[Idahoian]

I am speaking from growing up around guns, being in the military where I was required to carry a gun to protect sensitive information and peoples lives, and now being a civilian and wanting to protect myself from the evils of this world:  I believe (and I think most gun owners would agree) that everyone (yes, you too) should be armed with their weapon of choice, as it reduces the possibility of becoming a victim.

The current law specifically prohibits a firearm on school grounds, and it also specifically prohibits murder… both of which are ignored by people intending harm on innocent children.  Since “gun control” on school grounds is proving to be more and more ineffective, why not actually allow firearms to be carried by school faculty?   Let’s take Utah, for example, which allows legal concealed carry on school campuses and even holds concealed carry classes on campus?  They all go through a much more throughout background check, they are trained on the proper handling of a weapon, and they are much more likely to stop an active shooter before they take innocent lives.

When I was on a nuclear submarine, we operated on a “mutually assured destruction” theory —> If you shoot me, I will shoot you back and neither of us win.  North Korea does not shoot on us because we also have a button to shoot back.   The same theory holds true for guns – an active shooter will not walk into a police station, because he knows he will be shot and killed before he can enter the door.  If active shooters know they will be shot and killed before they can make it into a classroom, there will be no more school shootings.  Period.

Back on topic, its pathetic of REI and Dicks to essentially accuse Vista Outdoor of supporting school shootings.  I won’t be setting foot in either of those stores again.

 

[Idahoian]

If you go shorter stem, you have to go wider bars to compensate.  The bonus is the handling is significantly improved.  Personally, I would go in the range of 35-50mm stem and somewhere around 785-800mm bars.  Deity bars have a very nice backsweep to put you in a more natural position.   I know you are 5’9″, but one of the best riders I know is also 5’9″ and rides a 35mm stem with 800mm bars.  (http://www.dirtsmartmtb.com)   If you are hesitant, a shorter stem and sliding the seat forward will be quick fixes.

As far as the bike being “too much”, that’s actually a good thing.  If you have a bike that is “just enough”, as soon as your skills get better or you get on a more advanced trail, you will hit the limitations of your bike real quick.  You want to grow into the capabilities of your bike, not have to keep upgrading bikes to fit your capabilities.

[Idahoian]

Go to Pinkbike forums and look for a Specialized IRCC.  You can get one for about $150 or less.  They are bulletproof, great remote feel, super easy to service, and work in all weather.

[Idahoian]

Best to think of your brakes as two different individuals.  Sometimes all rear is the right thing, sometimes all front is the right thing… most of the time, it will be some combination of the two.  Modulation is key.  Just remember that the front brake will scrub speed, and the rear brake will only maintain speed (ie- keep you from going faster).

In answer to the question, you should be heavy on the front brake with your leading foot bracing your weight to keep you from otb.

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