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

Hey guys I’ve been stalking this thread for a while. I thought I read someone say the Wal-Mart internal parts were decent? By 6’3” 220# buddy is trying to get into it and riding a medium 18” frame, 26” wheel mongoose status 2.2. His price range is only between 300-400$ should I recommend a bike like the Wal-Mart one as a good starter?

 

Good starter bikes are upgradable. Typically, Walmart bikes are not. Look at REI or some place equivalent, or the best option is your local bike shop

 

A couple posts up I shared a pic of two bikes in a truck, these are what we got: https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/...ike-17gtxmggrssrprxxxprf/17gtxmggrssrprxxxprf

They are a Dick's only model that goes on sale once a year; until 5/11 in this case. Its a decent setup for a beginner and its up gradable as he progresses.

 

Thanks guys. Going to definitely take a look at that dicks sporting goods bike. And this bike from rei https://www.rei.com/product/133283/cannondale-catalyst-4-275-bike-2018

 

Went for a ride today with the clouds rolling it. Soooo, that was the closest I’ve ever been to getting struck. Must have struck no more than 50 feet away. So surreal. Hair stood up on my arms, ZAP, blinding light, sizzling deafening thunder. I literally screamed like a little girl.
Great dirt though even if I had to ride through marble sized hail.

Pics from before and after the storm rolled through. Didn’t take any during, I was pedaling my ass off to get the hell back to the truck.

 

Glad you’re alive man. Lighting is no joke!!

 

Stay away from any big box store (Target, Walmart, Costco).

Stick with local bike stores or Facebook/Craigslist/Pinkbike classifieds.

For that price, he might be able to find a deal on a new 2018 hardtail, like a Specialized Hardrock or a Giant ATX/Talon type model. Marin has some really nice starter bikes. Their Wildcat Trail 1 is $429.

If he can save up a little more and get into the $500-$800 price range he can buy a lot more bike. I've seen a used Giant Stance for $700. I've also seen some used name brand hardtails in great shape with 1x drivetrains, Fox/Rockshox forks and hydraulic brakes for $500-$700.

Edit: Where does your buddy live in Oregon? There are a lot of riders up there. I'm sure he can find a solid bike.

 

Anyone have any recommendations on wrist guards/braces that they use or have tried?

 

We both live in Portland. Thanks for the info! Any Recommendations on trails is much appreciated!

 

XXL Marin frame, 1x drivetrain, Rockshox air fork, and a dropper post for $400 in Beaverton.

 

Wonder if you set a KOM Time on strava riding away from that lightning! haha in all seriousness that shit is scary, glad you didnt get struck. Who knows, if you did there is like a 0.0000001% chance you could turn into Thor or something

 

Did you pee a little?

I had one, very close, experience to lightning... had been skateboarding at the church across the field from my Mom's house as an errant youth when I heard thunder. Started hoofing it home across the field when I felt all the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and a charge all around me. I hit the ground as fast as I could when a bolt took out a pine tree about 200 yards to my right. Nearly deafened me for two days with the crack!

 

Had my first foray in clipless pedals last night. What an ordeal that was. Sadly, there was no grand tip over like some of you may have been hoping for, despite me running the gopro chesty just to get some "footy for the boys". Although I just pedalled around the neighborhood since it was 1030 last night and dark as can be.

The real issue was I had a pedal stuck tighter than a tick in the crank. Tried PB blaster, whacking the hek wrench with a 2x4 to shock load, and even a few shots with a MAP torch. No bueno.

Finally had a guy from the local MTB FB page come over with a 1/2 in impact gun, and even that struggled for a second to free that bitch. After a quick install of my Mallet-Es and some fiddling with the cleat positions, I got to riding and I LOVE IT!

I actually had a much harder time clipping in than clipping out. I think I need to move the cleat just a skooch forward, and toe in my left cleat a smidge as well.

Gotta get good at it because I hit Gooseberry mesa next weekend, so I only have like 10 days to perfect clipping in and out before a nice techy trail with some pretty unhealthy exposure in a few places. What could go wrong?

 

Thats great to hear man! More power to you! My foot slid on my flats yesterday and I literally thought about you haha

 

I'm prob gonna be weird and run clipless on my trail bike where I encounter techy uphill stuff which is where I struggle, but then stay with flats on my DH bike and my fatbike.

 

Are the cleats/pedals new? In my very non-professional experience, there has always been a ‘break-in period’ when I’ve replaced cleats or pedals before they have smooth entry/exit.

Granted I’ve only run lower grade Crank Bros. Candy and Mallet pedals.

 

Mallets are pretty "loved" from the friend that gave them to me, but the cleats are new. I think the position on the sole is hindering clipping in a little bit, so it will take some tweaking. I also think they had enough grit in them that it took a little bit for the degreaser and lubricant i hit them with to start taking effect.

 

Gotcha. Getting your cleat/shoe set up correctly is almost like getting fitted for a bike frame. Tweaking the cant of the cleat to best match your natural foot position on the pedal will have great benefits in overall ride comfort, being able to easily/safely clip in or out, and for being able to get every bit of efficiency out of each pedal stroke.

 

I feel like that is normal. I would probably use flats if I had a DH bike unless I was racing. I probably won’t ever switch to flats on my trail bike. I’m too used to being basically locked in and having all that control.

 

Its funny, I NAILED the right side position dead on, but my left foot definitely felt funny. Much too straight. My left foot is pretty aggressively pigeon toed thanks to a climbing injury a few years ago, and I don't realize how much more so it is than my right until you cant move your feet.

Pro tip: go easy on the heel hooks, you Alex Honnold wannabes.