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

I’m loving the 1x12 movement. It’s making all the 11speed parts cheaper by the day. I personally have no need for the giant dinner plate and being able to pick up full drive kit including cranks for ~$300 is a win in my book.

 

I usually do just fine on an 11 speed, but there's a few half day climbs around SLC that I'm looking forward to having that granny gear for. The 6 mile, 2,800 foot climb of Ben Lomond before the drop really gets to me the first few miles.

 

Stay away from Walmart,Target,Academy. Go to an actual bike shop that actually does maintenance. You will each shop sales their own sponsored brand, visit several shops to get some knowledge and ask question, don't just but. Most shops will stand by the brand bike they sale. If you want the latest and grates then you are looking at spending the minimum of 4k a bike and going up. Most shops will have the previous years/models and you can get a good deal. IF you see something you like check online too, sometimes you can get a better deal.

 

I can see it’s usefulness in certain areas, the SE just isn’t that area. At least not IMHO. There really aren’t that many 50/50 type rides down here that a 46tooth and decent lungs/legs can’t handle. Again, purely speaking for myself and what I’ve experienced.

 

Definitely over analyzing it from my experience, been using the Dakine pad for about a year now. I take it on and off all the time and have had 5 bikes on there multiple times and I am yet to see a scratch!

 

Just like Idaho riding. Outside my front door, I have a 4k foot climb to the top of the ridge!

 

I've had mine for several years, with no issues. Some times i leave it on several weeks at a time, it has really soft material on the inside.

 

I had my raceface pad on full time for almost 2 years. Not a single scuff, scratch, or mar you could attribute to a tailgate pad and I took it a ton of dusty and dirty places.


Far off the beaten path, but BLM was kind enough to drop a sign.

 

I've had the Dakine on my 01 full time for about 7 years now (enough so the last time i took it off, there were several old wasp nests inside the pad) and there is a good bit of scratching over time. But I think that is just because I was lazy and never ever took it off. If I were going to put it on a new truck, I'd probably put a protective film on the tailgate just to be safe.

 

Like I said, I didn't see any on mine, but I did have the thought of clearbra-ing the tailgate like you. Now, I just toss the pad over the gate when I transport it, leave it in the cab when I ride.

 

This is how lazy I am. Even after putting a 1Up on the truck, I didn't even bother taking of the Dakine pad off.

 

I'm a repeat offender

 

It's that thin Rocky Mountain air we breathe...

 

Stage 5 of the Andes Pacifico Enduro. FULL COMMITMENT with that hand position at 65 kph.

 

that and antigrip? jeez he's ballsy.

 

A horny toad! A favorite desert critter of mine.

 

I have two Trek shops and a Giant shop within a couple miles of my house. So I plan on stop by both and do some jawjacking with the people there.

@asuchemist - I saw that one of the Trek shops has two Marlin 7's for sale brand new for in the $800 range which makes that enticing.

@RexsTaco - I for sure wasn't planning on going to any of the big box stores. I also won't be spending $4k on a bike right out of the gate. I'm not in good enough shape to even close to justify that, let alone me being a bike newb.

 

I have 2018 specialized Chisel comp for sale. https://quadcities.craigslist.org/bik/d/port-byron-2018-specialized-chisel-comp/7064492359.html

if your close to eastern iowa. $1600 was new MSRP.
it has modern specs like boost spacing and tapered head tube so It can be upgraded easily . I used it to ride bike paths to the trails around me.

 

Not ready to jump on anything right now but I will for sure check this out. Also replied to your PM.

Craiglist is blocked here at work so I will check it out this evening.

 

Looks like a solid deal to me!