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

DMR deathgrips. Perfect name for your tree-killing riding style!

 

thank you sir.

I talked to a guy at the park this weekend about his tanwall/gumwall tires and he said bleh, he hates them. can't get the same offerings (idk much about tires) as the non tanwalls so he'd recommend against them. so, since I probably won't be going retro with the tanwall...the yellow is an outlier. might go more muted with gray grips/pedals to offset the blue/black

 

Soft shoes, pedals are just ok on grip. If you like the way your shoes feel, then start with pedals. Pedals can get pricey, but really are about the same as shoes and last way longer. If you want to stay budget friendly, look at the Deity Deftrap. If you can spend the $, the Oneup pedals are excellent on grip, last a long while, and aren't too spendy. There are other pedal options out there too. Look for something with a little concave, big pins, and wide platforms.
If your shoes are just ok, then look at something like the Impact Pros. They will be significant'y heavier than what you've got, but you I don't feel that at all once riding. When riding rocky/rough terrain regularly my feel used to get tired and ache. The Impact Pros are stiff, and solve that. Just switching to the non-smooth surface will help, but honestly check out and try on the Freerider Pros and Impact Pros. I've ridden all 3, definitely prefer the Impact Pros.
Honestly, to me, it seems like the Chesters are the weak link. Grip between Chesters and Deftrap is significant.
**Some pedals can benefit from longer pins, which you may be able to do for much cheaper than new shoes or pedals. You can also fake concave in a pedal by lengthening the outer pins and shortening the inside pins using washers. I have longer pins on the front and outside, and shorter on the back and inside.

 

I dont have a process. Set sag, leave compression open and then play with rebound settings.

 

interesting that you say that, since so so many people run the chesters without real grip complaints. I wouldn't say I have ever loved the Contacts, but they were my first MTB shoe I got discounted like 50% or whatever when I got them. So coming from ye ol' tennis shoes, they were life changing, but they aren't something I'm madly in love with.

since I'm changing out my damage grips soon, my yellow pedals won't match (1st world problem) so I'll most likely change those as well. I also want to look into shoes. always liked the look of the freerider pros, but I'll check out the impact pros too.

this weekend pointed out a lot of things to me I want to change or prepare for in the very near future. even if I didn't get super sendy on stuff, I found some downfalls to my setup that I didn't love. so new grips because damage, new shoes/pedals for grip, maxxis assegai/dhf tires then I can keep my current ones as backups, new properly sized saddle....and I think that's it...

 

That's the process. Ride, adjust, ride, adjust.... If you can try out some pedals/shoes do it. One last piece of advice about shoes and comfort. Get some insoles. They make a long day feel so much better.
I liked the Freerider Pros a ton, they just didn't cut it on those big rough lines and days.

 

my feet haven't hurt at all surprisingly. perhaps that's because other areas have hurt more and I didn't notice....but that's not a complaint I've had with the contacts. you were dead on for the hike a bike sections, they suck for that. I just found myself slipping off my pedals in stupid situations this weekend, like a hard shift on a climb would cause me to slip on them. it was ridiculous..

 

Oh, no, you'd notice if your feet were hurting from shoes/activity.

 

Can confirm, impact pros are like walking around with a weight on your foot, not noticeable biking, but if you've gotta hike a bike they are heavy.
My feet can come off at times, I contribute it to me not pushing down through my feet though on the rough and leaning back. Maybe front end to heavy. Not entirely sure, but my last ride I focused on pulling back on the rough stuff and I think it helped a lot.

Around here, ALABAMA, I like the tire setup that came on my bike DHF / Aggressor rear. It's not overly aggressive and pedals well.

 

are the ones you and Matt have the impact pros?

 

Vittoria tires have a grey sidewall thatd look sweet.

He's right about the skinwalls as well. They are usually more in the XC offerings, and tricky to find. I found some DHF skinwalls for my Bronson, but that was basically the only offering.

 

woah holdup, did you just recommend something non-Maxxis? who does that?




also I need to see the graywall vittorias asap

 

ok ok ok....so am I shunned if I don't buy maxxis?

 

I've heard some really good things about Vittoria. They may be my next set on my Sentinel.

I already run WTB Rangers on my Stache

 

SHUN THE NONBELIEVER

 

3 speed setup worked like a charm at the Rock this weekend. Hanger = Zip Tie

 

Not by anyone who rides more than they care about tire brands.

 

no, but I do like these. I bought them mainly for hiking. Knowing MTB shoes don’t flex much they do great on this jagged hiking.

Impact Pros don’t really go on sale so look at $150.

 

do you also have the impact pros then? I thought you only had the ones you and matt have.