HUGE computer screen, haha.
it's awesome....

Spent an hour or so helping out with some building at the local DJ's, they're looking nice.

Tubes for boobs?

Who, me?
If so, Probably not for a few weeks (Building is happening most days through the week, and it just rained hard for 3 or 4 hours, and we dont have drainage ditches dug out yet, so some of the pits will be rather wet). Maybe I'll go get some pics some time.

Front wheel offset to left
 

I am pretty much a newbie to MB. I recently bought a 2009 Cannondale F5. I noticed that the front wheel is offset toweards to disc brake side. Is this normal? The picture of your front wheel shows that your wheel is also offset to the left.

I have a rock shox Dart 3 fork and Jalco rims. Is this normal or did they assemble the hub incorrectly?

Offset wheel
 

Sorry, that question was for Danhillator

I can tell you from experience (I once had this problem), you just need to make your QR so tight, you can barely bet it un-done. Or you could replace the skewer (I'd assume you have one of the Clicks skewers because thats what my F5 had).

why is it that white DT swiss competition spokes are 3x the price of black competition spokes?

Post lots of pics when your done. This bike sounds sweet! Good choice on the I9s, they rock.

Anyone know of any non-custom way to get a frame that will fit someone who is 6'8"?

I've got a 22.5" that you could use as a DJ/Trials frame:lol: