Any Mountain Bikers on Here?

[TCMach]

IMG_7995 by Tyler Carvell, on Flickr

Yeti SB-66
170mm Fox Float 36
Fox Factory w/ Boost Valve
Rockshox Reverb Dropper
XT Hardware & Brakes
1x10 setup with E*thirteen bashgaurd
Chromag bars and grips
Mavic Crossmax SX tubeless
Conti Mountain King II 2.4s

 

[Liquidmantis]

Just got this yesterday...Polygon Siskiu29 6. 2016 model from Amazon...was on sale from $890 down to $423.

Congrats! You might want to check that front quick release. It looks like it's in the open position. This might not need stating, but I'd feel remiss if I didn't just in case. The front QR is a clamp, don't just use it as a lever to tighten the nut. You should twist-tighten it enough that closing the clamp takes a modest amount of pressure.

You may be well aware of all that, I'd just rather play Captain Obvious than see someone new to the sport lose a front wheel while riding.

[Edit] Ah, nevermind. Looks like off-set QR skewers close to the "right". All mine are on-axis style skewers, mostly on through-axles, and I couldn't remember the way those clamped. From the picture it was hard to see the curve and it looked turned in.

 

[Thai]

Congrats! You might want to check that front quick release. It looks like it's in the open position. This might not need stating, but I'd feel remiss if I didn't just in case. The front QR is a clamp, don't just use it as a lever to tighten the nut. You should twist-tighten it enough that closing the clamp takes a modest amount of pressure.

You may be well aware of all that, I'd just rather play Captain Obvious than see someone new to the sport lose a front wheel while riding.

[Edit] Ah, nevermind. Looks like off-set QR skewers close to the "right". All mine are on-axis style skewers, mostly on through-axles, and I couldn't remember the way those clamped. From the picture it was hard to see the curve and it looked turned in.

Lol let me recheck just in case. I am new at this whole thing.

EDIT: It's good.

 

[Quentin]

I've been riding the heck out of my 8 year old Cannondale F29er hardtail (winter bike). Still a great bike. So direct.


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[Thai]

STUPID Q by beginner: maybe i am used to normal bikes, but damn after riding my MTB around neighborhood, my shoulders and upper back hurt from bending over on the low handlebars. Is this normal and that i just have to get used to it?

 

[Slowgoat]

STUPID Q by beginner: maybe i am used to normal bikes, but damn after riding my MTB around neighborhood, my shoulders and upper back hurt from bending over on the low handlebars. Is this normal and that i just have to get used to it?

No.

You need a bike fit.

Any shop worth their salt can do it. It really is an art. People spend a long time getting good at it.

Or you can get a friend who knows what they are doing to do it.

I wouldn't just experiment on myself if I were you.

 

[Jernik]

No.

You need a bike fit.

Any shop worth their salt can do it. It really is an art. People spend a long time getting good at it.

Or you can get a friend who knows what they are doing to do it.

I wouldn't just experiment on myself if I were you.

I'll add a +1 here from recent experience. Same issue, just got a road bike a few months ago. The longer the rides have become, the more pain/stiffness in my shoulders and neck. Couple weeks ago bit the bullet and paid for a fit at the LBS. Rode a 55 mile event last weekend, no pain in shoulders/neck.

I will say, my ass hurt a bit more, but I think that's from actually shifting the weight where I was supposed to be placing it - instead of on shoulders/handlebars. I expect my backside to hurt less as it becomes more conditioned to the new set up.

I will say, I have been to this shop several times, talked with almost everyone on the staff, and felt confident they knew what they were doing (and they do). So ask around and see who other cyclists like. Go to the shops and talk to them. Get a feel for who's good and who isn't. If the fit is done right, it's money well spent.

 

[1engineer]

STUPID Q by beginner: maybe i am used to normal bikes, but damn after riding my MTB around neighborhood, my shoulders and upper back hurt from bending over on the low handlebars. Is this normal and that i just have to get used to it?

Yeah, you need a fit. Also they will tell you if you need a different rise or sweep on your bars. Go to your LBS they will take care of you.

On another note I have not rode since September. Broke my foot in a few places. Just now out of the boot and strengthening my foot. I rode a stationary in the gym 3x a week wearing my boot lol. Looking forward to riding next month.

 

[Thai]

Thanks all!! Going to bike shop tomorrow at noon. I thought that I was just getting old and achy, like 1engineer! Whew.

 

[KingTaco]

Leesburg, VA Gravel Ride

Thought I'd share this in case anyone might be interested. A 60-65 mile gravel ride in Virginia March 25th to benefit World Bicycle Relief. The only entry fee is a donation of your choosing. The mechanic at my LBS is organizing it, and he is a really good dude. Rumors of beer and BBQ afterwards. I'm sure it will be a good time. I believe there are 15 people committed now, and a bunch on the fence. They are shooting for 50. I'll be there, for sure!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1419508264728246/

 

[Thai]

OK...$23 later, my bike is adjusted to my height better...quick change of handlebar holder (sorry don't know official name) angle helped a lot. Front brake was rubbing a little...that was fixed.

And my minivan was perfect for transporting my bike to shop and back.

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[Thai]

More stupid question from me...be prepare for more in future....

I love my MTB after the adjustments above. Rides great. BUT, the damn seat is basically made of concrete i am sure! I got some butt-pads underwear for bikers, but i prefer NOT to use them. What are my options here? Get a new seat? or is there something i can put on the seat itself?

 

[BamAustian]

Afternoon folks. For Valentines I purchased a new MTB for my wife and may have got one for myself...

Plan to get it dialed in some this weekend.

It's a Diamondback Overdrive Comp 29".
I get a ridiculous discount through work for Diamondbacks so couldn't pass it up.

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[1engineer]

More stupid question from me...be prepare for more in future....

I love my MTB after the adjustments above. Rides great. BUT, the damn seat is basically made of concrete i am sure! I got some butt-pads underwear for bikers, but i prefer NOT to use them. What are my options here? Get a new seat? or is there something i can put on the seat itself?

#1 and most important: Define what type of rider you are going to be.

A. Are you going to ride it (like me) daily over 10 miles of singletrack?

B. Or are you going to ride it down the street every now and then and maybe ride a dirt road or path once a month?

This will determine what seat you need. If you go with option A, you need a thin, firm narrow seat. Why? Several reasons. Easier to pedal bike, better position to pedal bike, easier to move around to transfer weight, etc. If you determine this is going to be you, buy a several pair of GOOD bike shorts. Pearl Izumi, etc make nice ones. Also buy some Chamois Butter. Here's the thing - if you pad your bike seat, then the padding is only on the top of the seat. If you pad your ass with quality bike shorts, then the padding is always in the correct place, no matter if you are sitting up on the nose of the seat while climbing or sitting on the rear wheel during a steep decent or drop. It also takes time to get used to a seat like this. They also make several different widths depending on your personal geometry.

Now, if you are option B, just go get a big cushy seat and be done with it. Warning: You will rub yourself raw if you use a seat like this on a long ride. These seats are beach cruiser type for a few mile ride over smooth terrain.

Think about the mechanics for a minute. You sit over the pedals right? Your legs have to extend beside the seat and move up and down to pedal. If you are not riding far then no problem. If you are doing any distance you are going to want a hard seat with the least amount of friction between your thigh and seat, hence padding, spandex and smooth hard seat.

I wear trail shorts over my bike shorts. Nobody wants to see a 54 year old in spandex. Nobody.

 

[Thai]

#1 and most important: Define what type of rider you are going to be.

A. Are you going to ride it (like me) daily over 10 miles of singletrack?

B. Or are you going to ride it down the street every now and then and maybe ride a dirt road or path once a month?

I wear trail shorts over my bike shorts. Nobody wants to see a 54 year old in spandex. Nobody.

B would be it. Yeah, i see your points on the seat. I will just continue to use my bike spandex under my shorts.

And yes, your last sentence made me throw up in my mouth...thanks, i always wanted to taste my lunch a 2nd time!

 

[Liquidmantis]

I wear trail shorts over my bike shorts. Nobody wants to see a 54 year old in spandex. Nobody.

:worthless

 

[Slowgoat]

More stupid question from me...be prepare for more in future....

I love my MTB after the adjustments above. Rides great. BUT, the damn seat is basically made of concrete i am sure! I got some butt-pads underwear for bikers, but i prefer NOT to use them. What are my options here? Get a new seat? or is there something i can put on the seat itself?

Read this:

A Comfortable Bicycle Saddle

You need to get your butt in shape, literally.

Also, everybody's "sit bones" are different widths. Specialized dealers (and maybe others) have a device you sit in to measure this. Then you can get a saddle for as cheap as $35 that matches your butt.

As the article states, most of the time, you just need to get into shape by doing lots of little rides and gradually build up distance.

Every spring I go through what you're going through!

 

[Powder_Hound]

Drive trail replace

It was 63 and sunny in Denver yesterday. This appeared to be a great time to replace my worn out drivetrain! The night ride afterwards was a welcome change or February winter activities!!!

It's going to be in low 70's today as well so my batteries ar charging for anothe nighttime ride tonight!!!!

 

[habanero]

I'm gonna rock bike shorts until I die. Believe me, it's something you can't unsee.....and I. Don't. Care.
If you can get over the face you can get over the butt. If you can't.....that sounds like a you problem 'cause I'm on a bike and I can't see my butt.....or face.

Building my 1st full-suspension thanks to a gift from the hubby. Time for this old dog to learn a new style of riding after 26 years of rigid, hardtail and tandem.

 

[kdiff]

Cool to find this thread on here!