StRanger7032
New member
If you're eligible to join, you can get stupid prices on Diamondback here: https://www.experticity.com/
Any Mountain Bikers on Here?
- Thread starter jbmccul
- Start date
If you're eligible to join, you can get stupid prices on Diamondback here: https://www.experticity.com/
KingTaco
New member
I was able to join; thanks for that!
mybabydaddy
New member
Howdy folks... new MTB guy here, or at least, hoping to be soon. I’ve enjoyed bikes (and motorcycles) almost my whole adult life... just never took the jump into Mountain Biking. Now, at 42 years of age, with two young kiddos and a career.... just isn’t much time for motorcycles anymore. Which brings me here.... trying to come up with ways to stay in shape at my age (used to be a gym rat, now I hate it), and things to do with my kiddos, my brain wandered back to bikes. I bought a Specialized Rockhopper about 7 or so years ago... it’s barely been ridden. So I figure I can start with that even tho it’s a HT, and I’m a bit older. I live in TX, so we don’t have ridiculous down hill speed trails that I’m aware of... but I guess time will tell if my body would better be suited on a FS. Regardless, I don’t feel like dropping $2K for a low-end FS right now anyhow. I have zero skills.
Bought the entire family (minus me) new bikes a few weeks ago. So the 6 year old son got a 20 inch Specialized to get him going. He needed a new ride anyhow as he’d out-grown his Redline. Which brings me to some newbie questions....
1. Is 6 years old too young to attempt to get him out on a beginner trail? He’s already a pretty strong rider... but I really don’t want to put him in a position to crash. Then again, he’s gotta start somewhere at some point.
2. Looking at used bike rack’s for the Runner... found a Thule 916xtr (which is a T2 I think?) used in the area for $200. Did some research, looks like an okay deal (and the reviews of said model are good). What do you guys think of that rack/price?
Any other advice for a newbie to get started with?
Thanks in advance.
Bought the entire family (minus me) new bikes a few weeks ago. So the 6 year old son got a 20 inch Specialized to get him going. He needed a new ride anyhow as he’d out-grown his Redline. Which brings me to some newbie questions....
1. Is 6 years old too young to attempt to get him out on a beginner trail? He’s already a pretty strong rider... but I really don’t want to put him in a position to crash. Then again, he’s gotta start somewhere at some point.
2. Looking at used bike rack’s for the Runner... found a Thule 916xtr (which is a T2 I think?) used in the area for $200. Did some research, looks like an okay deal (and the reviews of said model are good). What do you guys think of that rack/price?
Any other advice for a newbie to get started with?
Thanks in advance.
Slowgoat
New member
1. Not too young. He can walk anything that makes him nervous!
2. Sounds pretty good.
habanero
Senior Member
Depends entirely on the kid.
Snacks are important as are rest stops and drinks. Ice cream or whatever special thing you like doesn't hurt either.
His body weight/muscle mass to bike weight WAY outdoes what yours is. I don't know about you, but I couldn't imagine mtb'ing a 150# bike with tiny tires. I'd still do it and even have fun, especially if I didn't know anything else, but it would be hard work too.
Mine started at 4, but kinda cheating-mtb tandem w/stoker kit. I could ride faster and he could sing and let the pedals circle his legs around or actually help.
The week after he turned 4 at the Fat Tire Fest in Peoria, IL, his first dirts happened here:
Climbing the Tipperary Loop...
And he did super easy trails on his 16 and 20" bikes but it was when he got the 24" that he did well enough that we bought the lightest bike we could afford at the age of 8 (he's smaller). It's still as heavy as my steel mtb but he has been getting better and better and rode Monarch to Marshall pass last year. This year at 13 he's on a 26". It's lighter still and he's having more fun than ever. Sure, he's not speedy, but I'm okay with that. Someday he's going to have to wait for me!
Last year on Monarch Pass on a 24" specialized at 13:
Have fun, before you know it your kids will be riding circles around you!
And on a separate note- It lives!
Snacks are important as are rest stops and drinks. Ice cream or whatever special thing you like doesn't hurt either.
His body weight/muscle mass to bike weight WAY outdoes what yours is. I don't know about you, but I couldn't imagine mtb'ing a 150# bike with tiny tires. I'd still do it and even have fun, especially if I didn't know anything else, but it would be hard work too.
Mine started at 4, but kinda cheating-mtb tandem w/stoker kit. I could ride faster and he could sing and let the pedals circle his legs around or actually help.
The week after he turned 4 at the Fat Tire Fest in Peoria, IL, his first dirts happened here:
Climbing the Tipperary Loop...
And he did super easy trails on his 16 and 20" bikes but it was when he got the 24" that he did well enough that we bought the lightest bike we could afford at the age of 8 (he's smaller). It's still as heavy as my steel mtb but he has been getting better and better and rode Monarch to Marshall pass last year. This year at 13 he's on a 26". It's lighter still and he's having more fun than ever. Sure, he's not speedy, but I'm okay with that. Someday he's going to have to wait for me!
Last year on Monarch Pass on a 24" specialized at 13:
Have fun, before you know it your kids will be riding circles around you!
And on a separate note- It lives!
Last edited:
helmetface
New member
15' Yeti SB5 here.
Absolutely amazing.
Absolutely amazing.
shrub1
Member
Get on that Rockhopper and ride! Would a FS bike be more comfortable? Sure it would, but based on the way you descried your terrain you'd be able to ride your HT w/o any issues. If you discover more aggressive terrain downstream you could upgrade to a FS bike then. Mountain biking is tough, but the payoff is well worth it. Low impact on your joints, great for cardio AND you get to be outdoors. I used to be a big motocross and dirt bike guy-gave that up about 15 years ago and picked up mountain biking. No regrets.
shrub1
Member
Ditto! Same frame. Crazy how awesome it is.
Liquidmantis
New member
My kids used to go to school across the street from Yeti HQ. A friend of mine, who actually put Golden, CO on the map for me, was their demo manager.
Yet, my primary trail bike is an Ibis
Yet, my primary trail bike is an Ibis
shrub1
Member
Very cool Liquid. Ibis are great too. I had a Mojo SL for a couple seasons and it ripped. I do enjoy the slighter shorter chain stays on Ibis frames.
helmetface
New member
Forgot to post my picture 
The only thing that is stock at this point is the frame, rear D, rear shock and the handlebars...I love it even more.
Love the plate [MENTION=142164]shrub1[/MENTION]
The only thing that is stock at this point is the frame, rear D, rear shock and the handlebars...I love it even more.
Love the plate [MENTION=142164]shrub1[/MENTION]
shrub1
Member
Forgot to post my picture
The only thing that is stock at this point is the frame, rear D, rear shock and the handlebars...I love it even more.
Love the plate [MENTION=142164]shrub1[/MENTION]
sexy!
USKTog
New member
I've found the dropper seat post to be QUITE a nice feature, mainly when climbing and you're pushing yourself hard! My BMC TF02 has the RockShox Reverb Stealth works very well; no issues with maintaining seat height when just spinning and is easily adjusted as needed.
shrub1
Member
I used to run a RaceFace Turbine dropper and only found myself using it perhaps 5% of the time during my local rides. The weight penalty for a dropper is significant (IMO) and in the end I decided to remove it. NOW...I am the exception. Most people swear by them and would never go without. I will put it back on if I am going to a region that has sustained downhill (CO, AZ, UT). Park days I will rent a burly pig to smash.
