Don't forget about the bikes! My two trail machines.

"valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option" (valsidalv) 10/16/2015 at 12:45 • Filed to: mtb, bike, bikelopnik, cycleoppo

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So far I have shared with Oppo my car and my motorcycle. Today I want to kick it old-school and show off my favourite method of transportation - my mountain bikes.

In honour of Red Bull Rampage, which starts RIGHT NOW, here are my two bikes and the story behind them.

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Pictured above is my new trail bike, a ‘15 Trek Fuel EX 8 29. An incredible machine which is actually somewhat of an entry-level bike into the world of full suspension (there are cheaper full-sussers but when you’re going to be spending the money you might as well spend a little * more to get better quality parts). 29” wheels, hydraulic brakes, and adjustable front and rear air shocks which can be stiffened to increase efficiency on uphill climbs and on the road. Also included are huge disc rotors but thanks to the aluminum-alloy frames she weighs not much more than my older bike. I changed the pedals because the stock ones were garbage and colour matched them to the red accents on the bike. Looks pretty nice, if I say so myself :)

Now here’s my old bike. It’s a ‘07 Specialized Rock Hopper Disc. This was my first non-department store mountain bike, and - wow - what a difference this was! I rode this bike hard over all sorts of terrain, and in the snow, for the past 8 years and she’s no worse than when I first bought her. Now a lot has happened in the world of mountain bikes since 2007. Compared to my new one this thing is sort of an antique... so I decided to do some upgrades. I purchased a new front fork to replace my old coil-based one. The new fork also is larger and can accommodate a 29” wheel. This abomination (29 in the front, 26 in the back) is called a 69er. At one point Trek actually sold a factory-built 69er and they have developed a cult following.

My old front fork. I’m going to bring it to Antique Roadshow.

Biking is such a passion of mine. I think during the summer I clocked as many miles on my bikes as I did on my car and motorcycle. Got any questions about mountain bikes? Ask away! I’m no pro but I got caught up with the scene over the summer so might be able to answer something. Here are some more pics.

Mattbob > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 10/16/2015 at 12:59

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Nice! I’ve been trying to bike as much as I can this year too. Watching the rampage at work is getting me pumped to get out there this weekend despite the cold. I haven’t gotten into the full suspension world yet, but around here, I don’t really need it. I’ll have to grab a picture of my bike when I get home.

How do you like the 69er? I am riding a ‘08 gary fisher, and that ooks like it might be an interesting upgrade. Are you running tubeless? If you are, do you think it’s worth it?

BeaterGT > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 10/16/2015 at 13:09

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Beautiful bikes, never seen anyone run the 69’er setup before. I started on a 26, rode some friends 29s, and rented a bit of everything. Most recently rented a Trek Fuel Ex 8 27.5 for riding in Oregon and that thing really is a blast. My personal steed is a Ghost Kato 5 from REI. Had the best components for the cheapest price, is light as hell, and thanks to their return policy I can always give it back and get something else! Thanks for sharing sir

bob and john > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 10/16/2015 at 13:12

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oh man, i have a 09? EX 8. the year where they offered it in that really cool sepia/green/white combo

Eberle-Hills-Cop > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 10/16/2015 at 13:16

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Apparently I don’t take pictures of my bikes, this is all I can find. I might ditch on japanese car day at the larz anderson museum this sunday so I can go get some more park laps in before the end of the season.

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > Mattbob 10/16/2015 at 13:17

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Watching a bunch of mountain biking videos on YouTube is what actually brainwashed me to buy a full suspension. I definitely don’t need it here but I figured I deserved an upgrade after 8 years and might as well go all out.

I don’t have a lot of seat time with my 69er (no trails) but so far I like it. The reason I upgraded was because the difference between a 26” and 29” wheel up front is very significant despite the small variation in the numbers. If you haven’t tried out a full 29er I’d suggest you do just that at your local bike store. Roots, and other things I would usually have to avoid with my Rockhopper, are almost invisible when you’re on a 29er - just ride right over.

I am not running tubeless but have heard so many good things about it that I’ll probably update my tires next season. One big advantage is that you can run lower PSI in your tires but I don’t have the type of trails in my area that really require such low pressures.

jebusmoses > Mattbob 10/16/2015 at 13:19

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Personally, I’m not on tubeless, but most of my friends are. I’d say the biggest determinants are how much you ride and how much you care. The tire behaves better, you can run lower pressures, and it’s lighter, but it’s not as convenient, especially in case of a flat.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 10/16/2015 at 13:20

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Mine are the three middle ones. From left to right:

1. Breezer Venturi with 6770 Di2
2. K2 Aluminum Hardtail with Marzochi front fork and XT drivetrain
3. 1993 rigid Rockhopper with STX drivetrain, semi-slick tires and an errand rack.

The 1993 is a true throwback. Cantilever brakes, single-wall rims, I love it.

Of course, this is what it does best:

And the Breezer:

jebusmoses > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 10/16/2015 at 13:21

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Nice! Love the ride. You thinking about converting to clips?

ETA: also, just curious- where are you located?

Mattbob > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 10/16/2015 at 13:22

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yeah, I usually run pretty low PSI anyway. Using a fat 2.35 tire up front with low PSI helps make up for if being 26”. I would be curious how a 29” would help out with the front washing out. I have a super knobby tire (Navegal) on there to help with it, as my geometry has my weight pretty far back, but I bet 29” would help. I keep finding out over and over though that the biggest upgrade to your bike is fitness and technique. Now the key will be to carry the fitness over through the winter.

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > Eberle-Hills-Cop 10/16/2015 at 13:25

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Nice trail and good lookin’ bike! What sort of lens do you wear in your goggles?

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > bob and john 10/16/2015 at 13:26

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Nice. Where do you ride?

Eberle-Hills-Cop > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 10/16/2015 at 13:27

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I usually just run a clear lens (spy) but I tried a slightly orange one this season to see if it helped with the transitions between trees and open ski runs but I’m not sold on the effectiveness.

Mattbob > jebusmoses 10/16/2015 at 13:30

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yeah, the convenience of it is all that is holding me back. I ride a good amount, about 400 miles of MTB this year, but replacing the goop everytime you change tires would be annoying. I have some studded tires for winter, so that would get old.

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > BeaterGT 10/16/2015 at 13:31

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Ghost bikes are really cool, I like how they look. My buddy has one and it’s incredibly heavy. It’s a cheaper one but it’s as though it’s made out of steel or something... even heavier than my full-suspension.

I was really close to buying a Giant Anthem 27.5. I absolutely loved it but in the end I wanted to get a 29er.

Moves-Like-Senna > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 10/16/2015 at 13:33

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Nice bikes! I’ve been watching rampage today haha. I grew up with some of the riders.

Apparently I don’t take pictures of most of my bikes either. I have a 26” (designed for 5 ft 6) and a 29er back home in BC. I’m 6’3 so the 26 is a blast through trails with jumps or at parks (I prefer a smaller bike for mountain). I also have a 24” and 20” dirt bmx back there.

Out here I have road/timetrial/track bikes and a single 27 hard tail bike. An 06 gary fisher marlin. It sat for the past 8 years as I’ve been saving up for an overhaul and that’s exactly what I plan on doing through the winter.

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > jebusmoses 10/16/2015 at 13:34

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Ahhhh I’ve tried clips once and tbh am just a little a wary of them. Maybe it’s a case of old habits die hard but I don’t think it’s something I need especially for trail riding. Do you?

I’m near Toronto, ON.

Moves-Like-Senna > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 10/16/2015 at 13:40

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Ahhhhh Norbs! my home town boy is on right now!

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > Moves-Like-Senna 10/16/2015 at 13:41

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Just watched it! That unexpected flip. The 360 was sketch!

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > Moves-Like-Senna 10/16/2015 at 13:43

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OMG whaaat he just proposed??!! Hahahaha

Moves-Like-Senna > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 10/16/2015 at 13:46

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I KNOW! I’m blown away righ tnow hahahahaa and now semenuk!!! (again where I come from)

WR25 > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 10/16/2015 at 13:51

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Here is my bike, 2010 BMC Pro Machine i haven’t ridden much lately but i used to avidly ride. I have several thousand, hard, long miles on this thing. I’ll probably start putting miles on it again come spring time.

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > Moves-Like-Senna 10/16/2015 at 13:53

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Yea when Semenuk is taking is slow at the top it must be sketchy. What hasn’t he won this year?... Whistler Crankworx as well.

Moves-Like-Senna > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 10/16/2015 at 13:54

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True hahaha crankworx this year was insane! Whistler’s always fun to visit though ;) haha

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > WR25 10/16/2015 at 13:56

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I think you got Kinja’d so I fixed the link for ya here .

That is a very beautiful bike. You get on it right now! License plate on that ‘stang says Cali so you should be riding all year long.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 10/16/2015 at 14:18

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2001 GT Jamie Bestwick Pro Model

M-Uni 20” offroad unicycle

2010 Specialized Langster Boston

Mongoose Beast

BeaterGT > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 10/16/2015 at 14:22

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I’m surprised to hear that, my friends have the XCaliber 6 and 7 and my bike is a few pounds lighter than theirs. I think my next bike will be an Giant or maybe a Santa Cruz if the funds allow it !

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 10/16/2015 at 14:53

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Tell me more about that Mongoose. When do you use it and how does it ride?

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > PotbellyJoe and 42 others 10/16/2015 at 15:15

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Props for the old school Breezer. Pre 2000, yeah?

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 10/16/2015 at 15:20

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No, it’s a 2013 frame.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 10/16/2015 at 15:38

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Well it’s a beast as in it’s fucking heavy. I just use to ride around the neighbourhood. The steering is what feels the most unusual. I might have 20lbs of air in the tires(that’s a lot for a fatty) and when you turn you can feel the tires bend and what not.

Just something I picked up for cheap to get a bit of exercise. I packed on quite a few pounds in the last 5 years. A fat guy on a skinny tire road bike looks really weird. This bike looks way more proportionate to my size.

RallyWrench > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 10/16/2015 at 16:19

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Kickass. I ride an Ibis Mojo and Kona Stinky Six and build a bunch of trail, plus other random bikes. Cheers to riders!

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > PotbellyJoe and 42 others 10/16/2015 at 17:00

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Wow. He’s kept the same color scheme since the mid 90s on the Venturi. Nice. Steel is real my man.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 10/16/2015 at 17:05

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Yep, That’s one of the myriad reasons I love the bike. Those who know get a kick out of it.

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > RallyWrench 10/16/2015 at 17:24

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Those are some nice pieces of metal ya got there.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 10/16/2015 at 22:36

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Speaking of Steel is real. Did you see Willier’s Superleggera? Mama Mia, that’s one spicy meatball.

http://www.wilier.com/en/products/in…

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > PotbellyJoe and 42 others 10/17/2015 at 01:35

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http://www.zullo-bike.com/

Check this cat out.