bttt to keep this thread so fresh so clean

and to inspire hope in everyone to ride this week since the weather will be b-e-a-utiful

[Edited on March 17, 2010 at 12:44 AM. Reason : .]

3/17/2010 12:43:13 AM

even if i wanted to ride, all the trails will be closed around here due to the rain.

i've been riding on and off close to 10 years and understand its volunteer crews maintaining the trails, etc, but the "OMG YOU'RE GOING TO DESTROY THE TRAIL IF YOU EVEN LOOK A MOIST SECTION!!!" mentality has gotten ridiculous. its a path. in the woods. get over yourselves.

but discretion is the better part of valor, so i play along and stay home if its rained in the last month.

3/17/2010 6:14:16 PM

I agree for the most part, but trails around here do see a lot of use. The trails I made/rode growing up saw maybe 10-15 riders on a good day. Crabtree sees hundreds on an average day. Look how badly the roots are exposed already out there.

3/18/2010 8:20:51 AM

Hi! you sing a great song. I was smiling when i heard it

But drive up to Wilkesboro and check out the Dark Mountain Trail at W. Kerr Scott Lake OR there is even a mountain bike trail on the official Overmountain Victory National History Trail. It's actually a little tamer than Dark Mountain, but the trails are top-rated. I'll go find you a link.

http://www.bmcc.us/kerr_scott.htm

[Edited on March 18, 2010 at 4:02 PM. Reason : found a link]

3/18/2010 4:00:21 PM

black mtn are good trails, i rode them last summer. hopefully i'll get to ride them again this summer.

also, boone is in the process of building new trails east of town. i spoke with the guy at magic cycles about them and he told me that they eventually want to get them trails tied into the greenway so that riders can ride from town to the trails, hit them, and then ride back.

3/19/2010 7:25:29 PM

Buddy of mine cracked the frame on his Super Fly... I was thinking about making him an offer on his derailleurs, shifters, and maybe front fork assembly... Thoughts? (I've got a GF Marlin)

3/26/2010 7:39:37 PM

depends, are they bargain basement or top shelf components?

3/26/2010 7:40:29 PM

OEM 2008YM (I believe) Superfly components.

[Edited on March 26, 2010 at 7:42 PM. Reason : .]

3/26/2010 7:42:09 PM

Nevermind.

3/26/2010 8:50:58 PM

definitely happy with my set up

never realized the help that a fork lockout could have

3/26/2010 11:02:19 PM

bttt to keep it alive

4/23/2010 11:46:59 PM

i'm looking for something in the 400-500 price range, probably a hardtail, to do some trails and urban riding. i'm 5-8, so i'm thinking anything in the 15-17" range should be good.

i've been checking out bikes direct and performance bike, but haven't seen anything that jumps out at me. i always thought a used bike would be the best value, but a friend of mine is pointing me towards new bikes.

what say you tdub?

any recommendations?

4/30/2010 2:00:21 PM

You can get a helluva lot more bike by buying used... They depreciate horribly. With that said, ride a lot of different bikes. It's amazing how different two frames can feel.

4/30/2010 2:24:26 PM

get a low-end race model from a real bike shop. its going to cost about twice as much as a high-end walmart bike but it will have FAR fewer problems especially if you abuse and neglect it. It will also last about fifty times longer. You will be able to get one in that price range. I love performance bikes for ordering racing parts and supplies online but don't get a bike from them, they carry some obscure crap. Lastly, race quality bikes don't really wear out at all so maybe you should look at some used ones?

4/30/2010 2:34:23 PM

^^^

Buy my bike http://raleigh.craigslist.org/bik/1708151359.html

[Edited on April 30, 2010 at 2:35 PM. Reason : ]

4/30/2010 2:34:46 PM

Gods bike would be good with some cyclocross tires on it and a fast trail, those fat tires on it now are overkill for a bike that doesn't even have suspension tho.

[Edited on April 30, 2010 at 3:07 PM. Reason : removed seatpost comment]

4/30/2010 3:00:10 PM

^^^^ that's what i was thinking too...we'll see what happens

^^^ race model?

^^ that's funny you linked that bike. 1) my buddy is trying to get me to buy one of those 2) i looked that earlier today on CL 3) I saw the same bike today for $450 shipped from bikes direct

i figure i need a fork for some reason...i'm kinda new to the scene, so i figure i need to leave some room for my stupid ass riding

4/30/2010 3:03:51 PM

A fork will only hamper your ability to effectively ride a trail.

4/30/2010 3:59:20 PM

say what?

4/30/2010 7:40:32 PM

sshh.....

4/30/2010 9:07:25 PM

need some help tdub

i know someone who's selling their 2007 Diamondback Mission 1 for $600...which I've had one person tell me is a good deal. only upgrade i know of is a fox fork

what do you all think? decent deal?

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2007&Brand=Diamondback&Model=Mission+2&Type=bike


(stock picture, the one i'm looking at isn't brand new like this one)

5/1/2010 8:54:39 PM

ok nm i bought it anyway

i couldn't turn it down. the rear shock was rebuilt, great fox fork, upgraded components, new tires and some other upgrades.


next question...whats the best cycle shop in town? i need a pump, and maybe some pads. where should i go?

5/2/2010 10:52:28 PM

I like All Star Bikes in Raleigh on Wade Ave, but YMMV.

5/2/2010 11:00:27 PM

Billy down at Flythe has been very kind and helpful to me, however, I have been purchasing my parts and goodies at REI during sales and such...

^ I've heard good things about Allstar, but I was also told they are pretty serious/hardcore about biking. I walked there in as a n00b and they seemed irritated with my questions/concerns. They didn't seem to want to help, but just sell me stuff... Again, YMMV.

[Edited on May 2, 2010 at 11:25 PM. Reason : .]

5/2/2010 11:23:43 PM

Si and/or Hormis at Cary REI for best service

As for Flythe, check the search function for some real douchebaggery on that dude's behalf. Fuckin nutjob

Quote :

"I walked there in as a n00b and they seemed irritated with my questions/concerns. They didn't seem to want to help, but just sell me stuff"

This is exactly what I was going to say about the attitude at All-Star the majority of the times that Ive been in there.

As for the shorts discussion a few posts back, definitely spend way more than you think is necessary for shorts. And if you are talking about getting shorts in the first place, do yourself a favor and dont buy shorts, but get yourself a good pair of bibs. Seriously.

5/3/2010 3:37:50 PM

anyone have any advice on setting up a roof rack? i've got a VW GTI if that matters..

5/6/2010 3:15:22 PM

what brand/model are you tryin to put up there?

5/6/2010 4:18:23 PM

Put the feet where the roof rack manufacturer says they should be placed.
Hook the hooks how the manufacturer says they should be hooked.
Tighten.
...
Profit?

5/6/2010 4:26:02 PM

My GT Peace 29er Multi is still for sale.

$360 takes it. Wolfweb special.

5/6/2010 4:34:02 PM

i bought a cheap ass mountain bike off CL....lets see how it goes!

5/6/2010 4:47:25 PM

so i found performance bike in cary...seems like a pretty sweet place, and definitely cheaper than what I've found at All Star and REI.

rode legend park in Clayton yesterday. it was quite the step up from lake crabtree (my first and only trail ride), but it wasn't too horrible. definitely couldn't make some of the climbs tho...gotta get in better shape.

5/9/2010 10:24:50 AM

not exactly mountain bike.. but here's the real "rockhopper" still getting used to the crazy geometry and drivetrain. it has been fun though

5/9/2010 3:24:51 PM

so... ... you don't ever sit down with that bike... ever... I don't know what's more badass. The bike, or the rider...

5/9/2010 3:55:13 PM

just wrapping up a weekend in Fruita, CO

this trail was my favorite (not my vid): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBQp0-gdkFs

the only thing good about being sent to Wyoming for work are the side trips - last year was Moab

[Edited on May 9, 2010 at 5:39 PM. Reason : a]

5/9/2010 5:38:18 PM

^ pretty damn sweet

i got some hydraulic brakes (hayes stroker) to replace the stock ones on my diamondback...putting them on this weekend

5/13/2010 11:06:26 PM

what tire pressure do you all use on trail rides? urban riding?

Why do you typically bump it up and down?

5/18/2010 10:38:22 AM

Max PSI minus 5

5/18/2010 10:59:39 AM

same pressure everywhere...no matter what kind of riding you're doing, or the conditions?

5/18/2010 11:13:26 AM

Yes.

Lots of people run less offroad to make it more comfortable, but that doesn't bother me very much. You risk pinch flats and snakebites with that sort of thing.

5/18/2010 11:16:26 AM

For the street I always go max PSI + 5 if I'm setting up for street riding (which means putting on my city tires.)

For the trails I go around 50 PSI. I know a lot of people who go lower, but I'd get too many pinch flats.

[Edited on May 18, 2010 at 2:13 PM. Reason : s]

5/18/2010 2:13:06 PM

I run like 35-40 psi in tubed 26" WTB velociraptors for pretty monster traction. If I know I don't need so much traction I sometimes go higher for less rolling resistance, but if I really cared about rolling resistance I'd get a different set of tires.

[Edited on May 18, 2010 at 3:56 PM. Reason : ..]

5/18/2010 3:55:48 PM

trying to do some riding with the new bike now that I am officially back in Raleigh...anyone game for tomorrow or this weekend? I was thinking 286

5/18/2010 11:37:19 PM

when ppl buying new high-end bikes they like to upgrade the saddle. that OE saddle that comes with bike is really good though and shoppes tend to have like 30 of em laying around in a box in the back and u can negotiate pretty hard for one. it's a wise upgrade for a economy bike.

5/19/2010 1:07:23 AM

Quote :

"what tire pressure do you all use on trail rides? urban riding? Why do you typically bump it up and down?"

obviouslty it very much depends on suspension setup, terrain, and your goal in riding. I try to get the least PSI that i can run without consistantly getting pinch flats. I dont care much for going fast, and all of my bikes are hartails so any impact that the tire does not soak up is an additionnal beating on the hard parts. I run 30-40 psi in a 2.4'' maxxis holy roller on my "mountain" bike, depending whether it is street or trail. Then for the trials bike it's like 15-20 psi rear and 20-25 front on 2.4-2.5'' tires for stability and impact absorbtion. My bmx gets 55-60psi for extra fast and effortless runs to the liquor store.

5/19/2010 3:35:49 AM

I run 22-24 psi rear and same for the front when I trail ride on 26" x 2.2" tires. On pavement (ie: on the way to class), the same bike sees 45psi. I could probably run a slightly higher pressure up front when I trail ride. People make fun of me because I actually use a tire pressure gauge to dial in my pressure rather than going "by feel." I notice a signifcant traction difference between 30 psi and ~23psi. I've gotten pinch flats for having low pressures below 20psi. I do like to haul and take jumps when I can. I am in no ways easy on my bike. I give it hell. I've got scars to prove it

I also weigh ~150lbs with a hardtail. Some heavier people may be able to get away with higher pressures...

Also, new seats need to be broken in. I really like my seat now, but for the first week or so before I really broke it in, I was not liking it at all.

Riding shorts would help too though. Either I'm foolish or a beast, but I don't ride with shorts when I go on 286. At the end of the trail, my rear starts to feel tired, but not sore...


[Edited on May 19, 2010 at 3:44 AM. Reason : .]

[Edited on May 19, 2010 at 3:49 AM. Reason : .]

5/19/2010 3:40:25 AM

Anyone hear going to ride ORAMM this year?

5/24/2010 2:46:54 AM

hey can someone help me find some pedals...or at least tell me what search terms i need to be using


i'm not going to clipless for a while, so i decided I wanted some like my buddy has on his trials bike. they're like normal platform pedals, but around the outside they have sharp looking metal points, of different lengths, to really dig into your shoes. they look like they could do a pretty nice job on your shins, but I always wear shin guards so I don't really care.

any idea where to find pedals like that?

5/27/2010 9:23:37 AM

search for clipless downhill or bmx pedals.

shimano has these models...
Shimano PD-M647 ($88 on jenson)
Shimano PD-M424 ($48 on jenson)

5/28/2010 10:34:39 AM

Hi everyone. Maybe you can help me. My roommate was at Lake Crabtree yesterday and lost her car keys somewhere along the trail...she rode the entire loop, so it's possible that they are anywhere along it. They're ford keys with a black remote opener. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

5/28/2010 10:46:46 AM

wow, I just realized that I completely misread ^^^ when i recommended ^^

even though you said you don't want to go to clipless yet, the Shimano PD-M324 would be a best of both worlds situation. they are clipless on one side and platform on the other. that way when you think you are ready, you can give it a go, if you don't like it or aren't ready for it, stick with the platform

however, if you really don't want clipless, then just search for a downhill or BMX platform pedal

[Edited on May 29, 2010 at 11:59 AM. Reason : .]

5/29/2010 11:58:25 AM