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

Snuck out to ride this weekend as well. Found a new little neighborhood trail network called "fruit loops". Great little trail that's like a mix between a flow trail and a pump track for the green, has some chunk on the blue, and the black has about a 6 foot rock drop that's pretty impressive.

 

Careful with this method, I had a friend get arrested for indecent exposure for changing next to an SUV (in between the open doors).

 

Well that's not very cash money of whoever called it in.

 

How in the world? He must have been helicoptering it, that'll do it every time

 

Hey all. I've been hauling and riding dirtbikes pretty frequently, and have been considering getting my feet wet in mountain biking. I'm not necessarily looking to break the bank on a full suspension bike at the moment, but have just started looking into the Specialized Rockhopper and Trek Marlin series for your average trail riding. Does anyone here have any experience/opinions about the two, or other first bike ideas for a beginner/intermediate rider?

 

Some old lady saw his ass and called the police, fortunately no charges were filled but I think it was pretty stressful for the guy.

 

When I was looking to get back into it, I did just that.. started with a Marlin 6, not a base...
Didnt last long, I was 3 rides in KNOWING I was upgrading, as the frame wasnt really worth doing anything too...

Anyway, I went to Fuel EX8 29er, and recently added another hardtail( with better compenants, and lighter than the ,Marlin) Salsa.

My oldest said she wants to give it a whirl, and my middle has been riding with me(one of the reasons I added another).. if my oldest doesnt enjoy it, I will give it to my nephew.

Sorry for rambling...
Point is, if you even think you will be getting after it, and hammering on it, best just to go up a bit, look in the 1500-1800 range, better axles, forks, brakes, blah blah. Will take the beating better....
AND, itll be easier to recoup some money with a better bike.
The Roscoe is pretty fun, just, couldnt bet past that rear axle, thats how I ended up with a Salsa

 

Also, look on Craigslist, etc. There are often some good deals to be found if you have a little patience.

 

Awesome, thanks for the advice! I usually don't shy from spending when it makes sense, but also like to see if it will become a frequent hobby before heavily investing.

 

Right on, I spend quite a bit of time browsing local CL and Facebook marketplace. I'd have no issue buying a lightly used, a year-old model if I came across one.

 

Here's something for you guys worried about changing in public, maybe you'll win this:

Portable Changing Room Giveaway

 

Well, it happened. I looked at the 50-60 degree weather and fell for Fool's Spring right before the rain is set to move in and initiate mud season

 

Been following this one long enough... guess I should probably add my bike(s).

I race singlespeed XC MTB, gravel, and just about anything that involves two wheels with me as the engine. (Have been known to race with an actual engine as well)

At any rate; my current arrow in the quiver is a 2013 Yeti Bigtop (ARC 29) set up w/ Stan's Arch wheels, Rotor cranks, Schwalbe tires, and Endless Cogs.

At the US MTB National championships last year in Snowshoe, WV.



And to throw in some truck content... after one of my more, ummm, twitchy races from last year. (Lost all brakes by the third lap from the mud eating them)

 

Other arrows:

1997 Moots Psychlo-X



The torture rack, Lynskey R230 w/ my trusty Kreitler 3.0

 

Who hurt you as a child?

 

The mailbox I ran into at age 7 while dodging a car in the neighborhood... ironically while riding my bike with my school buddies. <--- Accurate-ish re-enactment

 

Picked up some projects this weekend
94 Monster 900 and a 99 900 Supersport. Haven't ran in a decade or so, but I'm excited to dive in

 

SSOD!

 

Did you race Curse of the Crab last year?

 

No sir, I did not. I only just moved down to NC last summer, so all of my previous races were farther North in VA/MD/PA/etc.

I do plan to check out some of the NC events this summer. Sadly, though, I'll be out of town for the Crab this April. Are there any others you'd recommend near the Triangle?