I Rode My Bike Today...

herzalot said:
Why why why why why are you and others dead set on "improving" me? I rode hardtails exclusively from 1989 until 2002. I raced hardtails (really poorly - in beginner class). Remember Juliana Furtado, Ned Overend, John Tomac, Greg Herbold, Dave Weins? Yeah - that era. That's enough of the hardtails for me. I don't enjoy them. I recognize that the new ones are more rad with better angles and such, but no thank you. I would stop riding entirely if I were relegated to a hardtail again. I don't need a new (old) chapter in my cycling world, other than being a little more fit (which is happening). Thank you for caring. :thumbsup:
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I love you just the way you are Herzalot ! :inlove:
 
I rode this afternoon with @horsebikerider

Late afternoon ride at Chino Hills. SS's on the menu.

Started at Rim Crest, down Southridge, up Telegraph, down Raptor, down Ranger Ridge, up Telegraph Spur to 4 Corners, up Bovinian, down Southridge.

The park was mostly dead, except for all the vacuums, er, ebikes.

The little pond near 4 Corners was going off with croaking frogs.

Cool temps

15 / 2175'

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Mikie said:
I love you just the way you are Herzalot ! :inlove:
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I wanna be there if he gets stuck on the mountain. You guys ever see Marcos Baghdatis at the 2006 US Open? Herzie, I can’t wrap my head around your quads :x3:. The Center for Exercise Medicine and Sport Sciences at UCI would love to meet you. Lemme know if you would be interested in going for a ride with some grad students. I wonder if Drew Doughty can blow the doors off J-Zilla’s single speed.
Ocpop said:
Aliso today. Cleaned Cholla for the first time(well, almost, couldn’t get enough traction on the last rock face near the top), I guess third time’s the charm. After a bit of adventure, we somehow got to 5 Oaks trailhead. That was Bonkers!
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You rode 5-Oaks today? Herzie kicked my ass down 5-Oaks. Saturday is gonna be Badonkabonkers!
 
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@herzalot - the rental was a Cannondale Habit. Not a brand I'd go out of my way to try but it was the only bike they had left in my size. Turned out to be a decent bike for a low end model. Climbed well. Suspension turned out to be a bit stiff for me and I didn't have a shock pump so I just dealt with it. Slippery conditions were more of a limiting factor than suspension anyways.

Was hoping to try the Forbidden Druid but they only had L. Forbidden is opening a new facility in the next few months behind the shop so they should have more availability then.

sir crashalot said:
Why did you ever leave home?
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Good question! I came down here for work, and was not very happy about it at the time as it was peak Whistler season. I was only supposed to be down here for a few weeks to fix some issues in our SD office and hire a replacement for someone who quit. It stretched beyond a few weeks so I brought a bike down and started exploring. Ended up being back and forth for almost a year before I got sick of the travel and requested to be permanently home or permanently in SD. Work would pay for a green card so I decided to stay down here. It's not every day you get to live in a different country, even if CA/USA aren't that different. The riding may not be as good in a concentrated area down here but there is a ton of stuff to explore, a ton of variety, and the riding season is literally never-ending. Up there it is miserable for 6 months of the year and riding is limited to low elevation coastal riding. Prime riding season lasts maybe 4 months.
 
I rode a demo bike today and liked it:rolleyes:
Bob at Squeaky Wheel let me take home a Trek Top Fuel 8 while his shop works on my SC.
I’ve demo’ed a few bikes over the yrs, but I was always going from a 26” to a 29” and the difference was too much, thus my SC 27.5 purchase a few yrs ago.
The 29er felt really good, in fact the bike handled really well overall. The only real issue I had was trying to pedal in the deeper snow, the Bontrager XR3 tires really sucked, I had zero traction. My Maxxis tires have a much better bite in the snow, so I wouldn’t switch to the Bontrager in the winter, but I could see them rolling well in summer conditions.
All in all it was fun to try a new bike on trails that I know pretty well. The ride was short, as the snow just got too deep around 4400ft elev.
Bikes are fun, life is rad, and it always feels good to be in the mtns:inlove:

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mountaingirl sara said:
I rode a demo bike today and liked it:rolleyes:
Bob at Squeaky Wheel let me take home a Trek Top Fuel 8 while his shop works on my SC.
I’ve demo’ed a few bikes over the yrs, but I was always going from a 26” to a 29” and the difference was too much, thus my SC 27.5 purchase a few yrs ago.
The 29er felt really good, in fact the bike handled really well overall. The only real issue I had was trying to pedal in the deeper snow, the Bontrager XR3 tires really sucked, I had zero traction. My Maxxis tires have a much better bite in the snow, so I wouldn’t switch to the Bontrager in the winter, but I could see them rolling well in summer conditions.
All in all it was fun to try a new bike on trails that I know pretty well. The ride was short, as the snow just got too deep around 4400ft elev.
Bikes are fun, life is rad, and it always feels good to be in the mtns:inlove:

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Trek!!:thumbsup:
 
mountaingirl sara said:
I rode a demo bike today and liked it:rolleyes:
Bob at Squeaky Wheel let me take home a Trek Top Fuel 8 while his shop works on my SC.
I’ve demo’ed a few bikes over the yrs, but I was always going from a 26” to a 29” and the difference was too much, thus my SC 27.5 purchase a few yrs ago.
The 29er felt really good, in fact the bike handled really well overall. The only real issue I had was trying to pedal in the deeper snow, the Bontrager XR3 tires really sucked, I had zero traction. My Maxxis tires have a much better bite in the snow, so I wouldn’t switch to the Bontrager in the winter, but I could see them rolling well in summer conditions.
All in all it was fun to try a new bike on trails that I know pretty well. The ride was short, as the snow just got too deep around 4400ft elev.
Bikes are fun, life is rad, and it always feels good to be in the mtns:inlove:

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Bontrager XR4 would likely solve that issue or the 29er version of your current tire.
 
mountaingirl sara said:
I rode a demo bike today and liked it:rolleyes:
Bob at Squeaky Wheel let me take home a Trek Top Fuel 8 while his shop works on my SC.
I’ve demo’ed a few bikes over the yrs, but I was always going from a 26” to a 29” and the difference was too much, thus my SC 27.5 purchase a few yrs ago.
The 29er felt really good, in fact the bike handled really well overall. The only real issue I had was trying to pedal in the deeper snow, the Bontrager XR3 tires really sucked, I had zero traction. My Maxxis tires have a much better bite in the snow, so I wouldn’t switch to the Bontrager in the winter, but I could see them rolling well in summer conditions.
All in all it was fun to try a new bike on trails that I know pretty well. The ride was short, as the snow just got too deep around 4400ft elev.
Bikes are fun, life is rad, and it always feels good to be in the mtns:inlove:

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And also, I can vouch for the XR3s under normal So Cal dry trail riding conditions. They gripped super well at Cheseboro but I personally think it is best served as a rear tire. And I would classify the XR3 as a light trail riding tire. The XR4 is better as a all around trail tire. The XR5 is aggro. Reminds me of a Maxxis Minion DHF, sorta kinda.

I am arming my Jabber with an XR3 on the rear and an XR4 on the front.
 
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SnakeCharmer said:
And also, I can vouch for the XR3s under normal So Cal dry trail riding conditions. They gripped super well at Cheseboro but I personally think it is best served as a rear tire. And I would classify the XR3 as a light trail riding tire. The XR4 is better as a all around trail tire. The XR5 is aggro. Reminds me of a Maxxis Minion DHF, sorta kinda.

I am arming my Jabber with an XR3 on the rear and an XR4 on the front.
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Fortunately I just had new tires put on my bike, who knows if they’ll be worn out before I get a 29er:whistling:..
 
Another "January 5th PCE" ride (2019 with @mtnbikej @Faust29 @Professor, Vince) with @Tom the Bomb @redwoods @rossage Vince and newb Jed. Shuttled with Crazy Bear which is getting a new website soon. Current site doesn't work for me and some others buying spots. Hope the new site works better. Cool temps at the top. We conga lined our way down the singletrack twisty turns. My chain came of 3 times in the first couple miles. The 5 year old x01 derailleur clutch must be shot. I mentioned putting a guide on several times, still haven't gotten to it. Other than that, I had a great time. Warmed up a little but not bad. The sand wash wasn't that bad, seemed to go by quick. Good flow down Hans. Then the plan was to exit out the goat trails. New dirt for Vince and I. The crew got lost for a moment but found the way. Goat trail was a thrill! What a way to end the day if you like chunk. The guys rode like pros, good times and smiles all around. We ended up with 29/3000. I thought this was a downhill trail...
 
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mountaingirl sara said:
You’re right amigo, I’ll be content for a little while ;):D
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I'm one of the tallest guys on the forum and I am not convinced a 29er is right for me, even after owning and riding a beast of a 29er for a month. 27.5 are nimble, accurate and can be every bit as forgiving. If I would have continued demo-ing bikes until I found one that made me say "I GOTTA have this" instead of doing an impulse buy, I would probably still be on 27.5. That said, I am not one to stand between a rider and her own impulse to "upgrade." If I may, let me just say, try them until one speaks to you.



EDIT: Depending on where you live, it can be very difficult to try every bike you want to try. How do you try Ibis, Transition, Yeti, Santa Cruz, Orbea, Revel, Guerilla Gravity, Intense, Speshy, Trek, Giant, Niner, Banshee, Kona, Mondraker, GT, Canfield, Foes, Cannondale, etc.? But if you can try several, you can get a good feel for the type of bike you like (geometry, travel, suspension, brakes, etc) which can then help you pick the model from the brand you are attracted to or have access to.
 
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herzalot said:
I'm one of the tallest guys on the forum and I am not convinced a 29er is right for me, even after owning and riding a beast of a 29er for a month. 27.5 are nimble, accurate and can be every bit as forgiving. If I would have continued demo-ing bikes until I found one that made me say "I GOTTA have this" instead of doing an impulse buy, I would probably still be on 27.5. That said, I am not one to stand between a rider and her own impulse to "upgrade." If I may, let me just say, try them until one speaks to you.



EDIT: Depending on where you live, it can be very difficult to try every bike you want to try. How do you try Ibis, Transition, Yeti, Santa Cruz, Orbea, Revel, Guerilla Gravity, Intense, Speshy, Trek, Giant, Niner, Banshee, Kona, Mondraker, GT, Canfield, Foes, Cannondale, etc.? But if you can try several, you can get a good feel for the type of bike you like (geometry, travel, suspension, brakes, etc) which can then help you pick the model from the brand you are attracted to or have access to.
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I’m surprised that you’re on the fence about a 29er, but I do get the agile/nimble thing..it’s part of why I didn’t want the 27+, there was way too much tire for me.
I have access to Ibis, SC, Yeti and a few others, and it would be cool to try a GG, but I’m not in a rush. The finances need to line up for me to purchase, so it’s all talk for now;)
 
Great Bomb Squad today. What a gas! The top section is off the hook good right now. The dirt is melache'! Xavier has done a great job on the trail. Yes Goat trails to the water tank and out Superman is my favorite ending. There was some major single track azz kicking going on Sunday. Excellent ride with awesome friends. You guys killed it.

Grego said:
Another "January 5th PCE" ride (2019 with @mtnbikej @Faust29 @Professor, Vince) with @Tom the Bomb @redwoods @rossage Vince and newb Jed. Shuttled with Crazy Bear which is getting a new website soon. Current site doesn't work for me and some others buying spots. Hope the new site works better. Cool temps at the top. We conga lined our way down the singletrack twisty turns. My chain came of 3 times in the first couple miles. The 5 year old x01 derailleur clutch must be shot. I mentioned putting a guide on several times, still haven't gotten to it. Other than that, I had a great time. Warmed up a little but not bad. The sand wash wasn't that bad, seemed to go by quick. Good flow down Hans. Then the plan was to exit out the goat trails. New dirt for Vince and I. The crew got lost for a moment but found the way. Goat trail was a thrill! What a way to end the day if you like chunk. The guys rode like pros, good times and smiles all around. We ended up with 29/3000. I thought this was a downhill trail...
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