[goonie72]

I guess I’ll “beat the dead horse”, like most everyone has said it definitely “depends”. I cant stress enough the need to find demos taking place to enable you to try various models with various sizes, drivetrains. Or rent a bike from your LBS and see what works for you. I’m 5’8 about 29-30 inseam. I live in North Alabama, my local trails are all mostly rocks and roots throughout. I’d consider my riding type Trail orientated, intermediate to technical. I’m more comfortable on a 29er by far. But I’ve also been on 29ers I hated. So taking some test rides on actual trails you will be riding is the best thing a person can do. The one time I didn’t demo I went solely on reviews and opinions and it came back to bite me hard. Last year I bought a Stache 9.6 solely on word of mouth. went carbon frame and 1x drivetrain and for 6 months I tried to like the bike and despised it. I missed the way aluminum felt, I missed shimano components, I missed 2x drivetrain, I missed 130mm of travel, I missed smaller 29er tires/wheels, etc etc.

I spent 3k on what to most everyone else was an awesome trail weapon and I’m sure it is but it definitely was not for me. I sold it and tried to go back to the last bike I loved (aluminum SC Tallboy LT) but its no longer made and has become the Hightower. Went to demo a Hightower but realized its only available in carbon and I knew I wanted to go back to aluminum. I demoed and rented a few other bikes about a month until I finally found the one (again). Trek Fuel EX 8 XT. It checked every single box for me on paper (Shimano components, trail bike, 2×11 drivetrain, 130mm suspension, its aluminum). It had all the things I knew I already preferred and all I had to do was test it out, and it was perfect. I’d still say my old Tallboy LT beats it by a slim margin but the Tallboy LT was also $2k more than my new Fuel and I’m more than happy with it and can probably still tweak it some. All I know is the smile of riding came back after 6 months of suffering on the Stache and I’m one happy camper.

With the cost of these bikes it really makes sense to demo both drivetrains, both sizes, etc etc or you may buy something you end up putting on craigslist shortly there after.

 

[goonie72]

I’d also suggest finding out your LBS demo schedule and their demo inventory. I don’t think I can foot stomp enough the value of taking a bike on the trail to know for sure what you like. I haven’t been riding a long time, just 12 years now but I think demoing before buying is invaluable information. I have numerous examples of friends and most recently of myself and I got burned for not following my own advice. Last fall I must have read and reviewed the Trek Stache for months and could not believe the incredible reviews it had. So without taking it for a spin other than in the parking lot I purchased one and went all out with a carbon 9.6. My LBS all rode them as well and told me how much I would love this bike like no other. 5 months later I sold the bike because I absolutely hated it. I tried to like it but it just didn’t do it for me the way my last bike did on any level. I had only sold my last bike because I had stopped riding about 2 years and I was now just getting back into it after some health concerns cleared. The stache seemed to be the latest and greatest from all the glowing reviews, which I have no doubt it is phenomenal for those that like it but man each bike is different for each rider.

[goonie72]

I’m in Northern Alabama, I think my favorite trail is 5 points in GA (when I go to ride various trails in Chattanooga). However my home trail in Monte Sano which never gets old and gladly ride consistently, aside from the times we get a group together that may want to take a road trip. I love the trails here so much that I moved and purchased a new home in a particular community based primarily on trail accessibility. I can now literally ride from my garage 50 yards to trails located on our Land Trust and I can take those trails and they connect to Monte Sano’s trail network. I feel like the luckiest person on earth, I have a true ride in/ride out home.

[goonie72]

While I’ve been riding bikes since being a kid and never really stopped, the first time my tires ever really touched a dirt trail was while I was living in Alaska back in 2006. I guess I was about 34. I wasn’t even really looking to get into mountain biking and had never considered it. I was in the military and just walking around the base exchange and just happened to walk over to the bicycle section. 1 bike caught my eye, I thought “man that’s a cool looking bike with that weird front fork and beefy tires, it looks like it would be a blast on some off road type stuff. The bike was a Cannondale Scalpel with the lefty fork. It was sitting there with a 50 or 75% off tag on it and the retail showed something like 2 or 3k (I don’t recall exactly) but I thought “that must be some kind of high end mountain bike right there, this store must have no idea what this is to discount it so much” and I bought it. The base exchanges would have bicycles comparable to something you may find at a Target or a Sports authority (and that’s pushing it). I knew nothing about the MTB world but I knew that bike had to be mine because it looked like no other bike I have ever rode nd that’s where it started 12 years ago.

[goonie72]

"ft.pierce_mike" wrote

Would like some help on what would be a good choice stache 7 by trek or
Cannondale sl 2 29ers.

What bike did you end up getting? I ride a Tallboy LT but got the Hardtail bug during a Trek demo back in September. I didn’t really want an XC hardtail and went crazy for the Stache 8 during the demo. I just ordered a 2014 Stache 8 today and should have it next week. I myself have not demoed a cannondale but I have demoed a bunch of different brands/models. If you’re still shopping around, like many have mentioned you really need to ride both bikes and on a trail if at all possible. Thats the only way you will no for sure which bike is better, it will be the one that feels better to you and causes that ear to ear grin. I have only gotten that grin and the talking to myself saying "whole crap this bike is awesome" on 2 bikes, the Tallboy LT and now the Stache 8, well maybe 3 the Niner RIP 9 did it for me also. If you ride a bike and you dont get that feeling, then keep on demoing others until that happens for you.

[goonie72]

If you come a bit further north, in Huntsville AL. Our local trail network is out of Monte Sano state Park.. Let me know if you head up this way and I’ll show you some of the trails if you need someone to ride with. Monte Sano is rocks and roots, rocks and roots!!! There are a few smoother trails but we’re predominately the rockier stuff throughout. Intermediate level mainly and a few harder trails. You can spend all day riding up here and not hit the same trail. There’s cabin rental and I think their is a lodge/hotel as well. There is also space for tents. Few good LBS right near the base of the park, Bicycle Etc and Trailheads. Good food and beer after your ride hit up the Furniture Factory 5 minutes away (get the blue cheese steak wrap)..

From the Bikers parking lot drop down into the Sinks trail and bomb down awesome steep rocky stuff (still only intermediate level) from there take your pick in 3 different directions for a good ride.. or start out on the smooth mostly singletrack Bucca trail, take that out to oshaunessy point, now your warmed up and looking for some adrenaline.. head to mountain mist to eat up some rocks and tight turns, carry on all through mountain mist and you’ll feel like your out in the jungle somewhere lol.. Or take the sign that says GOAT for a really good time. Its an awesome network especially since its only 5 minutes from my house. Its not as well kept as Oak Mtn or coldwater mtn but the ride will be as enjoyable.

We have some awesome riding in Northern AL, could even head 1.5 west from Huntsville and be in chattanooga for their awesome trails.

[goonie72]

I guess that did come out goofy lol.. I was trying to get across that generally speaking various parts work together but all have their own individual threshholds which could be affected depending on what is being used with what…

Not sure if thats much better lol. Its Friday, think I’ll go drink some Sweetwater Lowryeder now 😃

[goonie72]

"jstrobby" wrote

I don’t know what valves I have but when I check the psi it says 35 psi but the tires feel very hard and it says on the tire it can go up to 65 psi

I think they nailed it above. If you feel the tires are too hard at 35 psi and its not comfortable to you on the trail then let some out, go to around 30 and see how that feels for you on the trail. I weigh probably 180 with all my gear on. I ride a Tallboy LT, with tubeless Stans Arch EX, a Nobby Nic 2.35 up front, Racing ralph 2.25 in the rear. I know like most people I can ride with less psi but I stay comfortable filling it up right at 30 psi. over time they will lose some air and as long as I stay between 27-30 I’m a happy camper. For me at least, I feel like my bike is sluggish with less pressure and anything over 32 rides too harsh for me .. so that 30 psi is my wheelhouse so to speak.. Best bet is what feels best to you on your particular trails. whether you ride technical stuff lots of rocks and roots or are mainly on smoothflowing trails. You’ll eventually get a feel for what works best for you. Have fun on your ride

Also your tire may be able to take 65 but that does not necessarily mean your rim can take that pressure.

[goonie72]

Max pressure is how high the tire can be safely inflated before it blows off the rim.

Are you sure about this? I don’t think thats a correct statement, I always thought "Max tire pressure" indicated the pressure at which the tire will carry the maximum amount of weight.

[goonie72]

"mtbgreg1" wrote

Raccoon and Five Points are both excellent! That’s a difficult choice…

That sounds good to me, I think I’ll flip a coin then if I can’t go wrong with either lol.. much appreciated.

[goonie72]

"blackdiamond7" wrote

I traveling across country in an rv mountain biking as I go for 7.5 months. About 90-100 different trails so far. This trail is well marked. I wish they all were.

Sounds like you’re living the life.. If you happen to be in driving through Huntsville, check out Monte Sano.. Plenty of trails, rocks and roots, Intermediate to advanced..

[goonie72]

Beer Thread!!! Nice.. I’m in Huntsville AL .. Been really enjoying 2 or 3 particular Brewers over the last couple months, perfect for an after ride beverage. Just about anything I try from SweetWater Brewery (ATL GA) but my staple is their 420. And I really like Good Peoples (Birmingham AL) IPA. Oskar Blues Dales Pale Ale is currently a favorite of mine as well.

[goonie72]

+1 on the KS LEV.. I’ve had mine on my Tallboy LT for about 6 months now and its been absolutely flawless.. I got mine online at artscyclery.com I think it was about $369 at the time..

[goonie72]

Much like you the Tallboy LT and RIP, made my demo list when I was looking for a long travel 29er about 9 months ago along with a few others models that I didn’t care for so will not mention.. Tallboy LT and RIP stood out for me as clear favorites and ultimately I chose the Tallboy LT primarily because I felt it climbed a lot better than the RIP.. Can’t go wrong with either though.. and as mentioned regarding dropper post. I have the KS LEV and highly recommend it.. after 6 months now since my purchase its been flawless. Are you looking for an XC or trail bike? I see mention of Jet9’s and Pivot 429s and Tallboy LTs but they are not in the same category of bike. If a person is looking for a longer travel bike I don’t get why they would demo a Jet9 or Pivot 429 or vice versa if a person is looking for an XC 29er why would they test a Tallboy LT rather than a regular Tallboy? Unless of course trying to figure out if you want XC or trail bike is part of the dilemma.. I can say the best XC full suspension 29er I ever demoed was the Jet9 and if I was looking for an XC bike that would have been it at the time.

[goonie72]

If you’re anywhere in the the vicinity of Huntsville Al I’ll sell you mine for a very good price. I got it as a gift about 6 months ago but have only used it 2 times. Its the Hero II, very small works great I just for whatever reason don’t use it. I guess because I mainly ride the same network of trails so once I recorded them I just stopped taking it with me. In short, I thought I really wanted it and would want to record all my rides, but then found out I really didn’t use it so it’s going to waste. Its the Hero 2 Outdoor edition, I also picked up the handlebar mount (still in its packaging). .. $199 is a great deal on the Hero 3 but if you’re cool with the 2 outdoor edition let me know and we’ll exchange contact info.. Probably do like $120 for everything. My owners manual got a bit wet in the rain but you can still read every page.

[goonie72]

Don’t beat yourself up (no pun intended) well maybe a little 😎. Falling or crashing happens from time to time. The more time you put in to riding and becoming more familiar with your bike the better you will become. It’s just a matter of getting out there and hitting the trails. You’ll come to a point where you and your bike feel like one (I know that sounds corny) but its true. You will develop an understanding and feel for the bike and it’s components and your confidence will build. Eventually you’ll know exactly how fast to hit that turn and at what angle your bike holds that line and comes out clean and fast.. You’ll learn a lot from your mistakes, for instance on day one, within my first 15 minutes of the riding season 2011 I learned to give myself more than 2 bikes length when trailing behind my buddy or anyone for that matter lol. He went left to avoid a falling tree limb, I was too close to avoid it, didnt see it and cracked a rib. Just stick with it, mountain biking is too awesome to give up…

[goonie72]

If it helps any, I’m 5′ 8, ride a med Tallboy LT and just went and purchased the Easton Carbon Havens a couple weeks ago. They are 711mm wide which is the widest bar I’ve ever ridden with. I have them with a 70mm Thomson stem. I am really glad I went with these bars, they seem to be perfect (at least for my setup). I had concerns about getting wider bars thinking I’d be clipping every tree and it would just feel ackward but these feel great. Climbing seems much easier, it’s like my chest is more opened up now since my arms are further apart and my breathing and overall control seems to have benefited.

[goonie72]

I use a 235 Nobby Nic up front and a 225 Racing Ralph in the rear, great combination for me

[goonie72]

Welcome to the site and MTB. As mentioned already, 100mm is not going to really be appropriate for what it appears you’re looking to get into. 100mm hardtail 29ers can take a beating and can definitely overachieve on their intent but not really to the extent that you seem to be wanting. I have a 2011 Cobia with a RS Recon on it and its been an awesome fork for a relatively inexpensive bike and I hammer some pretty rocky terrain here in Huntsville with it but I wouldn’t think of jumping or serious drops with it, even if it were a full suspension with similar travel. But, I just purchased a Tallboy LT which has enough travel for what you want to get into, riding really agressive, if you are into 29ers and there are a few other nice options as well. Are you demoing 26, 29ers, 650B? I rode out at Blankets Creek a few times, it’s a really good network out there. Perhaps I haven’t been on every trail out there though, cause I didn’t ride any trails that had gaps/jumps/insane drops but again I have not been on every trail out there.. Let us know what you end up with.. And if at all possible, demo a bike on the kind of trails you are looking to ride if you have any LBS or scheduled demos in your area, so you can make the best choice for yourself..

[goonie72]

No Fat Tire on tap in AL? That’s sad… it’s on tap all over the place round here!

At Interbike yesterday I was cruising the show looking for some free beer, and I stumbled across a booth with a tap. The guy handed me two beers (I guess one wasn’t good enough), and I was like, "What is it?" "Bud light," he said, "but it’s free, right?"

So I’m walking around with both hands full of beer, and after suffering through one bud light I stumbled across another booth with fat tire on tap. I asked, "can I trade in this bud light for one of those fat tires?" And she said, "You can go throw that out and THEN take the Fat Tire."

Tushay. Fat tire it is.[/quote]

Nope, no Fat tire on tap, bottle, can, nothing in AL. SO I’m thankful I’m only 15 minutes from the TN line where I can get it on tap and bring some home. Alabama is kind of funny about the level of alcohol in some beers apparently. I’m not fully up on why their so restrictive here, I’ve only lived here for 1.5 yrs but there is a movement going on called "Free the Hops" and things are starting to change a bit, slowly.

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