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Look for the little arrow on the side indicating rotation direction.
Sounds like too much strength in them legs… I’m still running the same chain for over 2 years of mud, lots of sand and pumice, lots of abuse in cross chaining, power shifting on hills, lack of maintenance, etc. I must have wimpy legs. I have a spare and plan on changing out the sprockets and cassette also in the future. Just replaced the crank bearings yesterday, even the race was worn through, oops.
Nice pics
I have a fender that doesn’t weigh anymore than that and it keeps my back somewhat clean too. Gimmick in my opinion.
I was in the junk shop today and some nice full curve bar ends were mounted on an old Cascadia by Royce Union. After checking the bike over and discovering that it’s in fair condition, I offered the store manager $20. bucks for it. He jumped all over it. So now I have another 26″ rigid w/alum frame 18spd bike to play with. Life is good! Just wish the rain would stop.
In addition to what Blundar recommends, I also ride without hands a lot, sometimes through rough gravel etc just to improve my balance and feel for the bike. It’s amazing what a difference it’s made for me. Good luck and keep riding. With time, it all gets easier.
I miss my old 26″ Huffy. That thing could thrash trails all day.
Motobecane has a semi-fat tire (3″) with a solid frame, hydraulic disk brakes and click shifters that work smooth even under pressure. My old boss weighed over 400# and after he test rode one he bought a pair for him and his wife and they love them. He keeps up with the rest of us now. Just saying, Smoky
Hey Cube, that’s a good question and you got a couple of good logical answers already. I do a lot of suburbs riding because it’s close at hand and I find myself hopping curbs all the time. You got the technique down, just build up the speed as it becomes second nature in time.
Stanner, I think before anyone can make any suggestions it would help to know what size you are. Height and weight have a lot to do with what is comfortable for you. I was sure my next bike would be a 29er, but after getting an opportunity to ride a 27.5 I knew immediately a 29 was awkward for my build. I also like the acera 3×8 and though it took me a bit to get it adjusted after breaking it in, I haven’t had any issues, as it sounds like you haven’t had with the one you have. I totally agree with the suggestion to keep an eye open at Goodwills and St Vinnys. I see some quality bikes for cheap at those stores more often than one would think and there’s nothing like going through a bike from the inside out. Good luck with whatever you decide, Smoky
My first was a Raleigh that I found abandoned in a ditch alongside the road. I tweaked on that thing all the time before I eventually gave it away. Easy come easy go. I found an old Schwin a few years back and after tweaking on it for a while I gave it away too. The last one I fixed up and gave away just last summer was an old 26″ steel frame, no suspension Huffy. I actually liked that one and it fit me good for thrashing on the trails. It weighed more than 50# and never gave me a lick of trouble. The guy who got that one was a wildland fire fighter that I worked with and he was tickled beyond belief that he was getting a bike for nothing. I only have room for one bike or I’d end up with a poor boy’s bike shop.
With super bright LED lights designed for the rough use on a MTB or helmet, you’d be money ahead just buying a charger and rechargeable bats. I understand wanting to put the LiPo to use, but sometimes using what you have on hand isn’t always the best option. Plus you gotta love the flasher sequences built right into some of these new lights.
Despite all the bad reviews regarding Bontrager XR3 I really like mine. I just put them on a couple weeks ago so I haven’t had them through everything yet, but give me time. I was leaning toward the Kenda also because I like the tread pattern but the Bontragers were on Ebay for super cheapo. Next time if I don’t find a super deal I will go with the Kendas.
I envy all you guys that live near great riding areas. I’m currently quite a distance from any ‘real’ bike trails, so I guess my favorite right now is the road outside my door. Keep peddling, Smoky
Thanks for the replies. Yes, Triton, that’s what I’ve been doing. I was just hoping there was a simpler (more direct route) to get there.
The tag on the Motobecanes that we have says made in China, as are most bikes. Bikes Direct does have a warehouse in Texas also. I bought a Huffy aluminum frame FS from Wally world for under $200. and it has the same frame as a Giant and all the original components were the same as the Motobecanes has from BD. But whether Wally or BD, expect to be upgrading components at some point in time. You’re really just buying a frame to build on. I’m talking the under $600. bikes from BD. I’ve never researched the more expensive or custom builds as they’re out of my price range.
Man, if the shoe fits…
Love the slogan.
Is that the fat tire you were inquiring about the other day?
I just found this thread and thought it was kind of interesting as I just replaced my rear tire. I went from a 2.10 stock tire to a 2.35 Bontrager XR3. The old tire was original to the bike and in about a year it was looking like a baldy. The new tire rubbed the frame until I took a rat tail file to the mount slots and basically did a rough line bore on them. These aluminum frames grind easy. I love the larger tire. More stable ride on loose scree, softer with the suspension cranked hard which helps on climbing, and more ground to pedal clearance. While it raised the bike almost a half inch overall, it didn’t change the seat to pedal geometry any. Rides like a new and improved bike.
Hey Gnarly, I’m new here and trying to find my way around, but I have actually had access to the Motobecane you’re describing so I had to respond. I own a full suspension bike, but have to admit those larger tires on the motos made the need for a suspension non-existent. The ride and stability on mountain trails was awesome. Before I bought my last bike (last year) I seriously considered buying one of these for myself. I just happened to score another bike for half off and couldn’t justify a second bike at the time. We paid a little over $600. each for the Motos and had 2 of them available for the trail crews. Love the hydraulic disk brakes too. No fade coming down off a mountain with more than 60# of gear plus rider.
Enjoy
