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

Do you have any constraints on types of jobs, etc?

 

That's so tricky. I have an MTB clip less for my gravel. But I run flats on mtb. So I have to go dual shoe usage. But if I were to run clipless everything, I'd probably run different shoes. They're just so different to me. But I admit, I might be in the minority of riders.

 

If you want one pair, I’d go with something better for gravel since I a good stiff shoe is important for longer gravel rides. Shimano has that sh-ex and sh-et line that seem interesting. A lot of companies have like hybrid shoes now that could do the trick.

I’d recommend two shoes though, especially if you do any hike a bike. My lineup is shimano rx8 for gravel and XC racing. Five ten trail cross clipless for most other mountain biking, including enduro racing. This has been a great setup for me personally, I haven’t seen a reason to change it and I was switching shoes like every few months before this haha.

 

No, ill be working remote - I'm borderline irreplaceable at my current job. Being close to a direct flight to St Pete/Tampa is a positive as well. Eventually I'd like to find something local to where we wind up (mechanical engineering).

GF made a career change to nursing so its hinging on where she winds up.

 

Tons of engineering gigs here in Huntsville. Nurses can switch jobs over lunch if they wanted to as well. Nice town but not as cool as Chattanooga.

 

My two cents... one shoe that fits well is gonna be just fine for everything.

I've used MTB clipless shoes for DH at the bike park, trail rides, enduro races, XC races, gravel, bikepacking, and road rides for as long as I've been riding (>20 years). I even did some crit racing in MTB shoes back in the day. Right now I'm using 5-10 Kestrel Pro Boa but I've used many different clipless MTB shoes over the years. Unless you're really cranking out huge gravel/road miles regularly or are highly competitive in your races, it doesn't matter!

Edit: If you want an excuse to buy new shoes though, then go for it!!! Never against N+1 gear purchases

 

You know my vote! I run 5-10 Hellcats on my gravel rides and have no complaints. They work well for hike a bike. If I end up doing more dedicated road riding I may try something with a stiffer sole and a smaller pedal.

 

My daughter was due for a bigger bike. She doesn’t ride anything aggressive so we went with HT. Good around the neighborhood and good enough to take mountain biking on easy trails.

Ordered this HT online and got it a few days later. Had my kids assemble it with my supervision. Ordered some pink valve stems and setup tubeless, added an old Fox fender and she is ready to roll. Pretty sweet little ripper she has. Makes me want a HT until remember I’m old and my back wouldn’t like it.

 

I might be taking a trip to the PNW (more specific is Bellingham/Ferndale area) at the end of August and i was wondering how the riding weather is in Oregon and Washington around that time? I havent even really looked at anywhere to ride(if i decide to drive vs fly), just trying to see if i can make a little MTB adventure on the way up and back with a wedding thrown in the middle of it. Open to pretty much any and all suggestion along the way if anyone has anything.

 

Riding in the PNW in the summer is like magic! There is easily a month long mountain biking road trip to be had between SLO and Bellingham.

 

So good to hear, it's just dust and rocks where im at during that time haha. As for time off, i think i might try and take a whole two weeks off. Get started heading north on the Monday before the wedding and ride a few spots each day on the way up and then hit whatever i missed on the way back. If you have any specific areas i should look out for on the way, im all ears. I just started looking around at places ride after the invitation this morning haha.

 

Anyone have a good recommendation for a fork upgrade on my Marlin 7 gen 2 that’s not going to require buying tons of additional parts to make it fit?

I know this is not an expensive bike to begin with, so I’m not gonna put some $500 fork on it, but I do really like it now that I’ve got a dropper on it. Would just be nice to have a bit more cushion than the spring fork it comes with (Judy).

Thanks as always everyone!!

 

is it 29 or 27.5?

 

The hidden cost here is the wheel is still 100mm QR that is almost non-existent on any upgraded fork. Assuming im looking at the correct Trek: https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/mountain-bikes/cross-country-mountain-bikes/marlin/marlin-7-gen-2/p/33148/

So you will have to put a new wheel in your budget.

 

Oh good point, plus the rear is not standard 12x148.
Personally @SnuggleTruck I'd keep the Marlin as is, and put that $500 towards a new bike.

https://www.jensonusa.com/Rocky-Mountain-Growler-20-Microshift-Bike
Best deal on a Hard Tail right now.

 

The only fork I found that is still QR and air sprung:
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=103297&category=3983

However you can find decent spec'd hardtails like whitedlite said.

 

i did a suntour trade up program a few years ago to the epixoln or something for around $300. it was way better than the suntour that was on it from 2014, but im not sure how it would compare to a judy

 

Showing my age here. This is what comes to mind for me when a RS Judy fork is referenced

 

I'm gonna assume you've ridden the trails between SLO and SF area so I'll start in Oregon...

• Ashland/Medford has a few good trail systems
• Whiskey Run out near Coos Bay
• Oakridge (east of Eugene)
• Bend
• Mckenzie river trail (this is a bit of a commitment as it requires a shuttle)
• Mt Hood area (Sandy Ridge is my favorite trail system in this area)
• Post Canyon in Hood River
• Tiger Mountain (east of Seattle)
• Bellingham area: Galbraith and Chuckanut are the two places I've ridden most up there but the riding is infinite around Bellingham

If you're willing to go up to Vancouver and north... North Shore, Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton have some of the best riding in the world.

I have a Rock Show Pike Select (140mm) that I've actually been meaning to sell. It may not work with your setup as it's boost but I'd sell it for like $200. Offer open to anyone else too...

 

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