Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Sandman on June 22, 2002, 01:06:40 PM
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Any mountain bikers in here?
I've been looking at bikes today. I'm thinking it might be something I'd like to get interested in.
Any advice for entry-level types?
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i own a mountain bike. i use it for what i call 'urban trekking'. never done any real trail riding on it. but it my main mode of fitness. i ride it 3-5 times a week.
took knobbys off, put slicks on it. it's a hard tail raleigh, rugged, with double wall rims. it takes a beating , jumping curbs and stuff. and i never had any real problems with it in 2.5 years. i think the bike was about 500 bucks on sale. then there's the helmet (never worn), lock (recommended!) and a few other odds and ends.
i like it cause its simple and easy to maintain. i'm not into doing much tweaking. if you get a fully sprung bike, expect to spend some time tweaking settings.
also, try to get your bike from local bike shop, might run a little more, but you'll get good advice and most will do simple maintenance for free.
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Originally posted by Sandman_SBM
Any mountain bikers in here?
I've been looking at bikes today. I'm thinking it might be something I'd like to get interested in.
Any advice for entry-level types?
I like Trek bikes. I live @ 8K ft in Colorado mtns. Entry level bikes are about $400, but I've had luck buying year-old rental bikes from local mtn bike store--plan to put a hundred or so in a pump, tool bag, lites, as well and get a good, comfortable helmet!
Also....buy a good pair of HEAVILY PADDED bike shorts and use them until your posterior gets used to the lil bitty seats.
Altho hardcores disagree, I prefer the "Power Grip" method on the pedals (strap over shoe, basically)--you can then use regular shoes to ride rather than the pedal/shoe integrated sytem.
'Luck!
dh
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For urban riding or off-road?.
If it's urban, forget the MTB and go for a hybrid or a pure roadbike. The difference is *huge*.
Either way, Trek is probably the best way to go. They offer good entry level bikes, althoug I'd still recommend going just the step above and then think about investing in a decent set of wheels (if you go the MTB route).
As for pedals, it depends on what you want to use it for. If you get just a little bit serious, forget the clips/straps and go for clipless. It's much more effecient for transferring power than the clip/strap system and you can also get shoes that you can walk in. (Although I prefer the completly stiff sole. It's slightly inconvenient, but worth it).
Padded shorts is only if you plan to ride for more than 30 mins offroad/1 hour road. Yeah, you bum will be sore for the first week, but that's about it.
A couple of websites worth checking out is http://www.bikereview.com and for general info, go to http://www.bicycling.com (although it's rather road oriented).
You can also often pick up good deals on getting last years models. I saved over $300 on my new bike, by getting the 2001 model, which apart from a few minor things is identical to the 2002 model.
Find a shop where the people working there are bikers. Have a look around, ask a few questions, try a few sizes, go home, read a bit more, etc.
Daff
P.S. Didnt you use to do a fair bit of roadcycling??
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Originally posted by Daff
As for pedals, it depends on what you want to use it for. If you get just a little bit serious, forget the clips/straps and go for clipless. It's much more effecient for transferring power than the clip/strap system and you can also get shoes that you can walk in. (Although I prefer the completly stiff sole. It's slightly inconvenient, but worth it).
See what I mean? :D The hardcore guys disagree--I ride a lot in Teva sandals--I find them cooler than any of the clipless shoes for casual street/trail riding....but I'm not really an avid rider as I only trail ride for an hour or so a day. Of course, YMMV.
dh
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all my biking is 'urban'. i ride a mountain bike coz i ain't sharing the road with cellphoningtalking/mcdonaldseating/screamingatkids/makeupapplying/SUVdriving morons. i'm on the sidewalk (not really many pedestrians), alleys, parks, parking lots. parking garages are a great workout.
besides, it's more fun than just cranking out mile after mile like a marathoner.
never really got into trail riding. i like to just push it out the front door and roll. i guess i'm just too lazy to pack it up, drive somewhere, drive back tired and sweaty, then have to clean tons of dirt. dodging blue-hairs that can't see over the dashboard adds a certain, uh, excitment you can't get on a trail.
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Spend about 500# if you are looking for a pure off-road machine. Go with a brabd like Specialized, Trek, or one of the other big brands. Also do yourself a favour and buy your bike from one of the dedicated local bike shops, not Wal-Mart or a sporting-goods store. You'll get much more attention and service and you'll geta better bike in the long run.
Mountain biking is a way of life. Once you get the bug you'll never give it up and you'll never be without it.
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What Stridr said, ;)
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Wow.. thanx for the response...
Daff... I'm looking for off road use and I wasn't previously into road bikes.
I looked at the local bike shop... I don't believe they deal in Trek. Just Giant and Specialized.
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Giant and Specialized are top flight bike makers, can't got wrong with them...
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specialized and the new K2's are hot if you're into full suspension extreme stuff like around where I live.
price range is around 1800
for the 'real' stuff you have to pay 7k+
if you're doing steep climbs you'll need hard-tail or lockable rear suspension to be really effecient... downhill is better with full suspension.
steep is pretty subjective btw.
by steep I mean first gear high revs with back tire breaking loose. 2k vertical.
oh yeah.. and clipless all the way.
no comparison for climbing or hanging on during extreme downhill
here's a link to our trails for anyone intersting in visiting.http://www.tosv.com/2001/Hiking.htm
(click on the Hiking/Biking map link)
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Originally posted by Wlfgng
here's a link to our trails for anyone intersting in visiting.http://www.tosv.com/2001/Hiking.htm
(click on the Hiking/Biking map link)
Heh, this was where I went this morning ('bout 5 mins. ride from the house)
http://www.fourteenernet.com/album/midland.htm
Awfully smoky today, tho. :(
dh
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Giant and Specialized are top bike makers. Can't go wrong with either one of them. Gary Fisher, Diamondback, and Cannondale are also good. Don't get a Huffy (No! No!). You can expect to spend $350 to $450 on an entry-level bike, but it will pay for itself over time. The cheap Huffy bikes are nothing more than plumbing pipes on wheels, and you'll just be throwing your money away.
Since you're a beginner, keep this in mind: you can replace everything on the bike except the frame, so pick a frame that "fits" your body's geometry correctly. For example, did you know that there are two types of road racing bikes? (a) one for road racing and (b) one for triathlons. The tri bike's geometry is designed to work a different set of muscles than the standard road racing bike, so that the rider is able to do the run portion of the triathlon with "fresh" running muscles. Buy from a bike shop and let them do what they do best: inform, educate, and recommend.
I bought a Diamondback with a steel frame, no shocks. Steel is heavier than aluminum, but more durable and less chance of stripping a threaded screw hole (a good way to trash an expensive aluminum frame). Steel has less flex, too. You could buy titanium, the top of the line material, but that's a pricing consideration because its so expensive. I'd suggest going with a steel frame and use the money saved to upgrade the components, such as the crank, the cog, and the shifter - the parts that are most likely to break and leave you stuck in the backwoods.
Either get toeclips or shoes with clips so that you can work the pedal on the upswing - critical when going through soft sand or uphill.
Do get padded cycling shorts, preferabbly with either foam or CoolMax padding. Avoid the gel padding - the gel tends to settle in areas where there's no pressure, and that's the opposite of what you need it to do!
Don't get a kick stand - just one more thing to grab sticks and if you flip over it can become a spear.
Do get: a fat-barrel bike pump and spare tire tube, a portable bike tool kit, and padded gloves. Do get a seat pack to carry it all in. Buy a helmet to keep the branches from whacking you in the face. It might also save your life.
Suggested upgrades include front fork with shock absorbers, depending on how rugged the terrain is. Your wrists will hurt after awhile - there's more weight on them than they are used to, and factor in the impact of bouncing over tree roots and rocks and you can see where a good pair of gloves and front shocks would be welcome. I didn't get a shock-equipped bike because I didn't think I'd need that much cushion. Wrong! I don't want to spend the money to upgrade, so now I just stick to level ground - sand dunes, flat woods, such like that.
Get the quick-release bolts for your tires and seat post. Screws and nuts get lost in the woods very easily, and if you pop a tire you're going to be taking those wheels off to make the change.
Get a U-lock instead of a cable lock if you plan to ride in the city. Easier to use and less prone to getting cut.
Hope this helps.
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a Trek or specialized is probably your best bet. Quality bike....... fair price. Giants are too heavy. If you can afford a Cannondale or Gary Fisher........ those are the best, but really pricey.
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Nobody here has mentioned GT yet. I love mine, have had it for a few years. I have heard a rumor that they were sold very recently, so I don't know if they are still around. When I did my shopping, however, I found mine was the best bang for teh buck on the market (GT Avalanche, mostly shimano lx components, but an XT rear deralieur, nice Judy shock up front). Anyhow, you don't need a bike that serious, but you can expect to pay 300 to 400 for something you won't be discouraged with. Buy the right sized frame above all, then you can replace shoddy components as needed or money allows.
On a side note, I really prefer a thumb shifter over the grip shifters. Reason, I like a stable handle when I'm riding hard, not something that's constanly changing gears if I am bouncing around a lot and my hands accidentaly twist the grips. It's really a matter of personal taste, though, and I know a lot of guys who won't ever own anything but grip shifters (yechhh).
Clipless pedals are really nice, but hard at first. If you want, a good way to go is to buy a set of standard pedals (no attacment to your feet). Get comfortabel riding hard, then switch to a set of clipless pedals when your ready to spend another 100 bucks (including shoe price). Yes, they make a big deal in efficiency, but if you are a beginner, you might not enjoy being clipped in to an out-of-control bike.
Don't buy a softie, nice and comfy bike seat. They are no good in the long run. Once your a** gets used to the pucker, a good hard, narrow bike seat is the way to go. give it a week or two to get comfortable.
Have fun!
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Horn that's awesome. You're just over the hill from me.. so to speak.
I usually do single-tracks and they are steep.. finally got a digital camera so I can post some photos .
here's a link to the scenery here but no real bike-trail photos... yet.LINK (http://www.tosv.com/2001/SnowmassVillage/SnowmassVillage/index.html)
you should take a trip up here, away from the fire, and go biking with me !
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Get a Specialized, I had a FSR, loved it. I had too sell it for my baby:D ......a RM Reaper. Fullies though are a lot of work.
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Very nice Horn, I have ridden there a couple of times, Also done Independence pass a couple of times, Pikes peak 2 times, Coors classic through vail, and some other obscure trails deep in the Rockies that I have no idea what there called.
Unless you buy there high end bikes treks are worthless. Huffy, Mongoose, Worthless. Specialized, Condonable, Chiristini, Fisher, are good. If you are not sure if this is something that you will end up doing for the rest of your life I would go with a Specialized Hard Rock. This was my first bike. I took it over independence pass for the first time, road it to work and all over Colorado springs, and castle rock. The bike lived for 7 years without having to replace anything, (but tires and brakes) You will spend about 400.00 and if it not something you will do every day just every once and a while this will be worth it because it will last even longer.
You all that live in Colorado, Snowmass and the summit, how is the jobs there right now? Been wanting to move back home…
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Originally posted by Wlfgng
here's a link to the scenery here but no real bike-trail photos... yet.LINK (http://www.tosv.com/2001/SnowmassVillage/SnowmassVillage/index.html)
you should take a trip up here, away from the fire, and go biking with me !
Some awesome scenery there--did you do that website? It's very nice. I haven't been over to your resort in the summer in forever--I might take you up on the ride--are you still heading to the Con?
dh
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I have a Trek 870, 8 years old and still taking abuse! Best damn bike I've ever owned. (Can't believe I missed this thread earlier...)
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Originally posted by GlenPlake
You all that live in Colorado, Snowmass and the summit, how is the jobs there right now? Been wanting to move back home…
Heh, Independence Pass falls in the "gruelling" or "a lot like work" category for me--I'm not much into even *driving* the damn thing much less biking it :D Good on ya, tho!
Summer has been hard on the local economy as the rivers are *very* low and the rafting crowd that likes the high hairy stuff were all no-shows. Winter was good --Depending on what you're looking for, I would look at the Copper Mountain area as they are expanding like crazy. Wolfgang prolly has a good handle on Snowmass....
'Luck!
dh
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Copper would be sweet, any where in the summit would be ideal but I really don’t care. I am in the IT industry but if I could make it in the summit I would lay brick just to be there.
Thanks for the info...
Yes doing Independence is not stop. If you stop you will have a hard time getting your pace back up to par. But the view and the ride down into aspen is wonderful, I know at one point I hit 55 on my mountain bike going down to aspen….eeek that was scary.
And I have to RIP on trek just because I have owned 3 different Specialized bikes in my whole life.
:D
Good Times(http://www.knightsreign.8m.net/images/beer.gif)
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yeah I do the site.. it' needs updating but I've been busy with other stuff. I'm the IT manager (department) for Snowmass Village (township).
Anytime.. come one come all.
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oh jobs.. man do we need decent workers.
both for the town and in general.
depends on what you're looking for.
here are our 'Town' jobs Jobs (http://www.tosv.com/2001/Jobs.htm)
also if you're into seasonal work SkiCo is hiring for the upcoming ski season.
there are ALWAYS jobs here for people willing to work.
Much more difficult is finding a place to stay.
if you work for the town you can get employee housing.
what kind of work are you looking for?
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I have been riding Kona's the last few years. My local shop carries them and I really like the geometry of the frame.
I ride where it is muddy most of the time back here in Kansas City so if you are going to use clipless pedals where it is muddy make sure you use some form of anti sticky stuff--Pam cooking spray works good, use plenty on your cleats.
I was out at Snowmass a few weeks ago for a business outing,, played a little golf and hung out. Dang dry out there. I go to Crested Butte in fall, my sister has a house there, and ride for a few days.
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damn now.. you guys let me know when your in Snowmass next time .
as for Kona.. I almost bought one. I hear they are great bikes from a great start-up company that backs what it sells.
I love my Specialized.