[sssirois]

No idea, but looks well made

[sssirois]

Still running 3×10….so can’t see myself going 1xanything…..2x, maybe

[sssirois]

Maine Rider here…Definitely refer to the links above.

Since you stated “most beautiful”, I would strongly suggest hitting up Acadia National Park.   It is not what I would consider “true” MTB, in that it is just a bunch carriage roads through the forest….However, IMO it is some of the best scenery in the state with it’s unique terrain/topography & its small open mountain tops located on the Atlantic coast.   In addition, there’s plenty to do in Bar Harbor.

The second ME must hit spot would be Sugarloaf area (or Carrabassett Valley)…The trails just keep getting better & better with the amount of financial support & amount of trail building going on.   This is a more remote area with “real” mountain bike trails, all situated within the heart of the Western mountains of ME.

Let us know of your travels.

 

 

[sssirois]

“My problem is on the eating side. While most of the time I eat (relatively) healthy, I just enjoy a little too much of the wrong food, a bit too often.”

Same here…Especially after doing a killer right…I feel like I could eat everything in sight.

 

[sssirois]

The world is too PC these days…who really cares.

As long as we don’t discriminate, then everything is fair game….Half naked ladies in advertising always seems to increase sales (regardless of the product).   Advertisers know that men are “stupid” enough to let these “motivators” influence their purchases….Women on the other hand are much smarter & you will almost never see half naked men in ads.

 

[sssirois]

I have been MTB since the early 90’s….(knock on wood) I haven’t had any serious injuries that have left me out of commission for a long duration, except for the usual scrapes/bruises/cuts, but never any thing that required a hospital visit or serious down time.    On the other hand, I’ve had my share of some serious wipe outs which have let to a couple cracked frames, and being thrown into a river (bike & all).

 

[sssirois]

Agree…LBS is your best bet when you are not sure.   This is also a good time of year to try to find a left over, as the shops are eager to turnover last years inventory.

Good luck

 

[sssirois]

I agree with others here on running wider tires to get the most out of the suspension benefits of a tire….

However, considering you are riding fully rigid, maybe suspension is not a concern….If speed is your thing, & you don’t care about suspension, & your trails are not technical, and relatively packed…Then in your case maybe you do want the skinny tites.

[sssirois]

No, trail work is not as fun as riding….

I know its not a good excuse, time is usually the major factor for “why” I can’t always get out there & help….  As a result, I try to support the trail work financially by donating money to organizations that build & maintain local trails.

[sssirois]

Agree sweet prize !! (that just got me a half point right there).

[sssirois]

Dustin,

Thanks for chiming in….I weigh 195 pounds.   The rims are not dented up (dinged up a bit here & there but definitely not dented).  It just does not seems right that I continue to have this issue with less than 4 seasons on this bike with 10+ broken spokes & one replaced rear wheel (not to mention I broke a spoke on my font wheel??).    I am a little annoyed that the LBS is suggesting it could be “me”, when I haven’t had any other issues like this in all my years riding a 26 inch HT….The only change has been the wheel size, the bike, and the LBS (switched shops recently), so my conclusion it’s the wheels size and/or the LBS & quality (or lack of quality in the product or build).

I got your contact info, and seriously considering reaching out for a build….however I am a little gun shy dumping a significant money into a set of wheels (& starting to doubt the whole 29’er wheel size).

 

 

[sssirois]

I wanted to post an update on this topic as I am still having “issues” with my 29’er wheels…To recap, I got a little over two season on my stock wheels.  In total, I broke a total of 6-7 spokes on 2+ seasons of riding on my original wheels.   At the beginning of 2014 season, I had a WTB Laser Disc wheel build and managed to get through the rest of 2014 with no broken spokes.   Now into the 2015 season, I have had 3 spokes break and my wheel is getting more & more out of true…Making my other spokes weak & prone to more spokes breaking.     The LBS insists “many other riders” ride a hard tail just as hard with no issues….They’ve gone on to state (indirectly) that maybe my “riding style” could be “major factor” as to why I continue to have issues.

Considering I need to address my wheel situation, I have the following questions:

• Could the problem truly be my “riding style” (especially considering I’ve ridden a HT for 20+ years on a 26’er with hardly ever any spoke issues)?   If so, what type of riding style is conducive to breaking spokes (aside from the obvious…like hucking 20ft drops)?   Is it tire pressure?  Body position?  Bike Geometry?  Braking???  Is it Hardtail specific?
• Is this just “proof” that 29’er wheels just are not as strong as a 26 inch wheels…Is the industry (LBS) so heavily invested in the 29’er wheel size that they must continue to support/push this size (even though physics state the 29’er  wheel is not as strong & maybe it can not handle someone who rides hard & frequently) ?
• I know this next question is difficult to answer depending on where/how we ride, but…What is the expected life on a wheel that is ridden off-road?   Based on my previous experiences less than 2 seasons seems like a very short life (Typically ride ~800 – 850 offroad miles per season)?
• Does investing more into a new set of wheels make sense & will it increase the life of my wheels….OR…Should I save my money and buy cheap wheels knowing there are other factors in play that will continue to plaque me due to my wheel size & riding style?

Appreciate any feedback….As I decide on my next move.

 

[sssirois]

"dbisogno" wrote

[quote="sssirois":12pdve7b]Lets not forget the third option….Pedals with toe clips.

It provides the confidence you need to ride more technical terrain by keeping your feet on the pedals, and provides peace of mind with easier entry/exit than clip less. In addition it provides some of the benefits of clipless pedals with improved pedaling efficiency over straight flats. 😎

I have to disagree. Toe clips are more fidly to get in and MUCH harder to get out of then clipless (riding Shimano PD-520’s w/ Sidi Giau). Sure they get easier but it’s never as good. Then if you aren’t using them, then the clips hang down below the pedal where they snag on and hit stuff. I like flats a lot too, but I’ll never do toe clips again.

edit: for the record, I’ve only fallen once because of my clipless, and it was more due to panicking and putting my foot down on the slippery cleat instead of the heel.[/quote:12pdve7b]

I have to disagree with your disagreement. I’ve never seen a rider fall over because they can’t get out of their toe clips, however I’ve seen LOTS of riders just fall to the side because their foot stays locked into the pedal on clipless pedals. Also, for the record I’ve never fallen because I could not get my foot out of the toe clip in time.

[sssirois]

Lets not forget the third option….Pedals with toe clips.

It provides the confidence you need to ride more technical terrain by keeping your feet on the pedals, and provides peace of mind with easier entry/exit than clip less. In addition it provides some of the benefits of clipless pedals with improved pedaling efficiency over straight flats. 😎

[sssirois]

I agree with others regarding the excitement, increased intensity, and more importantly extending the biking season as the days get shorter in New England. Also, I feel you are getting away with something you Mother told you shouldn’t be doing ("Riding your bike @ night") making it feel that more rebellious 😼 I do find while riding at night my skills/technique gets somewhat apprehensive, mainly due to the limited light…It is a total mind game, since during daylight I have no issues on the same trails. It can be frustrating (& slightly increases the risk of falling/injury), however it is all part of the experience of "night riding". As others have said, I will try to only ride more familiar trails, and tone down the speed. In addition, I usually try to ride a less technical trail, making it "ok" to ride some of those "boring" double track trails.

[sssirois]

Unfortunately, these types of lawsuits (or the threat of a lawsuit) have the potential for increased dumbification of the trails (or Trail Homogenization [url:2e6m3ruw]http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-trails/the-mcdonalds-of-trail-building-standardizing-mountain-bike-trails/[/url:2e6m3ruw]) for fear of being sued.

[sssirois]

"mtbgreg1" wrote

Well then, less time discussing arbitrary classifications, more time riding singletrack 😉

No disagreement here. Arbitrary classifications used to market arbitrary products to consumers…No different marketing approach than most other things. 😉

[sssirois]

"gar29" wrote

Interesting, isn’t it? XC riders traditionally wear tighter jerseys with a zipper front, while DH riders wear baggie jerseys with the trend being no zipper.

Yes…So I dress like a "DH" rider, ride a "XC" bike, and tend to ride "Trail" or "All Mtn" terrain…then what type of rider am I ???

I think I want to just be a Mountain Biker again.

[sssirois]

Just when I thought I had all these terms figured out…This happens….I guess I didn’t think these terms applied to fashion too & Are there plans for an All Mtn jersey in the near future? 😎

"jeff" wrote

We’re taking pre-orders for Singletracks jerseys again and this time around we have a new trail/enduro style available in addition to XC and DH styles. Order this week to guarantee your size and to get yours as soon as they’re produced!

https://www.bluespruceventures.com/stor … egory_id=1

[sssirois]

Thanks JT. That’s the best explanation yet. It does change my perspective on these "classifications"…They DO describe where & how you ride and not necessarily what you ride.

Now that someone mentioned "FATBiking"….What image or style does that conjure up ?

[Author]

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