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

I love my Cromag saddle!!

 

Backstage here

So Backstage because it'll hold any of my bikes without much fuss...fatty, CX, road and MTB and I can get into the box with it swung out of the way- duh . The length seems par for most any of the manufactures and it folds up out of the way easy enough. The swing out locks when it fully extended so there's no surprises if a gust of wind picks up. You do need to pick your parking spot with the distance on the passenger side in mind bit it's never been an issue as of yet. I've had it for just over a year and used it on a couple 1000km trips without any problems but it's only on the back for trips, most of the trails/rides are accessible from home for me, so longevity is still unknown for the most part. Seems well built though. One thing that's nice is the fastener is threaded so you can really crank down on it to get rid of any wobbles

 

Ill try to figure it out.

 

I decided to go with the Yakima BackSwing along with a Kuat Transfer rack. The most important feature to me? I wanted to be able to open my tailgate without any conflict with the bikes. This works perfectly and the added bonus is that the arm is incredibly easy to unlock and swing.



Link to more info about the BackSwing:

https://www.yakima.com/backswing

 

Ah yeah those should probably work. I had the HDs and they were way too big for the front clamp. What also concerned me with the kbvoodoos was the inability to lock em. But since you’re using a tonneau cover you should be good

 

Whoa... A chumba?? I had an old VF2 I used to race on. Are they making frames again.???

 

#strava group is growing.


Buddy snapped his chain.

 

New ownership, and if I understand their (downhill?) past, they have a different focus these days. Their Stella (my bike) is quite the chameleon - single speed, gears, 29er, 27.5+ - it can do it all. They offer frames and complete bikes from their shop here in Austin, TX. Great guys!

https://www.chumbausa.com/

 

Here are some dirt BIKES!!!!!

 

I just joined the Strava group. Top of the leaderboard for probably the first and last time in my life. FYI that’s all mountain bike mileage. Though I don’t post all my rides, because ...

 

I have a Thule T2 and unfortunately the tailgate cannot lay flat as the rack is too high, even with it in the lowered position. Been looking at either a swing away arm for the current rack or a new lower profile rack like the 1Up. I have a long bed and with the rack it’s a limo. Nervous that the swing away will add more substantial length.

A friend had the Backstage and his issues with it were based on the lowering lever which felt weak and eventually broke. His tailgate also would rest on the rack.

The 1up is very nice just awfully expensive.

If I pull the trigger I will report back.

 

Flashbacks of Shaums March and Duncan Riffle racing the F4 at the Norba series.

 

FYI regarding swing outs, I have a 1Up and with no bikes, the tailgate can lower fully with the rack horizontal. With our two bikes loaded in the trays, the tailgate can also lower fully with the rack tipped down, which is a fairly easy one person job especially with my home made handle “extension” strap.

However I have been interested in a swing out in case I ever get a new shell or a Drifter, to improve rear access. I checked out the Kuat/RakAttach and Yakima at Sea Otter and both are well designed and functional. But both add about 12” length and even more weight hanging off the back. No thanks.

 

Upper elevations are starting to melt. I got to ride one of my faves today and it was stellar.

 

My new Tacoma and my custom bicycle...

 

Joined

 

Friday afternoon did 15 miles of single track on the CrossCheck!

Today joined the TW Strava group.

 

So getting back into mountain biking so I can get back into shape. Had a specialized enduro carbon before that I had no idea how to use for my first bike lol. This time I’m going to start from the beginning and work my way up.

What does everyone think of this? Anything I should get with it? I was also debating the diamondback mason. I would like to spend more but this is the budget my gf gave lol

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com...cleus-275-vr-mountain-bike-2019/rp-prod173149

Also, what pedals does everyone recommend?

 

Picked up a bike stand at University Bikes in Boulder CO. Good news is that I convinced them to sell me a display one for dirt cheap!

I know it’s cheese but pumping up tires in the parking lot sucks when the bike is flopping around.

PS: it’s dusty because I took it out to Devil’s Backbone.

 

going to miss the enduro after riding this thing lol. How beginner are you/what do you plan on riding? If you like to push the limits you will out grow this bike very fast. Look into used bikes within your budget on pinkbike.com..some really good deals out there esp. if you don't mind getting a 26er.

Raceface chester are the best bang for the buck pedals out there.