Any Mountain Bikers on Here?

[1engineer]

Did you ever have a really tough hill or trail that you'd never think you could conquer...... and then you nail it???!! I had that yesterday......great, great feeling...... about 200 yards up with roots and rocks and squiggles with a downed foot-wide tree at the very top still on the uphill that you need to get over when you are your most gassed.......when you yell and fist pump victory in the woods when nobody is around, does it make a sound??

Oh I have raised my hand to high five myself many times haha. pretty sure I look like an idiot but hey, so what.

 

[Powder_Hound]

Did you ever have a really tough hill or trail that you'd never think you could conquer...... and then you nail it???!! I had that yesterday......great, great feeling...... about 200 yards up with roots and rocks and squiggles with a downed foot-wide tree at the very top still on the uphill that you need to get over when you are your most gassed.......when you yell and fist pump victory in the woods when nobody is around, does it make a sound??

I'd never attempted this line before and I went for it yesterday. I didn't make it so I took a quick nap...lol...and on the 2nd attempt I cleaned it!!! Woot woot

 

[Slowgoat]

Did you ever have a really tough hill or trail that you'd never think you could conquer...... and then you nail it???!! I had that yesterday......great, great feeling...... about 200 yards up with roots and rocks and squiggles with a downed foot-wide tree at the very top still on the uphill that you need to get over when you are your most gassed.......when you yell and fist pump victory in the woods when nobody is around, does it make a sound??

:fro:


:thumb:

 

[GX4SEVEND]

Currently looking at two different bikes.......

2016 Kona honzo al
2015 diamondback pro fs


I know their two very different bikes but I'm trying to get back into it after many years. Any feedback on either bike would be great

 

[hikenbike]

Currently looking at two different bikes.......



2016 Kona honzo al

2015 diamondback pro fs





I know their two very different bikes but I'm trying to get back into it after many years. Any feedback on either bike would be great

Ride them and choose the one that feels better, fits better, and speaks to you. Have fun choosing!!

 

[Jernik]

Question for you guys. My wife is having problems with her saddle. We've tried a few different seats, but in each situation she has issues with bruising, and we don't ride hard (location relegates us to flat land, mostly paved riding unless we drive 2+ hours to get somewhere more interesting).

Anyway, wondering what solutions there may be? The bruising is in the area of her "taint", but on each side (not in the middle, soft tissues - it's on her sit bones). She has kind of a bony butt to begin with, so the only padding is from her biking shorts and seat. Wondering if I have the seat angle wrong, and if so should I move it up or down in front? It's pretty level now. Or, would it help to move the seat further back (or forward) on the seat post? She has longer legs, but a short torso.

We have FS Diamonback 29er's, and her suspension is set pretty soft, so she's not getting hammered by the bike going over bumps.

She's a beginner biker - was more into running (cross country/distance). So some soreness from the new activity is expected, but it's excessive IMO. She is really uncomfortable for a few days after an easy 10-15 mile flat land ride.

Any ideas?

 

[Liquidmantis]

Rather than polling a bunch of dudes on a truck forum I'd recommend taking her into a bike shop that can do a quality fit service. If the bruising is on her sit bones it sounds like saddle engagement is where you want and reducing it by shifting to soft tissue is a bad idea. I'd suspect a poor quality chamois or a saddle that's not properly supporting the sit bones, maybe it's too narrow? You might also make sure that her saddle height isn't too high. A lot of people, myself included, tend to go to an extreme height which ends up causing the hips to rock, which might lend to greater pressure on the saddle.

 

[Slowgoat]

Question for you guys. My wife is having problems with her saddle. We've tried a few different seats, but in each situation she has issues with bruising, and we don't ride hard (location relegates us to flat land, mostly paved riding unless we drive 2+ hours to get somewhere more interesting).

Anyway, wondering what solutions there may be? The bruising is in the area of her "taint", but on each side (not in the middle, soft tissues - it's on her sit bones). She has kind of a bony butt to begin with, so the only padding is from her biking shorts and seat. Wondering if I have the seat angle wrong, and if so should I move it up or down in front? It's pretty level now. Or, would it help to move the seat further back (or forward) on the seat post? She has longer legs, but a short torso.

We have FS Diamonback 29er's, and her suspension is set pretty soft, so she's not getting hammered by the bike going over bumps.

She's a beginner biker - was more into running (cross country/distance). So some soreness from the new activity is expected, but it's excessive IMO. She is really uncomfortable for a few days after an easy 10-15 mile flat land ride.

Any ideas?

Read this article :

A Comfortable Bicycle Saddle

Take her in to get her sit bones measured. Specialized dealers have a sit bone measuring tool. You sit on a pad, the sit bones make dents in the pad, then you can get a measurement of width. Then you can pick out a 25 dollar saddle that fits. Later you can get a light weight, carbon and titanium saddle if your need it.

I bet she is a typical rider described by Ole Sheldon, above. I know I am.

 

[Jernik]

Thanks for the link, slowgoat, that was a good read!

I had heard about some "seat fitting machines" in shops, but wasn't sure if these were legit or just an expensive sales gimmick. I've looked at a couple places around here (online) and $100-$150 seems to be the going rate for a "professional fitting" session. It's not the money, but the thought of spending that kind of cash and have her still hurt afterward.

So I guess that's my next question. Are these "seat fitting" machines legit? Or are they just a sales tool to convince us a new $5000 bike will "fit better"?

I'm skeptical by nature of salesmen... if you couldn't tell. :tinfoil3::laugh:

 

[MONTYMTB]

Thanks for the link, slowgoat, that was a good read!

I had heard about some "seat fitting machines" in shops, but wasn't sure if these were legit or just an expensive sales gimmick. I've looked at a couple places around here (online) and $100-$150 seems to be the going rate for a "professional fitting" session. It's not the money, but the thought of spending that kind of cash and have her still hurt afterward.

So I guess that's my next question. Are these "seat fitting" machines legit? Or are they just a sales tool to convince us a new $5000 bike will "fit better"?

I'm skeptical by nature of salesmen... if you couldn't tell. :tinfoil3::laugh:

What he's talking about is not really a "machine", more of a tool they use to measure for correct fit - they shouldn't charge you anything for it, and it's something entirely different from a bike fit. Sure they want to sell you a saddle, but they also want to make sure you get one that fits.

Also, you might try tilting the nose of the saddle down just a hair. That's a cheap fix if it works, and I know from experience that even a very small change in the angle of the saddle can make a big difference, and she might even be able to tell right away if it is going to be an improvement. Worth a shot.

 

[rallypoint_1]

I have to agree on the saddle angle. Just a hair slanted down will do wonders for comfort!!

BTW...here is my 01 Giant Rincon. Def not the best but it's fun to ride!! Has a few upgrades

 

[1engineer]

Thanks for the link, slowgoat, that was a good read!

I had heard about some "seat fitting machines" in shops, but wasn't sure if these were legit or just an expensive sales gimmick. I've looked at a couple places around here (online) and $100-$150 seems to be the going rate for a "professional fitting" session. It's not the money, but the thought of spending that kind of cash and have her still hurt afterward.

So I guess that's my next question. Are these "seat fitting" machines legit? Or are they just a sales tool to convince us a new $5000 bike will "fit better"?

I'm skeptical by nature of salesmen... if you couldn't tell. :tinfoil3::laugh:

I ride every now and then with a guy who fits the Tour level elite rider. He is much better on the trails than I am but we like the same beers so it works lol. Anyway those guys are legit, especially for new riders. Once you have rode for 10 years you know what geometry, angles and padding works but for nooks they need help.
One thing I would recommend in addition to quality women fit bike shorts (they are all different btw) is some Chamois Butt'r which is pretty amazing stuff. Good luck.

 

[Jernik]

Thanks for the info guys.

Chamois... several people mentioned this. Currently I believe she has Pearl Izumi (don't recall what level/model style). I'm certain it is a mid level quality in their line - definitely not high end technical. Any suggestions on brands to check out? The advertisements in magazines say they're all awesome! :laugh:

 

[Jimmy_D]

In my experience Sugoi has the best chamois out there. Superior comfort and protection in virtually every one of their bike shorts I've used.

 

[Socalrugger]

100% agree.....there something seriously wrong with me as I love the feeling of burning lungs

Just picked up one of these to assist--what a great upgrade from my 4300:

Update on this bike....great bike and love everything about it, except the tires....anyone have a few suggestions on trail riding tires...these Bontrager's seem a little on the thin/flimsy side...anyone have experience with them?

 

[1engineer]

Update on this bike....great bike and love everything about it, except the tires....anyone have a few suggestions on trail riding tires...these Bontrager's seem a little on the thin/flimsy side...anyone have experience with them?

Maxxis Ignitors.
I have run close to 10 of these for rear tires in the past and they are as tough as anything out there in the 2.3 width. Most people in my neck of the woods run them for the rear. Now that I am running 3.0 tires I will have to find a new favorite which sucks. What you have on there now will be fine for a front where you need side bite more than anything.

 

[Socalrugger]

Maxxis Ignitors.
I have run close to 10 of these for rear tires in the past and they are as tough as anything out there in the 2.3 width. Most people in my neck of the woods run them for the rear. Now that I am running 3.0 tires I will have to find a new favorite which sucks. What you have on there now will be fine for a front where you need side bite more than anything.

great feedback---thanks!

 

[Socalrugger]

Maxxis Ignitors.
I have run close to 10 of these for rear tires in the past and they are as tough as anything out there in the 2.3 width. Most people in my neck of the woods run them for the rear. Now that I am running 3.0 tires I will have to find a new favorite which sucks. What you have on there now will be fine for a front where you need side bite more than anything.

Perhaps a silly question Engineer but can I go wider than my current 2.2 setup to a 2.35? Looks like Ignitors only come in 2.1 and 2.35. I think I'd prefer the wider tire

 

[1engineer]

Perhaps a silly question Engineer but can I go wider than my current 2.2 setup to a 2.35? Looks like Ignitors only come in 2.1 and 2.35. I think I'd prefer the wider tire

Every bike is different. The big thing is clearance. Go look at your bike and look for places that you could rub with a wider tire. MAKE SURE you shift the gears so that the chain will be in it's closest position that it can ever be to the tire! If you do this with your existing tire and you see you could go an 1/8" or so wider on either side then yes, you can run a wider tire. It's not about the rim it's about frame and chain clearance, especially up near the down tube.

It's the same crap you have to go through when you change size on 4Runner tires!
Now, while you SAY your tires seem flimsy, in reality your current tires are made to go fast. The Ignitors are made to go over stuff.

Here's a pic of my current ride and tire (3.1") compared to my other bike running 2.3's.:

 

[Socalrugger]

Every bike is different. The big thing is clearance. Go look at your bike and look for places that you could rub with a wider tire. MAKE SURE you shift the gears so that the chain will be in it's closest position that it can ever be to the tire! If you do this with your existing tire and you see you could go an 1/8" or so wider on either side then yes, you can run a wider tire. It's not about the rim it's about frame and chain clearance, especially up near the down tube.

It's the same crap you have to go through when you change size on 4Runner tires!
Now, while you SAY your tires seem flimsy, in reality your current tires are made to go fast. The Ignitors are made to go over stuff.

Here's a pic of my current ride and tire (3.1") compared to my other bike running 2.3's.:

wow-- that 3.1 is a thick mofo....Ill have to measure when I get home..thanks again