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

Weren't some of you guys talking on the Fox shoes on here recently? Probably about time to retire my freerider pros as the pins aren't engaging as good as I would like anymore.





Also, have about a dozen rides on the Magnotal now, including a 36 miler with some proper rocky tech. Excellent downcounty rear tire. Pretty stoked on the combo with the Albert up front.

 

Annual fall Whole Enchilada trip. Good times.
The new car (Mazda CX-70 PHEV) got 35mpg combined with the tent on top and bikes on the back, stoked. Super comfy, tons of space, quiet, excellent road trip car. And that iKamper….lovely.

 

Alright, so the tailgate pad I ordered from SUMMIT RACING doesn't fit right at all. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-996000 Honestly I don't see how it would fit any truck correctly, maybe a pickup from the 80s/90s with a super short gate or a Kubota. But it did come with a hat and some bumper stickers. Otherwise design and materials look good. Should be easy to return.





latch cutout way way way too high

 

Fall in Boise

The backyard is looking like fire right now

 

Anyone ride a trainer or indoor bike in the off season? I'm primarily a trail runner just picking up the mtb bug on the side -- looking for a nice cardio option as I get back into training for the next race; biking is legit great off the feet kinda cardio; I'm thinking of doing something like a trainer and zwift or some sort of bike setup and just let my mtb chill for the off season but ride when I want with no setup. I know it won't be like trail riding but da nice alternative when it's too snowy and not htting the slopes.

 

Night riding is much more fun than stationary.

 

I suppose that could be an option on the roads if I was careful; at some points the trails become unrideable around here -- they are tough to even run in the true snow months; post hole central.

 

I have a Nordic Track S22i, would not recommend it! I’d get a zwift or wahoo if I could do it again.

 

Anyone got an extra modern stem laying around? Bonus if it’sa nicer brand that’s more robust than raceface . 35mm diameter.

I had a set of integrated bars on a SS but they’re a little too race focused for me- I’d anyone is interested in those they’re the KFX sic integrated

 

I ride an older Saris trainer. If you get a trainer, you want a "smart" trainer so Zwift (or whatever other app you use) can set resistance for you, and read your stats back from the trainer.

I prefer TrainerRoad over Zwift. For me, the Zwift video game world is a distraction, but others find it motivating. Try both and see what works for you.

I think the biggest thing to watch for with a trainer is cassette compatibility. Some older trainers don't play nice with modern wide-range 1x cassettes. Sometimes that can be worked around. If you're buying anything used you might need to do some research here.

Axle and cassette driver body compatibility is a thing too, but less of an issue.

Make sure the end caps to match your bike's axle spec (probably 12x148, aka Boost if you're using your MTB, 12x142 if you're using a modern road/gravel bike) are included or available.

Your trainer doesn't necessarily need the same driver body as your wheel unless you plan to swap a cassette back and forth, which I don't recommend. Instead look for a cheaper cassette compatible with your bike's drivetrain and leave it installed on the trainer--for example, if you're running XX1 Eagle Transmission drivetrain (which uses an XD driver body), put an XS-1270 cassette (splined/aka HG/aka Shimano driver body) on your trainer.

You could also avoid the cassette issue with a "single-speed" trainer option, like the Zwift Cog. With these, you rely on the trainer's variable resistance to simulate different gears. I've never used a setup like that myself so I can't speak for them.

 

I have a Wahoo Kickr trainer set up with my first road bike and use Zwift. it works great for what you are mentioning. I go to garage turn the app on and I’m riding in seconds. Here in New Mexico (I think you are in Northern NM), I can ride outside year round, but in the dead of winter, sometimes that’s not as fun after work, so Zwift is a great way to continue with the training. You can make it as chill as you want or as specific as you want if you do workouts and such. And I use Zwift year-round, just provides me a way to keep riding, even if I only have an hour to get a spin in.

And I do night rides as well, as I prefer to be outside on the bike, but sometimes it’s just cold and I don’t feel like being out in that. If you have any questions specific to Zwift, let me know.

 

For winter, I have a winter commuter bike. Full fenders and studded tires. Studs are illegal for cars because they grind up the road badly, but they are legal for bikes, and they work. My winter bike is an old small low-end Bianchi mountain bike, no suspension. Road salt takes its toll on frame, spokes, and chain. My summer bikes use paraffin as chain lube but the winter bike needs oil, applied frequently. I git tired of kneeling on concrete in the cold & dark so I built a stand.



The mountain bike doesn't float like a fat-tire bike. A limiting factor on winter commutes is the brown mush from the cars that ends up in my lane. Too much snow = too much mush and I'll drive.

 

Closing day laps. They've been really stepping up their game at the bike park here.

 

Cruised down to Bachelor for some closing weekend laps. Amazing conditions, dirt was perfect. We blasted all day and didn't stop for pictures. First outing back on the DH since my digger like a month ago. I'd say I'm feeling about 98%, bike still slappin it good.

 

Up 26 yesterday, in the hundy

 

I have no idea what you mean? Hitting your 40’s sucks, my apologies in advance.

 

Yea I like to zwift in the winter. I've had a wheel on smart trainer but it would slip when I would try to sprint on it. I have the zwift hub right now and like it. It's not the most accurate but it works. They did a special for the single gear thing that works with like all drivetrains without needing to swap cassettes for like $10 a month ago, but I haven't used it yet.
It's nice to get a quick ride it before work and it's too dark and cold outside.

 

Somewhere in Santa Cruz on trails that must not be named.

 

Huh I am 40.

26 is the highway, hundy is the 100 series