"mcseanerson" (mcseanerson)
09/26/2014 at 23:56 • Filed to: None
2
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"mcseanerson" (mcseanerson)
09/26/2014 at 23:56 • Filed to: None | 2
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I'm looking to get into mountain biking both for health and fun. No idea where to start though. Any opponaut mountain bikers have any tips?
Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
> mcseanerson
09/27/2014 at 00:07 |
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Don't do a stupid like I did and not tighten your headstock enough before tackling a highly technical course right after rebuilding your bike which you are now totally unfamiliar with.
It's not a good time.
Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ
> mcseanerson
09/27/2014 at 00:07 |
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Just upgraded my rig to clip in pedals this year, haven't gotten out much sadly though.
If you're just getting started, really all I'd say is use Google to find trails near you and go see what you can do. The more you ride, the more comfortable you get at certain things, the more trails you can attack.
Boss2452stolemylunchmoney
> mcseanerson
09/27/2014 at 00:10 |
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Look on the classified section of MTBR.com to find your first bike. Get something used. Then get some tools and learn how to maintain it.
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mcseanerson
> Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
09/27/2014 at 00:10 |
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Consider yourself the engineer explaining the car and consider me Jeremy Clarkson. I have no idea what you just said.
Side Note: If you do a google search for squirrel mincer this is the first result.
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mcseanerson
> Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ
09/27/2014 at 00:11 |
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I already know plenty of trails nearby and have been passed by mountain bikers while hiking. I don't even so much as have a bike right now so I'm most concerned with gear and technique.
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mcseanerson
> Boss2452stolemylunchmoney
09/27/2014 at 00:14 |
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Thanks for the tip on where to look for a bike. What should I look for in a first bike?
Unless real mountain bikes are severely more complicated than the walmart junk I should be good. I got a bunch of practice repairing family members bikes when we had a local bike shop that sold more parts than bikes. Now we have a different shop and it's reversed.
treesmakewater
> Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ
09/27/2014 at 00:15 |
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pedals you say? How about these? I call them the shin shredders
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treesmakewater
> mcseanerson
09/27/2014 at 00:17 |
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What is the terrain like in your area? And if you don't mind me asking, what's your budget and height?
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Boss2452stolemylunchmoney
> mcseanerson
09/27/2014 at 00:17 |
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Good ones just usually break less frequently. They do differ somewhat in the available technology too. Just look for something that will fit you well, and will suit the style of riding you want to do. And get the best one you can afford.
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Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
> mcseanerson
09/27/2014 at 00:20 |
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I rebuilt a bike using parts from other bikes, so I was totally unfamiliar with the way it handled.
I also didn't tighten the handlebars enough.
I then immediately went to a very technical mountain bike trail.
It ended poorly
:(
Grindintosecond
> mcseanerson
09/27/2014 at 00:21 |
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what part of the country/world are you in? Due to family time limits I sold the MTB and went road. Since I did that I picked up a cross bike this year and its quite amazing what it can do. Regardless, Using MTB clip in shoes are fantastic. Theres so much more leverage to be had in climbs or power moments. for MTB, know that 4 inches of travel should get you enough suspension to tackle 3+ feet of drop off, more once you get better snd better using your body/legs for drops. Craigslist is your friend. Never buy new...I never will again but im living in bike meccha....
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Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ
> mcseanerson
09/27/2014 at 00:22 |
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Gotcha. Well I'm no expert on bikes from a Really technical side but I can tell you the $300 mark has treated me well. First nice bike I got at like 12 was somewhere round there and I got my current bike for about the same after waiting around for it's price to drop.
That got me front suspension (which is all I see as needed for my riding) and disk brakes. Once I wore down the original tires I went to REI and got some nice ones as replacements.
Technique wise, the one thing that took some learning after alot of pavement riding is keeping the seat a little higher and trying to keep your butt on it as much as possible.
Butt on seat = more grip via weight transfer. Can really make a difference in high speed turns and climbing hills depending on the surface.
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mcseanerson
> treesmakewater
09/27/2014 at 00:24 |
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I wouldn't know how to begin to describe the terrain. We have woods and hills?
http://www.singletracks.com/Ohio-bike-trai…
I'm 6'0" and I'm trying to start cheap(dirt cheap) just to get going. I'm mostly wanting to start as a combination of an exercise I can enjoy that won't kill my joints like running and get a little speed while enjoying nature.
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Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ
> treesmakewater
09/27/2014 at 00:25 |
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Oh my I cringe. My original pedals didn't have any of that hazardous as fuck looking spiking and I have 2 awesome scars in my shins from slipping on one pedal and the other one cracking my skin open.
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mcseanerson
> Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
09/27/2014 at 00:27 |
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Ah, I used to get around via bike and what I had was two broken bikes my mother in law bought from target for $50 each for her and my wife and I cobbled what was left back together. Someone stole it and I even saw them riding around on it later and I could tell it was mine because it had mismatched tires and brakes.
Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
> mcseanerson
09/27/2014 at 00:27 |
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My "first" run was on a fairly technical trail about 3 KM from my house. I snapped my chain because I kept it in high gear. oops.
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mcseanerson
> Grindintosecond
09/27/2014 at 00:29 |
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I'm in Chillicothe, Ohio. From what I've heard we're a kind of popular place for people riding bikes cross country to pass through.
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treesmakewater
> Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ
09/27/2014 at 00:30 |
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since there are so many pins, my foot never slides (knock on not shinbone)
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Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ
> treesmakewater
09/27/2014 at 00:33 |
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More times then not it was the result of my feet getting free while catching some air time then failing miserably to reconnect on the landing lol
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treesmakewater
> mcseanerson
09/27/2014 at 00:37 |
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The site is not loading for me, but try craigslist (maybe try to find a deal on a giant, specialized, cannondale, ect).
As far as joint health, you should sit where only your toes can touch the ground and while your foot is on the pedal, your leg slightly bent. Since I'm a bit taller than you, my cheapest way to get into it was $600. Nothing is wrong with Walmart bikes to get started, just expect things to break.
Drew
> mcseanerson
09/27/2014 at 00:37 |
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Howdy there fellow MTB guy!
My general recommendation would be to get something simple and cheap (not, NOT Walmart bikes - they're heavy and are completely useless). I'll give you the same spiel that I gave the last guy (now a regular weekend riding buddy).
Stick with a decent hardtail (front suspension, no rear suspension) and something with a 26-inch wheel diameter (27.5 if you prefer, it's the latest craze.) Disc brakes are a definite must - don't even think about a bike that has the brake pads on the rim of the wheel. You're going to want some equipment that's the equivalent of a stock Miata - basic, simple to work on, friendly and predictable to handle. A 26'' wheel means that you're not going to be bounding over most rocky trails, but you're going to learn balance and bike control better than anyone starting on something more aggressive. Most of the impact gets routed through the front suspension, and you'll really only need the rear suspension for more aggressive trails and over longer distances.
Number of speeds isn't that important, but most introductory level bikes start with a 3x8 (3 ring gears on the gears attached to the crank, 8 ring gears on the rear wheel.) Those will work fine - you'll want to upgrade eventually, but get an idea with what you're comfortable with. I'd immediately upgrade to studded platforms - pedals that have little screws in them to keep your feet from slipping, sort of like the studs that come on ice tires.
I'd look to spend in the realm of $700 if you're looking for a new bike, that should last you a few years if you're just getting started. MTBR has great reviews, and pinkbike.com is a wonderful used site. Local forums are awesome as well - hopefully you've got a good local club as the trails can require regular maintenance. By the sound of it, that isn't a concern.
My first bike was a Specialized Hardrock, and it was perfect for me as a beginner to get started. 3x8 gears, 26'' wheels, fairly sturdy construction. I've still got it, I need to fix it up to ride more twisty trails as the smaller diameter means high acceleration and quick turning. I've got a Giant Anthem X now, 29'' wheels, full suspension, 2x10 gears, and I'm desperately in love.
Other than that, always wear a helmet because you WILL fall and it won't be that bad and you'll survive and move on. Don't listen to music while you ride the trails because there will be folks coming up behind you and hikers that you'll try really hard not to kill when you come around a blind corner and they're just *there*. Get a good set of gloves, get a pump, basic tools, and a camelback/water bottles to make sure you don't suffer heat stroke.
Sorry for the novel. I love biking almost as much as I love cars.
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treesmakewater
> Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ
09/27/2014 at 00:40 |
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Ouch. The only time I had a problem like that was when my feet landed on the pedals, but at an odd angle and it jammed my ankle.
NotUnlessRoundIsFunny
> mcseanerson
09/27/2014 at 00:56 |
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I'm not enough of an expert to give any advice beyond this: wear a good helmet.
Seriously. It's really hard—sometimes impossible—to fix what's in your head. Please protect it.
evil2win
> mcseanerson
09/27/2014 at 01:18 |
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If you want o start on the cheep make sure you get a bike with a quality frame and cheep components (shifters, derailleurs , wheels, drive trains ) those parts will wear out and you can upgrade as they do. the sooner you start using clipless pedals the better, you'll fall over a lot the first day, but you get used to them fast. Have fun and find people to ride with, and wear a helmet.
Harrison Voorhees
> Drew
09/27/2014 at 01:44 |
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This was good information. As a fellow rider I recommend this particular post.
If you end up becoming more serious about it though, I warn you. It's expensive. I wish I could pay $700 for a bike and be happy. But the bike above should do you just fine.
V8 Rustler
> mcseanerson
09/27/2014 at 01:53 |
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Clipless pedals are one of the best things on a MTB. That and a powerful light if you go to trails at night.
bob and john
> mcseanerson
09/27/2014 at 10:02 |
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IDK, you tell me? ^from vacation in whistler
and below, my own rig
I'll say this./ DONT BUY A BIKE FROM WALMART. If you want to seriously get into this, find a bike store and get yourself something 1/2 decent, a 750$ trek or a norco or something along those lines (specialised is a great company too)
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Drew
> Harrison Voorhees
09/27/2014 at 21:11 |
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A decent, full suspension, 29er, with all the trimmings, is worth somewhere close to a full set of R888s (or similar R-spec tires) for my C6. Comparatively, this hobby is a tremendous value*.
*value does not include the price of health insurance, which, yes, you do need.
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Harrison Voorhees
> Drew
09/28/2014 at 00:39 |
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Agreed, but when your two main hobbies are racecars and bicycles then you better find some income real quick. =]