Show off your Mountain Bike!!!

Found a sweet deal on a 2017 Santa Cruz 5010C! My first FS and I am loving it so far. Since this picture, I have added a dropper as well. Could never go back to riding without one
Only other thing i am going to change is the air shaft in my fork to bump up my travel to 140mm in the front.

 

Nice ride! If you budget allows, consider going to a Pike (or similar) up front if you want to change the travel and get a small upgrade in the process.

 

Thanks man! I'd love to get a pike, but the bike has drained my funds haha. The new air shaft is only 40 bucks (called fox and verified the chassis would be OK with the 10mm bump up) I have actually been pleasantly surprised with the Fox Rhythm. I didn't know what to expect with a budget fork option from Fox, but its been great.

 

Awesome man, stick with it then and have fun! My new bike is set to be finished later next week so the new bike excitement is real. Enjoy yours!

 

I went from a bike with a Performance FIT4 fork to one with a Rhythm GRIP fork, both 140mm, and I honestly couldn't tell the difference. If anything, I think the Rhythm felt better. For people on a budget, or just people that want to spend their money wisely, I think it's a great option.

 

Buy your gear at your local bike shop

 

my bronson has a 34mm grip fork. i haven't had any issues out of it. i leave the damping set right to the middle of the dial and rarely ever move it.

 

My new toy. She sure had a good first year of life in the Tetons!

Obviously this is not the Tetons, this is during Rock Therapy in MOAB this year

 

Hell yes it is! Saw your Spot a few pages back, looks sick. Had not heard of Spot before, they look like great bikes.

Well that is good to hear Glad to know I'm not missing out on much!

 

Oh yeah for sure. I bought one pair of socks online, but other than that I plan on going to the local shop. Gotta support small business! Plus the owner of the shop seems like a really good guy and is involved with building new trails locally and all sorts of stuff. Really knowledgeable.

 

I partially agree. Shop local as long as the price is good and they have it in stock. Don't showroom them (try things on and then order online). The shop I go to beats online pricing regularly, but I'm not going to go ask them to order something that I can get online for cheaper and avoid having to go back to the shop. I'll order my swiftwick socks and handup gloves online for cheaper and still be supporting local businesses.

 

You really need to get to know your LBS folks. Ride with them, fetch lunch and hang out, fetch beer and hang out. Most of them are lifers and if you are an interesting and fun enough person (regardless of bike skills), you should merit bro deal pricing from any catalog or wholesaler they buy from. If you have skills that can help the shop (merchandising, website, social media, ride leader), you are gold.

 

Maybe you missed where I partially agree?

I dropped $3k on a bike at the bike shop when I easily had the same pricing online. I have 3 kids and this isn't a cheap hobby. I'm not going to pay double to get something at the bike shop, especially if they have to order it. I'll pay a few dollars more to get something "today" or for things I need to try on, but for things that I can find deals on online or things I don't need today, I'll order online. The bike shop gets enough of my business.

 

I wholeheartedly support your halfhearted support of LBS. If you are on decent terms with the LBS folks they will tell you when it's not worthwhile to purchase through the shop.

I am somewhat of an anomaly here, as I've been involved in cycling, trail building and advocacy, esp. MTB, since the late 80's, and have lived in the same area for 40+ years, so I know and love the locals in the region, and generally have their respect. Put in the time, get to know the scene, volunteer when you can, and it will all pay off.

 

Anyone see the deal Intense just dropped? It's a pretty massive one for those who buy new bikes!

 

The Spot is AMAZING. Last year I swapped a nearly new Intense Tracer T275 Carbon for the 650B version of it, and now I'm on their 29er platform you saw a couple pages back. Unbelievable ride quality and company.

 

For those of you who care.. I am flying to Denver in a week for my final interview with Guerilla Gravity. pretty stoked to have this opportunity.

If you aren't familiar with GG.. check them out!

Handmande Aluminium bikes in Denver CO for what I consider a very reasonable price.

http://ridegg.com/

 

I have to agree with you on the partial support. I shop very little at my LBS. If I need something quick, then I will go, but it is usually something like Stan's sealant. I did have a custom frame built here locally last year, which I guess is classified as a LBS.

We have a LBS here in town that primarily focuses on repairs. They have very few things in stock, but have excellent mechanics and beer. I drop a bike off every now and then for a quick tweak or shock overhaul. I perform most of my own labor, but keep going there enough to make sure they know who I am. It is probably the bike shop model of the future. Especially with more bike manufacturers starting to sell direct.

I raced XC for a lot of years and rode for a LBS and can't imagine how much money I spent there. They closed a few years ago after being in business since the 80's. He closed because the prices found online are the same he had to pay for "wholesale" parts. The manufacturer's are screwing over the LBS. Which is definitely BS. If prices were even close between online and LBS, I would choose LBS. The whole online vs LBS issue would be resolved if the manufacturer's would play fair with the LBS. Also, if the industry in general would come to a consensus on standards. Just think about the most simple part, skewers. I have no idea how many different lengths/diameters there are today and LBS' can't keep every option in stock.

 

if they are close in price, i'll go to the bike shop for the part if it's in stock........ but if i find an amazing deal on a dropper post for 50% off retail, there's no way i'm going to ask the LBS to match that price. i'm just going to buy it.

 

Awesome man! I've taken a peek at some of their jobs before too. If you get a chance to bring your bike, let me know and we'll get out to ride!