Show off your Mountain Bike!!!

Nice bike Mathew!

 

Makes me regret selling my BNIB '12 V10c frame.

Good call on the Syndi colors! I loooove that scheme.

How you liking that Marz fork on it? I'm debating between that and a Dorado Pro if I ever build another V10 c.

 

The Marzocchi fork feels great, but the only reason I have it is because I knew a few people who worked there and got a good deal on it. If you don't mind a little flex Dorado is the way to go IMO. The new DVO fork is quite interesting to, can't wait to try one of those.

 

Anybody running clipless SPD shoes? I just picked up some used Shimano SPD pedals last night and am lookin around for some good shoes.

 

im running spd pedals with 5.10 hellcat shoes. They are nice and sturdy with good protection from rocks. They are definitely a little heavy though. I wanted to get the mavic alpine xl shoes but all the reviews i read said to definitely try them on before you buy and nobody near me carries mavic so i went with the 5.10. what style of shoe are you looking for and for what type of riding?

 

so i ended up going to the local bike shop here. i guess they are a giant dealer because they didnt have anything else. i ended liking a bike called yukon fx. do any of you guys have personal experience with this bike? they said its an extry level bike, but i could upgrade the components since the bike was already made for it, vs the other bike i was looking at that was half the price but only had the shocks on the front. should i purchase this or the bike that was half the price that i was originally looking at? both bikes look pretty much exactly the same with the all terrain kenda tire, double walled rims, disc brakes, except the fx bike has the rear suspension. both are still upgradeable but the fx bike more so. i was thinking later on getting hydraulic brakes and fox shocks. i admit im buying it more for looks than actually hard riding LOL.

EDIT: one more question. what is the difference on 26 vs 29? obviously they mean wheel size but i was wondering the characteristics on them. why pick one over the other?

 

Again it depends on what trails you want to ride, you will get better pedaling from a bike with no rear suspension but good luck trying to ride down any trails that are bumpy or rocky. It sounds like the guys at the shop will set you up on a good bike and down the road you can spend a much money as you please to upgrade the bike. 26" is typically more aggressive and nimble but 29er is better for pedaling and efficiency. Personally I turn my nose up at 29ers and cannot stand them!

 

the full suspension is going to be more forgiving on rougher more technical terrain. like he said above the hardtail will pedal a lot easier. i wouldn't scratch the hardtail off your list though. I know some people who can shred them on technical terrain. they have been riding for a while but im sure they started out on a hardtail. some people say to start out on a hardtail when you first start mountain biking to learn how to choose better/faster lines. it all depends on what you are going to be using it for. if your on smooth trails then you might not need an FS bike.

as far as 29er goes, I used to be skeptical about them as well. Honestly I would probably sell my FS 26er if there wasnt a new bike park being built. 29ers will roll over more technical terrain better and roll a bit easier. turning is a little different but starting out the learning curve will probably be the same for either 26er or 29er on singletrack. In my opinion, unless you plan on hitting jumps and throwing down some whips/table tops then a 29er might be the better option.

 

thanks for your information guys. i appreciate it. i just want to make the right decision on fx vs hardtail (im guessing hardtail is the term for no rear suspension). by the sound of it, it sound like rear suspension makes it harder to pedal but is definately better on the trails than the hardtail. to be completely honest, ill probably end up using the bike on pavement 95% of the time, but i dont want to get the skinny tire bikes, just doesnt fit my profile lol. the other bikes look like it matches me more cause it looks more bulky if that makes sense. where i live its a gravel road with some slopes. nothing extreme or even trail worthy, but was thinking about riding around here to get some cardio in. and probably load up the bike and take it into town and ride around at this park where a lot of walkers and joggers (and occasional bikers) go. sorry guys, dont mean to ramble on. just trying to guage my options as much as i can before i drop some cash.

 

Sounds like you need a hardtail! They can do everything and a full suspension bike can like said above half the cost and half the complications. You will not be dissapointed with a hardtail at all, i have a few buddies that swear by them and they ride the same trails i do

 

Depending on your shoe size I might have some specialized taos shoes that are new you could have. I believe they are like a 12 or 11.5, great shoes I just dont use them because I use the freeride/skate style shoes more.

Another option that is good value and a really really awesome shoe is the Shimano AM45 if your interested in a shoe that is easy to walk in and ride flats with while also using SPD cleats

I personally use 5-10s they are great shoes as well but i bit more pricey

 

thanks again. i really think im gonna go hard tail. gonna head down to the dealer tomorrow to pick...something up LOL. maybe ill change my mind again tomorrow. oh yeah one more thing i was asking about when i was there today. i have a little one that i would like to pack with me so he can ride around in the back. the owner of the shop told me i wasnt able to put the little seat on an fx bike. is that true? if thats indeed true, im definately buying the hardtail tomorrow.

 

I think you are definitely buying a hard tail haha post pics when you make the purchase!

 

Niner demo ride tomorrow in Orange County, NY!!!!! Anyone interested let me know or PM me!!! I am so ready for a good trail day!!!

 

nice, i wanna try out a niner, ive heard good things about them. hopefully ill be getting a good trail day in today. not sure where im going yet but it should be good haha

 

Depending on where you are in VA it would be worth your drive. I have a spot you can crash at. On Sunday at the same area there is a big race. The bike company is Dark Horse Cycle in Montgomery NY. There are also giving a 10% discount on anything Niner. BTW they would probably give you a better deal with me there. The race is going to be a party.... let me know. Plus I might be doing some canine work and need a guy to get bit by dogs....

 

haha I wish, that sounds fun but after today its all studying for finals im about to finish my part of a final report for a 2 semester project so after this ride today im gonna be busy haha

 

Snapped my chain today leading to my rear derailleur getting bent.

 

Did that before. First day on my new bike... About 3 miles from home. Thank god my buddy drie by... Haha

 

Kinda why you should carry some basic tools