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

I used a similar gasket method when I first went to boost hubs. Found it to be a PITA and ultimately decided it was dumb to jerry rig the mount of multi thousand dollar bikes.

https://rockymounts.com/collections/adaptor-and-truck-mounts/products/hotrod

Granted I’ve know decided a hitch tray is the way to go for me as I’m over removing/installing the front wheel before and after every ride.

 

I see a lot of trails that say no e-bikes. Curious, anyone know why?

 

Seen a few where I am...that’s why I was asking if there was a movement I don’t know about.

 

Found this in my local area. SE Alabama.

 

Same

 

Man I really don't blame you, removing and installing is definitely time consuming and tedious but I don't mind it. It's likely I'll be rid of the makeshift bike mount eventually, ideally I would like a cross bar bed system and a spare tire tray/basket but haven't found one I like, or one that I'm willing to spend hundreds of dollars on. Canada isn't a forgiving place when it comes to buying pre-fabricated pieces or having custom fab done. If I got hit with customs an already $1100 system could cost upwards of $1400 if not more. I want something like a KB Voodoo bed rack with the bike mounts on the side, and a basket underneath for a spare tire. A high-rise cap is my biggest dream but that's easily 3250 dollars up here and then I run into the issue of needing a bike mount.
For now it's cheap and I don't see my bike getting trashed before I sort out the next option.

 

It gets confusing.

They're not allowed on BLM or on most Federal land trails (National Parks, National Forests, etc.) The Feds place eMTBs in the "motorized" category, even if they are only class 1 pedal assist bikes. With that said, eMTBs aren't allowed on our State's "motorized" trails either!

eMTBs seem to mostly be allowed on State land, at least they are here in California.

City open spaces are really hit and miss. Most cities have adopted laws for (or against) eBikes on City surfaces (roads, bike lanes, sidewalks), but most cities haven't specifically said yay or nay when it comes to City-owned trails.

In general, eMTBs are allowed on most non-Federal multi-use trails. They're not allowed on motorized trails. Ask your City regarding City parks and open spaces.

We have a lot of trails that cross over from State property, into private property, into National Forest land, etc. It gets really confusing for eMTBs.

Some say the answer is building eMTB-specific trails... But there are no funds for that. I'm waiting for eMTBs to become more popular and for the stigma against them to dissipate, hopefully allowing more eMTB access on our trails.

 

Really kinda wish I'd waited about 6 months after buying my Bronson. So sick.

 

I didn't mean to imply you would trash your bike with your current setup. I have no experience or evidence to back that claim. The janky setup I was using/experimenting with rubber washers/spacers and the 15x100mm thru axle mount always resulted in too much play and slop that I didn't feel comfortable with. Granted the axle and fork could probably handle it, but when legit boost mounts exist for as little as $20 (see Amazon link at bottom of the page) it seemed silly for me not use the right tool for the job. When I bought my Stache, boost compatible fork mounts had yet to enter market.

Funny you mention running a topper is the end goal. I run a topper full time and have toyed with idea of fabbing up some outboard mounts similar to the KBVoodoo ones you’re referring to. I’ve seen it done on softoppers but I can’t say I’ve seen it on a hardtop.

 

Lazy people shouldn't get to ride the same trails I pedal my ass off for.

(Insert typical "except handicap people" exemption)

 

This... Plus, if you’ve ever ridden one on trails it’s kinda obvious. They rip up trails pretty quick.
From my experience, because of the motor you’re running multiple laps instead of one, their power (just like Motos) tend to rip up rocks and create ruts, they tend to encourage novice riders to skid around a lot and with all that mass it really creates damage.
Don’t get me wrong, they’re a freakin blast. I rode the Devinci AC, and I was having a ton of fun. Their momentum, carving, and overall beastliness make them a hoot. But, I definitely noticed that it was hard on the trails.
Around here, they have limited use. There’s a few places that are trying it out and allowing access for evaluation.

 

Yes, exactly!

 

I got the first version of the Bronson when they came out in 2013/4. Trying to sell it now to offset the cost of the new one . Super happy with the new bike so far!

 

Got in a ride yesterday since all the schools were closed in the Denver Metro yesterday.

 

I realize how tempting it is to jump into a "gravel-specific" bike but please take my advice from experience and not as criticism to your search. The bike industry has been making some kick-ass "all-road", "gravel" bikes for decades... before some marketing shmoe decided to coin the term "gravel-bike", there were are a plethora of cyclocross bikes with equal or greater ability. Not all of them have the newest fan-dangled, wiz-bang widgetry that the marketing and development department can find in the parts bin, but they are; 1-affordable, and 2-highly capable. If you've got money burning a hole through your pocket... by all means, get the latest and greatest but don't dismiss some very, very capable and solid platforms just because they aren't the newest thing out there.

That's not to say that some design changes haven't improved compliance over high frequency/small amplitude surfaces but, by and large; the used CX market is teeming with excellent bikes that can tackle any surface and just about any trail.

I've owned and raced a dedicated gravel bike when I had my Warbird... it was an excellent platform and I appreciated the disc brakes more than anything, but in the end; I still go back to my trusted, now 22 year old, Moots Psychlo-X with a 1" threadless steerer, quick release skewers, and Octalink bottom bracket. Why... because it literally does it all. I've won multi-day stage gravel races on it, raced DirtyKanza200 twice (this year will be a third), and even raced a road race with it. It soaks up surface chatter like it's not even there and can easily do well-maintained single track.

The only two things I would really change on it if I could would be to retro-fit disc brakes (Moots turned me down due to the geometry changes needed), and I would upgrade the head tube to a more modern standard like 1-1/8" or tapered just to have a wider selection of forks from which to choose.

The Ibis Hakka is just an extension of their old flagship CX platform the Hakkaluggi. Rightly so, it's a solid platform, as are many of the other offerings in the market but most of those are borrowed/trickled down design changes to CX platforms.

The Moots is currently set up as a 1x11 w/ Wolftooth 42T front, Gevenalle CX shifters/derailleur, IndyFab steel fork, Ritchey WCS cranks, Whisky Components seatpost, Brooks Cambium saddle, and I am building a new set of wheels with one of my sets of American Classic 32 hole hubs laced to H Plus Son Archetype rims and Sapim CX Sprint spokes. They'll be run tubeless (as are all of my bikes) and mated to Schwalbe G-One Allround in a 700x35C but the wider rims will probably spread them out to about 37C. With the handlebar bag setup, I can carry up to 4 bottles at any given time, but usually 3 for a long trek. 2 in the cages and one in the handlebar bag that I drink from.





Vs. my old Warbird as set up for 2015 DK200 (Which really ended up being DK11.5)

 

I want a DH bike soooooo bad. I have nowhere to ride it anywhere within 4 hours of where I live, but a DH bike would make me sooo happy. Gambler, Tues, or Session please!

Hahaha we eloped in colorado and got married on the continental Divide at like 13K feet above sea level. Then spent time in CO before we came home. Were doing our real honey moon like next year somewhere a little more tropical haha

I almost said screw it and got an enduro bike, ended up with a trail bike but it was the more logical choice for me. I am getting out of that age where pedaling up hills is nothing :/

Jesus. So dope, love the color scheme

 

For the most part I have had bike parks around 4 hours as well, but man I cant pass up on having that rig for that. That said though when its DH season I got no problem with a 4 hour drive. Cool thing is you can probably buy a good used rig for pretty cheap now a days.

 

I was looking HARD at a YT Tues, brand new its at a great price. The closest DH park near me is windrock its right at 5 and a half hours. I live in the flat part of my state. lol