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March, 2024

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Official mountain biking thread

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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,462
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.
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Jun 9 2014 5:41PM
2040 153
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Dhiler17
Posts: 93 - Karma: 294
I wish I didn’t ride hard enough to break gear.
BiffbarfThat's a lot of words for 'I don't ride hard enough to break gear'
Dec 7 2019 7:45PM
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GANDALF
Posts: 6285 - Karma: 6,433
I love this bike. It fucks. Riding year round also fucks. Anyone still riding this winter?


Feb 26 2020 3:37PM
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CLQ
Posts: 2709 - Karma: 11,259
GANDALFI love this bike. It fucks. Riding year round also fucks. Anyone still riding this winter?




Only mountain biked a handful of times this year but yesterday was glorious. Feeling really good
Feb 26 2020 4:25PM
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clindblomskier
Posts: 681 - Karma: 5,119
Just bought a fresh set of dh casing dhf’s. First enduro race of the year next weekend wish me luck!
Feb 26 2020 6:36PM
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Bdoobz
Posts: 838 - Karma: 4,893
clindblomskierJust bought a fresh set of dh casing dhf’s. First enduro race of the year next weekend wish me luck!

Get it homie!
Feb 26 2020 9:17PM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5065 - Karma: 42,823
Bought a pair of wheels for my next bike months ago. They've been sitting in the gear room as I ski pow, impatiently waiting for Transition to release a new Sentinel.
Feb 26 2020 9:57PM
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clindblomskier
Posts: 681 - Karma: 5,119
cydwhitBought a pair of wheels for my next bike months ago. They've been sitting in the gear room as I ski pow, impatiently waiting for Transition to release a new Sentinel.


Lil Birdie told me it’s coming in April 😉
Feb 27 2020 8:29AM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5065 - Karma: 42,823
clindblomskierLil Birdie told me it’s coming in April 😉


Birdie told me the same thing! I'm headed to Whistler end of May for a PMBIA course, so hopefully, I've gotten my paws on a frame by then. Otherwise, I'll be lapping Dark Crystal on the hardtail.

On that note, anybody in BC, what's the spring riding in Whistler usually like? Don't really care about the bikepark, but how much of the pedal stuff will still be snowed in last week of May? Can always bail to Squamish, but would love to be able to grab rides before and after my class.
Feb 27 2020 9:45AM
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Evantheshredster
Posts: 429 - Karma: 935
FuckAllOfYouI made one of these a while ago. I think it was mostly competitive XC though.

I'm an XC race weight weenie, got a fully rigid 19 lb 13 oz Niner air 9 RDO with Stan's Crest wheels, 1x10 XX1 crankset (slx cassette) Specialized Chisel fork (carbon, it's why my bike is so light lol) XT derailleur, Magura MTS brakes, and Easton ec 70 seatpost.

my bars, stem, saddle and shifter are from my old Specialized Carve. They're shitty.

Let me just say, I've ridden my best on this rigid bike. despite how bumpy it can be, i've never been able to maneuver my bike so deftly. Plus, the climbing is awesome. It's made me be very wise with my line choices, thus improving speed and efficiency.


I hope this thread stays alive!


my man its been 6 years but youre fuckin right. i used to ride a full rigid jamis with a whisky fork and i progressed so much on that, that when i got my new bike(2019 cannondale bad habit 2) i was riding twice as fast as i would have on my old full squish
Feb 27 2020 2:05PM
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Sfont87
Posts: 66 - Karma: 154
GANDALFI love this bike. It fucks. Riding year round also fucks. Anyone still riding this winter?



Rode tiger a few weeks ago. But snowy up top but it was really nice a hundred feet below
Feb 28 2020 1:38AM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,092
.nastyIt's most likely sold to a friend but just in case, my Alchemy Arktos 29ST is for sale.

Yummy AXS drivetrain goodness and everything!

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2641446/


still for sale, come on people I need to impulse buy a new bike!
Feb 29 2020 4:37PM
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CheddarJack
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 7,380
cydwhitBirdie told me the same thing! I'm headed to Whistler end of May for a PMBIA course, so hopefully, I've gotten my paws on a frame by then. Otherwise, I'll be lapping Dark Crystal on the hardtail.

On that note, anybody in BC, what's the spring riding in Whistler usually like? Don't really care about the bikepark, but how much of the pedal stuff will still be snowed in last week of May? Can always bail to Squamish, but would love to be able to grab rides before and after my class.


There should be plenty of valley trails riding well by then. Dark Crystal is seasonally closed but I'm sure it'd still be snowed in anyway. I wouldn't be worried, especially with Squamish as a second option. I wouldn't even call it a plan B. Pemby might open up a little by then too.
*Disclaimer: I live in Bellingham, not BC. So my speculation is really just that.
Feb 29 2020 6:50PM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5065 - Karma: 42,823
CheddarJackThere should be plenty of valley trails riding well by then. Dark Crystal is seasonally closed but I'm sure it'd still be snowed in anyway. I wouldn't be worried, especially with Squamish as a second option. I wouldn't even call it a plan B. Pemby might open up a little by then too.
*Disclaimer: I live in Bellingham, not BC. So my speculation is really just that.


Siiick.

I'm a total nerd, so I went and looked at the Trailforks ride reports from last year on a bunch of stuff I want to ride again, and it looks like most if it will be riding by the end of May. Just trying to do more Whistler rides since my class is there, will hit Squamish on the way up for sure.
Mar 1 2020 6:49PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,956
I'm pretty jealous of the long riding season you guys in the PNW and coastal BC get. I don't know if it's just a different mindset or just different geography, but the MTB season in Bozeman doesn't really kick off until June-ish and the trails are dry. Mud is pretty much trail murder around here. You can draw pretty dirty looks if you come back into town with an excessively muddy bike.
Mar 2 2020 4:10PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,956
I'm gonna be going to Moab in a couple weeks and am looking for some input on tire choice. Should I keep a Rock Razor on the back or swap it for a DHF to match the front in case it's wet? Does that dirt get muddy and sloppy if it's wet?
Mar 2 2020 4:13PM
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KingofFroth
Posts: 70 - Karma: 131
need to start upgrading parts. gonna put a LTT and DHX2 coil. Just ordered some decals for it too. 2020 Santa cruz nomad carbon S
Mar 2 2020 5:07PM
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CLQ
Posts: 2709 - Karma: 11,259
No.QuarterI'm gonna be going to Moab in a couple weeks and am looking for some input on tire choice. Should I keep a Rock Razor on the back or swap it for a DHF to match the front in case it's wet? Does that dirt get muddy and sloppy if it's wet?


The chance of you getting a lot of rain is pretty low
Mar 2 2020 5:18PM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,092
No.QuarterI'm gonna be going to Moab in a couple weeks and am looking for some input on tire choice. Should I keep a Rock Razor on the back or swap it for a DHF to match the front in case it's wet? Does that dirt get muddy and sloppy if it's wet?


I'd go DHF anyway, semi slick tires are way more useful for trails that are mainly dirt and not 90% rock like moab. The added acceleration of a semi slick won't do you much good somewhere like moab. Heck, even go aggressor over a semi slick.
Mar 2 2020 6:08PM
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GANDALF
Posts: 6285 - Karma: 6,433
FOR SALE: 2020 Rockshox Lyrik Select Plus w/ Push ACS3 Coil Conversion Kit - $650

27.5" 170mm Travel

Only a handful of rides on this fork. 3 or 4 rides with the original air spring, and another 3 or 4 rides with The push coil installed. I decided to go a different direction with my suspension.

Everything is working properly. A couple little blemishes from my bike rack. Standard wear. I have the yellow spring installed, and I’ll also throw in a brand new orange spring, as well as the original air spring that came in the fork.

Here's a link to the pinkbike as well.
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2730790/
Mar 2 2020 6:49PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7099 - Karma: 17,043
Depends on the spring and snow melt. Black comb trails will be closed then but west side may be good to go by then in fact it almost certainly will be unless we get a late snow year. Lower valley trails will all be good but stuff like howler may not be.


squamish is almost all good to go right now so that will be on as will all of pemby

basically other then then probably blackcomb most should be good by then
cydwhitBirdie told me the same thing! I'm headed to Whistler end of May for a PMBIA course, so hopefully, I've gotten my paws on a frame by then. Otherwise, I'll be lapping Dark Crystal on the hardtail.

On that note, anybody in BC, what's the spring riding in Whistler usually like? Don't really care about the bikepark, but how much of the pedal stuff will still be snowed in last week of May? Can always bail to Squamish, but would love to be able to grab rides before and after my class.
Mar 4 2020 11:52PM
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JmckR
Posts: 1215 - Karma: 5,346
Couple of weeks from now, the golden days will be on us.

Slush park laps in the morning, followed by shuttle laps into the warm evenings. Can't wait.
Mar 5 2020 12:17AM
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CLQ
Posts: 2709 - Karma: 11,259
TheMailManCouple of weeks from now, the golden days will be on us.

Slush park laps in the morning, followed by shuttle laps into the warm evenings. Can't wait.


This is sad to read now
Mar 21 2020 8:29PM
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skierman
Posts: 8064 - Karma: 4,799
TheMailManCouple of weeks from now, the golden days will be on us.

Slush park laps in the morning, followed by shuttle laps into the warm evenings. Can't wait.


hahahahahaha post of the century.
Mar 21 2020 8:37PM
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JmckR
Posts: 1215 - Karma: 5,346
skiermanhahahahahaha post of the century.


hahaha I'll give you that one
Mar 22 2020 4:11AM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,956
I’ve got this strange urge to buy an aggressive hardtail frame and swap all of the parts from my FS bike onto it. Then slowly rebuild my FS bike with nicer components
Mar 24 2020 3:45PM
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clindblomskier
Posts: 681 - Karma: 5,119
No.QuarterI’ve got this strange urge to buy an aggressive hardtail frame and swap all of the parts from my FS bike onto it. Then slowly rebuild my FS bike with nicer components


aggressive hardtails are impractical unless you can't afford a full suspension bike. the geo makes you wanna charge but then you have to realize that it's a hardtail and you get bucked around. But that's just me
Mar 24 2020 4:02PM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5065 - Karma: 42,823
No.QuarterI’ve got this strange urge to buy an aggressive hardtail frame and swap all of the parts from my FS bike onto it. Then slowly rebuild my FS bike with nicer components


Basically did this last fall, swapped a Smuggler frame for a Ragley Big Wig. 150 mm fork, burly wheels and real tires. Really love it. Basically same geo as my Smuggler was, but lighter. It's a great backup/do-it-all bike now, been riding it a bunch this spring. I'll still get a new big bike once the new Sentinel drops, but until then, it can handle everything I need and will be a great loaner bike, and good for coaching.
Mar 24 2020 4:20PM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,092
Sold the Alchemy and got a dentist bike, although I might only go to the hygienist level with the build, not full dentist.



Mar 24 2020 4:30PM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,092
Sold the Alchemy and got a dentist bike, although I might only go to the hygienist level with the build, not full dentist.



Mar 24 2020 4:30PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,956
clindblomskieraggressive hardtails are impractical unless you can't afford a full suspension bike. the geo makes you wanna charge but then you have to realize that it's a hardtail and you get bucked around. But that's just me

I was riding a cheap xc hardtail up until two seasons ago and usually keeping up with most of my friends on their FS bikes. The only changes I made to it was putting on a shorter stem and a set of Minion DHF. Clipless pedals and paying attention are key to not getting bucked around as much. There are a lot of trails that I ride where a FS bike is overkill and can make it kinda boring.
cydwhitBasically did this last fall, swapped a Smuggler frame for a Ragley Big Wig. 150 mm fork, burly wheels and real tires. Really love it. Basically same geo as my Smuggler was, but lighter. It's a great backup/do-it-all bike now, been riding it a bunch this spring. I'll still get a new big bike once the new Sentinel drops, but until then, it can handle everything I need and will be a great loaner bike, and good for coaching.


I’ve been looking at the Ragley Mmmbop. It’s designed for a 150mm 27.5 fork, so I’m thinking putting on a 130mm 29er fork should balance it out nicely. Haven’t really considered the Big Wig because I’ve only ever rode a 29er and those shorter chainstays and smaller wheel sounds fun. Or I could spend some extra money on something like a Chromag Stylus or Wideangle
Mar 24 2020 5:20PM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5065 - Karma: 42,823
No.QuarterI was riding a cheap xc hardtail up until two seasons ago and usually keeping up with most of my friends on their FS bikes. The only changes I made to it was putting on a shorter stem and a set of Minion DHF. Clipless pedals and paying attention are key to not getting bucked around as much. There are a lot of trails that I ride where a FS bike is overkill and can make it kinda boring.


I’ve been looking at the Ragley Mmmbop. It’s designed for a 150mm 27.5 fork, so I’m thinking putting on a 130mm 29er fork should balance it out nicely. Haven’t really considered the Big Wig because I’ve only ever rode a 29er and those shorter chainstays and smaller wheel sounds fun. Or I could spend some extra money on something like a Chromag Stylus or Wideangle


So you're talking about going mullet? Or what?

Love my Big Wig, but I will say, it has the most flexy rear end of any bike I've ridden, including walmart bikes. It's not a problem, but I definitely notice it, I think it helps the bike track better in chunder, but it also feels just a touch vague in compressions in berms and such. If I still lived in Bozeman I'd be totally happy with it as my only bike though. Didn't find myself riding much there that warranted more.

Totally personal preference on wheel size, at this point, I'm fully 29er because I like how they feel everywhere, even on tight dirt jumps, and I really like having full interchangeability between bikes. Means if I blow up a wheel, or even just flat right before a ride I can just pull a wheel off my other bike and be good to go.
Mar 24 2020 6:38PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,956
cydwhitSo you're talking about going mullet? Or what?

Love my Big Wig, but I will say, it has the most flexy rear end of any bike I've ridden, including walmart bikes. It's not a problem, but I definitely notice it, I think it helps the bike track better in chunder, but it also feels just a touch vague in compressions in berms and such. If I still lived in Bozeman I'd be totally happy with it as my only bike though. Didn't find myself riding much there that warranted more.

Totally personal preference on wheel size, at this point, I'm fully 29er because I like how they feel everywhere, even on tight dirt jumps, and I really like having full interchangeability between bikes. Means if I blow up a wheel, or even just flat right before a ride I can just pull a wheel off my other bike and be good to go.

Yeah I’d be going mullet. Seems fun and different, I had a 26/27.5 setup on my beater with a fork that was too long and it was stupid fun. I’ve been waaaay overthinking the subtle geometry changes though. Big Wig would definitely be a more direct swap from the parts on my Meta TR 29. But really what I’m most stoked on about the Mmmbop is the purple frame honestly
Mar 24 2020 7:26PM
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ASSholebomber22
Posts: 6594 - Karma: 69,705


Lmao
Mar 24 2020 11:06PM
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IdahoSpud_
Posts: 70 - Karma: 155
ive got a rockshox recon rl air fork on my bike, and kinda want to add some volume spacers. i know some people have accomplished this on the recon, but its not designed to take spacers, so if you've been able to do this, what did you do?
Mar 25 2020 11:10AM
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CLQ
Posts: 2709 - Karma: 11,259
This is probably not the best place to ask but does anyone have any good drills I should do?
Mar 26 2020 7:20PM
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clindblomskier
Posts: 681 - Karma: 5,119
CLQThis is probably not the best place to ask but does anyone have any good drills I should do?


What kinda drills? I'm a skills coach so I probably have some information I can help you with
Mar 26 2020 7:23PM
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CLQ
Posts: 2709 - Karma: 11,259
clindblomskierWhat kinda drills? I'm a skills coach so I probably have some information I can help you with

Hmm I don’t even know, just whatever I can do in the street/backyard since I’m sheltering in place. Basically just been trackstanding, bunny hopping, wheelie/manuals but I’m getting bored of that. Just not really sure what I should be doing
Mar 26 2020 7:28PM
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clindblomskier
Posts: 681 - Karma: 5,119
CLQHmm I don’t even know, just whatever I can do in the street/backyard since I’m sheltering in place. Basically just been trackstanding, bunny hopping, wheelie/manuals but I’m getting bored of that. Just not really sure what I should be doing


Is there anything on the trail that you're having issues with? Cornering drills are always helpful and always relevant to any skill level
Mar 26 2020 7:30PM
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CLQ
Posts: 2709 - Karma: 11,259
clindblomskierIs there anything on the trail that you're having issues with? Cornering drills are always helpful and always relevant to any skill level


Hmm jumping is a weak point for sure.
Mar 26 2020 7:54PM
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CLQ
Posts: 2709 - Karma: 11,259
The referenced post has been removed.


Ok ill check out GMBN, does riding fakie help me on the trail at all though?
Mar 26 2020 7:55PM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5065 - Karma: 42,823
Been digging and shooting a bunch, trying to fit as many lines as possible into a tiny area.



Mar 27 2020 5:46PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,462
Realllly wish I still had a bike right now.....

Been way too long.
Mar 29 2020 1:38PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,956

Anyone else have this problem? My foot gets locked into place side to side but can slip back and forth. They are Giro Riddance shoes with vibram soles and happened so quick
Mar 29 2020 2:38PM
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