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

Agree, I’ve done 3 trips in the La Sals and down TWE during the week after Labor Day in 3 different years. Seems to be a good window.

 

Because you can't have red bb cups and not having anything else red on the bike.

 

Last time I got to ride TWE in late Oct (21st), it was snowing/hailing up top and 24*, and sunny and 70* at the bottom/end. Was a memorable ride, for sure!
My preferred window is last week of Sep, first week of Oct. Great camping weather, some leaves still on trees, not crowded.

 

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3745263/

Well.. 3 months into owning it I have it up for sale. Not because I don't like it but because I sold the longer travel rig (Pivot Switchblade), I want something with a little more travel to handle things.

Need a consult, I'm pretty set on a Trail 429 but I am curious about an S-works Stumpjumper.. Anyone have experience with both?

 

I had an Sworks Stumpjumper, it was a great bike. Sold it for an Evo, but have thought of going back to a regular SJ often. There isnt a big difference between Sworks and regular SJ, so the money you save might be worth it.

 

Is the difference between Sworks and the regular the carbon layup?

 

Do you just ride the Evo now or do you have a second bike?

S-Works and regular frames both use Fact 11m carbon unlike say the Epic Evo which goes to Fact 12m on the S-works version. I do like how Specialized specs their S-works bikes though. Usually still makes it worth the jump in $$$. Also, I'm looking for a used bike given this market.

 

Install and utilization of SideRide Bike Mounts. Makes using the back of the bed for sleeping and storage so much easier.

 

Anybody ever ridden Meeks Mountain Trails in Hurricane, WV?

Pictures look decent, and there is a truck load of mileage, but it looks like a corn maze.... I'm staying about 10 minutes from there for work next week, so plan on hitting some new trails. Trying to figure out what route I'll take....

 

I may have to disagree just a bit. I think the S-Works are over priced... the Pro seems to be the best value IMO. That being said I had an Expert for two years. Upgraded everything over time to S-Works level. It was a great trail bike, as good as anything out there in 140/130 category. I really liked it a lot but decided to switch to a SPUR this summer just because. As much as I liked the Stumpy I do not miss it at all...

 

Have you looked at the new smuggler or comparable bikes in that trail range? I have a lot of friends on specialized, I thought they were built well but kinda boat-anchor ish compared to others I was on. But maybe I am an ibis DW link fanboy IDK

Depending on your riding style if you miss the switchblade idk that I would go for the pivot. That said I am intrigued by the enduro version with the bigger fork and meat-ier shock if that is what you mean. The grain of salt is that I wasn't on Pivot's but I did the same thing with ibis, having both their Ripley and their ripmo after wanting "More" after my shorter travel cross country bike. I loved the Ripley pedaling, but it beat me up on fast, chunky descents. The ripmo isn't much heavier, and doesn't pedal much worse... I feel it, but when comparing them both if I was to have ONE bike, I went with the ripmo because it worked better for me. That said then I tried a revel rascal slightly overworked at 150/130 and I beat nearly all my PRs on it with exception to downhill trails and didn't miss them by much... but I would check out the new smuggler at 140/140 if I wanted something in the middle. who am I kidding, I just like riding bikes, try one than another next season....er 3 more months

 

Perfect weather here on the best coast. A short ride from home up to and around UC on my still-new-feeling Ripley AF.

 

Nice build. GLWS.

 

The first night ride of the season is always an adjustment, and just a little bit freaky when solo.

 

I have a Chameleon as well as an ebike, the Chameleon may be on the chopping block. I'm thinking about going back to 29 on the Evo and swapping over the carbon wheels from the Chameleon. I've also entertained frame swapping back to a regular Stumpy.

I think the main difference is a carbon yoke on the S-Works.

 

what lights are those? they look like outbound but dont look like them?

 

Gloworm?

 

I've been looking at the Outbound Lighting lights but they are pricey. The Gloworm prices look just as expensive.

 

They're Gloworms (from NZ). XSV on the bar and X2 on the helmet. They're excellent lights (about 5k total lumens) with a handlebar wireless remote. They're 3 or 4 seasons old and still going strong.

 

same. i was considering some niteriders, but the ac jack to charge them doesn't sound ideal. i would prefer usb, and usb c over older styles. but is usb c worth the extra $200ish?