Lifestyle Mountain Bikers of TMMAC

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Grateful Dude

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May 30, 2016
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On a road bike that is such a pain man. The chainset and front drive side crank are often one piece meaning you have to hold a few of those in reserve and depending on if you have a power meter some meters are built into the chain set. Where as changing a casette is just a case of taking the back wheel off. Hey dont let me sound like I know, I barely ever do either because I have plenty of gears and I am no mechanic.

Although a 12 speed would give you great variability I agree without any need to change. Even an 11 is pretty good. Just go mid range on the front ring and give it some more RPM between if you are finding you are halfway house.

Either way. Front mechs arent going away anytime soon on the road. I do want an electric groupset that matches when you change the big ring. That would be cool. A pet hate is having to match the two yourself, I want smooth transitions. A single front ring would fix that or di2 or SRAM red both offer (I think) matching when you jump the big ratio. I would like that. They cost more than I paid for my entire bike though... next year maybe.
Ah, I forget about the 1 piece cranks on roadies. On my mountain bike crank there are only 4 bolts to remove the ring, easy as can be to change out. And the rings I use are only about $50, so it isn't a big deal to have an extra one on hand for the mountains or whatever. I have a buddy who has the shimano electric on his road rig...it is sweet! Expensive, but sweet.

On mountain bikes, another huge benefit of the single ring is that you can run the chain a little tighter. When you have to have enough chain to accommodate multiple rings, you end up with more slop. With the single ring I get way less noise from my chain slapping my frame. I like the simplicity of it. And getting rid of the front shifter opened up a spot in the cockpit to put the lever for my dropper post.
 
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@blank

How are you liking the Rocky Mountain? Been getting out much?

La Paix @BirdWatcher
Have you been getting out on the trail? Or are you shut down for winter sports?
I dig it, for the price I paid, I could not have chosen a better RM, I think I could have found a better Norco but never made it that far.
It's surprising how much better this bike handles than my old one and how much easier it is to climb on it. I can't do many things on a bike but it keeps my trying to hop and bounce over stuff.
It pissed rain for a month straight (there were 2 or 3 days of sun) when I got back so that only left some of October for riding and I've been in hibernation since then....funny you should ask me cause I was thinking about taking it out of storage just to put it together so I can look at it :)
 

Grateful Dude

TMMAC Addict
May 30, 2016
8,925
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I dig it, for the price I paid, I could not have chosen a better RM, I think I could have found a better Norco but never made it that far.
It's surprising how much better this bike handles than my old one and how much easier it is to climb on it. I can't do many things on a bike but it keeps my trying to hop and bounce over stuff.
It pissed rain for a month straight (there were 2 or 3 days of sun) when I got back so that only left some of October for riding and I've been in hibernation since then....funny you should ask me cause I was thinking about taking it out of storage just to put it together so I can look at it :)
Awesome man, glad you dig it!

I was thinking about taking it out of storage just to put it together so I can look at it :)
I totally understand. I've been injured the last few months and I have spent a lot of time staring at my bike while it sits in the garage. I wiped the dust off of it the other day lol. I'll be back in action in the Spring, and I can't wait!
 

Grateful Dude

TMMAC Addict
May 30, 2016
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what'd ya do?
I've had disc issues for the last 10 years or so. One of the bad discs re-ruptured, and it was pretty bad this time (nerve pain, loss of function and strength in my left leg, numbness, etc). Ended up needing back surgery, which was almost exactly 4 weeks ago now. I was out of action for about 2 months before the surgery, and I'm rehabbing for the next couple of months. So far so good, but I still gotta take it easy for a bit.

Getting old sucks!
 

Grateful Dude

TMMAC Addict
May 30, 2016
8,925
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how did you develop those disc issues?
It was just wear and tear. I've mostly worked manual labor type jobs since I was a kid, and then add in 25 years of crashing mountain bikes in to rocks and trees :).

Probably some stupidity mixed in there too.
 

La Paix

Fuck this place
First 100
Jan 14, 2015
38,273
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@blank

How are you liking the Rocky Mountain? Been getting out much?

La Paix @BirdWatcher
Have you been getting out on the trail? Or are you shut down for winter sports?
We're still snowboarding every weekend my man, loving! I am however excited for bike season to begin. It's the perfect t balance here to ride your heart out and just when you need a cooling off period here comes ski/snowboarding. Rinse repeat, love BC.

We also picked up a SWEET bike for my wife. It took me many months but I finally convinced her to sell her 29er XC and her DH rig and get herself an Enduro style so it's one bike does it all .I'll post pictures when we get her back home, she's a beauty!

And yes, some seeing this thread back in the mix. Like the new additions .
 

Grateful Dude

TMMAC Addict
May 30, 2016
8,925
14,261
We're still snowboarding every weekend my man, loving! I am however excited for bike season to begin. It's the perfect t balance here to ride your heart out and just when you need a cooling off period here comes ski/snowboarding. Rinse repeat, love BC.

We also picked up a SWEET bike for my wife. It took me many months but I finally convinced her to sell her 29er XC and her DH rig and get herself an Enduro style so it's one bike does it all .I'll post pictures when we get her back home, she's a beauty!

And yes, some seeing this thread back in the mix. Like the new additions .
That is the benefit of living in the mountains - you have the best of both worlds! I need to move the fuck out of the desert.

An enduro style bike is a great idea. I like the idea of having a bike that does it all. Having multiple bikes is cool, but I've always leaned towards finding a bike that can do everything I want to do.

What did you end up getting for your wife? Look forward to the pics!
 

La Paix

Fuck this place
First 100
Jan 14, 2015
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That is the benefit of living in the mountains - you have the best of both worlds! I need to move the fuck out of the desert.

An enduro style bike is a great idea. I like the idea of having a bike that does it all. Having multiple bikes is cool, but I've always leaned towards finding a bike that can do everything I want to do.

What did you end up getting for your wife? Look forward to the pics!
2017 Liv Hail. Not sisu if you're familiar with Giants women's line called Liv but they are amazing bikes, not just girl colours and a cute name. The bike is bad ass and it'll help her with gaining confidence so she can elevate her game this season .
 

benjo0101

TMMAC Addict
Jun 13, 2016
6,452
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Ah, I forget about the 1 piece cranks on roadies. On my mountain bike crank there are only 4 bolts to remove the ring, easy as can be to change out. And the rings I use are only about $50, so it isn't a big deal to have an extra one on hand for the mountains or whatever. I have a buddy who has the shimano electric on his road rig...it is sweet! Expensive, but sweet.

On mountain bikes, another huge benefit of the single ring is that you can run the chain a little tighter. When you have to have enough chain to accommodate multiple rings, you end up with more slop. With the single ring I get way less noise from my chain slapping my frame. I like the simplicity of it. And getting rid of the front shifter opened up a spot in the cockpit to put the lever for my dropper post.
There are just generally less things to go wrong. No front derailuer, tighter chain, lower weight in theory although it would be minor, one less cable to fail you (unless you mine gold and have SRAM red). I would definitely try one, but as far as I know they arent as readily available and I am trying not to spend money. 2 rings for me this year, maybe next year. Although I am more likely to just change to SRAM red over a new bike, I love wireless. It just sounds so sexy.
 

La Paix

Fuck this place
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Jan 14, 2015
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Grateful Dude @GratefulGiarc here's the wife's new wheels. Just put on better tires and went tubeless before bring it home.




I'm so pumped for her. She made some great progress last season and I feel this year will be her breakout season.
 

Grateful Dude

TMMAC Addict
May 30, 2016
8,925
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Grateful Dude @GratefulGiarc here's the wife's new wheels. Just put on better tires and went tubeless before bring it home.




I'm so pumped for her. She made some great progress last season and I feel this year will be her breakout season.
That's a nice bike man! Congrats to your wife. The bike looks to be built up with great components.

That should get her treadin' in style this season!

Good job bud, you picked out a sweet bike for her.
 

benjo0101

TMMAC Addict
Jun 13, 2016
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Grateful Dude @GratefulGiarc here's the wife's new wheels. Just put on better tires and went tubeless before bring it home.




I'm so pumped for her. She made some great progress last season and I feel this year will be her breakout season.
What is the crack with tubeless? I hear a lot about it but I have no idea what it is. On roadies you are supposed to see substantial benefits over clinchers.
 

La Paix

Fuck this place
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Jan 14, 2015
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What is the crack with tubeless? I hear a lot about it but I have no idea what it is. On roadies you are supposed to see substantial benefits over clinchers.
Grateful Dude @GratefulGiarc could speak more to it I'm sure but the two main things are less rotating weight and you can run lower tire pressure for better traction in the trails. I think running low psi with tubes makes it easy to get a pinch flat.
 

benjo0101

TMMAC Addict
Jun 13, 2016
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Grateful Dude @GratefulGiarc could speak more to it I'm sure but the two main things are less rotating weight and you can run lower tire pressure for better traction in the trails. I think running low psi with tubes makes it easy to get a pinch flat.
Interesting. I'll investigate when I replace my wheels. Lower rotating weight would be nice.

Pinch flats are an issue and if you run the super light race tyres with the lowest rolling resistance they're very susceptible
 

La Paix

Fuck this place
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Jan 14, 2015
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Interesting. I'll investigate when I replace my wheels. Lower rotating weight would be nice.

Pinch flats are an issue and if you run the super light race tyres with the lowest rolling resistance they're very susceptible
Ya I've done about 2 real seasons on my old road bike (sold now) and that's the only bike I got flats on. Gotta be due to the high psi in the wheels but it's weird. I can go all summer smashing my MTN bike through nasty terrain, jumps and drops and no flats. I go for a 30kms road rode and I'll get a flat going over the bridge from the constant expansion joint bumps.
 

Grateful Dude

TMMAC Addict
May 30, 2016
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What is the crack with tubeless? I hear a lot about it but I have no idea what it is. On roadies you are supposed to see substantial benefits over clinchers.
There are several reasons that tubeless is preferred for mountain biking.

- Like La Paix @BirdWatcher said, you may reduce rotational weight by ditching the tubes, although tubeless tires generally have thicker sidewalls, so this kind of depends on what tires you're running (different brands and styles of tires vary in weight)

- Running lower pressure is one of the main benefits. Lower pressure allows the tire to conform to uneven and rocky terrain. When you run pressure too high, the tire will tend to bounce off of rocks and other obstacles instead of conforming and absorbing some of the impact. You want your tire to stay in contact with the trail, so bouncing isn't good. With tubes, I usually had to run a higher pressure than I wanted to in order to prevent pinch flats, and a tubeless setup eliminates that issue. Lower pressure allows you to get the right "feel" without pinching out all the time. Running your tires a bit squishy not only improves your traction, but it takes away some of the harshness of the trail.

-And finally, the big benefit.....most people that run tubeless use a liquid latex sealant in the tires. The sealant will stop leaks and close up most punctures. I hardly ever have an issue with my tires on the trail now, but when I was still running tubes I would get flats all the time from thorns and whatnot, and pinches. No more sitting on the side of the trail patching or changing tubes for me these days :)


I don't have any experience with tubeless setup on road tires, but for mountain biking there is no question that it is the best option.
 
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benjo0101

TMMAC Addict
Jun 13, 2016
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Ya I've done about 2 real seasons on my old road bike (sold now) and that's the only bike I got flats on. Gotta be due to the high psi in the wheels but it's weird. I can go all summer smashing my MTN bike through nasty terrain, jumps and drops and no flats. I go for a 30kms road rode and I'll get a flat going over the bridge from the constant expansion joint bumps.
You've got to take into account the force through a smaller area though. Thickness, contact area, pressure. It's hard to compare MTB tyres to road. Theres
There are several reasons that tubeless is preferred for mountain biking.

- Like La Paix @BirdWatcher said, you may reduce rotational weight by ditching the tubes, although tubeless tires generally have thicker sidewalls, so this kind of depends on what tires you're running (different brands and styles of tires vary in weight)

- Running lower pressure is one of the main benefits. Lower pressure allows the tire to conform to uneven and rocky terrain. When you run pressure too high, the tire will tend to bounce off of rocks and other obstacles instead of conforming and absorbing some of the impact. You want your tire to stay in contact with the trail, so bouncing isn't good. With tubes, I usually had to run a higher pressure than I wanted to in order to prevent pinch flats, and a tubeless setup eliminates that issue. Lower pressure allows you to get the right "feel" without pinching out all the time. Running your tires a bit squishy not only improves your traction, but it takes away some of the harshness of the trail.

-And finally, the big benefit.....most people that run tubeless use a liquid latex sealant in the tires. The sealant will stop leaks and close up most punctures. I hardly ever have an issue with my tires on the trail now, but when I was still running tubes I would get flats all the time from thorns and whatnot, and pinches. No more sitting on the side of the trail patching or changing tubes for me these days :)


I don't have any experience with tubeless setup on road tires, but for mountain biking there is no question that it is the best option.
I'll look into it . Great post.

Realistically my next set of wheels will cost more than I paid for the bike I have... So it'll be a while. But I'll look at a tubeless option.
 

La Paix

Fuck this place
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Jan 14, 2015
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Grateful Dude @GratefulGiarc did I tell you we booked Crankworx in Whistler again this year? You should come join! Splinty @Splinty can vouch for how amazing Whistler is now. Maybe having a fellow Texan pushing you to go will seal the deal. We are there for the second half, August 15-19.
 

Grateful Dude

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May 30, 2016
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Grateful Dude @GratefulGiarc did I tell you we booked Crankworx in Whistler again this year? You should come join! Splinty @Splinty can vouch for how amazing Whistler is now. Maybe having a fellow Texan pushing you to go will seal the deal. We are there for the second half, August 15-19.
I will look in to that. My wife and I were just talking about what trips we want to do this year. Whistler has been on my bucket list for a long time!
 

Grateful Dude

TMMAC Addict
May 30, 2016
8,925
14,261
Grateful Dude @GratefulGiarc did I tell you we booked Crankworx in Whistler again this year? You should come join! Splinty @Splinty can vouch for how amazing Whistler is now. Maybe having a fellow Texan pushing you to go will seal the deal. We are there for the second half, August 15-19.
Finally bumping this thread again...you have crankworx coming up soon!

I've been kind of avoiding this thread, I still haven't been able to get back on the bike since the back surgery. Been pretty bummed about it, but I'm getting closer! Getting my fitness back, and I should be hitting the trails soon. I've been off the bike for 6 god damn months, which is the longest I've ever been down from injury. Fucking blows, I'm dying to get back out again. Recovery has been much slower than I had hoped, but finally making bigger strides and the nerves seem to be sorting themselves out now.

Of course it's hot as hell here now, so it is going to be rough getting back in to biking shape :)

Have you and the wife been getting out to ride?
 
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Some images from my first epic of the season. Probably one of the last as well, my lower back was severely compromised after I was dumb enough to let a very tall person practice his spider guard on me. I literally could not walk for 3 days and couldn't walk normally for over a week. I'm officially done with bjj because 5 lower back injuries is just too many. Hopefully biking season will be there when my recovery is complete.


 
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Rambo John J

Eats things that would make a Billy Goat Puke
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Jan 17, 2015
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Some images from my first epic of the season. Probably one of the last as well, my lower back was severely compromised after I was dumb enough to let a very tall person practice his spider guard on me. I literally could not walk for 3 days and couldn't walk normally for over a week. I'm officially done with bjj because 5 lower back injuries is just too many. Hopefully biking season will



be there when my recovery is complete.
nice
heal that back up