Do You Mountain Bike?

[MrCrash]

why do you need lockout suspension for?

Is this okay?:
http://bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/windsor_ghost6500.htm

I mostly ride Forrest hill/El dorado hills area.

Lockout makes for a more efficient pedaling action. I usually leave my XC bike on ProPedal, which can be described as "mostly locked out". It moves enough to soak up the sharp bumps, but it doesn't bob when I'm climbing hard.

I'd get an used air-shock equipped I-Drive or Specialized FSR-XC before picking up that bike you linked to. Coil shocks are heavier than air shocks, and the action generally doesn't seem to be as controlled. Downhill and freeride bikes generally use coil shocks to help them take the bigger hits - cross control bikes generally use air shocks.

I think Baptistro is currently selling a used FSR-XC. How much are you looking to spend?

 

[Yody]

I'd rather buy a hardtail than that cheapie Windsor myself. I'd rather have no rear suspension than a crappy one

 

[HeavenzJai]

thanks for the advice!
I heard very good things about the I-Drive system...just no clue on why its good. I'm looking for no more than $600.

Another one I am considering is Iron Horse Maverick 4.5 for $470
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=23357&item=30-0023&slitrk=search&slisearch=true

 

[Yody]

I drive system makes it so when you go over a bump and the suspension compresses the seat stays at the same distance as the pedal. A normal rear suspension will cause the pedals to get closer making your legs cramp more when going over bumps. Makes for a more efficient pedaling bike. However most I-Drive GT bikes come with really lousy components. Too bad because they're great frames.

Biggest problem with the lower end bikes is that they are heavy and will take more effort to get around which can make riding not as much fun. As well if the shocks/forks/frame aren't designed well all of your pedaling power will be zapped by the suspension and you'll go nowhere in a hurry.

I'd personally recommend saving a bit more money and getting a nicer full suspension bike or buying a hardtail(only front suspension) You can find nice hardtails for just a bit more money. Won't be as cushy but will probably be more capable in the end. There's always used bikes on craigslist but after helping a buddy for a few weeks look at used bikes there are really a lot of funky overpriced bikes out there. I see a lot of people dropping $2-3K on a mountain bike, personally I can't afford it but it seems these days you gotta spend $2K to get something decent....... if you're patient though there are deals to be found

Performance Bicycles in Berkeley has a brand new 06 I drive for $699, not the best components but it looks like a brand new bike for a good deal and it has a solid frame so you can always upgrade the components in the future

 

[Rick T.]

thanks for the advice!
I heard very good things about the I-Drive system...just no clue on why its good. I'm looking for no more than $600.

Another one I am considering is Iron Horse Maverick 4.5 for $470
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=23357&item=30-0023&slitrk=search&slisearch=true

The new Trek Fuel EXs are real nice with the full floater link and ABP technology. I was never a Trek fan until my good friend Pete bought an EX 8 and started riding like a mad man! Great bike. But a lot can be said for a good, solid, well-equipped hardtail. I still ride my ‘ole faithful, as I call her – my Specialized M2 – and I just switched stems/handlebars. I went with a short/higher stem and a XC riser bar for more comfort at my old age. HAHA!! But it still rocks! I hope to take it out for a nice trashing again soon…

Anyhow - Craigslist is your FRIEND (or the death of you...).

Good luck!

 

[MrCrash]

Anyone know where we can pick up an affordable set of communicators? The looks on people's faces was pretty impressive when I mentioned that half the group ended up on the other side of the park.

Pictures from Annadel:

 

[Rick T.]

Mike,
Nice pics… Curious – what would you say the general skill-level of the riders in your group is? I see a nice mix of riders/machines (dudes, ladies, tall, not so much, etc) and wondered whether newer riders tend to join you guys/gals. It seems that it’s a pretty small circle of riders that congregate in this thread and all look to be “intermediate to advance” (racer types even) riders. Would you characterize your rides more for that category of rider rather than the newbie or “casual” mountain biker? I’ve been riding for a minute and can usually hold my own, but I’m no “elite racer boy”… However, I’d like to tag along sometime and see what fun I can get into.

What say you…?

 

[Yody]

"elite racer-boy"







You forgot "elite racer-chicks" you better get in shape otherwise the women are gonna put a whoopin on you

 

[Muggzy]

The new Trek Fuel EXs are real nice with the full floater link and ABP technology. I was never a Trek fan until my good friend Pete bought an EX 8 and started riding like a mad man! Great bike. But a lot can be said for a good, solid, well-equipped hardtail. I still ride my ‘ole faithful, as I call her – my Specialized M2 – and I just switched stems/handlebars. I went with a short/higher stem and a XC riser bar for more comfort at my old age. HAHA!! But it still rocks! I hope to take it out for a nice trashing again soon…

Anyhow - Craigslist is your FRIEND (or the death of you...).

Good luck!

I still ride an S-Works M2

 

[Muggzy]

Cool pics Mike, i gottah ride Annadel one of these days

 

[dking]

Anyone know where we can pick up an affordable set of communicators? The looks on people's faces was pretty impressive when I mentioned that half the group ended up on the other side of the park.

Pictures from Annadel:

Where are the rest of the pics? Now I'm not in any

BTW, I had a FRS radio with me, but it didn't look like anyone else had one so I didn't bother with it. I'm not sure the FRS would've worked over the hill and as far apart as we were. Sonny's and your cell phone seemed to work just fine.

 

[fawndog]

Anyone know where we can pick up an affordable set of communicators? The looks on people's faces was pretty impressive when I mentioned that half the group ended up on the other side of the park.

Pictures from Annadel:

maybe costco $80 for 3 pack
Annadale is the only place cells work well

 

[Rick T.]

"elite racer-boy"







You forgot "elite racer-chicks" you better get in shape otherwise the women are gonna put a whoopin on you

I hear ya... Hey, I'll hang with you elite-racer "types" and try not to embarass myself too much...

Nice suit BTW.

 

[Yody]

I love that suit! Same avatar pic you had too!

BTW no racer here, although I'm thinking about trying one out not that an attempt at doing one reflects any type of skills lol

 

[HeavenzJai]

I'm trying to pick up a bike before this weekend because we're going camping in sly park and i wanted to bike some.
note: I have a 31 inseam

Here are some that did look interesting...

2002 Giant Warp DS2 Mountain Bike 20.5" (Full Suspension) - $300
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/697519187.html

2005 GIANT AC - $600
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/697218210.html

2003 Specialized Rockhopper FSR XC Full Suspension Mountain Bike - $450
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/697846023.html

Affordable FSR - Full Suspension MTB - $215
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/697206868.html

Specialized FSR Elite full suspension - $650
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/bik/696275153.html

Specialized FSR XC Disc Size medium - $675
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/696341448.html

Kona Stinky-600
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/696052249.html

 

[Rick T.]

Specialized FSR XC Disc Size medium - $675
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/696341448.html

That's the exact bike I have. Certainly not NEW - but what a GREAT bike! It's a very capable XC platform (3" travel) with mostly LX components and the clever marketing tactic of an XTR rear derailer. Switch out the odd bar/stem combo, get a better seat (the stock Specialized one sucks) - but most importantly, get rid of the stock seat post!! It ends at an angle and is sharp enough to pierce the rear shock if the post slips down - and it will (stupid design!). The Rock Shox Duke XC is a fine fork - you can get a more expensive one, but save your money for good tires and the aforementioned, suggested upgrades. Also, the stock tires were crap - but I'm sure they were ditched after the first ride.

I paid around $1900.00 new MANY years ago...

 

[roxy]

Kranked 7 now available

http://www.radical-films.com/

 

[sjensen]

get stars and bars. support theo

 

[roxy]

get stars and bars. support theo

That's a sweet vid!

 

[MrCrash]

get stars and bars. support theo

Theo's vids get more play time than anything else on our DVD player. The footage is excellent, and the soundtracks are better than anything else in our collection. Good stuff.

Would you characterize your rides more for that category of rider rather than the newbie or “casual” mountain biker? I’ve been riding for a minute and can usually hold my own, but I’m no “elite racer boy”… However, I’d like to tag along sometime and see what fun I can get into.

Hey Rick,

I'd have to say it depends on the ride.

From an aerobic standpoint, if riders are capable of doing the entire loop at their own pace without stopping or feeling like they're going to die or pass out, they'll probably be fine - any open invite group ride we do generally has a lot of stops. I dig the social aspect of these rides, and expect that we'll have a decent range of abilities in attendance.

From a technical standpoint, if you can handle Rockville, you can probably handle just about anything posted here. That place has to be one of the most techy riding spots in the bay area.

Looking forward to seeing you out there soon!