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

I have my buddy, who runs a tinting business, wrap all of my bikes (and my Tacoma incidentially) with 3M clear bra. On the truck I do the entire nose, mirrors, A-pollar and the tailgate. I have him wrap my entire bike. The difference it makes is incredible. The bike has taken a few decent hits against tree's and a few rocks, and I'll just have him re-wrap the part that was damaged and the continues to look brand new.

Of course, I'm meticulous and my MTB is washed after every ride.

 

I put a ridewrap kit on my new bike. mostly because it's carbon. idk if I would have gone through the hassle on aluminum frame. it was a hassle for me, definitely did not enjoy the 3-4 hours it took. I bet if I did it again it would go smoother though.

it does protect the frame and make dirt easy to wash off but dirt can also get trapped under peeling corners and on spots where the wrap doesn't cover.

 

i ridewarapped my Ripmo AF. To me it was more for resale value when I go to sell. I’ve also ditched the bike once or twice on some jumps I wasn’t used to and although it is aluminum it gives some peace of mind. I’d say it’s worth the $100.... and time/headache

 

Ride wrap all the bikes!!!!!

 

I'm still on the hunt for a new one-bike-quiver to replace my Scout and try out 29er. Right now I think my top three might be the Optic, Offering, and Tallboy. I feel like the Optic kind of straddles the gap between the 120 and 140 bikes as far as capability. But for the weight I do wonder if I'd be giving up much going to the Offering. I'd probably do a lightish build on the Offering (Pike, somewhat light wheels, not crazy tires, etc). The new Following is also a contender, but again not sure the Offering gives up much on the pedally/climbing side and I like the geo better for a single bike. I think all 3 could be built to handle the descents, but I'd be really curious to see which is more fun and engaging on the more punchy tight pedally trails. Kind of 3 different solutions to the same problem. The Stumpy is also tempting as a lighter pedally option and the SWAT is a sweet feature IMO.

 

looking for a bike... the owner is kinda stuss on the year. Can yall help me out? he said its a stumpjumper expert 29ers carbon

 

Colourway suggests 2015

 

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/d/santa-clara-excellent-stumpjumper/7299891155.html

im just confused about this part of the frame. I cant find any frame like that

 

https://www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Bikes,3/Specialized/Stumpjumper-FSR-Expert-Carbon-29,15269

Small frame would have a smaller seat tube junction

 

But it doesn't have the gap. Its filled in.

 

See my edit. A small frame would have less of a junction

https://www.theproscloset.com/produ...xpert-carbon-evo-650b-mountin-bike-small-sram

 

thank you soo much!

 

It's generally true of most frames. If you are unsure of the size, check the seat tube junction. Small frames typically don't have one and xl frames are massive. This is, of course, only applicable to frames that have this junction to begin with

 

OK, this is weird. Last night I started reading about them, and was intrigued because I get a lot of forefoot pain, which limits me to about 3 hours or 20-25 miles in typical conditions. I’ve tried all kinds of shoes and pedals and feel best in 5.10’s with largish flats. Then this morning I saw a guy who had them on his gravel bike - he loves them. And now I see this post, on a thread I hardly ever read. There’s some kind of message here, too many coincidences. I think the message is that I need to make a $129 experiment. Cheaper than a lot of stuff I read about here on TW. Seriously, following and anxious to hear what others say.

 

Park City questions: planning a few days there this summer, looking for a good camping areas near trailheads. Not really interested in bike park stuff, intermediate XC is more our style, ideally singletrack that’s a short ride from camp, but OK with a short drive to better trails or bike park for at least one of the days. Could be official campground or dispersed, we’re pretty self-sufficient. Obviously prefer less crowded areas but not sure that’s realistic in summer. Looked at Wasatch State Park, seems like good trails nearby.
As an example of what we like, last summer we camped at Mike Harris CG just outside Victor, Idaho. 1/4 mile to a great singletrack network, 1 mile to brewpub, 40 minute drive to Grand Targhee bike park. Is that possible near Park City or am I being unrealistic?

 

I’ve heard killer things as well. Passed on a used set and kicked myself for it. If you have flats you want to sell to help support buying them let me know!

 

rode at Ray's Indoor bike park yesterday for the first time. it was AWESOME!! We were there for about 9 hours...rode a total of 7ish. I was/am beat...only one pic, as we wanted to ride more than pose...

oh so much fun on the pump track!!!


and then got out today on GLORIOUS mid western spring day: 58ºF, slight wind; crystal clear skies; absolute HERO dirt...just awesome. As much as I think that 25ºF and 6-10" of snow is the best riding conditions....this is a very, very close second!!

The Krampus soaking in the beautiful weather and trail conditions...



"Bridge 3 Loop" as I call it, midway through the system



just....awesome!!!


I was beat from riding at Ray's, so I really can't beleive I went out today, but this is the first time our legit trails have been open in a while, and generally, it will be too wet in the coming weeks to ride them, so gotta get on it when you can.

 

If you're prioritizing weight at all then I would pass in the Optic. She's beefy but reliable. Norco does have the Revolver FS 120 which may be more tempting. All the other bikes you listed are great tho.

 

They are all pretty heavy too other than the Stumpy. I’m not too concerned with frame weight. I’m more concerned with pedaling character on terrain with punchy ups and downs and tight twisty corners and lots of roots than overall weight. I want an aggressive trail bike but not something that dumbs down the mellower riding too much.

 

Live in Seattle area and would consider myself an aggressive blue rider...have a v2 Switchblade that I love , but the DHRII is exactly as you describe it, and anything around here has a t least 1000 to 2000 feet of climbing. What do you think about the Dissector front and rear?