Mountain bikers on board?

[Dr Morbid]

Anyone here a mountain biker?

Here's me and my rig, a Turner RFX with custom anodized olive mainframe:

Old rig (a Turner Flux at Blue Mountain, Upstate NY):

 

[jumpinjohn1234]

I'm trying to get into mountain biking looks like a lot of fun. Only problem is trying to find a good mountain bike for around 700 or less. First I need to get 700.

 

[J-Pak]

Mountain biker here. I try and hit the single track trails when I have time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumpinjohn1234 I'm trying to get into mountain biking looks like a lot of fun. Only problem is trying to find a good mountain bike for around 700 or less. First I need to get 700.

Mountain biking is a lot cheaper now than it was 10 years ago. You can find many great hardtail bikes for under $700. If you are willing to buy used, even more opportunities open up.

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumpinjohn1234 I'm trying to get into mountain biking looks like a lot of fun. Only problem is trying to find a good mountain bike for around 700 or less. First I need to get 700.

You can buy a sick hardtail for $700.

Check out www.ibexbikes.com (Unfortunately, they are sold out of $600 Alpine 650 2006 edition). You will generally do much better with direct online dealers such as ibex and iron horse than you will at a local bike shop. I think your full-suspension options might be a little limited at $700, but if you're interested solely in cross-country/urban/climbing, a hard-tail will be better for you anyway.

I personally own Specialized Rockhopper and ride to lab from UCSD.

-Matt

 

[kramer5150]

Back in my day... BC (before children) my wife and I used to ride a few times a month with our friends.

Its a GREAT sport. Im in the blue shirt posing hoisting my fisher hoo koo e koo above my head.

Pic below is my favorite place, Wilder Ranch in Santa Cruz. You can ride north south along the coast, or head inland on fire roads where the single tracks drop down into steep hills and cliffs!!! SUPERB. I snapped my chain on this ride, I guess my legs were a lot stronger back then.

My wifes first ride. I was following her coaching, and instructing her when to down shift. Eventually she got the hang of it. She was a roadie at the time, and was used to just "stomping harder" if you want more power. Shes on a rental in this pic. 2 weeks after this ride she got a sweet aluminum Marin.

My front forks hav esince been upgraded to Marzocchi Z4s

 

[J-Pak]

Ah damn you! I've always wanted to visit Santa Cruz for the trails.

We have some really nice DH spots here, but I don't really want to get into that

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

...which brings up the next question...do any of you listen to music when you are riding alone XC?

-Matt

 

[okay_player]

Today I bailed from a long skinny. It was only ~2 foot drop to the left, but of course I had to fall to the right, which led to me falling several more feet. Initially it didn't hurt too badly, but when I tried to stand up things got painful. I did land on my feet, sort of, but the lower calf of my right leg is just destroyed. I can walk on it now (uncomfortably) but several hours ago it was almost unbearable to put any weight on it.

As for music, I almost always take my Ipod + e2c's for the initial ride through the park system and to the trail-head, but that's where I turn it off. The trails I ride are getting really popular, and there are a lot of blind corners, so it's definitely not safe.

But yeah. Mountain biking is pretty amazing. I've seen a tonne of rabbits this year, some ground-hogs, and even a fox.

 

[Dr Morbid]

Kramer, you also have good taste in music. Here's mine:

Link

And yes, solo or solo epic, I do listen to music. It really helps get through those less dynamic or tough sections. I tend to listen to thrash, since it's more forward moving.

 

[J-Pak]

I've never thought about listening to music. I enjoy the sounds around me/my bike.

 

[Dr Morbid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Pak Ah damn you! I've always wanted to visit Santa Cruz for the trails. We have some really nice DH spots here, but I don't really want to get into that

No further than Rothrock in State College Pa. I can declare hands down that it's one of the US's premier and best kept secret mtb areas. Brutal climbs for 45-120 minutes, rocks everywhere, spectacular views, or easier runs. Fast, sweeping downhills, too.

 

[RedLeader]

Me and my Marin Hardtail

 

[Dr Morbid]

Gf inside the Javits convention center in NYC during a Summer City ride we were on.

Cannondale Prophet with Lefty Max fork.

 

[mlarn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Pak I've never thought about listening to music. I enjoy the sounds around me/my bike.

Me too

 

[mikuhf]

My wife has been getting me into MTB, but we had a few interruptions - one 2 years back and another two 2 months ago... We live about ten minutes ride from Wilder (we're up near UCSC)

Mako
Turner XC (*black* on black on black)
Turner Stinger
and I should be inheriting a race-retired hardtail XC from my brother-in-law when I see him tomorrow.

Never listen to music while riding a bicycle -- but on my motorcycle, I have an Autocom, and I put the iPod on that at low volume.

M