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

Oh, I know the ones you speak of. Just havent made it up there

 

Looking for some wheel build input. Been talking to a few builders and getting some things narrowed down. Planning on i9 1/1 hubs, Sapim D-Light spokes, brass nipples....now the rims. After a bunch of research and back and forth I'm leaning towards a Spank 350 rims. Possibly 359 rear. Builder says the 350 normally comes in at 480g (even though it's listed at 500) which is the same as Stans Flow but I've heard they are a tougher and better built rim. Color choice....it has to be the green right?

 

Poor guy shoulda bought the Fookers instead

 

I like to be different...
What can I say? They’re a blast. Can’t ever look at a 2.6 tire the same again.

 

Seeking help/input on the following. I need to report to Fort Huachuca, AZ for a month of military stuff beginning in early July. My plan is to leave nine days prior and drive across the country with my truck and a pair of bikes (1 full suspension and 1 gravel). My current plan is to drive on 5 days, ride on 4 days, and camp every night at a new spot along the way. If all goes well, maybe I'll even get to meet a few of you. (Note: I'm doing the same thing on the way back in August, but I'll be heading North through both Park City, Utah and Yellowstone, Wyoming before turning East for that one).

Questions:
1. I want to ride one (1) day in Knoxville, TN. -- I need good trail and campground recommendations.
2. I want to ride one (1) day somewhere in Colorado -- if you could ride just one day in CO, where would you go? where would you camp?
3. I need two (2) other destinations somewhere along the following route where I can get in two more epic rides and go camping. (Is it worth making Bentonville, AR one of them?)

Departure from NC: Saturday, 27 June 2020.

Here's my initial route idea. I think I can probably alter it by a few hours in any direction based on trail recommendations.

 

Only one ride so far, but like you said, it’s all the fun of the Stache plus squish. The real noticeable difference is the weight, being aluminum + rear linkage, and it’s a bit vague out back cornering. That elevated drive side chainstay just doesn’t have the rigidity that the one piece carbon hardtail does. Regardless, it’s a fkn blast.

 

That was my dilemma. The trails close to my house are a rock lovers Mecca. There’s some singletrack close, but it’s mostly rock garden type stuff. The 9.7 handled it admirably. It just left me wanting more on the stuff I ride.

 

*hides my single speed plus bike*
Yeah, those people are weird!

Back in the day, I used to run the the largest front tire I could find, which was typically a 2.2 or 2.35, while running a 1.9-2.1 width rear. Then tires started getting offered in much larger sizes, and I kept buying them. Crazy how a 29x2.6 is not even technically a plus tire these days, and it was near impossible to find a few years back.

 

That is a ridiculously awesome trip. Way to take advantage of some mandatory training.

 

Yeah I’m wanting a little more now too...I did just make another big purchase that I should have soon so my full suspension plans are pushed out a little haha

Gotta love those days! People used to put 27.5 front wheels in their 26” fork haha. I had 26x2.4s front and rear on my bike and those were fat and that wasn’t even 10 years ago haha

 

Moab. Though I haven't biked there, I can confirm the hiking and camping is amazing. The pictures and videos I've seen of biking there is insane as well

 

My decision was literally made in a couple hours on Saturday. Buddy was looking for a hard tail, I went in to look at a couple full suspensions and they had this guy left over from last year. Same build as the 9.7 with 130mm of travel front and rear (with the tires it feels more like 150mm). Called my buddy. He Venmo’d me the money for the 9.7 and I went and got the FS8. For what I got for my 9.7 and the discounted price on the FS8, it was a no brainer.

 

Best CO riding I've done has been in Fruita (just a few hours north of your planned route), but I'll admit that there's probably tons of trail I haven't tried in CO. I've also heard great things about riding in Flagstaff and Sedona, though I don't have any recommendations.

On your way back, I'd probably recommend going through Moab instead of the St George area. It's gonna be smokin hot in August and you're more likely to find cool enough weather in the LaSals then anywhere else in souhtern Utah. Happy to make specific trail suggestions anywhere in Utah.

 

I’ve never ridden it but Sedona is supposed to be awesome. I’ve never been there but it’s on my list. It might be a bit hot a July though haha. Maybe angelfire area near Santa Fe NM?

That’s a good deal! I’m trying to keep my stache and add another bike. Still debating whether I want to keep or sell my old remedy though

 

Do you have to go through Phoenix? I'd cut south through Angel Fire, NM instead. Lotta good trails out that way even without the bike park which may or may not be open.

I'd also potentially sub in Crested Butte or Durango instead of Telluride based on some beta from my vanlife homies.

I'll shoot you some good campsite spots too for your trip back in a PM.

Beers on me when you roll through SLC.

 

While it is insane, unless you're high up in the LaSals on Burro Pass, you're gonna get fried. Plus Dispersed camping is forbidden in the Moab area right now. Maybe on his return trip it'll be open, but I wouldn't count on it.

 

Some days I miss my purple stache. Such a fun bike. Always thought the full Stache would be a trip. Congrats on NBD!

 

Fruita is a great place. But I've heard it's like "Lord of the Flies" out there right now from some locals with approx all of Utah and CO trying to camp there.

 

@paleh0rse i follow payson mcelveen on Instagram, he lives in Durango and the riding there looks amazing. His strava should have some good info too

 

Haflin Creek if you're looking for an interesting time. Although prob best to skip it if you dont wanna show up to the school house "hard bent"