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

I’m down in Austin and ride up in the DFW area a handful of times a year. I’ve ridden my genius at Northshore, Cedar Hill state park, Marion Samson Park, and Erwin park. All good spots. Northshore is probably the best, but some sections can get pretty technical and it can get crowded with hikers and dogs at peak times. For that terrain, a mid travel (120-130) full suspension would be ideal. My reasoning is my genius is 150 f/r in open setting, but I can make it 110 f/r in the trail position, which I do a lot. I think for the amount of short punchy climbs up there 150 is a bit much, but some of the bigger hits call for a bit more than 110.

With that said, if your budget only allows for a hardtail, it’s not that big of a deal and I’d recommend a better built hardtail (nx drive train and fox rhythm 120-130 or Rockshox Reba 120-130), for 1-1.5k over a full suspension with lesser components for 2-2.5k.

 

Here is my TRD Pro with Ultimate Paint Protection CERAMIC PRO BURBANK Yakima Highspeed bike rack,
C4 FAB rockslide, YAKIMA Highspeed and IBIS Ripmo. Inside and Out are treated Ceramic Pro coat.

I’m thinking of having my Ibis Ripmo carbon fiber body wheels protect with Ceramic Pro. What do you think guys?

If you guys are local or from SoCal go to their website I believed they are still have special half off on Gold Package. http://www.ceramicproburbank.com/

 

What is wrong with you?!! A well reasoned, thought out, answer that is spot on. I could not agree more with your suggestions!!!

 

@Atl-atl, @kolache king, those are great points. We went riding again this morning and, again, I saw a bunch of fancy full sus bikes out there. I think it's time to admit that, honestly, I'm lusting pretty hard on 'em, hahahaha. Let's be honest here, they look cool af. Granted, that's not the ONLY reason I'm considering it, BUT it's on the list (even if it's way down at the bottom). Just wanted to get that out there...

How does one approach a local bike shop about demo programs? Do i just call and say "hey, is there a way to rent a bike for a day to test on the trail and, potentially, buy it?"? Furthermore, is it crazy more expensive to pick a frame and build the bike out part by part, or better to get a complete bike and upgrade as I break stuff? Based on what I'm seeing, complete package is the way to go, but if y'all know good places to snatch up decent parts on the cheap, I'm all ears and confident in building things out.

Also worth noting... I've grown accustomed to whipping my too-small-for-me bike around... it's like a big ass BMX.

Last thing... @TacoManOne I know, right!? The nerve of some people... sheesh!

 

I don’t know man. I came from a bmx background, rode street and dirt. Full squish looks cool, but I just couldn’t feel it.

Check out a slopestyle bike like an NS soda

 

Go into some different shops and ask about demos, not rentals. Going in and asking proves to them you are more serious. They usually have a few higher end bikes that they "demo" which is really just rental but if you say rental they'll give you a $500 hardtail to ride. This time of year they might be switching from 2018 to 2019 demo fleets so they might have some absolutely thrashed 2018 bikes which you dont want to ride or you might get lucky and ride a brand new 2019, be patient. There is nothing wrong with lusting after a fully, ride a few and buy the one you like the best. Theyll probably try to get you into a finance program for a fancier bike. There are quite a few that offer zero percent interest financing right now. Youll enjoy it more than getting something you didnt really want(a hardtail) just because the spec is better. Lastly, complete package is definitely the way to go if youre looking for bang-for-your-buck.

 

Im an industry insider so I feel the need to make sense and help people as much as possible. Outside of bikes all I do is talk shit constantly

 

Yeah, I'm so used to hard-tail it *would* be the easy transition for me. Not sure slopestyle would fit my target rides though (longer rides), but if I can, I'll give it a test-ride, haha!

I'm gonna hit the three bike shops that are close-ish to me next weekend and give this a shot. The main thing is, there's no way in hell I'm coming up off my wallet for a full suspension bike without a lot of test riding, preferably on the trails rather than just around the parking lot. I need time with it to see if it's right for *me*, haha. None the less, it'll likely be a little while before I can snatch anything up, but all this info has put me in a much more comfy head space to hit the shops and see what we can work out. Thanks, everyone for the input! Will definitely be posting up if a new steed makes it into the stable!

Also, I took a little test ride on my buddy's new trek 29" hard tail... JEEEEEEEZUS those wheels are HUGE coming from 20" and 26".

Also also... any recommendations on shops/brands in the DFW area?

 

Where I live the only bikes shops that don’t do demo’s are Walmart and Target. Oh, and Goodwill.

 

Now is actually a good time if you wanted to create your own bike. Find the frame you want - 2018 since the 19's are rolling out and find the best deal. then pick the parts you want. Shop around and you can get a great setup. Plan on paying $200-400 to have a shop build it, unless you have the tools and skills to do a DIY.

 

Another important thing is that a hard tail with a fork will build your technical skills. My first bike was a Raleigh Technium chill with a rigid fork! And I rode it in Moab in 1993. No fancy 5 inch travel back then, just hard earned (aka road rash and bruises) skills.

 

1st day of ownership. Had to hit the mountains with a few friends.

 

New to the Tacoma world, but was quick to add front rail and rocky mount loball to the truck today. Now got a nice setup that is quick to use AND can lock so I don’t mind running into store/restaurant.

 

Nice man, didn't know you rode too!

 

Agreed man, those uphills can suck going through random rock gardens...but the descents make it all worth it. If you got 4+ inches of travel then you should be good, the landings are clean for flow so just let the front naturally fall where it needs to.

 

DAMN!

 

Yep. I took a sabbatical and dipped my toes in adulthood, then flipped like 5 tables, said screw it and ended my bike riding hiatus, bought an NS and then built the evil.

 

Pretty solid man, looks like that sends it far...I couldn't imagine learning to do flips.

 

Lol neither can I.

 

Gratuitous bike/truck porn