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

No dig, no ride. Spent 3 hours with a mattock and a mcleod then rode for an hour. I'm worked. Props to people that do trail work for a living. Of course hitting the afghan place last night and the bar after didn't help.

 

Sunday is for riding

 

I know you all probably do way more difficult and cool stuff than I do, but here's a couple videos I made from riding this weekend. The gopro films so smoothly it makes these trails look like sidewalks. They're not hard, but much more difficult than they appear lol. I'm also a rookie mountain biker.

Let me know what yall think, thanks!

https://youtu.be/KtfQg9OOV6Y
https://youtu.be/iYOIAayQo-k

 

A pix w d roadie. When the weather gets more favorable for some dirty dirty, i’ll bring the Nomad out.... Right now the trails in d bay are soaked.

 

Anyone have an experience with the RCI bed rack bike mounts? I have 3 inch tires at the moment and it's too large for their tray. Curious if anyone has attached a roof rack to the bike mount like an outboard system. Bike won't fit in the back with tailgate pad, seeing options before going hitch rack route.

 

The same issue I am in right now.

 

It seems like you’d be able to put a roof rack on the mount. I know 1up can fit up to 3.1 standard, and can go larger with another attachment.

 

Quick fix for me was to put a fork clamp on my prinsu rack and have the rear wheel resting on my RTT velcroed to prevent movement. Temporary fix.

 

I don’t have a prinsu. That would almost just be a better route to go hitch mount than spend the money for that. Trying to avoid taking the wheel off if possible. Not have quick release sucks now for that.

 

Yeah removing the front wheel requires a hex tool unlike the qr that I'm used to. Side racks looks great but I have no clue where to purchase them?

 

I thought most were just roof racks tightened down on some kind of bar that extends out from the bed.

 

Found it.

https://rcimetalworks.com/product/bed-rack-bike-mount

 

Yeah that’s the one I’ve been talking about. The back tire tray is too small.

 

Anyone have any details on a release date for the new Saris MTR rack?

 

Ah got it.

 

After work ride.

 

Real talk time.

For those of you who have nice fancy (more expensive) bikes....how much do you really think the bike itself affects your riding?

I ask this because I have a GT Aggressor Pro...the GT bike that is sold at Dick's. Original $800 bike from GT years ago but sells at Dicks now for like $299. I struggle some, mainly because I'm not in great shape lol, but I wonder how much of it is actually THE BIKE. Like is there anything specific that just makes it so much easier? I've seen recommendations to upgrade the handle bars...go to a 1x10 system instead of the 3x8....upgrade the forks...yada yada. What's really worth it? I've done the trails I'm comfortable on so far, and albeit difficult sometimes, the bike does do what I want....but would it be easier with a fancy bike? would a couple cheap upgrades (handlebars/gears/etc) make this bike just as good?

give me input you experts.

 

1up roof racks or yakima frontloaders are a popular option. But what to mount them to is almost always the problem.

 

A bike doesn't make much difference. Saddle time is the primary driver. The cycling community tends to have a lot of confirmation bias. People spend copious amounts of cash on bikes and feel the need to justify it (Same could be said about our trucks).

With that being said, will worthy upgrades make your ride more enjoyable? Yes. But only if the rider is fast enough to notice them. For example; wider wheels are a world of difference riding through rock gardens and ripping corners but if you're riding isn't fast enough then narrow wheels are just fine.

Basically get in shape and ride the bike so hard you notice downfalls such as overheating brakes, sketchy descents because no dropper, or even pinch flats because narrow wheels.

 

No expert....

However, the bike itself is just a tool.

I have 4 bikes... 3 mountain...
When giving it a whirl, I bought a Marlin. Entry level bike, with hydraulic brakes, 3x8(or 9, dont remember) RST Gila fork w/lockout.
Not a bad bike. But, wasnt worth upgrading, and I kept making things loosen up, etc.
So, I picked up my Fuel EX.. whole different animal.
Much better components, better brakes, blah blah.
Does it make me better? Eh, maybe? If only by allowing to push through some stuff I could not before.
The biggest thing, is going to be quality of materials, and components.
If you arent having an issue with them, or the bike being too heavy... Just keep at it...
BUT, if you're looking for an excuse... Go for it.. .. IF you are using it, it wont be a waste of money