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

haha yes... and your buddies just point and laugh..

 

I keep my pedals pretty loose, and I've had a couple of times popping off a ledge where my foot comes out when I don't expect it. That can make for an interesting landing.

 

oh you mean unintentional one footers ? The best is going back to flats after being clipless. Feet are just all over the place, through the super chunk...

 

I’ve been playing the humility game recently, but going the other way. Been attempting to teach myself to ride flats.

Fun and not fun at the same time.

 

what are you having trouble with other than your feet flying around... just the non pull up aspect?

 

Haha no real problems per se. Other than my overall lack of bike handling skills. Which honestly are sub par clipped or not.

I’ve been doing a lot of shuffling about, trying to get comfy. Def some feet flying about. Being on a bike is always a good time, it’s just been a different kinda good time lately.

 

I hated the old toe clips and resisted going clipless for years (mostly because I couldn't afford the setup), but I finally gave in. I figured I'd give flats a shot for a bit when I had a fat bike, mainly because I didn't have good winter riding shoes, and figured it would be fine since I rode flats for years. Smooth single track was fine, as was the occasional root or rock as it was easy to settle back in. But then a chunky downhill section sent my feet bouncing all over the place and scared the hell out of me. I have no idea how I did it before.

 

I didn't crash. I experienced a sudden decrease in forward velocity followed by a sudden increase in downward vertical velocity.

 

The increase in downward vertical velocity is no problem. It’s the sudden decrease in downward velocity that can hurt.

 

New-ish Revel Rascal, size L with the Fox upgrade kit (36/Grip 2-Float DPX Piggy)



Springtime in the AZ desert…

 

my completely biased opinion is that flats are superior in every way except being as fast as possible.

i miss the Phoenix riding for sure. Nothin beats a good ol rip up and down national trail on south mountain. Those bikes are super cool too.

 

Yep...that was taken from Brown's Ranch TH. Just starting to hit the mid nineties, early AM for the win. CBF pivot on the Rascal is rad.

 

sounds like there's room for improvement then...

I think its an ignorance is bliss situation...

Beauty!

Was debating bringing my bike out there next month to run a trail or 2 at south mountain... Gunna be out there for a Hockey Tournament/ Shredding beers at the pool over memorial day.

The hotel we are staying at is super close to South mountain trailhead... only downside is it's like 900 degrees out there, but MTB is life.... soooo

 

If your a morning guy perfect for early riser rides. Or nighttime.

start at pima canyon and if your a really good rider who loves tech climbing, take national trail all the way from the fire road to buena vista lookout and back down. Or do what most do: up mormon trail up National as far as you feel, then turn back down on National towards pima canyon. And if your not tired after that, instead of going down the fire road, cut over and ride javelina trail going down which will dump you on the north side then cut over to pima canyon where you start via Beverly canyon/smaller connectors


And of course, take a picture or video of the “the waterfall”

 

oh right on, We are staying at the Buttes Marriott looks like Pima canyon is super close

Naw I'm a hack, but challenge accepted.

That waterfall looks pretty gnar.

 

I'm not an expert by any means but the first thing i learned and got a handle of riding flats is to keep (tilt) your heals down. Like Fred Flintstone stopping his car, haha. With good pedals and shoes it is really hard to bounce off on a chunky downhill, its amazing how planted you can be.

 

Anyone here with experience on increasing their bar height by 20mm or more? Considering going to 40mm rise from 15. Looking to help pull up the front wheel easier.

 

That would probably help in that department but I’d hate to see what it does to your cornering or climbing.

 

Anyone else see niner came out with a FS gravel bike? Idk how i feel about this.

 

I run a 35mm rise on my bikes and find it comfy. Use to use a 20mm and didn’t like how forward i felt.