Who here is into Mountain Biking?

"Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs" (yowen) 05/21/2014 at 14:44 • Filed to: None

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I've just gotten started on it here in Grand Rapids, MI. Riding my cousins old bike, he's got some fancy new Giant. No idea what brand I've been riding, haha. Anyway, it's tons of fun! Anyone else here ride?

For those familiar with the area I rode a trail in Rockford called Merril and a trail at Cannonsburg ski resort. Both were about 5 miles with intense uphills and downhills, tight turns and technical sections with Cannonsburg definitely being the more intense of the two.

I found I have the stamina to sustain the hill climbs but still need to gain confidence on the downhills and perhaps a better bike. My bike has somewhat smaller wheels than my cousin, I imagine it gives me an advantage on uphills, but makes for a less smooth ride on rough terrain.

ps. Not me in the picture

The man in the iron mask > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 05/21/2014 at 14:47

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Use Strava to record your rides, i even saw somebody here mention there was a group of Oppo. I like biking but im currently off. Have to start from zero again.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 05/21/2014 at 14:49

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I used to ride my brother's spare Gary Fisher Pirhana back in Arizona all the time. I love mountain biking. Haven't picked up a new bike since moving to Illinois, and I'm not quite sure how it will be without any actual mountains... lol But I can't wait to get a new bike and start riding again.

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 05/21/2014 at 14:51

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I've just been riding around the neighborhood making sure my dad doesn't fall off the fancy schmancy Giant that he just got too. Makes me want to get a bike when I go back to Tulsa this summer.

HammerheadFistpunch > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 05/21/2014 at 14:53

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I ride, but you could have probably guessed that .

MonkeePuzzle > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 05/21/2014 at 14:54

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once upon a time I was quite the avid mountain bicyclist

CalzoneGolem > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 05/21/2014 at 14:57

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I've been riding my shitty bike around the neighborhood in the morning for exercise and scaring deer. I used to be big into riding. I road from Maine to New Jersey with a group once.

Alex B > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 05/21/2014 at 14:57

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I bike pretty much once a day 6-7 miles. I haven't tried mmountain biking yet though.

KMarino > MonkeePuzzle 05/21/2014 at 15:02

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I have a specialized mountain bike i bought after going to clear springs , but haven't made my way back there yet. I've ridden on the rails to trails near my house, but no mountains or hills :( I really need to go again, it just gets so hot in Louisiana for so long.

EL_ULY > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 05/21/2014 at 15:03

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did you see :]

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/coolest-car-in…

Daylen Vallejo > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 05/21/2014 at 15:03

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I do. Actually, I race on my own (under 21 class) in the summer and then for my local high school in a fall league. Up here in CO the riding is freaking sweet and I love it :)

JGrabowMSt > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 05/21/2014 at 15:08

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I went from mountain to road, and don't think I could look back. I used to ride on local trails, but less than a year after I started riding on them, tons of people started to, and now the trails are pretty dangerous because of how many bikers go so fast through the woods, when they really can't see ahead of them.

Now I'm happy riding on roads, despite the crazy drivers, at least I know when something is going to hit me now..

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > EL_ULY 05/21/2014 at 15:09

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Oh awesome! I'm off to see if I can locate that Dodge Magnum-Lancia.

Forgetful > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 05/21/2014 at 15:09

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My brother, Matt Miles, rides for Specialized and films with Ant Hill.

EL_ULY > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 05/21/2014 at 15:10

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carcrasher88 i think found 2

Jagvar > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 05/21/2014 at 15:20

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I'm into trail running, and since I've been nearly run over by mountain bikers a couple of times, I'm a little afraid of them!

But seriously, it seems like something I could get into, and probably awesome exercise.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 05/21/2014 at 15:23

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I am, Last time I went on a trail was last august though.

HammerheadFistpunch > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 05/21/2014 at 15:24

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Not my latest video, but one of my favorite rides

Scary__goongala! > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 05/21/2014 at 15:49

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I do. Im good enough to not hurt myself but I don't have much of any places to go. Downhill riding is my favorite when I get the chance to do so.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > Jagvar 05/21/2014 at 15:55

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Yeah it is great exercise. I have a lot of experience road biking and it helps on the uphills because it really takes it out of you don't ever work those muscles otherwise.

El Rocko > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 05/21/2014 at 18:56

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I ride in Arizona. Tucson usually. In fact, once I sell my Tacoma , I'm buying one of these:

Yeti SB75 to replace my 2001 Haro - it's a huge upgrade.

Mattbob > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 05/22/2014 at 13:26

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Me!! I haven't gotten out much, but am going today! I am out in South Lyon MI.

Mattbob > Jagvar 05/22/2014 at 13:26

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You have to wear shoes to bike.

Mattbob > JGrabowMSt 05/22/2014 at 13:28

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you have to ride trails on weekdays before other people get on them. I try to get out of work early and go at around 4 on weekdays.

Jagvar > Mattbob 05/22/2014 at 13:30

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Companies do make "barefoot pedals" for bikes that are supposed to be quite comfortable. But I think they're intended for more casual riding, and not for traversing mountains.

Mattbob > Jagvar 05/22/2014 at 13:36

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yeah, its not the pedals so much as falling at speed that would destroy feet. Sticks and rocks are no joke. Those would be sweet for a beach cruiser though.

Jagvar > Mattbob 05/22/2014 at 13:38

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Yeah, I can see how that would be dangerous. Those bikes can get some serious speed on the trails. The beach cruiser sounds more my style.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > HammerheadFistpunch 06/11/2014 at 16:42

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Have been meaning to circle back to this thread I started for a while now, haha. What's your opinion on 26er's vs 29er's when it comes to mountain bikes? I've been trolling CL and am not sure which I want. My cousin, who I usually ride with, swears by the 29ers. From what I read, my being 6'1", it shouldn't be a problem for me size wise.

HammerheadFistpunch > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 06/11/2014 at 16:49

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Step 23

Im a 26'er.

In all seriousness though, it depends on your trails and style. In utah we have a lot of tight trails with lots of switchbacks so I prefer a 26 due to its shorter wheelbase. despite this 27.5 and 29 are far more popular now.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > HammerheadFistpunch 06/11/2014 at 17:01

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I've been reading in the past 10-15 minutes and I am gravitating toward staying with 26 or perhaps finding a 27.5, but... WHile I see plenty of 26's on craigslist and a good number of 29's, there are no 27.5's, at least not reasonably priced.

Also that video is pretty funny, haha.

tromoly > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 06/11/2014 at 17:06

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650b really isn't catching on, personally having ridden one I wouldn't move from a 26er or 29er to get one, it's just not worth it.

HammerheadFistpunch > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 06/11/2014 at 17:08

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I've ridden plenty of 29's and its all about preference. It's like skis, some people like a really damp ski that charges, other people like a ski with lots of feel and changes direction quick. My preference is a little old school in that I like to dance with the bike a little more and so I like a short wheelbase for quick response. 29ers are a much more relaxed and stable ride. Its the same as with cars, a 2 door wrangler will work a 4 door off road, but the 4 door is a much better road vehicle. Most of my riding buddies are 29'ers and I don't give them any more grief than I am contractually obligated to as a 26'er so its all, like I said, preference.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > tromoly 06/11/2014 at 17:13

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Well I'm in the position where I don't have a 26 OR a 29. In that case could a 650b be a good choice?

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > HammerheadFistpunch 06/11/2014 at 17:16

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Haha, do some places do demo's of bikes so I can test the various sizes? Because I've only extensively ridden a 26 and I do think I appreciate the maneuverability of it. But I can't be sure, haha. Also it's probably easier to find a reasonable deal on a used 26er.

HammerheadFistpunch > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 06/11/2014 at 17:18

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yeah, most manufactures do demo days, you can check their site for schedules. Shops don't typically demo, but you could rent for a day and see what you think. One brand does a 24 hour demo...but I forget who it is....specialized maybe?

tromoly > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 06/11/2014 at 17:18

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Research tire selections before committing, last I knew there was an okay but not great selection of 650b tires, it may have changed since I last looked.

Best thing I can say is talk to the guys at your local bike shop, they'll be able to give you information more applicable to the trail styles where you're at.