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

How long are helmets good for? Also, any recommendations on a helmet that covers a lot of the back of the head? My old Fox Flux (2011) seems to cover more of the back of my head than my new smith venture. Feels like the fox covers an additional inch lower.

 

Looking at doing something similar to my truck as the above. Has anyone else tried this? Would be attaching it to the bed bars below.

 

I had some custom bed bars made with about 6" bump outs coming off of the bed bars to allow for a Thule Sidearm's on each side of my tent. It actually works quite well. I love not having to take my front wheel off (even though it takes two seconds). and I can put them up there or take them off in seconds.



This picture below shows the bump out a little bit better with an unobstructed view... If i was to redo it, i would have had my bump outs made to be 8" outwards from the bottom weld...Currently i have 6" from the bottom bump out weld and it is JUST enough room to fit my Thule Sidearms. I posted better pictures in the Kore 4x4 Thread a while ago. ill try to find the link for you.

Edit: Here's a link to a older picture without the bikes on.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/all-things-bikes-and-tacos.445155/page-406#post-20531685

 

Helmet shelf life is rated at 3-5 years from manufacturing date. Check the inside of the lid for a sticker.

Helmet selection needs to be done in person. What fits well on one person, may feel awful on another. You can check out features you like, ratings, etc, but the helmet that fits your head best will be the helmet that protects you best.
I've used a lot of different helmets, but TLD, POC, Fox, and Lazer have been great and fit well. Of all of them the TLD A2 has been near perfect.

Start by reading this bike helmet safety test, then look for online reviews to look for features you like, the go test them out in person for fit.

 

Tbh my past two helmet purchases have been based off the Virginia tech ratings. Hopefully it never matters but I figure if the safest helmets fit then might as well rock them. I’ve got the Bontrager specter wavecel (one of the best when I got it) and the Bontrager rally (best at the time). Luckily the both fit perfect for me.

 

unfortunately there’s nowhere to test helmets in person right now. I ordered the smith venture and the giro fixture online at rei. So I can try them both in and return the one that I don’t like.

 

Heres a quick sketch of my plan. Prob end up switching the bar size to 1x5 square tubing. The plan is so I can easily unbolt the 1up attachments and then use the platform to sill carry say a hi-lift, shovel, water port, or anything else I can think of. Hang lights when camping maybe.

 

Hope everyone has a good ride today!

 

I miss riding trails.

Been riding the gravel bike lately. I also suck at buying road bikes. Never can get the right fit no matter what I do.

 

This is probably a dumb question, but does anyone know if I can run an XTR M9000 11speed derailleur with my 11-46tooth XT cassette? The gear range specs on Jensonusa for the XTR show 11-42. Just didn’t know if that was a complete hardline thing.

 

XTR is historically the more "XC/race-oriented" group set, but I know plenty of people have run an 11-46 with various versions of the 11-42 cage (which was also essentially repurposed for the new GRX gravel group). You won't be covered if the derailleur gets worn out from throwing that biggest sprocket, but if you look around the internet you'll find quite a few people doing this with no modification. There are also plenty of third-party companies that make range extenders for various derailleurs, but I would highly recommend avoiding them unless you're addicted to tinkering and tolerate grim shift quality. Good luck!

 

Thanks for the reply. I’ll look into it if I decide that’s a rabbit hole I want to dive into. I may end up just going with my original plan; XT rear mech with an XTR shifter.

 

Got out for a little roll today, close to home. Got a few photos of the bike and the truck.

 

What a good ride today. Took a buddy on some trails he had never ridden at monte sano. Here’s a video of the stuff we ride all the time around here.

https://youtu.be/FC5wi0B0osI

 

Got in a 3 hr ride today with some nice views.

 

bad ass bike what is that?

 

I’m in the dame boat as you. Why can’t road bike sizing be like mountain bike sizing. Small, medium or large.

 

Fit on a road bike is so tough because you are in basically the same position for so long. I’ve had my bike for like 5 years and am barely getting the fit down haha. Tbh I’ve been doing some yoga so I think my increased flexibility helps me get into more comfortable positions now.

 

@backcountryj I have that derailleur on my Pivot Mach 6. My cassette is 11-46t, but the Sunrace version because I wanted a closer ratio between the two largest cogs. I have a 30t oval OneUp front chainring.

When I first installed the larger cassette, my drivetrain worked pretty well. I rode on it all of last season without too many issues, but it never shifted as crisply or indexed quite as well as with my original 11-40t cassette.

I ultimately found the biggest problems were due to a slightly bent derailleur hanger. When I overhauled my drivetrain recently, I straightened the hanger, replaced the chain and shifter cable, and installed a Wolftooth GoatLink11 for good measure, and now it shifts amazingly well. I think it feels better now than when the bike was new. I think the GoatLink made a pretty substantial difference in feel and engagement, even though the other repairs were the ones that finally got my drivetrain working again.

 

New old shit came in last week.