New England B.S. Thread

Don't get me wrong, trails CAN be ridden with BMX. But a single speed machine will never be ideal for that, especially if hills are a big factor. To be fair, when I was a kid mountain bikes really weren't a thing yet..plus I was always a BMX kid.

I wouldn't say BMX was big at least in my neighborhood, but racing was happening still in the town over from me.

Love the 666

 

So I am camping up at Sebago Lake Maine for the next 5 days and I love the fact that I have already seen 3 really overland modified Tacos.....1 2nd gen and 2 3rd gen (both of them TRD Pro's actually) and both if them waved and gave me the thumbs up when I saw them in passing.....any members the live up in and around Standish Maine?

 

Besides the hills it's probably even more the roots and rocks to be honest. BMX has it's place that's for sure but if you ride trails you want a mountain bike.

 

I rode my street bmx bike on trails... Even took it up a ski lift with some downhillers. I couldn't keep up but it was fun as all hell.

I still have the bike, best 1700$ I ever spent. It's indestructible.

On a sadder note... The king shocks I have in the rear are done for. The d/s top bushing blew out and I didn't notice it. Rode on that for a while and the threaded shaft that bolts to the frame wore about 20% through and for some reason the weld material that the shaft is welded to the top of the shock body was torn up as well (see photo). Discovered it Friday when I went to rehaul all the suspension bushings in the rear. They're currently en route to king shocks in California for a full rehaul and rebuild... Trucks down for at least 4 weeks.

I guess on the bright side I can install all the parts I have for the truck waiting.. trying to do the arb twin compressor in the bedside mount this week, redo the roof rack harness next week and the molle backseat panel and bluesea fuse panel for a full in cab fuse panel.

 

Well let's see pics of the bike man!!

 

I'll have to dig it out. Last time I rode it on trails was senior year of college. I rode it a year ago at a local park and killed myself. 11 years older and definitely not as nimble. The frame was a s&m dirtbike classic, heavy as all hell but the only things I ever broke were handle bars and tacoed the front rim trying to gap a stair case. I suspect all the parts I had back then is all ancient history now.

 

You'd be surprised what those things go for now...you don't even know what it cost me to build a couple of the bikes I have now, though I don't have a S+M I do love the Slam Bars..same as the old Woody bars in dimensions. Difference is my Slams ran me $85 versus $400 to buy a well used pair of Woodys

 

another soggy week. All this rain really messes up my dinner plans. Usually during the summer we try to grill/smoke and eat outside a few days a week. Lucky to get one meal off the grill a week so far

 

enjoy, your about 30 minutes from me, hopefully today will be your only rain.

 

Yep, and it's messing with my money. I have a bunch of work that needs to be done, but, needs to be dry.

Sitting in my kitchen now. Wishing I could get into a RMV today(have appt for Wednesday already).
Oh well.... need to sort out getting a could bikes through our ridiculous inspections.

 

Damn that thing looks like shit. OEM look better after a few years.

 

Damn. That's a bill for a BMX. I built mine for about a grand all in. They're also built as hell. Wicked overengineered. It's weird for me going to the road bike world where everything is so fragile. My BMX has taken tumbles to hell and back, yet one small tip over on a road bike can break shizz.

Get a cover for the grill. A lot of the guys with smokers have them I don't have one yet, but I'm not saying it's not a possibility.

I won't complain - this weather is great for my lawn, it's finally green for once. Clover is coming in good, but just in general shit's green, that's new for me, usually this time of year is when we enter the beige stage.

 

Get the rear suspension. While it may not be needed for what you intend to use, I'd bet you will have the hankering to upgrade shortly if you don't pony up now.

 

I'm a charcoal guy. Tried gas, not for me. Throws up some serious heat. But you're right. I'm sure I could do something with metal studs and galvanized roofing... Like I need another project Just finished a remodel in the bedroom. Started with a broken window then found carpenter ant damage.. Ended up completely gutting and refinishing. Couldn't find anyone in short time so I lucked out and got to do it myself nights and weekends. But it's done so the wife is very happy.

 

I built 2 other bikes before that, one was stolen the other was run over by a car when I had to ditch and the bike landed and somehow rolled right into traffic - shitty luck because we had no cars on the street the entire day until the moment I ditched. I built this one as my last bike, built it in 2003-4 and rode it until maybe 2010ish when I stopped riding because of a snowboarding accident and well life - primarily life haha. I'm deathly afraid of road bikes, I used to build bikes at Wheelworks in Belmont, MA and I would see so many people come in with damaged wheels just from pot holes on the street. One guy came in completely rashed all over, he potato chipped his wheel on a man hole cover that was sticking up, locked up the front and sent him flying at 40mph.

I really want a hardtail 24" bike to do light trails and everyday riding to get back into shape but bikes have cost so much lately I just haven't the heart to dedicate funds to another hobby which I know will wind up being another money pit haha.

 

FKN hate thieves, my 1986 Schwinn Predator Freeform EX was swiped in 1990 and I'd still love to kill the asshole. Found another one like it several years ago and restored it at least.

I am a big fan of mag wheels especially at my weight haha

 

yeah, I mean I was looking at something a bit more...intricate...



...that can work with charcoal

I have a side by side gas on the left, charcoal on the right I use it as an offset smoker ish type of thing though. Works pretty well. I use the gas side burner to light the chimney with the charcoal in it, that's a princess feature I now couldn't go without.

I don't have a shelter right now - just a cover for it.

Yeah fortunately when I ride road bikes a lot of it is on the east bay bike path down here in RI.

Cruisers are fun. I won't get a 29 MTB, 27.5 is my limit, I hate how much it's just a trail dozer and takes the fun out of climbing and maneuvering. Hell I didn't even want a 27.5 but nobody is making 26 anymore that aren't like, for children so the HT is wayyyy too short. Bikes are my money pit, fortunately I don't sink a lot in but that's the only thing I spend money on frivelously (and my truck...)

 

I wish that were the case for me. I'm spread too thin with hobbies...

 

Wow

 

Anyone looking for a kinda heavy but half decent dual suspension, I took pics of my Diamond Back. My bicycling is limited to pretty much bike paths and when I bring the squad up to Maine, the girls like to do a little bike around the island. So I'm looking to make this bike turn into a simple and lighter hardtail. Even a cruiser would be fine for me. If I can't find anyone that can use it I'll just keep using it. I don't know what's fair, I'd like $400 or so, that should enable me to buy a cheap used hardtail.