ATTN: Mountain Bikers

[coolhandluke]

I need to do a decent check over first. The MTB hasn't had the wheels on it in a while. I know the chain needs some TLC.

[Dave_B]

Mine needs a good tune up as well.

Well worth the $30 for the bike shop to do it. Seems I can never get it quite right when I attempt it.

[coolhandluke]

Psh, why pay when I can do it myself?

That $30 won't include the price of a new chain. I can cut a new chain etc.

[Dave_B]

I'm all for it. Brakes need adjustment, probably need the wheel's true'd. Deraileur worked over.

Let's do this.

[Dave-ROR]

I might be off work all next week. Hhhmmmmmmmmm

For those keeping score that basically means my projects are fucked. Lol

[coolhandluke]

Ouch, I'm sorry to hear...but glad to hear you are coming up.

[Dave_B]

Come on up, but bring some warm clothes!

[CivicBeater]

When you go out for a ride, are you going to ride for 30 minutes or 3 hours?

I you answered "yes" to 30 minutes, just get a hardtail...

If you answered "yes" to 3 hours, get full suspension...

Full suspension allows you to ride longer because the bike absorbs the majority of the bumps and not your body, you will feel better when you get off the bike....

<----17 years in the bicycling industry and counting....

That's a good point.

I plan on going for 2-3 hours at a time minimum. Then slowly building on that to where I can compete in races. I'd eventually love to be at a point where I can join my Uncle's "team." They all get free S-works stumpjumpers.

One of the biggest parks they ride (Amelia) apparently is extremely rooted and is very rough, even on FS bikes.

[cheezthis]

I have a full suspension and love it. However, if you go full, you really can't go too cheap on it. If you do, they ride horrible, especially when climbing or accelerating. The beauty of hard tails is that you can save a ton and still have a blast.

[Dave-ROR]

Ouch, I'm sorry to hear...but glad to hear you are coming up.

Well Verizon and QWest may have just gotten the Gig-E line working.. that was the item causing our delay..

Our data center move, MPLS implementation and Cisco phone implementation can continue now.. still pushing off the DC move until after the holidays though.. but might not be able to take vacation now.. ugh.

[Dave-ROR]

OK so now my vacation will likely be from the 27th to the 31st.

[Dave-ROR]

Oh yeah, Eric, buy a really nice FS bike so I can buy it from you in a few months for cheap...

Thanks

[Dave_B]

LOL!

[CivicBeater]

Oh yeah, Eric, buy a really nice FS bike so I can buy it from you in a few months for cheap...

Thanks

I'm really excited. Got the X-mas bonus aka bike money today at work. It's just really tempting to unload the cash now vs. waiting until I move down there.

[Willard]

<----17 years in the bicycling industry and counting....

Respect.

nicey nice:
http://knifeandsaw.wordpress.com/furniture/bike-shelf/

[CivicBeater]

Ohhhh I'm in love, really like the white/black option:

http://seattle.reachoo.com/ads/116545532


I'm diggin' these deals on Giants here as well:

X3: http://tampa.daype.com/autos/bikes/Gian ... 59065.html

X4: http://phoenix.daype.com/autos/bikes/20 ... 71309.html

[itrsteez]

I'm really excited. Got the X-mas bonus aka bike money today at work. It's just really tempting to unload the cash now vs. waiting until I move down there.

just one more thing to move. keep researching, you may find that in a few months you're into something else like zumba or segways.

[hsnmyr]

Here is my advice. Don't buy a bike on ads or forum recommendations.

Find a club who is hosting a demo day or good bike shop who will let you demo or rent a bike on the trails you will ride. From these actual rides, you will determine what bike fits your needs.

Don't buy more bike than you need. Save your $ to A. improve or maintain your car! (this is the ITRCA site by the way)
B. Save your $ for when you outgrow your 1st MB in terms of riding skill or comfort or whatever matters most.

As for why I may have useful advice...I currently own 3 mountain bikes. I had 4 for a while. (That really was too many)

1. My favorite is a 2007 Marin Palisades Trail Hard tail. Cost $750 new = Light & durable & great to ride.
(Marin is a respected brand that is sold thru bike shops & REI stores - definitely get sized by a good shop)

2. My next favorite MB was a 1990 Raleigh that cost around $400. I provided the suspension with my arms, legs & hind quarters.

3. My next favorite MB is a 2008 Iron Horse Warrior Pro full suspension bike. It cost around $1,250. It is heavier & in other ways less pleasant to ride. It has very good components, but it is for sale & I would gladly sell it for $625 or something close. It basically serves as a buddy bike for when I introduce friends to MB / Trail riding

4. My least favorite MB is (probably) a 1995? Trek Y-glide. I paid $400 in 2002. It is basically a 1st gen MB that shows how much MB have improved in 15 or so years. Trek is a great brand. I keep it because it is a buddy bike which is available to introduce friends to MB / Trail Riding. & it is a funky shape with great welding. It will probably hang from the ceiling in my basement or garage or man cave.

By the way, I am located near Augusta, GA where we have over 100 miles of very high quality trails that are becoming a destination for MB riders from around the SE US.

Best of luck in your motoring and riding!

[Erik95LS]

[Willard]

l0l!!

[CivicBeater]

Also looking at the Giant Trance. First choice is still the Stump Jumper