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Do You Mountain Bike?

My girlfriend actually ran the small block 8 on her rear tire for a little bit. She just switched it though since she was running a tiny 1.7 and wasn't getting as much traction as she would like. She is now running the Specialized....captains in the rear and the Specialized Resolution in the front? I don't quite remember, but I'm sure you'll see it this weekend! Anyways, I'm excited, I haven't ridden in a couple of weeks because of MotoGP.
 
So I take the new Trek EX8 out for a quick inaugural run yesterday. I set out to get an initial feel for the bike and establish some baseline suspension settings. As with any new bike, there were a few things that needed sorting out. But I ran it with the factory settings just get an idea how the bike is set up when delivered. Well, needless to say, it was less than ideal or pleasant for me yesterday. So I came home and got to work.

The fork is an '08 Fox Float RL. I set sag at 1" at the front (25% of travel - 4.7 inches) with Fox's recommended 75psi (155-170 lbs). The rear has approx .5" sag ('08 Fox RP2). Rebound in the rear was adjusted to speed up a bit (2 clicks). Also, the stock Bontrager tires do not seem to like running a higher pressure (40 psi) - but my Specialized Captains did - so I may drop a lb or two for the next ride Unfortunately, I can't ride today or tomorrow - so I guess I'll find out if I'm happy with the settings on Saturday (Annadel!).

Any personal recommendations/tips on setting up suspension?
Yes, It's called Seat of the Pants Suspension Tuning!!
Go ride somewhere you know the terrain, know what to expect, and know what you want your bike to feel like. For myself and several others that place is Tamarancho. With a complete variance of terrain and a familiarity of what we know we want our bikes to be doing in any given section, it's the perfect "setup" and "equipment" test track. Sorry i got off track but my point was if you have a place you ride like that, ... go there!

Once there, (Oh, very important, ..bring a shock pump!!) start letting air out until you've got it as plush as you want it. Remember, gonna be a compromise between plushness and efficiency. Then you can start tweaking the rebound. Throw the friggen sag numbers out the window.

That's how I do it, but I would also rather ride a bike that's plush and forgiving, than one that's efficient and harsh.
Also, Gregory (bikemech1) will probably completely disagree :twofinger with the advice I just gave so proceed at your own risk.

PS. Roxy liked my bike setup so much she just bought one. :wtf :teeth


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PS. Roxy liked my bike setup so much she just bought one. :wtf :teeth

That Maverick fork is $$$...:cry but so plush...:drool

As for tyres:

+1 on what Mike posted:)

AM bike: Weirwolf 2.3/Mutano 2.24 combo -- from muddy to dry, it performs great in all conditions.

XC bike: I really like the Mutano 2.4s -- lightweight and roll very well.
 
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That Maverick fork is $$$...:cry but so plush...:drool

Just got to keep an eye on the auctions. I've gotten one for around $400 on ebay.

Check this out:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Maverick-DUC32-...273245975QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item230273245975
You will however need a smaller crown. :(

Well well, looky what we have here:
http://www.beyondbikes.com/bb/itemdesc.asp?Ic=MK2313
http://www.qbike.com/product/m/Maverick-DUC-32-Upper-Crown.shtml

Yeah and how much more time, blood, sweat and tears to get it that plush? :p
 
Just got to keep an eye on the auctions. I've gotten one for around $400 on ebay.

Check this out:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Maverick-DUC32-...273245975QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item230273245975
You will however need a smaller crown. :(

Well well, looky what we have here:
http://www.beyondbikes.com/bb/itemdesc.asp?Ic=MK2313
http://www.qbike.com/product/m/Maverick-DUC-32-Upper-Crown.shtml

Yeah and how much more time, blood, sweat and tears to get it that plush? :p

Lets not even talk about it.

I have a small crown for that fork. Mine came with a small, I needed the next size up.

I love the Maverick the way G set it up, but I'm not riding nearly as hard as you guys.

Mike, I might just be able to sneak away for tomorrow. If I can, I'll call you early in the morning.
 
Hey Annadel folks,

Turns out that Lisa needs to be in Windsor tomorrow after we go eat. Is there someone I can hitch a ride with back to Richmo... Marina Bay? If someone can get me to a BART station, that would work just as well.

four one five, two nine zero, six eight six one is my cell - if you can help, please call or text msg!
 
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SCAM I checked it out. Booooo Gusssssss!!!

Too bad too, it's a damn nice North* rig.


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yep its a scum. dood was asking me to send money via DHL.
anyway got me a used norco vfs from MTBR forum. anyone got an axtra rear wheel with a disc hub i could buy? :teeth
 
Fun ride up at Annadel on Saturday. Does anyone know if the pics were posted anywhere?

Lisa and I goofed off on Sunday by testing bicycles at Mike's Bikes in Berkeley, where I was able to throw a leg over the new Cannondale Rize and the Cannondale Moto Carbon. Lisa was diggin the Rize too - it's too bad they don't make an XS or a Women Specific version...
 
Mike, Andrew,et al -

Great ride Saturday! It was hella fun and the company was superior! I really must stress (to others) how critical it is to have enough WATER and be thoroughly prepared - specially for anything nearing 20 miles. The ride can be dubbed the "yu braykit - I pix it ride". :laughing Thanks for the help guys/gals. Chain tool/link... check.

The after-ride grub was awesome! Paying was a bit tricky - specially for us mathematically challenged. But the pizza and beer was AWESOME. :thumbup I will be riding at Skyline in Napa this Saturday JUST so I can hit the Guadalajara Mexican "experience"...

I will post up pics from the ride later tonight. Thanks again all!!!
 
The after-ride grub was awesome! Paying was a bit tricky - specially for us mathematically challenged. But the pizza and beer was AWESOME. :thumbup I will be riding at Skyline in Napa this Saturday JUST so I can hit the Guadalajara Mexican "experience"...

Woooooo Napa and burritos...mmmmm:teeth
 
The after-ride grub was awesome! Paying was a bit tricky - specially for us mathematically challenged. But the pizza and beer was AWESOME. :thumbup I will be riding at Skyline in Napa this Saturday JUST so I can hit the Guadalajara Mexican "experience"...

How many of you are going to be riding Napa this weekend? I'll be doing the roadie thing at the Marin Century this weekend, but Lisa might be interested in going. She really enjoyed riding with the group up at Annadel!

Woooooo Napa and burritos...mmmmm:teeth

Sounds like a winning combination to me!

Are you guys interested in doing some XC / DH races anytime soon? I was impressed with how well Megan was descending - Lisa referred to her as "a natural" :)
 
I dunno about soon, since we both don't think we're fast enough yet. I think I told you earlier, we haven't really ridden at a fast pace when we ride alone; we just kinda cruise along. Can't say enough about Megan, she doesn't even have her suspension dialed and she just goes for it :laughing I can't even imagine her on a properly dialed bike...I already have enough trouble keeping up with her :( lol
 
How many of you are going to be riding Napa this weekend? I'll be doing the roadie thing at the Marin Century this weekend, but Lisa might be interested in going. She really enjoyed riding with the group up at Annadel!



Sounds like a winning combination to me!

Are you guys interested in doing some XC / DH races anytime soon? I was impressed with how well Megan was descending - Lisa referred to her as "a natural" :)

Not sure exactly how many, but my initial head count would be 7-8 riders. Megan and Andrew can certainly hang with the race crowd - ahhhh... the magic of youth. The Mega is definitely a "natural". :)

I can tell you that there will be a brand-spankin'-new full-suspension rig making an appearance soon... :teeth

BTW - I hope Lisa's B-Day went well!!

Andrew - Burritos and beer... MMmMmmm is RIGHT!
 
What time were you planning on riding Rick? Same ol 830? And I heard Rollin got a new Specialized! haha! You couldn't convert him....check one more to team Specialized :p
 
What time were you planning on riding Rick? Same ol 830? And I heard Rollin got a new Specialized! haha! You couldn't convert him....check one more to team Specialized :p

Yeah - 0830 sounds 'bout right. :) Oh, and yeah... Roland got him an '08 Stumpjumper Comp. Nice bike - I almost got one. I guess it's me and Pete rollin' on the new Treks. :ride But maybe Mike will demonstrate his devotion to Lisa in the form of an '08 Trek WSD Fuel EX...?! :laughing

Pics next.
 
Thinking of riding in the park tomorrow (golden gate park) maybe just blast around and find somewhere to get some grub. if anyone in the city wants too.
 
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