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

I had an HTLT in Pisgah last fall which has some pretty stiff climbs too. I really enjoyed that bike. It'll still do really good on the downs. Plus you'll have slightly better roll over vs 27.5.

 

Anything on the paint is going to damage it, doesnt matter how soft or fuzzy it is. Micro scratches turn to bigger scratches, to swirls, then to clouding. Clear bra might be a good Amazon search for me to suggest for the wife. hah

Some mighty fine clipless pedals you got there!

Good to know. Next time im in utah Ill be sure to jack your rack! hah

 

No clipless in that photo. I just switched in the last month. That was a year ago.

OR instead of jacking the rack, we could just go ride bikes and drink beers together

 

hahaha im down

 

If you need bike stuff, backcountry is having a 20% off one full priced item code: TAKE20MAY

 

I'm looking at getting a new mountain bike for light-medium trails in northern Virginia. Any recommendations for the Trek's Marlin 5, 6 or 7? Really digging the cement Marlin 7 since it matches my Tacoma but if I don't need to spend the $200 extra on upgrades I don't understand I can live with a different color.


Also, are there any over the tonneau bike mounts still being made like the ones KB voodoo used to make?

 

Must. Not. Buy. New crankset.


XX1 Crankset is $100 off with the discount. FML

Dude. If you can afford it... go with the Roscoe 7 or 8. You will love it and it will do pretty well on those trails for a hardtail. Bought the 8 for my wife this year and she absolutely loves it. NX Eagle drivetrain and an air fork. Descendant cranks. 2.8 inch wide plus tires. Comes with a dropper post. Very confidence inspiring. Also the Roscoe 8 matches the cement taco. just sayin

 

Damn man Im rocking the 2012ish Gen 2 saint cranks on my bikes and man those things never die and are cheap as shit to get now. Is it worth it to get some fancy bling crank set?

Im also awesome at breaking shit.

 

Haha in no way is it at all worth it. I can still drool and dream over them though! They are stupid light, but I think ill end up with the carbon descendant cranks which are less than half the price. I had the same saint cranks and pedals on my remedy, they were legit indestructable feeling, but heavy. If I had more flow and down hill near me I would definitley go saint again.

 

Yea man I just feel good knowing I have parts that wont die. But I agree the saint components dont help in weight, but only my gravity bikes have them. My transition smuggler rocks some cheap XT cranks which have been awesome for some of the shit they have seen.

 

Haha with as much as I pedal strike... I prob should stick with aluminum. hah


I think its a mix of my shock being a little low on air, and my bad habits of motocross cornering.

 

Yea man thats always my fear is bashing them on rocks. I know a few friends where their cranks died in a race weekend...if they were $50 cranks then whatevs but with the fancy carbon ones, just not worth it for me. That said though, I have an older carbon nomad and I hate shuttling with it cause Im always worried about some pedal breaching the frame. I prefer aluminum stuff simply because of the small vulnerability carbon can have.

 

Anyone have this with the add on? I’ve seen a lot go guys recommend rocky products.

 

Im the same way. I know carbon is stiffer now, but I bought my aluminum jeffsy because YT only does the aluminum as the base model so Im upgrading it myself so I can have nice components on an aluminum bike.

 

I dont, but it looks like it works just like the kuat does

 

I think mobtown makes in over tonneau rack. Not sure what it’s compatible with though.

For the Marlin I’d say go with the cheapest one. They all have coil sprung forks and cheaper drivetrain. Looks like the brakes are the same from 5 to 7. I don’t think the $200 difference is worth it. Have you considered used?

Also, hit me up if you want to ride. There are a few of us in northern Virginia that ride too

 

I think the new SC Megatower is basically their "29er Bronson" right? I'm currently demo'ing bikes to find a new rig. Just rode a 2016 Tracer and tried a Enduro last summer. On my list are a bunch of 150-160 rigs both 27.5 and 29. The Rocky Mountains are at the top of the list because I want alloy with nicer components and they're one of the few that makes them. YT does too. I also want to try the Megatower, Stumpjumper and Patrol or Sentinal. Got to have those 35mm wide rims too! Fun stuff.

 

HTLT was built for the SC enduro racers out of the front triangle from a regular hightower. the HTLT is super fast on the downhill, but has more pedal bob uphill than the lower link design and if you're going that route, you should definitely get the new megatower. 29ers do roll both uphill and downhill faster than 27.5. bronson and mega/HTLT are all more suited for downhill than uphill but still climb really well.

 

yes, it seems like a much bigger bike than the bronson tho. everyone I've talked to says the megatower is next level, i need to demo it asap