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You could also have a crack in your frame, especially around the bottom bracket. Check the paint and the welds.
Interesting question, because I think of some of the older clunkers I had. However, one “experience” comes to mind, and that was my first Niner RIP 9 RDO. To make a long story short, I had another problem with a previous Niner and the online bike shop actually took the bike back after the frame finally developed a crack in it (among other things) and several major parts had to be warrantied. They felt bad, so they let me just upgrade to a new bike. The RIP 9 RDO was just coming out, and I had to wait on it a few months, but I agreed. They mailed it to me, I unpacked it, and put it together. All I had to do was put the wheels on, install the bars, and roll. Of course I checked it out on my stand for a good 20 minutes before doing a few laps on the street. Bike seemed amazing, and I was on cloud 9 with that new bike feeling, when I literally rolled up my driveway to park and admire it. I took one more pedal stroke into my garage and BAM!: flat. No, wait…it was more than that. The chain apparently got a kink in it, got stuck in the rear derailleur, bent the hanger, the derailleur got pushed into the spokes, broke 2 spokes, and punctured the new tire. I hadn’t even had this bike for half an hour and it did $700 worth of damage. I wanted to puke, but the worst problems were just ahead. Hey, maybe I should write a story about this. 🙂 That was also when the SRAM xx1 just came out and I had every probable issue with that bike…and guess what? The company sent me another, new RIP 9 RDO. Probably the last time that will ever happen, though, as they were bought out. So, yeah, newest bikes have issues too, and when they do, you can wind up walking back to your car in the middle of an epic desert ride while your buddies enjoy the rest of their bike vacation. Boo.
It’s a tough business, but less tougher for companies like Ellsworth who already made a name for themselves. It seems like it all comes down to a failure in marketing and brand recognition, because to my knowledge, I’ve never heard anything negative said about the products they produce. You can’t make a great bike and expect it to sell on it’s quality alone. Ellsworth was supposed to be at Outerbike last year and I was planning on test riding/writing 1-2 of their bikes…but they didn’t show. I wrote an email and asked why but never got an answer.
Titus is another good example. Started and sold by the very well respected Chris Cocalis, who now makes Pivot Cycles, Titus was put in a position to win after Cocalis sold it (there are some good articles out there as to why, but it was investor-related visionary differences), but they failed to produce. They had an enormous cult following at the time, and the “Racer X” was “the” boutique XC bike. They still have a cult following where they thrive in small circles in the Pacific NW, but they’ve failed to market the brand to the US. If it wasn’t for liking their facebook page as a former owner and fan of their products, I too would join most riders into thinking that On One just let them drop off the map. You never see them at demos or at Outerbike. You never see an ad for them. They don’t send their bikes out to magazines or online sites like Singletracks to get tested (talk about free advertising!). They don’t use social media very well to get the name out there. Maybe that is their intent if they want to remain a homegrown grassroots organization, but that seems like a very poor business strategy.
I’m no marketing guy, and I’m not saying I could do better, but as a rider…if I don’t hear about a bike, I don’t know it’s out there. Who here knows what a “Hightower” is? If you do, that’s what I’m talking about. It was only launched 24 hours ago, and lots of folks are talking about it…
Great. Problem solved. Plus, Richter has free instantaneous publicity.
Now, who can I talk to about trademarking the acronym ‘USA’?….
I’m just happy that they are generous enough to give away a free water bottle with a $250 Specialized purchase. What a steal!
"Calispec" wroteNot trying to thread jack but what brand thermal tights and long sleeve would you all suggest for temps down into the 30’s?
I like to ride with Smartwool long sleeve base layers and a Pearl Izumu PRO jacket. Keeps me toasty. I have the PRO pants to match, which also work well with Smartwool long underwear for really chilly days, or sometimes I just ride with regular lycra shorts underneath if it is not windy. Two words of caution though: those PI jackets can make you sweat (a lot) so that obviously can cause hypothermia if the temps drop or you are out a long time, but for 2hr rides at or above 30 degrees I am ok. Also, PI outers are expensive and not very abrasion resistant…so if you fall on technical terrain you will tear them. I have a fatbike and often ride in the deep powder…for that, I wear my snowboarding stuff. Hope this helps.
I support IMBA because we don’t have the power of advocacy we once did relative to hiking. The American Hiking Society dwarfs IMBA and is doing a great job of protecting their interests: keeping bikers off of singletrack. We will not all agree with IMBA, their policies, or the way they design trails. Some mistakes will be made, and opinions will differ. It is up to bikers to join local chapters, volunteer, be a voice, and contribute input for local trail designs and maintenance. IMBA is a governing body, and does not have the corporate power to micromanage every berm or roller like local chapters do. I’ve seen trails get ‘neutered’ like Bull Mountain, but that cannot be blamed on IMBA. There are some great examples of IMBA making new trails that are awesome, flowy, and technical…have you tried Bomb Dog at Coldwater Mountain in Alabama? Sure, it’s no Moab, but they did a super job creating an amazing section of trail out of tick infested woods. SWAMP club built and maintains some seriously fun, and dangerous singletrack, in Alafia and Boyette (near Tampa) and is affiliated with IMBA. The sad fact is, trails evolve, and a lot of features we love about those trails are being lost…but I feel it is up to the individual to join an organization to stand up for those fragile, individual features or risk losing your favorite huck/rock garden/wall ride forever. Not to mention Mother Nature contributes to that trail entropy…Apex in Golden was obliterated by the recent Colorado flooding. IMBA isn’t going to come find you and consult your opinion; you must reach out and lobby to them, and make known what is important to you (ALL of you). And, by the way, IMBA isn’t a federally appointed organization…so if you want, create your own advocacy organization and give it a name like the ‘American Bikers Alliance’ and give them a run for their money.
I almost completely quit checking in on trails. Either there is no coverage or I forget because I do it now so infrequently. I would love the option to check in from my PC when I get done riding, but of course, where’s the accountability :/
Ridden both. Love both. Specialized has a lifetime frame warranty if you buy one new…a nice advantage. I think Trek is now 5 years.
That is injustice. A 19 yo loses his life while the taxpayers pay for her to have free medical care, food, housing, and the ability to parole after just a year? I really hope Karma exists sometimes…
I think there are a lot filthier things in those hotel rooms than a little bike dirt (blacklight anyone?). If I go to a biking destination spot I would fully expect a hotel to accommodate my bike, even if it is locking it up in storage if I cannot put it in my vehicle (hard to do if you rent a Ford Festiva). Otherwise, I will happily give my money to a hotel that wants it. That being said, I am very careful with anything like that I want to bring in a room; it’s not cool to make housecleaning staff who make less than minimum wage clean up after a bunch of punks…precisely the people who have been setting a poor example for the rest of us.
