All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

Freshly built Evil Faction 2

Deity/manitou/shadow stuffs

 

FH is a rough trail for beginners; kudos to guys for giving it a go! Be super careful if you venture to the black loop! Some of those drops and DH gardens come up quick. And they’re no joke

 

I love everything about this pic... Happy truckin & bikin

 

So why is this picture here on “All things bikes and Tacos”? In the background you may notice an IMBA tent ... I was asked to haul in this outhouse trailer to the midpoint (mile 11 on the 1st lap, mile 45 of the 2nd lap) of the inaugural Old Growth Classic gravel race in the Santa Cruz mountains yesterday. But we quickly realized that this trailer would never make it over 10 miles each way of a rough and rutted dirt road. So instead I brought in some equipment and two course marshals, and spent 10 hours watching and helping this awesome race: 55 miles and 8000 ft climbing. I also helped with course setup and flagging the day before, all of my sections on roads that usually aren’t open to the public. Wonderful support from many sponsors, plus California State Parks and private property owners to let this happen.




Here’s the bike parking the night before. Some racers rode their bikes in 20-50 miles to participate!

 

Is your truck black or a dark green?

 

Nah it's just beat to fuck

 

last minute 2 days trip to kingdom trails means sick riding and a chance to test out my new rack set up. anyone here on a YT capra 29? seriously considering adding one to the fleet but really wouldnt be able to demo it first.

 

Got out on the mountain bikes for the first time in a long time!

 

So I am looking to get back into moutain bikes, and I want to get something affordable to just get me out there until I can upgrade. I have been looking at the REi Coop 1.1 and 1.2 bikes. Are these a good starting place? I like the price for just starting out and the colors are pretty cool. Any suggestions?

 

Looking at those, I suspect your budget to be sub $800. For sub $800 I would steer you towards a Trek Marlin or Xcal, specialized hardrock, or maybe one of the Konas in that price range, all from your local bike shop.

 

Don't be afraid of the used bike world too. With diligent shopping you can find some jems. My best friend just got a nice 2015 Norco Sight (above your unspecified budget but just an example) for $1800. It was from a middle aged gal that hardly road it (The tires had no wear, the frame was completely scratch free and the drive train still looked brand new) The bike was originally $4300 and still feels and rides like a current (2018) bike.
If you decide to go the used route just make sure to get a 27.5" or 29" in wheeled bike (26" kind of died in 2015). Here is a big selection in the $800 to $1500 range.
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/li...category=2,75&price=800..1500&wheelsize=11,10

 

Also if you set at looking to get new and can go a little higher in price you should check out the Nukeproof Scout ($850 - $1700)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/us/en/mountain-bikes/hardtail?f=4294967021,4294961989
and the Commencal Meta HT Am $1099
https://www.commencalusa.com/PBSCCatalog.asp?ActionID=67174912&PBCATID=3534531

 

@campvibes since you’re in the OC I’m sure there are plenty of good local bike shops. Nothing against REI but the sales knowledge and after-sales support of a good LBS are worth visiting a couple of shops and finding a shop and staff that click with you. You’ll end up doing business with a shop that will work with you with demos, advice and service, unless you know how to build and setup a bike and find a good used or online deal.

 

Picked up this Pivot Mach 429 Trail a few months back. I wasn't sure about the white but it's growing on me too! Honestly, I got such a good deal on this rig i wouldn't have cared what color it came in.. lol. I'm upgrading the wheelset to 27.5 in a month or two. I want to go with 35mm or possibly 40mm inner width so I can rock up to 2.8" tires. I'm leaning towards the Spank oozy trail or WTB Scraper rims with hope pro 4 or I9 Torch Classic Hubs. Have any of you used either of these wheels with the hubs i mentioned? If so what are your thoughts?

 

Sounds good. I will take you advice and go talk to some people!

 

I did just that with my Kona Process 111. I switched it to a 27.5 2.8 mid fat bike and loved how it turned out. I went with Spank oozy trail 345 wheels 30mm id with I9 hubs.

 

This is good advice. A good shop will support you in the way @dman100 says long after you bought the bike. Over time you will need repairs and upgrades. A bike shop will be able to suggest upgrades that delay the cost of a new bike. I used to live in the OC and my shop was The BikeCo. on Bake in Lake Forest. They wrench for some pros, but still listen to your needs as a novice. Check them out if you are nearby.

 

Anyone Bike up in the Pisgah National Forest area (N.C. & North GA)

I’m doing this trip with some buddies in mid-October.

http://www.bikepacking.com/routes/bikepacking-pisgah-appalachian-beer-trail/

Gonna be at least 4 but probably 5 nights of bikepacking in the Appalachians. If anyone has in familiarity with that area and wants to give some pointers or tips that’d be great. Or if you have any general advice with bikepacking I’m listening. I’m going with some expierenced riders but this being my first real biking trip I’m a little nervous!

 

Nice! Have you felt or experienced any rollover with the 30mm id wheels paired up with 2.8” tires? Why 30mm over the 35mm spank oozy’s?

 

40mm inner width hoops would be a pretty big weight addition. I ride 27.5 2.8” Rekon+ and my inner width is 30mm on my stock syncross wheels. I’d recommend staying under 35mm for sure. Just my $0.02.