Mountain Bike Fails of the month, #3 will leave you in stitches!

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
07/29/2016 at 10:54 • Filed to: None

Enjoy!

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DISCUSSION (31)

OPPOsaurus WRX > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
07/29/2016 at 11:07

o man so much cringing

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
07/29/2016 at 11:08

#8 at least showed the good sense to know when to bail.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
07/29/2016 at 11:08

More than just #3 would have left in stitches. Or rather needing stitches.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
07/29/2016 at 11:09

I’ve been looking at getting a mountain bike again. I really miss riding.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
07/29/2016 at 11:13

Do it, there is no substitute for fun.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > OPPOsaurus WRX
07/29/2016 at 11:14

I have probably never wrecked as badly as any of these guys.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
07/29/2016 at 11:18

I mean, there are track days... but no reason I can’t do both!

Just trying to figure out what bike to get on an approx. $1k budget, debating between new and used, and the flood of different opinions is kinda tough. haha

The Lurktastic Opponaught > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
07/29/2016 at 11:19

As I move into middle age, I’m wracking up some scars that are demonstrating my need to re-evaluate what I consider a rideable line versus screw that noise I'm out.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
07/29/2016 at 11:23

I had one wreck I probably should have gone to the hospital after. I’m pretty sure I had a concussion (blurry vision, slurred speech, saying things that didn;t make sense) I’ve personally seen one great (not for him) wreck. The guy went off the end of a 6' drop but didn;t pull up so his front tire dropped and so did his face, straight to the ground. He did not get back up and ended up in an ambulance. I felt really bad cuz he was on a business trip from the UK and wanted to try biking for a day after th work shit was done with.

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
07/29/2016 at 11:25

About 4 years ago, I dusted off my now-20 year old hard tail and had my mechanic look give it a once over. He replaced a few things, adjusted a few more, and I’ve been working on improving my skills with it for almost four seasons now. I got fewer scars on my road bike, but I have a hell of a lot more fun on my mountain bike.

BeaterGT > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
07/29/2016 at 11:27

You can get a seriously nice new hardtail for $1k.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > BeaterGT
07/29/2016 at 11:33

Yeah, a buddy of mine who works at an LBS in AZ and rides a ton recommended the Trek X-Caliber 8. Also looking at used stuff in the midwest on pinkbike

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
07/29/2016 at 11:42

I’m riding the same trails on a bike worth maybe $75 with and keeping pace with guys on $2-6k machines. $1k will buy a lot of used bicycle, but don’t let technology compensate for bad technique. That’s why I’ve ridden a (about to fully unsuspended) hard tail for the last four seasons. I sucked on trail, and I need a rather unforgiving ride to remind me that this was 90% me, 10% machine. Four seasons on, I’m finally starting to out-ride the bike, and am looking into replacing it. I've been test riding and going to demo days, and I can honestly say that I'm 51% sure my next ride will be a rigid fat bike.

TheRealBicycleBuck > OPPOsaurus WRX
07/29/2016 at 11:47

We went on a big group ride where one guy face-planted into an embankment. He lost consciousness for a bit, but his biggest complaint was severe neck pain. This happened when cell phones still came in big bags, so nobody had one to call for emergency services. I had to ride out, find a pay phone, call EMS, ride back to the trail head, then guide the paramedics back to the scene. We were fortunate to have enough guys to help carry him out on a backboard and roll out all of the extra bikes.

He was lucky that it was just a severe strain that only required a neck brace for a couple of months. I’m not sure he ever went to the trails again.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > OPPOsaurus WRX
07/29/2016 at 11:56

Most of these are from a front wheel hitting the ground first trying to land a jump. You gotta pull up!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
07/29/2016 at 11:58

Get a hard tail 29er, X caliber 8 is a fantastic bike. I ride my hard tail 29er as much as my dual suspension 29er.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
07/29/2016 at 12:09

Yeah, it’s definitely the way I’m leaning. The local Trek shop near my place has one in stock in my size, and even the color I like! Gonna go check it out this weekend.

RallyWrench > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
07/29/2016 at 12:37

I was at Northstar last weekend, fearing wipeouts like this because I’ve had some big ones. Lots of X-rays and MRIs. Fortunately I only did external damage.

RallyWrench > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
07/29/2016 at 12:44

For that money, don’t even look at new full suspension bikes, they’ll be crap frames and crap parts. You might find a good used one for that, but then it’ll probably need a few hundred dollars in components and pivot rebuilds. I’d look into getting a really good new hardtail for that money, the new ones ride amazing, and once you’re dialed on that you can keep it around as a climb monster or convert to singlespeed and get a FS bike as an all-arounder.

RallyWrench > BeaterGT
07/29/2016 at 12:45

My advice exactly.

OPPOsaurus WRX > TheRealBicycleBuck
07/29/2016 at 12:47

i was one with a friend and I think he over heated or something. he asked to take a break and sat on a rock and then he started shaking and his head went back and slumped down. I ran to a nearby house and got some water and he seemed fine after that but that was scary shit. Its a fun hobby but it can go bad way too easy

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > RallyWrench
07/29/2016 at 13:34

Yeah, that’s pretty much my plan. Gonna go to my local Trek shop and check out an XC 8 this weekend.

BeaterGT > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
07/29/2016 at 14:43

Just make sure you actually ride it as hard you can before you buy it. My friend has that exact bike and can’t get used to the feel of it.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > BeaterGT
07/29/2016 at 15:22

What doesn’t he like about it? Is it a matter of the front shock? My friend who recommended it mentioned that the shock is upgradeable to an air spring for about $60.

I’ve also heard that it’s a good idea to upgrade the pedals on them too.

I thought about just going up to the Xcal 9, which has the air spring front shock standard, but I think I’d rather put the savings of ~$200 toward upgrading the XCal 8's front shock to the air spring (if it’s really only $60), and putting the other ~$140 toward upgraded pedals and a set of tubeless ready tires and rim strips.

BeaterGT > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
07/29/2016 at 15:26

Well you always want to upgrade from plastic pedals. I suggest the nukeproof electrons, I love them on my bike but haven’t tried any other flats besides the Amazon Wellgos. I don’t mess around with shocks too much as I like to think the best geometry came from the factory. As for my friend, I just think he got the wrong size which is why sizing, fit, and feel are extremely important. Arguably the most important.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > BeaterGT
07/29/2016 at 15:36

Definitely agree. Pretty confident that the 17.5 will be the right size for me (5' 7.5" 115lbs), but I’m definitely gonna give it a good test ride.

BeaterGT > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
07/29/2016 at 15:43

Personally, I think you should size down. You’re pretty close in measurements to my friend who got the 17.5 and is not comfortable.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > BeaterGT
07/29/2016 at 15:59

Interesting. I’ll have to give both a try. According to Trek’s website I’m on the higher end of what the 17.5 is sized for, but I could see where the smaller bike might be a better fit. Obviously the best thing is to actually go get sized. haha

BeaterGT > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
07/29/2016 at 16:24

Yes get sized and ride the bike as hard as they will let you before buying. Every bike has different geometry, it’s all about what bike frame works with your human frame :)

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > BeaterGT
08/01/2016 at 14:21

Went and tried out the 17.5 and a 15.5 this weekend. 17.5 definitely felt better to me. So much so that I’ll be picking it up later this week. haha

BeaterGT > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
08/01/2016 at 14:28

Awesome man, keep the rubber side down!