[mikebn]

Thanks TangoTL,

I thought they were just the portions that some one has ridden. I was looking for the complete trail systems (park) so that I can plan trips and pick the better trails to ride. I may have to just choose a trail and just explore the areas around it to get all the other supplemental trails in that park.

Thanks for your input.
mike

[mikebn]

I have a couple of pairs of what they call "Liners". they are a lighter version of the famed spandex version. These are cool because you don’t do the show me thing. Just put them on and your favorite pair of shorts right on over.

A nice alternative to the bare all bike shorts.

[mikebn]

Count me in. Sounds like a great trip!

[mikebn]

"Beaker" wrote

OK – fair enough.
1 – Yes, I did ride hardtail (In fact, fully rigid to start).
2 – Yes again.
3 – 3 for 3 on the yesses

What made it better, a combination of learning the trail, learning the bike, learning how to ride the bike better, and then upgrading to a bike that could do more with a RIDER that could do more than before. I won’t deny that the bike helped but my skills also progressed.

Awsome, Keep on riding. Enjoy the new ride!!

I don’t do any trails now that I couldn’t before – just better and faster and to me that equals funner (Sorry bud couldnt resist that one!)

That is part of the innovation/advancement of MTN Biking. Making the ride easier, and of course, More FUN!!!!! Don’t stop having fun. Ride the bike you have and enjoy!!

[mikebn]

"BFD" wrote

So…Gary Fisher and Joe Breeze are traitors to "true mountain biking" because they continually upgraded and modified their roadies until they could handle the terrain better?
C’mon. Cycling’s backbone is wrapped in innovation and straightened by fresh ideas.
Think about this, one of the founders of mountain biking happens to be one of the proudest proponents of 29er’s in the history of the sport.
Besides, if the history of mountain biking has taught us anything, it’s taught us that the trail will continually get easier and easier to ride because innovators will continually figure out ways to make us faster and more efficient at handling the given terrain.

Gary Fisher and Joe Breeze are true pioneers in the MTB industry that’s for sure. They did pretty much start and continue to be the leaders of innovation. However, we can’t forget that they learned to walk before they could run. They started on those rigid bikes. They learned the trail and applied their skills to make riding EASIER for the rest of us. Traitors….. Not a chance! True Mtn bikers….. Damn Straight!

Listen to the man…. [url:tzscydva]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km67fjE8DqE[/url:tzscydva]

Today’s innovations and technology are allowing people to run before they can even walk. Where is the foundation of skills when all you do is bomb down a hill running everything over? FS and 29er bikes are on the bleeding edge of the sport, that’s for sure. But that’s not all that MTN biking is about. Try stopping by the side of the trail and enjoy the scenery. Check out some wild life. And if you are fortunate enough to be in CO, Enjoy the awesome views of the Mountains. Don’t just hop on your FS/29er bikes and blow the world away. Stop running it over!!!

[mikebn]

Sounds like you’re saying that if you ride a technologically advanced bike that you have no skills – its all in the bike.

Funny thing is that once I upgraded to a full-suspension bike I was able to conquer tougher terrain and push myslef to new limits. I feel I am a much more skilled rider because of that not in spite of it.

Im not saying that people with the full suspension/29er bikes have no skills. You did make my point however. Im going to make a couple of assumptions.

1) You did ride a hardtail before you upgraded
2) You rode the same trail you did with the Full suspension bike as you did with your hardtail.
3) You could do more on that trail with the Full suspension bike than the hardtail.

Given those 3 assumptions. What was the factor that changed that made you excel now? Same rider….. Same trail…….. NEW BIKE!!!! Was it really you or did the bike make you more confident? Did your skills get better or did the New Bike take alot of the trail away and made it easier on you?

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t mean to be bitter toward anyone. I just like to feel the trail. To be more like the MTB pioneers, As mentioned in several posts before me. If you feel good on your new bike, then all the power to you.

[mikebn]

Ok, I have stayed out for too long. Now this is my opinion so feel free to disagree.

I have seen the advancement of Bikes over the years and I see one steady progression. Laziness!!! Back in the day of original MTN Bikes, there was no such thing as a suspension bike. Just a Rigid frame and fork. Then came suspension forks. Why? To make the train easier to ride. Then came full suspension bikes. Again, to make the trail easier to ride. And now the 29â€

[mikebn]

i took it in and they found two air ports under the ETA and ATA caps on the top of the fork legs. I adjusted the pressure according to Marzocchi and It rides really nice now. The shop doesn’t buy the idea of an air port on the bottom of the left leg for Preload though. They feel the cap there is actually the fixture to hold the fork together. Oh well. It works great now. Ill leave well enough alone.

[mikebn]

Thanks anyway. I think I need to take it in and have someone check it out.

[mikebn]

Thanks spazjensen.

have you been able to adjust the Air Preload on your fork? I found a cap on the bottom of the left leg, but I can’t get it loose. Have you seen the connector to add/remove air pressure?

I was also told that under the red lever on the top right leg of the fork hides another air adjust connector for the Pos rebound. Can you verify there is an adjustment there to? Both caps are nearly impossible for me to remove(on too tight). Let me know if you had similar experiences.

[mikebn]

"cjm" wrote

Zoke’s seals and springs can take a while to break in. After they broken the ETA is awesome. ETA is Zoke’s best travel adjustment.

Thanks for the info CJM. They did say to give the fork a couple of rides to get it all working together. It seems a little stiff right now, but I’m hoping it will loosen up. The ETA is pretty sweet. It works great. I switch it in just before a good climb and bounce on it to set the travel, and away I go. I feel like its the best investment I could do for the price, (and the price of the bike).

[mikebn]

Thanks for everyones help.

I ended up talking to Trek and there was no problem with a fork upgrade. I found a Marzocchi XC 700 on sale and went for it. 100mm travel with their ETA travel adjust for climbing. A lock out and rebound adjust with Air preload. Not a bad deal. All with an upgraded drive train (chain, Cranks/rings, freewheel/cassette).

This bike is awesome. A few more adjustments/tweaks and Ill have it dialed in.

Check out My bike pics for a finished product.[/img]

[mikebn]

Thanks for all the advice. I did hear that the 2007 302 did have blowby problems. But that was cured in the 2008.

Ill have to check if Trek says it will over stress the frame. I have mixed stories there. My big concern was the extra travel and climbing. I don’t want to be too nose up. Thats why the adjustable travel sounded good. Does anyone know of a good fork with less travel?

As far as the new bike. I’m still in wish mode. This was to milk my current bike out until I am able to save up for a new one. I’m looking at the new 2008 Trek Fuel. I figured a couple inexpensive upgrades would suffice for now. Maybe I need to rethink. hmmmmmm

[mikebn]

Thanks trek7k,

I’m sorry I haven’t gotten back sooner. Ill hunt down that adapter. I have Mapsource, but I need to get the Topo version.

Thanks for your input.

mike

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