Biking

Havent been on a mtn bike ride in two weeks due to excessive heat in orange county-been over a 100 consistently

I have a Jamis Ventura Comp. Planning to upgrade the drivetrain and wheels. I really really want a downhill, freeride or all trail bike. Nothig like going downhill on Northstar's trails.

OMG bmw is that really you? Nekkid face and all...??

Originally posted by batmanwest It is. Shaved the beard off a few days ago. Why do you ask?

Well then update your danged profile pic, you're confusing us now!!!

ctoma:I will no sir, i just simply will not! 
mommehK:Well...it has been damn near 10 years. I'm letting it grow out again. Can't stand this bare face shit. And thanks! Haha..


So I am making the decision. My next new bike will be a 2013 Specialized Epic Comp Carbon 29. Now it just needs to be spring, and I need to come across about 2k. 

Originally posted by Muse25 I'm thinking of upgrading my wheels of course! :) Been reading a lot of good reviews on Bike Wheel Warehouse. And I want to upgrade my shifters to 105 or ultegra, both deurailers, crank and get a bigger cassette and upgrade the brakes.....pretty much an overhaul lol but I'll do it piece by piece. Wheels first :) You have any suggestions on Trail bikes? I'm 5'0 125lbs. I had my eye on a giant glory for downhill but someone told me it might be too heavy for me. I tried a giant faith at Northstar and LOVED it!!!! beginner to moderate DH stuff. Something that will handle the blues at Northstar but still ride around moderate Bay Area Trails.

What wheelset in particular are you reading good reviews about? You probably should man up and pick up a set of Mavic Ksyrium SL's . Not the best wheel in the world, but they are what we refer to around the shop as "the wheel set all over wheels are compaired to". Couple of the guys in our shop ride them and they are freaking SICK. Pretty much will be the last wheel set you need for a good 10 years...or something like that.

As for shifters, if you are waffling between 105 and Ultegra, I would say go with the new 105's. New 105 ergo is almost the same as Ultegra, at a much lower price. A few of our 2013 bikes have the new 105 on them and they are amazing. The re-design for this year is awesome.

As for suggestions for a trail bike...we all know I am going to push Specialized. I really think and "Enduro" would fit your needs really well. A very capable trail/XC bike, but has enough travel and good geometry for light-medium DH stuff. I had the chance to ride one around for a bit during our demo day and it's a pretty sick rig. Too much travel for me, but I like shorter travel bikes. I also live in Ohio, where high travel isn't really needed. 160mil of travel front and rear, a price tag that comes in under 3k (for the base) great components and an unmatched warranty on parts and lifetime on the frame. 

^Whats that guys name? I remember a friend showed me a video of him and I want to watch more but I forgot his name so if anybody knows that would be sweet.

Pretty sure the full length vid of that series was posted here a couple pages ago.

Thanks a lot guys. Thats actually the video that my friend showed me too. Thanks for the help.

Alllllllright. Finally done. This thing was kind of a pain in the ass to build. Did all the cutting by hand saw and chisel. Only power tool used was a cordless drill. Originally was planning on having room for 6 bikes, but scaled back a bit and made room for 5 so I could put hooks on each side for our bags, gloves, helmets, locks and so on. I used cheap ass whiteboard studs, and stained them with a red oak stain I had left over from a previous project. Ended up just using the cheap red bike hooks you can get anywhere. My shop had them, so I just EP'd them to save a few dollas. All said and done, the entire project cost just under 75 bucks. 8ft high, and 10ft long. Sticks out 28 inches. The thing is SOLID as it's pretty much wedged floor to ceiling.

Originally posted by j_lucky84 Very nice work, bmw :) And i like the idea to scale it back to keep all the other biking gear close at hand :) As far as your lack of power tools.. yard sales ftw!

Well, I have a small table saw that can do angles, and a circular saw...and a jig, but in the end I really feel like using the hand saw was the easiest route for me. One day I'll have a big ass garage decked to the gills for a proper wood working shop.

Thanks though! Will have to see what the wife thinks when she gets back into town tonight.

That sounds like a blast! Glad you're able to get a buncha people together to do things like that! I can barely rally more than 4 people to go out n throw a football on any given weekend. Win or lose, you'll have a good day :)

Originally posted by batmanwest Alllllllright. Finally done. This thing was kind of a pain in the ass to build. Did all the cutting by hand saw and chisel. Only power tool used was a cordless drill. Originally was planning on having room for 6 bikes, but scaled back a bit and made room for 5 so I could put hooks on each side for our bags, gloves, helmets, locks and so on. I used cheap ass whiteboard studs, and stained them with a red oak stain I had left over from a previous project. Ended up just using the cheap red bike hooks you can get anywhere. My shop had them, so I just EP'd them to save a few dollas. All said and done, the entire project cost just under 75 bucks. 8ft high, and 10ft long. Sticks out 28 inches. The thing is SOLID as it's pretty much wedged floor to ceiling.

Originally posted by mommehK bmw your rack system is super boss! ...and your Specialized makes me drool. LOL

Thanks dude!
Which Specialized are you talking about? There ARE three in that picture.

Dudette, dear!    and YES the Rockhopper! (didn't say RH at 5am this morning when I posted because my eyes were pretty much crossed by then) Shooey's right, pictures really don't do them justice. I had to wipe up drool over the one displayed at my local store...

What blew my mind is that my freaking inseam is a 29, so I felt quite intimidated just standing next to it. They have the seat up for six footers (the "show stance" I call it), which doesn't help anything. I'd need to carry a footstool to the trail head to ride the darn thing... 

I'm the kind of person that, once I start testing stuff out, I'm going to obsess about getting one until it happens. Hell or high water. Thanks for the tip on the smaller frames, though!

Originally posted by LittleShooey I'm happy to stare through the glass for a couple more years.

Noooo!!! You totally should go get a decently nice trail bike and go have some fun. I know how you like playing in the dirt, so just suck it up, go to the dealer and tell them you want a Specialized Fate, or maybe a Jett and rip it girl!!

If your profile info correct, you should be a on 15 inch frame for mtn bikes...

Originally posted by MtMansfield I'm looking for some input on a new bike to get for myself. I don't do any serious riding now just looking to upgrade a bike that has been grown out of years ago. Looking for a road type bike that's not too expensive to get into the sport, but something that will last. Six foot, 190, athletic build, any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

A rough estimate of what your budget is would help out dramatically.

For the Specialized brand I would say to pick up a "Secteur". It's an endurance based geometry road bike, that comes in with a base model price of just over 800. Carbon fork, smooth ride, lifetime warranty on the frame, and decent components for a base model. For 2013 they have also released two disc braked options for it as well, which is kind of cool IMO. If you want something for putzing around town and on a budget, but still want a big name brand bike, check out the Specialized "Sirrus". Flat bar road bike, more of an up right stance, and base comes in right around 500.

Bianchi makes some pretty damn good bikes too. Not as nice as when they used to be Italian made, but the new factory in Twain is pumping out a pretty solid frame.

Giant makes an alright bike as well. Not as much tech dumped into theirs as compared to other bikes just above their  price point, but still road worthy non the less.

Trek makes a bike similar to the Specialized Sirrus. It's called the "FX" and offers a ton of models within it's class. As for Treks road bikes, take a look at the new Aluminum "Madone". While I really...really hate Bontrager branded components, in the long run they aren't that bad, and the Madone frame is pretty damn good.

Just with most snowboard gear, if you have a decent local bike shop, go check them out and have them run you through their bikes. Go take some for test rides. Being 6 ft, you want to start looking at frame sizes of around a 58cm. This might change slightly, as different brands, use slightly different geometry and some don't have odd numbers, some don't have even. But around a 58 is what I would put you on first to determine size if you came into my shop. The most important thing is finding a bike that not only fits you vertically, but laterally (reach to the handle bars). Nothing ruins the day more, than a bike that doesn't fit.

So...determine what you feel comfortable spending on a bike, and look into what brands are being represented in your area, and get back to me/us. I am more than welcome to offer more info, and answer questions if you want.
Happy hunting!

When it comes to seat height, the most important thing is your knee bend angle while riding. If the shop set it up for you at purchase, more than likely it is in the optimum position for efficient riding. When on the bike (riding) and either petal is fully extended DOWN, your leg should be almost straight, with just a slight bend in the knee.

It does feel a little weird at first to ride like this if you never have before, but not only is this the best way to get the most out of each petal stroke, but if you have a ton of bend in your leg while pedaling it can lead to numerous issues of pain down the road. 

i went mtn biking today in 100 degree heat-not worth it. im ready for winter to come

Does anyone have any tips for a BMX rider on how to really increase the distance I get on my manuals. I can do them easy but just not anymore that 5-10 feet. I really want to make them longer so I can manual over things longer than 5-10 feet.

Originally posted by kyle521 Originally posted by ShredDatPow Does anyone have any tips for a BMX rider on how to really increase the distance I get on my manuals. I can do them easy but just not anymore that 5-10 feet. I really want to make them longer so I can manual over things longer than 5-10 feet. Most common mistake is people are afraid to lean farther back and thats why they are so short, so maybe try that

I think that I will try that. Thanks

A 30 mile ride is perdy darn good! But now it sounds like ya shoulda saved that 40 for when ya got home! That sounds awful though, dude! I've rode some over-tensioned chains before and I know the hell it can be! (though i didn't have the need to ride 10 miles.. yikes!) I'm glad you had equipment with ya so ya didnt have to hoof it home. But mostly hopin you can get out of it for the cheaper of those two estimates.