Any Mountain bikers? :: Ultimate MMORPG Gaming Community & Trading Zone

Ashenor
RealPoor Sensei

Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 1539
Location: Metro Detroit

Posted: 03/02/06 - 20:47 Post subject: Any Mountain bikers?

Thinking about getting one in the spring. I guess there are some good trails pretty close to the house. I would like to get into some more aggressive ones and stuff, but new to the sport can anyone suggest some bikes to look at? I don't really know much about them i don't want something super expensive but i don't want something that is junk either. Any suggestions on a middle of the road bike that i can use for awhile without wanting to upgrade? Thanks

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Lumberg
RealPoor Guru

Joined: 17 Nov 2002
Posts: 4404
Location: i'm in ur base, i'm killin ur dudes

Posted: 03/02/06 - 21:25 Post subject:

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Ashenor
RealPoor Sensei

Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 1539
Location: Metro Detroit

Posted: 03/02/06 - 21:30 Post subject:

Hmm that looks like a better hobby.

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kemble
RealPoor Sensei

Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 1909
Location: MI

Posted: 03/02/06 - 22:15 Post subject:

There are definitely some good trails around here. I've got a Kona 'Kula' . I've had it for a number of years and its bombproof. I've raced it (when I was in shape) and generally beat on it in every type of terrain and had no problems. For the terrain around here, I would stick with a hard tail vs. full suspension. You'll see quite a bit of full suspension at the trailheads around here, but its totally not necessary. For me, the climbing benefits of a hardtail outweigh the extra weight of a dual suspension. I've had trek, cannondale, giant, kona, lightspeed, and gary fischer bikes... The Kona is still my fav. The lightspeeds are nice too (titanium frame) but pricey @ over $1k for just a frame. I would look at Trek and Kona. I think there is a kona dealer in madison heights.

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Yellow Journalist
RealPoor Sensei

Joined: 20 Oct 2002
Posts: 1973

Posted: 03/02/06 - 22:29 Post subject:

I always get my bikes stolen. Always.. I could chain one up and leash a bulldog to it and it would still get stolen.

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Maldek
RealPoor Guru

Joined: 16 Oct 2002
Posts: 2089

Posted: 03/02/06 - 23:14 Post subject:

wts stolen huffy 10speed

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motherface
RealPoor Guru

Joined: 12 Mar 2003
Posts: 3407

Posted: 03/02/06 - 23:19 Post subject:

Pistol shots ring out in the barroom night Enter patty valentine from the upper hall. She sees the bartender in a pool of blood, Cries out, my god, they killed them all! Here comes the story of the hurricane, The man the authorities came to blame For somethin’ that he never done. Put in a prison cell, but one time he could-a been The champion of the world. Three bodies lyin’ there does patty see And another man named bello, movin’ around mysteriously. I didn’t do it, he says, and he throws up his hands I was only robbin’ the register, I hope you understand. I saw them leavin’, he says, and he stops One of us had better call up the cops. And so patty calls the cops And they arrive on the scene with their red lights flashin’ In the hot new jersey night. Meanwhile, far away in another part of town Rubin carter and a couple of friends are drivin’ around. Number one contender for the middleweight crown Had no idea what kinda shit was about to go down When a cop pulled him over to the side of the road Just like the time before and the time before that. In paterson that’s just the way things go. If you’re black you might as well not show up on the street ’less you wanna draw the heat. Alfred bello had a partner and he had a rap for the cops. Him and arthur dexter bradley were just out prowlin’ around He said, I saw two men runnin’ out, they looked like middleweights They jumped into a white car with out-of-state plates. And miss patty valentine just nodded her head. Cop said, wait a minute, boys, this one’s not dead So they took him to the infirmary And though this man could hardly see They told him that he could identify the guilty men. Four in the mornin’ and they haul rubin in, Take him to the hospital and they bring him upstairs. The wounded man looks up through his one dyin’ eye Says, wha’d you bring him in here for? he ain’t the guy! Yes, here’s the story of the hurricane, The man the authorities came to blame For somethin’ that he never done. Put in a prison cell, but one time he could-a been The champion of the world. Four months later, the ghettos are in flame, Rubin’s in south america, fightin’ for his name While arthur dexter bradley’s still in the robbery game And the cops are puttin’ the screws to him, lookin’ for somebody to blame. Remember that murder that happened in a bar? Remember you said you saw the getaway car? You think you’d like to play ball with the law? Think it might-a been that fighter that you saw runnin’ that night? Don’t forget that you are white. Arthur dexter bradley said, I’m really not sure. Cops said, a poor boy like you could use a break We got you for the motel job and we’re talkin’ to your friend bello Now you don’t wanta have to go back to jail, be a nice fellow. You’ll be doin’ society a favor. That sonofabitch is brave and gettin’ braver. We want to put his ass in stir We want to pin this triple murder on him He ain’t no gentleman jim. Rubin could take a man out with just one punch But he never did like to talk about it all that much. It’s my work, he’d say, and I do it for pay And when it’s over I’d just as soon go on my way Up to some paradise Where the trout streams flow and the air is nice And ride a horse along a trail. But then they took him to the jailhouse Where they try to turn a man into a mouse. All of rubin’s cards were marked in advance The trial was a pig-circus, he never had a chance. The judge made rubin’s witnesses drunkards from the slums To the white folks who watched he was a revolutionary bum And to the black folks he was just a crazy n****r. No one doubted that he pulled the trigger. And though they could not produce the gun, The d.a. said he was the one who did the deed And the all-white jury agreed. Rubin carter was falsely tried. The crime was murder one, guess who testified? Bello and bradley and they both baldly lied And the newspapers, they all went along for the ride. How can the life of such a man Be in the palm of some fool’s hand? To see him obviously framed Couldn’t help but make me feel ashamed to live in a land Where justice is a game. Now all the criminals in their coats and their ties Are free to drink martinis and watch the sun rise While rubin sits like buddha in a ten-foot cell An innocent man in a living hell. That’s the story of the hurricane, But it won’t be over till they clear his name And give him back the time he’s done. Put in a prison cell, but one time he could-a been The champion of the world.

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Ashenor
RealPoor Sensei

Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 1539
Location: Metro Detroit

Posted: 03/02/06 - 23:42 Post subject:

Kemble how much i need to spend to get into something decent? Thanks

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Frehya
RealPoor Guru

Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 2398

Posted: 03/03/06 - 00:27 Post subject:

I like my Trek. Its nothing special but nice for the trails and I do take it on the road, though my road racer friends scoff muchly. I would recommend that you go to a bike shop and actually get fitted for a bike. Nothing worse than riding a bike that doesn't fit you properly.

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Luturb
RealPoor Guru

Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 4042
Location: Livermore, California

Posted: 03/03/06 - 00:45 Post subject:

Really depends what you want to do with it. If you're gonna ride it on the road and occaisionally go off-road a full suspension will kill you on the road. If you are just getting into bike riding then there is always the chance you will ride it 5 times and throw it in the garage so I wouldn't spend a ton on your first bike. That lightspeed b******t is more to impress people with how much money you have than something you acutally need anyway unless you're planning to be semi-pro. My $600 Specialized rockhopper has 4500 (mostly road) miles on it and has been a good bike and still is. I replaced the drivetrain at about 4k miles but that was partly cause I didn't take care of it very well. Don't pick a specific manufacturer, all the big names build good bikes. Find a good bike store. One that is willing to do some fitting for you and support after you buy it. Tell them what you want to do and how much money you want to spend and see what they have that fits you.

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Ashenor
RealPoor Sensei

Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 1539
Location: Metro Detroit

Posted: 03/03/06 - 04:31 Post subject:

I think i want to trail ride and stuff that looks fun, not sidewalk shit.

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kemble
RealPoor Sensei

Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 1909
Location: MI

Posted: 03/03/06 - 11:38 Post subject:

Ashenor wrote:

Kemble how much i need to spend to get into something decent?

Thanks

My first Mtn bike was a Trek 950. It was about $500 back in 1992. It was a steel frame, and pretty heavy but it served me well but I was ready to upgrade it in about a year.

I'd second the advice given about finding a bike that 'fits' you. Mountain bike geometry varies ALOT between makers. For instance, my bike (the kula linked above) has a long, sloping top tube. This stretches you out and can be uncomfortable for some people, but also results in a low standover height which is nice when riding technical terrain. It also has a small rear triangle which puts the rear wheel under the seat for better climbing.

I guess you could go at it 2 ways. Buy an entry level $500 bike and see if you like the sport, and upgrade later or buy a good but not top of the line bike for $1000-$1200 that has a good frame but not the best components and you can upgrade just parts instead of a whole bike.

I personally like the smaller manufacturers such as:

http://www.brodiebikes.com/2006/
http://www.covebike.com/home.html which have the best names for bikes ever...

Shocker DH
Peeler DH
Playmate FR
G-Spot FR
Stiffee FR
Foreplay MX
Sanchez
Hustler XC
Hummer XC
Handjob XC

http://www.konaworld.com/
http://www.norco.com/ts/pass/
http://www.yeticycles.com/

For larger manufacturers, I like Trek, Specialized, and Klein. I'm not a fan of cannondales because they do too many wierd/non-standard things.

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Luturb
RealPoor Guru

Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 4042
Location: Livermore, California

Posted: 03/03/06 - 12:18 Post subject:

You don't have to get a steel frame in the $500 range. My bike is aluminum and weighs probably less than half what my old steel framed bike does. Weight is a pretty big factor, but above a certain point you pay a LOT for small improvements in weight and unless you're competetive the difference in performance isn't even noticeable. The reason I mention riding on the road is that for most people it's just a lot more convenient. I like to ride on dirt, but to do it I have to load the bike up in the car and drive somewhere. If you want to ride a lot (for fitness or just getting in better biking shape) a lot of times you can go for a ride and get in a good workout in an hour or two by just hopping on the bike and going but if you want to actually mountain bike you have to dedicate at least half a day to it...and only kids ride on the sidewalk . All I'm sayin is that if you get a super fat tired full suspension bike, especially a less expensive one, you are gonna hate it for anything but going downhill on rough terrain cause it's not gonna be very practical. Unless you know you're gonna become a hardcore mountain biker a hardtail will be more versatile and still do what you want to do on the trails just fine. I have a friend that works in a bike shop and test-drove one of their $6000 full suspension bikes and I was pretty impressed with it. You could ride straight into a curb full speed and just go over it like it wasn't there. But seriously riding more than 10-20 miles on that thing would be torture because a lot of the energy that you spend pedaling goes into the shock absorbers, even though they are the kind with the check valves that cut down on that. The one thing I wish my bike had but it doesn't is disc brakes. Going down a steep hill pads just don't get the job done. That is one thing I would consider upgrading for.

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lotek
RealPoor Sensei

Joined: 12 Oct 2002
Posts: 1598

Posted: 03/03/06 - 13:07 Post subject:

I have a giant nrs1 full suspention hydrolic disk brakes the works basically. Dollar for Dollar, I think giant comes out on top (at least it did 2 years ago when I bought mine), but all the ones kemble metioned are great bikes. I rode with no suspention for years, its not neccessarey, but its a nice feature. I had a no suspention raleigh for years, and the nrs1 feels exactly like the raleigh did, I'm just not as beat up at the end of a ride. I did try some of the large travel suspention bikes, and while fun, they didnt seem very practical to my riding style. If you climb hills, stick with a x-country bike

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kemble
RealPoor Sensei

Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 1909
Location: MI

Posted: 03/03/06 - 13:10 Post subject:

Quote:

All I'm sayin is that if you get a super fat tired full suspension bike, especially a less expensive one, you are gonna hate it for anything but going downhill on rough terrain cause it's not gonna be very practical. Unless you know you're gonna become a hardcore mountain biker a hardtail will be more versatile and still do what you want to do on the trails just fine.

Even if he becomes a hardcore rider, you don't need full suspension around where we live anyway IMO. Yup, getting a cheap full suspension is about the worst thing you can do. They are heavier than hell, don't work well, and only serve to slow you down in the long run.

Quote:

The one thing I wish my bike had but it doesn't is disc brakes. Going down a steep hill pads just don't get the job done. That is one thing I would consider upgrading for.

I don't have em either and wish I did. The trails around here are often muddier than hell and your rims get covered in mud and your brakes don't work for shit. Disc brakes avoid that because the center of your wheel never really gets dirty.

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xizorr
Luke Warm

Joined: 20 Apr 2004
Posts: 236

Posted: 03/03/06 - 13:15 Post subject:

my 2 cents. I have a gary fisher mt tam, and Raleigh M800. I got one in 98 or 99 and the other I think in 2001. Not going into the crap I wasted money on before that. Yea the best thing you can do is go ride a couple to find a frame that is comfortable to you. Keble suggested most of the brands I would go with minus some of the smaller ones, just becuase I know nothing of them. A lot has changed since I was in the market. I personaly would not get anything less than LX components if they are shimano for a starter. If you don't you will be spending almost as much as the $500-600 bike you just bought in upgrades. Get them on the bike they are much cheaper that way. I haven't been keeping track on the Shimano lines lately, this may have changed some. If I remember right stx was discontinued and deore took its place. Lx is worth the upgrade. Avoid Alivio like the plague. What i'm getting at is at min. I would go lx on the cranks and front derailer and I would go xt on the rear derailer. Xtr which is the top line is nice but there are just as good off brands that are cheaper. Since Kemble suggested hardtail for your area. If you want rear suspension get a thudbuster seatpost shock. It has many advantages over the rest. One being it moves back not down and doesn't get the side to side movement after wear and tear. If you have a lot of hills and you will be doing climbing. The Gary Fisher frames with the short rears frame tend to climb much easier. My old mt tam climbs easier than any other frame I have. Disc brakes, I would avoid the hydralic ones. There is nothing like ruining an afternoon because of a hydralic leak.

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Ashenor
RealPoor Sensei

Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 1539
Location: Metro Detroit

Posted: 03/03/06 - 15:06 Post subject:

Thanks for the replies so far. I am stopping by a local bike shop today, they sell Kona and cannondales. I want to check around a bit I have time till I need it here. As far as trying them I guess I really don't know what will feel right since I am a nub .

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Luturb
RealPoor Guru

Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 4042
Location: Livermore, California

Posted: 03/03/06 - 15:16 Post subject:

Ashenor wrote:

Thanks for the replies so far.

I am stopping by a local bike shop today, they sell Kona and cannondales. I want to check around a bit I have time till I need it here.

As far as trying them I guess I really don't know what will feel right since I am a nub Smile

.

Yeah, don't rely on your feeling if you haven't ridden much, find a shop that will spend some time with you. If they won't let you test-ride various bikes fit them for you you are in the wrong shop. If you happen to live in the bay area, I can give you the number for an awesome shop (not the one my friend works at) in the East Bay.

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xizorr
Luke Warm

Joined: 20 Apr 2004
Posts: 236

Posted: 03/03/06 - 15:18 Post subject:

kemble wrote:

I don't have em either and wish I did. The trails around here are often muddier than hell and your rims get covered in mud and your brakes don't work for shit. Disc brakes avoid that because the center of your wheel never really gets dirty.

If you ride in muddy areas, this is for chain and derailers to help keep them clean. You can get a chain tensioner the ones where there is a braket with a wheel in the middle that is wide enough, cut a peice of a tube and put around the wheel. Not sure why it works but it will sling the mud out of the chain helping it from getting clogs at the derailers. Someone showed me that trick years ago. And has been a life saver on having to clear my derailers on a ride. The one I have mounts to the frame about mid way on my lower rear bar. Mine doesn't have teeth on it. Its just to keep the chain from bouncing around.

I looked for a picture on the web to show what it looks like, but can't find it, and I don't know the brand of it off the top of my head. I've had it for over 10 years now.

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Ashenor
RealPoor Sensei

Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 1539
Location: Metro Detroit

Posted: 03/03/06 - 18:56 Post subject:

Looked at a few bikes today. Local store is 1 block from my house so i would like to buy there since they were very helpful. They have Kona's and Cannondales mainly. I rode the 05 Cannondale F300 seemed like a pretty good bike but again i am a nub so who knows. They the 05 and 06 Kona Blast which i looked at, and the 05/06 F300 and 06 F400. The cannondale did not have disk breaks its that much of a big deal? The Kona's seemed a bit heavier i am going to ride one next week when its a bit nicer out. 05 Cannondale F300 was $550 06 Cannondale F400 was $800 05/06 Kona Blast $600. I am sure i could get a bit better deal but i would rather buy local, any other bikes i should look at or will the Blast or F300 suit my noobie ways? Thanks

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Luturb
RealPoor Guru

Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 4042
Location: Livermore, California

Posted: 03/03/06 - 19:15 Post subject:

I have never used disk brakes but have been told they make a pretty big difference, and I have had times on steep hills when I really felt like the only way to stop is to bail off cause my brakes were not up to the task without flipping me so I'm pretty sure that the next bike I buy will have disk brakes. That said, I have done a shitload of riding with pads and only very rarely wished for the disks so its' not like you can't get by without them. Definitely go with the local shop. It's worth a few extra bucks to have a place close by where you know the guys and they will take care of you. I love my local bike shop and wouldn't consider buying a bike anywhere else. Stuff to look at between the $550 and the $800 bike are the components. What kind of derailers, brakes, shifters, etc. do they have. Chances are the $800 one is the same frame as the F300 but with one level higher components. Better stuff will last longer and need less adjusting. I'm sure either would get you by for quite a while so it is sort of up to how much money you want to spend. You might find that the Kona has one step higher components on it already which woudl make it a better deal over the F300 but who knows. Just go ask the shop what the differences are between the two and how much difference they think it makes. Assuming the guys there actually ride and are serious about bikes, they probably have an opinon and maybe some experience with the different levels.

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Ashenor
RealPoor Sensei

Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 1539
Location: Metro Detroit

Posted: 03/03/06 - 19:23 Post subject:

Ya i will buy from there for sure, unless i decided on another brand for some reason. The sales guy like the F300 a lot, the F400 biggest upgrade was the gears and had the forks with the single shock. The Kona seemed quite a bit heavier but did have the disk brakes at the 600 price range. The guys probably spent 45 mins with me at least fitting me and explaining stuff.

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kemble
RealPoor Sensei

Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 1909
Location: MI

Posted: 03/03/06 - 19:38 Post subject:

For $100 more you could get a Kona Cinder Cone with deore components which are a couple levels above what are on the blast. One thing I'd mention.... I see that those bikes all have toe clips and straps as opposed to clipless pedals. If you haven't ridden trails before you might not believe me, but toe clips are a pain in the ass when you start to fall, tip over, etc. You also pedal a LOT more efficiently with clipless pedals. Just something to think about. That being said, I wouldn't let that fact stop you from buying any one of those bikes you mentioned. Its painfully easy to slap on new pedals if you want to in the future. You are more than welcome to swing by and take my kula for a ride if you want.

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Luturb
RealPoor Guru

Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 4042
Location: Livermore, California

Posted: 03/03/06 - 19:39 Post subject:

Ashenor wrote:

The guys probably spent 45 mins with me at least fitting me and explaining stuff.

Sounds like you found a good shop then, they will probably give you better advice than anybody here Cool

.

GL with the bike. Riding is one of my favorite things in the world, I wish more people would get into it and do it long enough that they started to really enjoy it. Been something I've done all my life and plan do for the rest of it. One of the few sports that anybody between 6 and 60 can do but will really get you a good workout and doesn't f**k up your joints etc, plus it's outdoors and can even save you money on gas depending how you use it. Anyway enough preaching :p, have fun with the new bike.

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Ashenor
RealPoor Sensei

Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 1539
Location: Metro Detroit

Posted: 03/03/06 - 19:42 Post subject:

I am probably still a few weeks from getting it. Do you ride yours much on pavement? I was looking to start running in the mornings do you think i should just ride and is it a good workout on pavement? I am going to have to hit Kemble up for some good dirt spots soon.

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Luturb
RealPoor Guru

Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 4042
Location: Livermore, California

Posted: 03/03/06 - 19:50 Post subject:

kemble wrote:

For $100 more you could get a Kona Cinder Cone with deore components which are a couple levels above what are on the blast.

One thing I'd mention.... I see that those bikes all have toe clips and straps as opposed to clipless pedals. If you haven't ridden trails before you might not believe me, but toe clips are a pain in the ass when you start to fall, tip over, etc. You also pedal a LOT more efficiently with clipless pedals. Just something to think about. That being said, I wouldn't let that fact stop you from buying any one of those bikes you mentioned. Its painfully easy to slap on new pedals if you want to in the future.

You are more than welcome to swing by and take my kula for a ride if you want.

Do you use clipless off-road? I took the toe clips off my bike a long time ago and have thought a lot of times about the pedals that are clipless on one side and just flat platform on the other. I think I would be nervous about having my feet attached to the pedals on a trail where I might crash, but I would like them for the extra efficiency on the road I think. Didn't know how dangerous they are if you wreck on them.

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Ashenor
RealPoor Sensei

Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 1539
Location: Metro Detroit

Posted: 03/03/06 - 19:57 Post subject:

kemble wrote:

For $100 more you could get a Kona Cinder Cone with deore components which are a couple levels above what are on the blast.

One thing I'd mention.... I see that those bikes all have toe clips and straps as opposed to clipless pedals. If you haven't ridden trails before you might not believe me, but toe clips are a pain in the ass when you start to fall, tip over, etc. You also pedal a LOT more efficiently with clipless pedals. Just something to think about. That being said, I wouldn't let that fact stop you from buying any one of those bikes you mentioned. Its painfully easy to slap on new pedals if you want to in the future.

You are more than welcome to swing by and take my kula for a ride if you want.

Cool thing the guy said he would do for no extra cost was swap the pedals out for more a bmx set for me to get started on, he said the same i would probably have issues starting with a clip in or strap setup.

I will check that other one out to for sure, and ya i may stop by and check yours out to, thanks for the offer.

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kemble
RealPoor Sensei

Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 1909
Location: MI

Posted: 03/03/06 - 20:13 Post subject:

Luturb wrote:

kemble wrote:

For $100 more you could get a Kona Cinder Cone with deore components which are a couple levels above what are on the blast.

One thing I'd mention.... I see that those bikes all have toe clips and straps as opposed to clipless pedals. If you haven't ridden trails before you might not believe me, but toe clips are a pain in the ass when you start to fall, tip over, etc. You also pedal a LOT more efficiently with clipless pedals. Just something to think about. That being said, I wouldn't let that fact stop you from buying any one of those bikes you mentioned. Its painfully easy to slap on new pedals if you want to in the future.

You are more than welcome to swing by and take my kula for a ride if you want.

Do you use clipless off-road? I took the toe clips off my bike a long time ago and have thought a lot of times about the pedals that are clipless on one side and just flat platform on the other. I think I would be nervous about having my feet attached to the pedals on a trail where I might crash, but I would like them for the extra efficiency on the road I think. Didn't know how dangerous they are if you wreck on them.

Yeah, I definitely use them off-road. I can be out of my clipless pedals way faster than toe clips and BMX style are nice for casual riding, but your feet fly off the pedals when riding singletrack. The first time or so is a little un-nerving, but after awhile you wonder how you ever rode with clips.

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kemble
RealPoor Sensei

Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 1909
Location: MI

Posted: 03/03/06 - 20:16 Post subject:

Ashenor wrote:

kemble wrote:

For $100 more you could get a Kona Cinder Cone with deore components which are a couple levels above what are on the blast.

One thing I'd mention.... I see that those bikes all have toe clips and straps as opposed to clipless pedals. If you haven't ridden trails before you might not believe me, but toe clips are a pain in the ass when you start to fall, tip over, etc. You also pedal a LOT more efficiently with clipless pedals. Just something to think about. That being said, I wouldn't let that fact stop you from buying any one of those bikes you mentioned. Its painfully easy to slap on new pedals if you want to in the future.

You are more than welcome to swing by and take my kula for a ride if you want.

Cool thing the guy said he would do for no extra cost was swap the pedals out for more a bmx set for me to get started on, he said the same i would probably have issues starting with a clip in or strap setup.

I will check that other one out to for sure, and ya i may stop by and check yours out to, thanks for the offer.

Sounds like you found a good shop. Which one is it? I bought my bike locally at a place on 14 mile just west of main, but they are now closed Sad

You are more than welcome to swing by any time. I'm at lincoln and eton in B'ham. I'll be gone this weekend, but I'm generally available.

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lotek
RealPoor Sensei

Joined: 12 Oct 2002
Posts: 1598

Posted: 03/03/06 - 20:48 Post subject:

kemble wrote:

Luturb wrote:

kemble wrote:

For $100 more you could get a Kona Cinder Cone with deore components which are a couple levels above what are on the blast.

One thing I'd mention.... I see that those bikes all have toe clips and straps as opposed to clipless pedals. If you haven't ridden trails before you might not believe me, but toe clips are a pain in the ass when you start to fall, tip over, etc. You also pedal a LOT more efficiently with clipless pedals. Just something to think about. That being said, I wouldn't let that fact stop you from buying any one of those bikes you mentioned. Its painfully easy to slap on new pedals if you want to in the future.

You are more than welcome to swing by and take my kula for a ride if you want.

Do you use clipless off-road? I took the toe clips off my bike a long time ago and have thought a lot of times about the pedals that are clipless on one side and just flat platform on the other. I think I would be nervous about having my feet attached to the pedals on a trail where I might crash, but I would like them for the extra efficiency on the road I think. Didn't know how dangerous they are if you wreck on them.

Yeah, I definitely use them off-road. I can be out of my clipless pedals way faster than toe clips and BMX style are nice for casual riding, but your feet fly off the pedals when riding singletrack. The first time or so is a little un-nerving, but after awhile you wonder how you ever rode with clips.

definatly clipless. I like the eggbeaters myself. Climbing is unreal with them.

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Any Mountain bikers?

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