Official Mountain Biking Thread

[Soul Performance Products]

Originally Posted by TommyContreras

I am fond of riding. Bicycle is my favorite vehicle. And spring with summer the best seasons for me.

That's an epic shot!

-Mike

[Housekeeping]

I just stopped riding mtn bikes, was killing my neck. Moved on to a fitness bike, kinda of a hybrid mtn/road bike in full carbon. 21lbs, what a joy biking is again. Used to be work, now it’s fun again. Highly recommended for those getting older or in pain. I added some more aggressive semi-off-road tires for the trails. Wonderful bike.

[Chriso79]

Now carting my bikes around on a G20



And still making videos

[M_Six]

Need some advice. I was going to pick up another bike to do some trail riding. The trails I would ride would be a converted rail bed, which is mostly flat and hard packed with sandy spots, and the local lake trails, which have some very technical hilly spots that I would mostly avoid (or walk them if I couldn't). I'm over 60, so I won't be sailing through the air like Mr Tonka and the other daredevils here. I might hit some of the less well kept dirt farm roads as well. I'd be going with flat pedals as opposed to SPDs.

Trek is the brand the LBS carries. My other 3 bikes are all Treks. I was pretty much settled on a Trek Stache 7. But the manager of the LBS is trying to convince me to go with a full suspension bike like a Fuel Ex. He says it would work better for me on the hilly trails so I wouldn't be dismounting and walking them. Money is not the issue here as both bikes are within the same price range. I'm not that familiar with either bike as far as ride comfort and handling. And I don't want to make the mistake of dumping $2500-$3000 into a bike and then find out I should have bought something different.

So I'm looking for advice on which bike would better suit me for riding mostly flat trails with the occasional foray into hillier stuff. I'll add that I'd rather have a bike that is less capable on the hilly stuff but more suited to flat trails than vice-versa. I worry a full suspension bike would be overkill for the flats and not as quick on the flats. But having ridden neither, it's hard to say.

[Todd0131]

I had always ridden Hardtail my whole life. The last bike I picked up a short travel fs. I stay seated and pedal on about 90% of the uphills. It is much much nicer on my back and shoulders too. If it’s in the budget then go with the FS, make sure the lbs sets up the suspension right and you will be set.

[thegump]

Looking for some recommendations on a good starter/trial bike.

Recently had a knee issue come up and doc said no more running so I'm looking to get back into biking. It's been over a decade since a ride, but I used to bmx and MTN bike quite often-ran specialized back then.

Would like to stay below $1000.

[dcpatters]

I had a Specialized Levo Comp Carbon. Was a lot of fun but SoCal parks have really cracked down.

[polychromatic]

Originally Posted by dcpatters

I had a Specialized Levo Comp Carbon. Was a lot of fun but SoCal parks have really cracked down.

Unfortunately I think that is a trend in regulation. How do you find the Levo as far as battery life?

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Need some advice. I was going to pick up another bike to do some trail riding. The trails I would ride would be a converted rail bed, which is mostly flat and hard packed with sandy spots, and the local lake trails, which have some very technical hilly spots that I would mostly avoid (or walk them if I couldn't). I'm over 60, so I won't be sailing through the air like Mr Tonka and the other daredevils here. I might hit some of the less well kept dirt farm roads as well. I'd be going with flat pedals as opposed to SPDs.

Trek is the brand the LBS carries. My other 3 bikes are all Treks. I was pretty much settled on a Trek Stache 7. But the manager of the LBS is trying to convince me to go with a full suspension bike like a Fuel Ex. He says it would work better for me on the hilly trails so I wouldn't be dismounting and walking them. Money is not the issue here as both bikes are within the same price range. I'm not that familiar with either bike as far as ride comfort and handling. And I don't want to make the mistake of dumping $2500-$3000 into a bike and then find out I should have bought something different.

So I'm looking for advice on which bike would better suit me for riding mostly flat trails with the occasional foray into hillier stuff. I'll add that I'd rather have a bike that is less capable on the hilly stuff but more suited to flat trails than vice-versa. I worry a full suspension bike would be overkill for the flats and not as quick on the flats. But having ridden neither, it's hard to say.

You may well be best off with fs, if only for comfort and saving your knees. The fuel ex may not be a bad shout, but I think my first recommendation from trek would be a top fuel; XC/trail bike, not full-on trail bike. If it feels a little skittish on descents, just switch to a slightly burlier/stickier tyre and you'll be good as gold. For starters I'd go a size up from Trek's recommendation, and fit a slightly shorter (-10mm) stem to compensate.

[dcpatters]

Originally Posted by polychromatic

Unfortunately I think that is a trend in regulation. How do you find the Levo as far as battery life?

You're right on regulation. I have talked with my LBS, and the uptake on e-bikes has hit a wall. I ended up trading it in for a 2019 Specialized Enduro Comp. Literally, park rangers were handing out citations at the bottom of single tracks. Signage now posted everywhere. I know folks still ride them, but if you're riding at peak times, at the local trails, it was just a hassle.

Regarding the Levo battery life, it is very good. In my experience, I keep the assist dialed down, I've completed plenty of rides here in SoCal, with a fair amount of elevation and never had issues with battery reserve capacity.

Not sure how familiar you are with the Levo, but through their iOS app, I configured 3 different power modes; 90% of the time running ~15% motor assist. I never run full Turbo mode through the trails. Just pisses people off.

This was my 2nd Levo, I bougth the first generation in 2017. The one pictured in my thread, had a slight bump in power output, I rode the latest generation, which was bumped again, and the power output is impressive.

[PoorLurker]

Originally Posted by dcpatters

Literally, park rangers were handing out citations at the bottom of single tracks. Signage now posted everywhere. I know folks still ride them, but if you're riding at peak times, at the local trails, it was just a hassle.

Needs more power! get to the bottom of Meadows, see the ranger, and brAaaPp back up the hill and then drop kindergarten.

Luckily I never got into the electric bike phase. I have horrible leg power but I try to make use with what I have.

That enduro must be awesome! My last bike was an old enduro and I loved it.

[spazzyfry123]

I've had a vintage Centurion LeMans RS road bike for a while, but I think I'm going to pick up a hardtail for some trail riding. Nothing too extreme here in North Florida, but I enjoy being out in the woods a lot more than doing laps around the neighborhood.

I'm about 5'9" - 5'10" and have had my eye on the Specialized Rockhopper as its price is low enough to get me a good taste of what's to come. Can evolve as needed. I feel like 27.5 may be the right approach for my size. For an entry level bike, the Rockhopper (Sport?) seems like it's some of the best bang for buck. What say you?

Also, where the heck can you buy one? Can't find any retailers, nor Specialized direct for that matter, that has anything in stock. Rona?

[Tambohamilton]

Yeah, good luck finding anything in stock. While a lot of industries are struggling in covid times, the cycling industry is booming!

If the trails you're riding are fairly mellow, a 29er will probably be your best bet. I'm the same height as you, but I ride a 27.5...my local trails are steep, tight and rocky though.

[spazzyfry123]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Yeah, good luck finding anything in stock. While a lot of industries are struggling in covid times, the cycling industry is booming!

If the trails you're riding are fairly mellow, a 29er will probably be your best bet. I'm the same height as you, but I ride a 27.5...my local trails are steep, tight and rocky though.

Yeah, tell me about it. My hobbies have always consisted of being outdoors with off-road and camping (now known as overlanding apparently? ). It's become impossible for me to get a lot of the things I am interested in. Had thought that going into the cold months cycling would die down a little. Guess not.

Relatively mellow I'd say. No tremendous roots and rocks, and I think I'd like the maneuverability of a 27.5 over a 29.

[Tambohamilton]

Yeah. Over here there are now loads of people encroaching on my nice quiet outdoor spaces, because it's the only place we're allowed to socialise really. I don't like people

Fair enough - there isn't a wrong answer between 29 and 27.5...yet.

[spazzyfry123]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Yeah, good luck finding anything in stock. While a lot of industries are struggling in covid times, the cycling industry is booming!

If the trails you're riding are fairly mellow, a 29er will probably be your best bet. I'm the same height as you, but I ride a 27.5...my local trails are steep, tight and rocky though.

LOL. Specialized just got back to me on availability.

"...models are backordered out for the foreseeable future so a new order placed will likely not be fulfilled until May or later 2021."

So where can you get a bike? I see quite a few out there available, but they're $1,500+. I'm looking to spend half of that (or less even).

[strohw]

Originally Posted by M_Six

So I'm looking for advice on which bike would better suit me for riding mostly flat trails with the occasional foray into hillier stuff. I'll add that I'd rather have a bike that is less capable on the hilly stuff but more suited to flat trails than vice-versa. I worry a full suspension bike would be overkill for the flats and not as quick on the flats. But having ridden neither, it's hard to say.

There are quite a few 100/100mm or 120/100mm xc/trail bikes out now that a very fast.

Pink Bike had some nice reviews back in August with a few bikes from this category.

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/archiv...r=2020&month=8

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by strohw

There are quite a few 100/100mm or 120/100mm xc/trail bikes out now that a very fast.

Pink Bike had some nice reviews back in August with a few bikes from this category.

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/archiv...r=2020&month=8

I ended up with a Trek Marlin 7 because it was in stock in my size. It's working out well for me.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by spazzyfry123

LOL. Specialized just got back to me on availability.

"...models are backordered out for the foreseeable future so a new order placed will likely not be fulfilled until May or later 2021."

So where can you get a bike? I see quite a few out there available, but they're $1,500+. I'm looking to spend half of that (or less even).

You could check Pro's Closet. But a lot of their stuff is high end gear, so pricey.

https://www.theproscloset.com

[fanatic1]

Originally Posted by M_Six

You could check Pro's Closet. But a lot of their stuff is high end gear, so pricey.

https://www.theproscloset.com

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2020/11/2...-pandemic.html

Pro’s closet is legit too

[ShakyDog]

Here is my latest:



By far the best MTB I have ever ridden. It is just perfect for my riding style.

Steve

[strohw]

Originally Posted by ShakyDog

Here is my latest:

By far the best MTB I have ever ridden. It is just perfect for my riding style.

Steve

I own a Primer as well. If you ever feel the need for a better rear shock, the Manitou McLeod is a very nice upgrade over the stock Fox/RS offering on these bikes.