Any Mountain Bikers on Here?

[1engineer]

Love my 27.5 Giant. Tell us how you came across it. LBS? Did you try it out?
I'm sure you'll love it. Enjoy!!

We have several LBS around here and I try to split up the purchases lol. This time it is the Cannondale shop and it is also where I hang out the most! No I have not rode it yet, but:

A few weeks ago I was in NC and rode a demo Trek Stache8 29+. My buddy down there ( I ride with him all the time) rode a similar bike and after a few hours we both decided it would be an EXCELLENT 2nd bike. It was just "too much everything" to be a daily driver so to speak. I did not get to ride a 27.5+ but he did a few days later. He said it was much better as far as feel and acceleration and especially better picking a slow line through the bigger rocks and ledges. The components are similar, the geometry is similar except this 27.5+ has a looser slacker angle and for me (not a speed demon anymore) the looser the better! The best part is my LBS will just stock the bike if I don't want it after I ride it. Can't beat that deal and I will just buy something else from him. I need a new bike. My Trek has about 4K hard singletrack miles on it. Stuff is failing and I am always working on it. New Head tube bearing race, bottom bracket bearings, just put new brake calipers and master cylinders, new discs, new front ring, you know the drill. I need one I can just ride for a few seasons and I like the + bikes.

 

[hikenbike]

We have several LBS around here and I try to split up the purchases lol. This time it is the Cannondale shop and it is also where I hang out the most! No I have not rode it yet, but:



A few weeks ago I was in NC and rode a demo Trek Stache8 29+. My buddy down there ( I ride with him all the time) rode a similar bike and after a few hours we both decided it would be an EXCELLENT 2nd bike. It was just "too much everything" to be a daily driver so to speak. I did not get to ride a 27.5+ but he did a few days later. He said it was much better as far as feel and acceleration and especially better picking a slow line through the bigger rocks and ledges. The components are similar, the geometry is similar except this 27.5+ has a looser slacker angle and for me (not a speed demon anymore) the looser the better! The best part is my LBS will just stock the bike if I don't want it after I ride it. Can't beat that deal and I will just buy something else from him. I need a new bike. My Trek has about 4K hard singletrack miles on it. Stuff is failing and I am always working on it. New Head tube bearing race, bottom bracket bearings, just put new brake calipers and master cylinders, new discs, new front ring, you know the drill. I need one I can just ride for a few seasons and I like the + bikes.

Sounds like a good situation in case the bike doesn't fit quite right but I hope it does. I don't know the drill because I'm too much of a newbie and slow to build confidence to work on my own bike especially when I realize how much of a pounding the bike takes when I'm on a tough blue or black trail. I don't like taking chances working on it when I realize how essential it is having a good well-maintained bike under you in rough conditions. I love riding all kinds trails right now and prefer to leave maintenance to a pro.

 

[1engineer]

Sounds like a good situation in case the bike doesn't fit quite right but I hope it does. I don't know the drill because I'm too much of a newbie and slow to build confidence to work on my own bike especially when I realize how much of a pounding the bike takes when I'm on a tough blue or black trail. I don't like taking chances working on it when I realize how essential it is having a good well-maintained bike under you in rough conditions. I love riding all kinds trails right now and prefer to leave maintenance to a pro.

I do most but leave some of it to the guys with the correct tools. Especially when I shear spokes abd they need replaced and the wheels trued. I've been riding for almost 20 years and had several bikes from several different companies. After awhile even I can figure it out simply from repetition lol. As far as size, again over the years I know exactly what dimensions I need to fit me. I will say the over the years my bars need to be a bit higher as at 53 my back does not bend quite as well. I also have slowed way down and ride a bit farther. Basically I have more fun now instead of going super fast hence this type of bike instead of light carbon and shaving grams.

 

[Trob20]

I was wondering if anyone could provide me with some advice on upgrading my fork. I have 2015 Scott Aspect 740: https://www.scott-sports.com/us/en/products/238280007/SCOTT-Aspect-740-Bike. I want to upgrade the suspension because the fork cannot really handle what I want to do. I'm not really sure where to start because I have never done modifications on a MTB and I'm very new to the sport.

 

[MONTYMTB]

I was wondering if anyone could provide me with some advice on upgrading my fork. I have 2015 Scott Aspect 740: https://www.scott-sports.com/us/en/products/238280007/SCOTT-Aspect-740-Bike. I want to upgrade the suspension because the fork cannot really handle what I want to do. I'm not really sure where to start because I have never done modifications on a MTB and I'm very new to the sport.

I'm sure we can provide some advice, but we need to know what exactly you want to do that you think it can't handle.

 

[Trob20]

I'm sure we can provide some advice, but we need to know what exactly you want to do that you think it can't handle.

Whoops probably should've mentioned that in my original post. I want to do some downhill and basic jumps.

 

[t4r92]

I'm out in south central Kentucky, Bowling Green to be exact. Don't have much elevation out here but there are several gorgeous trails located in any direction of here if you're willing to travel 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. [MENTION=87942]Scotty_h[/MENTION] is over in campbellsville and rides his local trail (Green River) all the time.

My sister and I hit up Big Hollow @ Mammoth Cave on Saturday and enjoyed seeing all of the fall colors in the leaves.

Me and the Giant Anthem 650B:

 

[Scotty_h]

Whoops probably should've mentioned that in my original post. I want to do some downhill and basic jumps.

I would ride the one you have until it blows up or leaks profusely. With a hard tail, and while a nice ride for many trails, it is a mid-grade bike. You don't want to get upside down with a 700 fork on a 300 frame. (Unless this is going to be your bike for the next 10 years)

If that doesn't bother you, Don't get above 120mm travel. I like Fox stuff, I think they got the high speed sensitivity with big hit capability. However, newer rockshox and now X-fusion has come a long way with the technology and have caught up to Fox over the past couple years IMHO. All of these are good. But you gotta ask yourself if the money you're putting in is worth it by following the below formula:

($$$ spent) / (miles used) < fun out of it

 

[MONTYMTB]

I would ride the one you have until it blows up or leaks profusely. With a hard tail, and while a nice ride for many trails, it is a mid-grade bike. You don't want to get upside down with a 700 fork on a 300 frame.

This. That bike isn't the proper rig for the way you want to ride. Save the money you would spend on a new fork and use it towards a bike more suited to that type of riding.

 

[1engineer]

This. That bike isn't the proper rig for the way you want to ride. Save the money you would spend on a new fork and use it towards a bike more suited to that type of riding.

Exactly.

 

[ridefast]

Whoops probably should've mentioned that in my original post. I want to do some downhill and basic jumps.

Get an x fusion slide, they are great forks that really give fox a run for their $$$. I bet you can find one for $300. Your best bet is to save your fork and when you decide to upgrade your bike put the original fork back on and sell the x fusion and your bike separate. There ya go! :roll:

 

[blkhwk]

My specialized and my wife's trek.

Untitled by rlphoto1, on Flickr

and a battle wound from a few months back :jump:

 

[MONTYMTB]

My specialized and my wife's trek.

You've been docked 10 points for posting pictures of mountain bikes with the reflectors still on the wheels. You can redeem yourself and earn those points back by posting an action shot - sans reflectors of course.

 

[blkhwk]

You've been docked 10 points for posting pictures of mountain bikes with the reflectors still on the wheels. You can redeem yourself and earn those points back by posting an action shot - sans reflectors of course.

Nice catch. Been meaning to take those off....eep:

 

[kyle_uran]

Mountain biker checking-in from flat Houston, Texas here!
I ride a 2007 Gary Fisher Wahoo with Avid BB7 brakes, and a 100mm air fork from Rockshox iirc, and a few other things. I don't keep track of miles, but there are hundreds of them from San Marcos, Texas, Denver, CO, Winter Park, CO and Houston, Texas.

 

[AudiTech]

We added a 9th bike to our fleet

 

[MONTYMTB]

142 Miles From Monday

Pretty cool MTB short film:
https://vimeo.com/145205082
One of the guys has a 3rd gen.

 

[MONTYMTB]

Time for a new pack

Have always used Camelbak in the past, but hearing/reading good things about Osprey packs and have decided to try one. Narrowed it down to the Raptor 10 or Viper 9. Raptor has a roll up tool pouch in the bottom which I like the idea of, but I've never been a fan of waist straps - especially the ones with pouches like the Raptor. The Viper has much smaller and even removable waist straps, but sure would like that tool pouch...

Anybody have experience with either of these packs?

 

[ridefast]

U r in luck. Ive been using a raptor for a few years. Previously I used camelbak mule since 1999ish. Ill post up a review when i get to my computer in the morning.

Sorry for the late response. I actually have the raptor 14. Reason i bought the 14 is because it was the same weight as the 10 and fit better with a jacket and stuff in it. I took my old pack to rei to try it all out when I purchased. I regularly take a rain jacket in the winter so the 14 was a no brainer and similar in size to the mule .

I wore a few different camelbak mules from 99 till 2013ish. Finally after getting bored with the red muel in my pic to the left I bought a wingnut in hopes to take some load off of my shoulders. After struggling with that pack for a year I bought a osprey raptor 14. I figured I love my Osprey Atmos backpacking pack so Id go with another.

As for fit, I couldn't be happier. My raptor feels like it lays on my back while I ride rather that wear it on my shoulders. The Waist straps are comfortable and the zippered pouches are really useful. I really don't wear it all that tight. The pack breathes very well and my back doesn't get near as sweaty as when I wore the camelbak.

I didn't think I'd use the tool pouch because I never liked carrying my tools on my back because of the weight. But the way the raptor distributes weight you wont notice the weight. The magnetic part of the bite valve is pretty awesome too. The bite valve is not my favorite but very tolerable.

I am now a huge Osprey fan because of this pack. Its comfortable, feels lighter that it should and can be loaded down for all day adventures!

 

[A10MileHusker]

U r in luck. Ive been using a raptor for a few years. Previously i used camelbak muel since 1999ish. Ill post up a review when i get to my computer in the morning.

Looking forward to hearing what you have to say. I have been using Camelbak for years and just recently open to the idea of getting a new Osprey. Those Raptors look awesome