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I know there are more brown pow lovers on this site, yah there is pinkbike but lets be honest, newshcoolers is wayyyy cooler. so lets posts our rides, questions about components, mechanic questions etc in this thread.
I just bought this beauty and i definitely sacrificed uphill capabiltiy in order to get a beefier dh/park bike. id been on a nomad for a while and it's a huge switch in riding styles for me. definitely getting used to the weight and having to keep speed a lot more.
specs for said beauty, 2011 rc2 dh totem, 2012 dhx rc4, highrollers front and back (gona go dhf front and highroller in the back), mtx 33 wheel set, slx brakes, diablous cranks, FSA 760mm Handlebar, Shimano SLX Shifter & Shimano Deore XT Derailleur.
Alright newschoolers, post your bikes. i wanna see some sexy steeds.
JuliusJgawd division.bell share the wealth haha, you have so much cool stuff coming your way!
Nothing cool currently coming my way...I've received it all.
Wheels/tires/X1 drivetrain components all showed up yesterday.
Tires weigh 3.15lbs EACH. The front wheel was around 2.5lbs. Tubeless isn't even a question, it's a given with those monster tires; gotta save some weight somewhere.
Just need brakes, cockpit items (bars/grips/stems/seat posts/saddles) and the xd drivers for the rear hubs and it's build time! Next batch of parts orders will be placed after the weekend so these beasts should hopefully be rolling soon.
Pictures will definitely be posted when I have something to share.
Well it was global fatbike day today, so to celebrate a few of us went on a group ride through the city with our rigs. This was the first real chance I've had to ride snow as we've only had a decent amount for a week now, and let me tell ya it's some of the most fun I've ever had on a bike.
I've only got one pic of the group, the rest of the time we were riding we didn't even think to stop and snap some pictures.
I'm the goober on the far right with my super technical outerwear setup... Really though I was quite warm with just a baselayer and my insulated flannel on in -10C weather, which seemed to be perfect.
As far as the riding itself went we trekked through all parts of the city. Icy downtown streets, fields and hills of fresh snow (my city has a lot of greenspace) bike paths, really anything and everything a snowy city would have to offer. So the traction on a fatbike is really good for the most part.
If you start to get into deep snow things can get loose pretty quick, but I had so many moments where I had the bars super sideways and I thought I was going to lose the front end but managed to ride out just fine every time. The deepest snow we went through was probably 20cm where snow had drifted into some places and it was easy to get through that as long as you had some momentum going in.
Alternatively semi-packed snow offers the most traction I've ever felt on a bike. The big tires grab that stuff so well and it's one of the nicest feelings ever especially if you're climbing up and over something. I wasn't really expecting this at all and you could probably set some damn fast times on some single tracks if you had them prepared properly.
And my boot project. Basically I wanted to take a pair of my favorite winter footwear, insulated rubber boots and make them clipless. Pictures are better then words so I'll just let loose with them:
The boots.
The dream.
Vac bagging some carbon footbeds.
Carbon footbeds.
Hardware to get the cleat onto the footbed.
Taking a holesaw to the boots was terrifying. The position of this was quite critical. It needed to be offset to the inside of the sole so the boot would clear the crank arm. Then it needed to be in a spot where there would be enough tread to each side of the cleat so it could properly contact and push on the pedal.
Here's the hardware in the spacer. I used binding freedom inserts for the cleats to thread into as they're both M5 thread, then I tapped the nylon spacer for some M6 screws that will hold it onto the footbed. The M6 screw will get epoxied into the disk to lock them into place for good.
The hardware also needed to be cut flush and I just did that with an angle grinder.
After all that. boom we've got some sick footbeds.
Then I just stuffed those into the boot and taa-daa. I also had to slice away some rubber on the tread of the boot to create a channel for the pedal (which I still need to clean up with a grinder and a some sandpaper but it works for now)
And this is clipped in here, works as designed! The boot looks super off to one side because I had the pedals right dialed down for test fitting. I still haven't glued the footbeds in yet either so they can rotate slightly in the boot to.
All in all it's been a pretty fun little project. A few finishing touches, clean up the tread channel, add a cork liner to the footbed, glue the footbed in place, then figure out if I can seal around the hole, and they will be 100% done. They worked extremely well on the ride today. Weren't loose feeling at all, were easy to clip in and out, and were super warm. I'll probably ride these for a long time until my complaint list piles up, then I'll maybe build an even nicer set next summer, see if I can do something without boring through the boot's sole.
Just picked up a 2013 Specialized Status from Trestle this summer. I got some use out of it before the end of the season, and I'm not positive if I like it. Due to it having 200mm forks. So my question to you is, for strictly bike park use (wood features, jumps, flow trails, techy black trails) Should I keep the bike? Or move down to something more like a slopestyle bike, maybe a Status 1 or P. Slope?
NinetyFourthen figure out if I can seal around the hole
dude, that's awesome.
but I was wondering about this part....how are you going to ensure a good seal? every pair of that type of boot i've owned has either cracked/let water in and they just turn into a damp, smelly mess after about a month
Dying, but still alive. Duck hunters were out in full force and had winged one. That said, he's a through and through hunting dog though, like he fucking loves birds haha.
but I was wondering about this part....how are you going to ensure a good seal? every pair of that type of boot i've owned has either cracked/let water in and they just turn into a damp, smelly mess after about a month
Aha woo thanks for the hype guys. As for sealing them up, I don't think it's going to happen, at least not 100% submersible. As is, the tight fit of everything keeps snow and slush out of the boot. I'll probably work on making a completely waterproof boot happen on V2.
I vac-bagged a layer of cork onto the footbeds tonight as well as adhering the inserts and screws to the plastic spacer. I tried them on and they're so comfy yet tight feeling. Image rotated uploading off my iPad... The cork should be sweet because the screws don't protrude anymore, it makes the fit tighter, and it should help insulate the boot sole.
It's supposed to be like +10C my way this weekend which will totally screw up the little bit of snow we have, so I'll likely resort to ripping the Farley all weekend. Maybe I'll need to take up pond skimming.
NinetyFourAha woo thanks for the hype guys. As for sealing them up, I don't think it's going to happen, at least not 100% submersible. As is, the tight fit of everything keeps snow and slush out of the boot. I'll probably work on making a completely waterproof boot happen on V2.
I vac-bagged a layer of cork onto the footbeds tonight as well as adhering the inserts and screws to the plastic spacer. I tried them on and they're so comfy yet tight feeling. Image rotated uploading off my iPad... The cork should be sweet because the screws don't protrude anymore, it makes the fit tighter, and it should help insulate the boot sole.
It's supposed to be like +10C my way this weekend which will totally screw up the little bit of snow we have, so I'll likely resort to ripping the Farley all weekend. Maybe I'll need to take up pond skimming.
Rolled around on another Fatboy Expert yesterday. It's torture having the two Fatboy framesets, wheel and tire sets, and complete drivetrain for each all in hand but still not having anything rideable at this point. Most of the remaining parts are in transit, just need to track down 2 disc rotors, a pair of grips, and 2 saddles and it's time to roll some fatties. Shooting for next weekend, but things could get fucked in transit by the holiday's so I'm not holding my breath at this point. Can't fucking wait though.
Also, my warrantied shock is finally back on my Knolly...bout fucking time. It was fun getting out on a variety of 29er's while my bike was out of commission, but there's nothing like being reunited with your own personal and custom build.
Not much skiing going on here in Washington yet this winter, but the mountain bike "season" has been phenomenal. Anyone else still out there getting some good riding in?
division.bellNot much skiing going on here in Washington yet this winter, but the mountain bike "season" has been phenomenal. Anyone else still out there getting some good riding in?
Checking in from the other side of Washington, yup its definitely still bike season. Schweitzer has a 5" bottom base, sooo haven't even bothered skiing this year. Hoping to have an Enduro Expert by the end of January.... Happy Christmas to me!
JuliusJChecking in from the other side of Washington, yup its definitely still bike season. Schweitzer has a 5" bottom base, sooo haven't even bothered skiing this year. Hoping to have an Enduro Expert by the end of January.... Happy Christmas to me!
No skiing yet for me either. Not complaining one bit though as the biking has been that good.
division.bellNo skiing yet for me either. Not complaining one bit though as the biking has been that good.
Which Expert model? Evo or Carbon 650b/29?
carbon 650 probably. that or maybe a stumpy carbon evo 650. but probably an enduro. im not complaining, but i wouldnt be opposed to ski season getting rolling either.
division.bellRolled around on another Fatboy Expert yesterday. It's torture having the two Fatboy framesets, wheel and tire sets, and complete drivetrain for each all in hand but still not having anything rideable at this point. Most of the remaining parts are in transit, just need to track down 2 disc rotors, a pair of grips, and 2 saddles and it's time to roll some fatties. Shooting for next weekend, but things could get fucked in transit by the holiday's so I'm not holding my breath at this point. Can't fucking wait though.
Also, my warrantied shock is finally back on my Knolly...bout fucking time. It was fun getting out on a variety of 29er's while my bike was out of commission, but there's nothing like being reunited with your own personal and custom build.
Not much skiing going on here in Washington yet this winter, but the mountain bike "season" has been phenomenal. Anyone else still out there getting some good riding in?
I've been riding each weekend at tiger, still super fun. Hell last weekend the trails were actually dry.
With the rain coming this weekend, anyone know of some good 2ish hour rides in the Seattle area that handles rain well? Other than tiger?
californiagrownI've been riding each weekend at tiger, still super fun. Hell last weekend the trails were actually dry.
With the rain coming this weekend, anyone know of some good 2ish hour rides in the Seattle area that handles rain well? Other than tiger?
With the kind of rain we are expecting this weekend, I stay on the eastside, closer to home. Soaring Eagle, Duthie & Grand Ridge, Henry's Ridge, Tolt, and Tokuls can handle the rain fairly well in my experience. Each will have its own problem areas that will hold water and create mud pits, but all are definitely rideable in the rain.
division.bellWith the kind of rain we are expecting this weekend, I stay on the eastside, closer to home. Soaring Eagle, Duthie & Grand Ridge, Henry's Ridge, Tolt, and Tokuls can handle the rain fairly well in my experience. Each will have its own problem areas that will hold water and create mud pits, but all are definitely rideable in the rain.
What's some good stuff on the east side? Something similar to tiger in length and type of trail. I'm used to day tripping 8 hours to Tahoe every weekend so 3-4hours round trip is nothing to me.
To answer your question from a while back, I'm riding a 2011 stumpy far with a 2.2 purgatory on the front, 2.3 wtb moto on the rear. The purgatory is actually much wider than the moto though.
californiagrownWhat's some good stuff on the east side? Something similar to tiger in length and type of trail. I'm used to day tripping 8 hours to Tahoe every weekend so 3-4hours round trip is nothing to me.
To answer your question from a while back, I'm riding a 2011 stumpy far with a 2.2 purgatory on the front, 2.3 wtb moto on the rear. The purgatory is actually much wider than the moto though.
Not much really compares to tiger on the eastside. I'd recommend starting at Duthie and riding south into and through the park (head south on the gravel road once you get to the main clearing that serves as the central hub for Duthie park) and cross the road to start the Grand Ridge trail. Nowhere near as tech as tiger, but it is a good out and back with a surprisingly fun amount of climbing and descending with the actual lack of significant elevation change. It has a good mix of things but is primarily fast single track.
I find the route way more enjoyable to ride starting at Duthie and riding south up the hill to have the longest downhill on my return ride to Duthie. Plus the bike park itself has plenty of trails, jumps, pump tracks and practice drops/ obstacles to keep you occupied for a few hours. Definitely worth checking out at least once.
Words of caution, the bridges are extra slick this time of year and be wary of riders around blind turns on Grand Ridge. Duthie's trails are directional so no concerns there but the same does not apply once you cross the road and hit the Grand Ridge trail. Expect traffic on the weekends, but it's always manageable and never seems too crowded. Especially during a rainy weekend.
My 650b enduro comp is my favorite bike I've ever ridden, hands down. It gives me so much confidence while hitting every single type of terrain. The geo is amazing for riding downhill. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a one bike quiver that can effortlessly go from 30ft tables to 30mile xc rides.
It fell off my roof driving 85 on I5 on the way home from thanksgiving so it's all busted up right now and needs new parts. The fork, frame, wheelset and shock are all completely fine though. :) That fucker half backflipped off my roof, bounced, double backflipped and then skidded to a stop going 85mph and it doesnt have a scratch on it. It's a fucking tank! (the roof-rack broke and the handlebars took all the impact and bent ~80degrees on each side)
Duly noted gents. Yeah I'll probably be going the enduro route. cant be that much slower uphill at the rate i go and i can imagine it just unleashes on the way back down.
my bike fell off of a roof rack on the highway once... but not completely. just the strap holding the rear wheel on decided to snap so my bike totally pivoted around my front fork's dropouts that were holding my bike on. my bike slammed on the side of the car, scratching the car and bending my crankset.
surprisingly, my fork (a rigid carbon fork) was totally fine, despite its dropouts taking the full weight of my bike swinging down. specialized chisels are solid forks!
DrZoidbergWhat exactly happened here? Resin infusion or something else? This is sick.
Also are you vac bagging in a ziplock bag? Is this a thing/why haven't I been vac bagging a shit ton of stuff if this is a thing?
Thanks for the stoke man!
In the picture, that's one of the footbeds being vac-bagged. I bagged them inside of large ziplock bags, used ziplock bag material as peel ply on the mould side and the bag side, then I used scott blue shop towel as a breather cloth. It's pretty hood but hey, it works! I'd definitely use this method again, but if I ever have my own garage I'll definitely stock a few legit materials.
So you just attached a valve to the ziplock bag? I was wondering how you put the resin on. Just apply then put it in the bag and pull a vacuum, or was it some type of infusion process? I've got a vac bag, but I've never done resin with it cause it's slightly too small for surfboards and I've never needed to fabricate anything else.
So... mountain bikes... I've done it twice. It's super fun.
DrZoidbergSo you just attached a valve to the ziplock bag? I was wondering how you put the resin on. Just apply then put it in the bag and pull a vacuum, or was it some type of infusion process? I've got a vac bag, but I've never done resin with it cause it's slightly too small for surfboards and I've never needed to fabricate anything else.
So... mountain bikes... I've done it twice. It's super fun.
do it again, then again, then again. then you'll realize it's skiing on dirt. then you'll weep for your bank account, give it a proper burial, and start purchasing bike stuff AND ski stuff.
fuck. bike stuff is more expensive. i haven't bought a single ski thing in the past ~9 months.
MEDSKI_do it again, then again, then again. then you'll realize it's skiing on dirt. then you'll weep for your bank account, give it a proper burial, and start purchasing bike stuff AND ski stuff.
fuck. bike stuff is more expensive. i haven't bought a single ski thing in the past ~9 months.
Haha I started biking because its the close thing to skiing during the summer and fall. I also thought it'd be a one time investment and then super cheap....hahaha. So damn expensive
MEDSKI_do it again, then again, then again. then you'll realize it's skiing on dirt. then you'll weep for your bank account, give it a proper burial, and start purchasing bike stuff AND ski stuff.
fuck. bike stuff is more expensive. i haven't bought a single ski thing in the past ~9 months.
That was my impression. Going through tress is super fun, especially since I'm from new jersey and you really don't get to ski trees unless it actually snows a lot. Looked at prices for bike stuff though...
MEDSKI_do it again, then again, then again. then you'll realize it's skiing on dirt. then you'll weep for your bank account, give it a proper burial, and start purchasing bike stuff AND ski stuff.
fuck. bike stuff is more expensive. i haven't bought a single ski thing in the past ~9 months.
californiagrownHaha I started biking because its the close thing to skiing during the summer and fall. I also thought it'd be a one time investment and then super cheap....hahaha. So damn expensive
Feeling these sentiments so much this year.
Not going to get into specifics, but the short version is by this upcoming March, I will have gone from having a total of 2 bikes in July 2014 (one hardtail each for my wife and myself) to a total of 8 bikes between the two of us with a high probability of more in the future. I just really love riding bikes.
Shit's an addiction; cycling that is. And like a ski quiver, there are so many different types of bikes for different uses. Although I find it much harder to justify overlap in a bike collection that a ski quiver.
Fatboy's will be rolling next week. I am waiting on the last 2 components and then it's time to build.
I still have not yet skied this season, but got out to Tiger one last time right before the snow hit. No one in the lots when we hit the road climb at 9am and we saw a total of 3 other riders the whole day. Such an awesome past year of riding here in the PNW and the getting is still good. Upper trails are likely closed for the season now.
division.bellI still have not yet skied this season, but got out to Tiger one last time right before the snow hit. No one in the lots when we hit the road climb at 9am and we saw a total of 3 other riders the whole day. Such an awesome past year of riding here in the PNW and the getting is still good. Upper trails are likely closed for the season now.
Ski season in PA started off super strong in mid November, but has since turned into a bag of dicks. I took a brake from sketchy bumps laps the past two days to get out on my bike again.
My friend john coming out of some techy gnar
nice tetnus-covered bridge we came upon
shred sled photoshoot while enjoying a mid-ride beer. Yes, my saddle is 357563 feet high. I'm a lanky mofo.
And I skipped the new snow and long lift lines today to instead start building my Fatboy's. I have a few things left to finish on the builds, but I'll probably be breaking in the fatties instead of skiing tomorrow as well.
The plus side of 4 days straight of rain and no more snow meant great riding once it got cold and hardened up again. Had a fun day yesterday on the trails where I grew up riding. It's super fun to ride in a place where you know every inch of every trail, down to the placement of each rock. If winter's gonna shit the bed I'll make the best of it
I've been out a few times through the holidays to the local inner city singletrack. I'm only biking a portion of it right now, because it has some sections that I think may be far too technical for winter riding. The portion that I am riding is pretty virgin right now. There has been a few hikers on it, but I'm the only one who's been biking. I wish I could give you guys a summary of what it's like riding in snow, but if I did it would be a novel. Really, you just have to accept the fact that everything is extremely variable.
The Farley has been performing quite well. One of my rides was in -28C ambient. Amazingly everything worked smoothly except the brakes. I'm not sure if any hydraulic brake would work well in those temperatures though. The Bluto, without winter parts was surprisingly working quite smooth. The drivetrain has been great, but I do wish I could put something smaller than a 30T chainring on it for really soft snow but I can't. To offset the tough pedalling though I'm picking up a tubeless conversion asap to drop nearly a pound from each wheel. That should help a lot.
Here's a shot of the Farley with my Blazer in the parking lot.
I will have some pictures of some more 4.6" fatness tomorrow. I just need to run the shift cable/housing and trim both hydraulic cables down to size on each bike and they will finally be complete. So damn ready.
division.bell^ I absolutely love the looks of that bike.
I will have some pictures of some more 4.6" fatness tomorrow. I just need to run the shift cable/housing and trim both hydraulic cables down to size on each bike and they will finally be complete. So damn ready.
Thanks! And I'm hyped to see your bikes. They will be something else. Aha the only bike out there that might compare in awesomeness would be like a Salsa Beargrease Carbon build.
