For VI and other interested in Mountain Biking

[Idle Mind]

http://nsmb.com/page/s/2678/fox-vid-from-rampage/

The above video is from this years Red Bull Rampage, which is a freeride/big mountain bike competition sponsored by, surprise, Red Bull. This competition featured some of the world's top riders from several disciplines (World Class DH racers like Gee Atherton and Cedric Gracia to Slopestyle champs like Darren Berrecloth, Cameron McCaul and Brandon Semenuk) creating and riding huge lines in the middle of nowhere in Utah, USA.

As well as being able to create any line they liked, there were a few pre-made courses for them to trick and style out, including a 60' canyon gap and several "drops" of 20+'.

Check out the vid, and for all the riders, we can make this our place to talk about the sport. Training, accomplishments, favourite mountain bike style or favourite places to ride.

[BenTheMan]

I bought a Specialized Rockhopper 29 Comp. I've put about 115 miles on it so far, but haven't really gotten it off road yet. I'm looking to take it out into the Santa Cruz Mountains eventually. I'm a bit new to the whole genre, so I have to start a bit slow :)

[Steve100]

Check out "Drop In TV" if you get the chance. It's a TV programme full of stuff like that.

I don't know what channel it is on or anything though.

[visceral_instinct]

Check out the vid, and for all the riders, we can make this our place to talk about the sport. Training, accomplishments, favourite mountain bike style or favourite places to ride.

I'm not quite skilled enough to race yet, so no accomplishments other than injuring myself only mildly. I really want to get good enough to race, not least to drive up the number of girls/women. I was a marshal at a race earlier this year and ONE rider was a woman. I swear I died a little inside.

Style = Downhill. :)

[mikenostic]

http://nsmb.com/page/s/2678/fox-vid-from-rampage/

The above video is from this years Red Bull Rampage, which is a freeride/big mountain bike competition sponsored by, surprise, Red Bull. This competition featured some of the world's top riders from several disciplines (World Class DH racers like Gee Atherton and Cedric Gracia to Slopestyle champs like Darren Berrecloth, Cameron McCaul and Brandon Semenuk) creating and riding huge lines in the middle of nowhere in Utah, USA.

As well as being able to create any line they liked, there were a few pre-made courses for them to trick and style out, including a 60' canyon gap and several "drops" of 20+'.

Check out the vid, and for all the riders, we can make this our place to talk about the sport. Training, accomplishments, favourite mountain bike style or favourite places to ride.

Nice thread Idle, and glad to not only meet another mtb-er, but one who knows what freeride is and is interested in it.
Freeriding is the type of mountain biking that I do. In fact, my friend Kenny and I have built several freeride stunts on his 2 acre lot here in Nashville.
Here is the link to a thread on MTBR.com that has some pictures of our stuff. My SN there is RMB_Mike.
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=354900&highlight=insane+stunts
I'll post my two Youtube vids when I get home, as: work firewall > youtube

I'm not quite skilled enough to race yet, so no accomplishments other than injuring myself only mildly. I really want to get good enough to race, not least to drive up the number of girls/women. I was a marshal at a race earlier this year and ONE rider was a woman. I swear I died a little inside.

Style = Downhill.
If anyone wishes there were more women mtb-ers, it would be me. Ideally, I would like to marry a woman who is interested in mtb-ing. There are a few around here but they are more geared towards the racing/cross-country side of it and they are ALL taken.
So do you do any downhilling yourself, or is that the genre that interests you the most? I think downhill is by far the most dangerous, followed closely by freeriding. Most XCers wear their little light 'skullcap' helmets. Most downhillers and freeriders wear full face helmets and body armor rivaling that of motocross racers.

[Steve100]

I do cross country on either my BMX or my uncles 10 year old no suspension beast.
I like going down some big slopes at the quarry.
I've had a dabble on my BMX at north shore trails, including a big see saw and some long high log rides, but some pricks knocked it all down.
I like going to the bowls in the summer even though I'm no good at them, in fact the only thing I'm any good at is cross country.

That's about it.

[mikenostic]

I do cross country on either my BMX or my uncles 10 year old no suspension beast.
I like going down some big slopes at the quarry.
I've had a dabble on my BMX at north shore trails, including a big see saw and some long high log rides, but some pricks knocked it all down.
I like going to the bowls in the summer even though I'm no good at them, in fact the only thing I'm any good at is cross country.

That's about it.

XC on a BMX bike = hardcore.

How do your knees and tailbone feel after a few miles of BMXC? Haha.

How did you not bust your ass on the north shore trails on a BMX bike?

[Steve100]

XC on a BMX bike = hardcore.

How do your knees and tailbone feel after a few miles of BMXC? Haha.

How did you not bust your ass on the north shore trails on a BMX bike?

I never used to do any high drops, probably no more than two feet so the north shore wasn't that bad, it was my nerves that screwed me up more.

You've got to take note that I wasn't blasting around on the ladders and all, just having a go on them.

As for the cross country; yes my knees get a bit of bother, but my tailbone doesn't get that much bother as I've never had a bike with suspension, so I'm just used to standing up a lot.

The biggest problem I've found doing things on my BMX is not the size, lack of gears, or no suspension, but the fact that there is no front brake. It's especially bad when going down hills, as I have found through experience that the back break isn't that good for going down hill (been on my arse a fair few times).

[visceral_instinct]

So do you do any downhilling yourself

I do indeed! You're right it is dangerous, but still loads of fun. My favourite source of adrenaline. :)

[Idle Mind]

Nice thread Idle, and glad to not only meet another mtb-er, but one who knows what freeride is and is interested in it.
Freeriding is the type of mountain biking that I do. In fact, my friend Kenny and I have built several freeride stunts on his 2 acre lot here in Nashville.
Here is the link to a thread on MTBR.com that has some pictures of our stuff. My SN there is RMB_Mike.
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=354900&highlight=insane+stunts
I'll post my two Youtube vids when I get home, as: work firewall > youtube
Freeride and smooth, flowy single track is the way to go. I have enjoyed some "park" riding, with two ski hills in close proximity (including Whistler Bike Park) that have lifts. Those stunts look awesome! How much time did you put into them?

Steve100: Are you referring to Vancouver's North Shore?

V.I.: Downhill certainly is a lot of fun. Not much can replace the feeling of pure speed. I am looking to build up a full suspension bike next spring, which will allow me to do a bit more. I am currently riding a 2005 Norco Rampage, which is a burly hard tail designed for freeriding.

What does everyone else ride (other than Ben, of course -- nice bike, btw)?

Drop In is a great show, filmed mostly in BC and featuring many BC riders (including Dylan Tremblay from Parksville, Vancouver Island -- ~40 km North of where I grew up), and Steve Romaniuk who was supposed to ride in the Red Bull Rampage. They don't ride things quite as gnarly as in the vid in the OP, but they do some intense stuff, for sure.

[visceral_instinct]

I don't have my own full suspension bike, only a no suspension beast as Steve calls em, and you really don't want to use one of those for downhill, so the dude I go with lets me use his old one. I wanna get a full suspension bike for my 19th...hopefully...(Note to self....quit wasting money on metallic hair bobbles and other shit...)

[Idle Mind]

I am seriously considering a bike out of Transition's line-up, and I'm very fond of the Bottle Rocket (http://www.transitionbikes.com). Depending on the build, they are $3499-$4199, so I will have to pick the package when I go to buy it, although I may just buy the frame (which is $1499) and build it up piece by piece. That way I can get things exactly as I want them and it will be unique.

Which bike were you looking at?

[visceral_instinct]

I like the look of this one! http://www.transitionbikes.com/2007/Blindside.cfm

I'm in Ireland though and that's a US site...

[mikenostic]

Freeride and smooth, flowy single track is the way to go. I have enjoyed some "park" riding, with two ski hills in close proximity (including Whistler Bike Park) that have lifts. Those stunts look awesome! How much time did you put into them?
We have been working on that since September 2006. Since then we have redone the second wood berm of the Dragon.
We're also working on another drop that will be 13 feet off the ground, with about a 4 foot high landing ramp and about an 12-13 foot gap.

V.I.: Downhill certainly is a lot of fun. Not much can replace the feeling of pure speed. I am looking to build up a full suspension bike next spring, which will allow me to do a bit more. I am currently riding a 2005 Norco Rampage, which is a burly hard tail designed for freeriding.
What kind of bike are you looking to get?

What does everyone else ride (other than Ben, of course -- nice bike, btw)?
I started out with an '03 Rocky Mountain Edge. It was a fun little bike and it took everything I threw at it, but I decided to get a more well eqipped bike for this kinda stuff. So I got a Transition Bottlerocket this spring. I've used a lot of the parts from the Edge but I'd like to get some better components for it.

[mikenostic]

I like the look of this one! http://www.transitionbikes.com/2007/Blindside.cfm

I'm in Ireland though and that's a US site...

VI,

Did you see this one?
http://www.transitionbikes.com/2007/Syren.cfm
Transition designed this specifically for women.

[Idle Mind]

*edit* This was for VI

Why did I think you were in Australia?

Yes, Transition is based out of Washington State. They do have UK distribution, however. They are a smaller company, so you could probably contact them and possibly work something out. But, there are other bike companies out there, of course.

[visceral_instinct]

VI,

Did you see this one?
http://www.transitionbikes.com/2007/Syren.cfm
Transition designed this specifically for women.

Wow that looks pretty cool. Pretty much made for my morphology, too. I remember having to sit on the metal to get on while using someone else's bike, because though I'm not all that short, my legs are not long. Kind of embarrassing.

[Idle Mind]

We have been working on that since September 2006. Since then we have redone the second wood berm of the Dragon.
We're also working on another drop that will be 13 feet off the ground, with about a 4 foot high landing ramp and about an 12-13 foot gap.
~13x13? That's a little big for my liking...I can't justify serious injury right now. I haven't ridden a lot the past couple seasons, but the biggest drop I've hit is just under 8'.

What kind of bike are you looking to get?
Transition Bottle Rocket is on top of the list, at the moment. But, the Blindside looks nice as well. Also up there are the Cove Shocker (more DH oriented though) and Specialized's SX Trail.

I started out with an '03 Rocky Mountain Edge. It was a fun little bike and it took everything I threw at it, but I decided to get a more well eqipped bike for this kinda stuff. So I got a Transition Bottlerocket this spring. I've used a lot of the parts from the Edge but I'd like to get some better components for it.
How do you like the feel of the frame, overall? How does it pedal?

[cosmictraveler]

All I can afford......
is a ....unicycle...

http://www.unicycle.uk.com/images/FreeYourMindWebuk.jpg

[mikenostic]

~13x13? That's a little big for my liking...I can't justify serious injury right now. I haven't ridden a lot the past couple seasons, but the biggest drop I've hit is just under 8'.
That will be the biggest drop I will hit when we get it done. I can't wait to hit it. Although our 9 lives drop isn't that much smaller. It is the same motion of the bigger drop, you'll just be going faster and in the air a bit longer.


Transition Bottle Rocket is on top of the list, at the moment. But, the Blindside looks nice as well. Also up there are the Cove Shocker (more DH oriented though) and Specialized's SX Trail.
What is/will be your budget? My first recommendation would be the Intense SS, but those are $$$$.

How do you like the feel of the frame, overall? How does it pedal?
Aside from being heavy (around 39-40 lbs), I love it. It is very stable on jumps. It pedals decently for what it is, but I didn't buy it for XC so I'm not concerned about that. As soon as I get new components for the BR(the ones I used from the Edge), I'm going to repaint the Edge and use it as my XC (with some all-mountain) bike.

[Repo Man]

I miss going mountain biking. Every year I think I'll get in good enough shape to go on a few rides, but I never do. I go on twenty to thirty miles road rides to stay in shape, and the mountain bike just gathers dust. The last time I did any upgrading at all on my MTB was 1997. The frame and fork date from 1990!

I did a lot of mountain biking the summer of '95, most of it at Boggs demonstration forest. (http://arnica.csustan.edu/mtbike/Boggs_1/Boggs_Nov23.jpg) Miles of great single track. I was getting pretty good, but that's been years ago.

One great ride I've done a few times is a ten mile climb up Grasshopper Peak in Humboldt Redwoods state park (reviewed here (http://books.google.com/books?id=cFsiLR0ktrgC&pg=PA12&lpg=PA12&dq=grasshopper+peak+mountain+bike&source=bl&ots=cLuPgeFolN&sig=N0gjrawwBOyT3NqKfOtGm77n_Zk&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA11,M1) ) with some of the climb being a grind in your lowest gear, being careful to distribute your weight just right- too far forward, your back tire slips, too far back, and the front end begins to lift up. When I've gone with groups on this ride, I was one of the few to not get off and push up this section. And coming back down it is a white knuckle rush.

I ought to just go ahead and buy a new mountain bike this spring.

[Idle Mind]

What is/will be your budget? My first recommendation would be the Intense SS, but those are $$$$.
I'm not sure what my budget will be yet. Depends on a few factors that are months away, yet. That frame looks nice though, so we'll see what happens when the time comes.
Aside from being heavy (around 39-40 lbs), I love it. It is very stable on jumps. It pedals decently for what it is, but I didn't buy it for XC so I'm not concerned about that. As soon as I get new components for the BR(the ones I used from the Edge), I'm going to repaint the Edge and use it as my XC (with some all-mountain) bike.
My current bike is 41 lbs, I think, so that would make things a little nicer. I'm a big guy, too, and although I don't plan to be quite so large by spring, weight doesn't mean as much to me as it would to someone who is smaller.

I do a fair bit of All Mountain riding as well, so decent pedaling will be a bit of a bonus and may in fact be one of the deciding factors in my choice of frame.

[Challenger78]

Hiking + biking = mountain biking.

[mikenostic]

I'm not sure what my budget will be yet. Depends on a few factors that are months away, yet. That frame looks nice though, so we'll see what happens when the time comes.

My current bike is 41 lbs, I think, so that would make things a little nicer. I'm a big guy, too, and although I don't plan to be quite so large by spring, weight doesn't mean as much to me as it would to someone who is smaller.

I do a fair bit of All Mountain riding as well, so decent pedaling will be a bit of a bonus and may in fact be one of the deciding factors in my choice of frame.
Ahhh yes. In that case, and you like Transisition, may I suggest this one:
http://www.transitionbikes.com/2007/PrestonFR.cfm
It only has 5" of travel in the back, but Transition knows how to make low suspension travel bikes that can still endure big hits.
This one is also supposed to pedal really well.

Another bike I like extremely well and was actually the other of my two final choices of a bike; The Chumba Evo.
http://www.chumbaracing.com/evo_build_kits.shtml
The main two reasons I went with the BR over the Evo was that the BR was a bit more suited to what I was going to do with it (i.e. SS and only SS), and one of the other guys here in town already had an Evo.
I love this bike, and still want one. The way the rear triangle/swingarm assembly is set up on the bike, it makes it look like a Transformer. When I first saw my buddies Evo, I kept thinking it was going to transform into a robot and kick my ass. Haha.
The price for an Evo frame is about $1550, not too far off from the BR. You'll wind up spending about the same as you would a complete BR. And the Evo has been said to be a much better descender than the BR.
I would seriously consider the Evo as well if I were you.

[Idle Mind]

The Evo descends better than the Bottle Rocket? That strikes me as odd, because the geometry looks much tighter (or less slack), but since they don't have frame geo specs I can't tell for sure. It looks much more like a pure AM setup, which is not exactly what I'm looking for. Plus, after a quick look around their website, it doesn't appear as though there are any Canadian dealers, which could make it more expensive if I factor in shipping. Comparatively, I have a bike shop 5 minutes walking distance from my house that carries Transition.

Like I said though, I have a few months to decide and do my research. The PrestonFR has interested me, but I wasn't a fan of the Bottle Rocket until I saw it in person -- something I haven't had the pleasure of experiencing with the Preston.

Another manufacturer I've been interested in is Devinci, like the Ollie (http://www.devinci.com/11610_an.html) for example. They are an Eastern Canadian company, and they are a little pricey, but they make nice bikes.

[mikenostic]

The Evo descends better than the Bottle Rocket? That strikes me as odd, because the geometry looks much tighter (or less slack), but since they don't have frame geo specs I can't tell for sure.
Sorry I should have clarified. The BR doesn't fare that well on DH trails(i.e. very techie bumpy rocky sections/rock gardens), as it has a short wheel base and low bottom bracket; that tends to make them very bouncy and non controllable. Most DH bikes have longer wheelbases and slacker suspension. You could set the suspension up on the BR for DH and it would do better, but still wouldn't be as good as a DH bike.

It looks much more like a pure AM setup, which is not exactly what I'm looking for.
Don't let the looks fool you. Chumba even mentions that it is an AM/FR bike.
IIRC the head angle on the Evo is 68.5 degrees. The BR's head angle is 67 degrees. Only 1.5 degree difference. Any angle under 70 deg. is going to be excellent for FR.
Since the Evo does have a slightly steeper head angle, it makes it better for climbing.
Here are the frame geometries for both bikes:
Evo...
http://www.chumbaracing.com/evo_frames.shtml

Bottlerocket...
http://www.transitionbikes.com/2007/BottleRocket_GeometrySizing.cfm

Plus, after a quick look around their website, it doesn't appear as though there are any Canadian dealers, which could make it more expensive if I factor in shipping. Comparatively, I have a bike shop 5 minutes walking distance from my house that carries Transition.
I keep forgetting you live near Whistler (you suck btw.). What about Rocky Mountain Bicycles? Like I mentioned, my first full suspension bike was the Edge. I love that bike. I would still be using it but I think it's a bit too delicate for any continued abuse on it. Not as stable in the air as the BR, but it was much lighter and way more flickable.

Like I said though, I have a few months to decide and do my research. The PrestonFR has interested me, but I wasn't a fan of the Bottle Rocket until I saw it in person -- something I haven't had the pleasure of experiencing with the Preston.
I drove down to Atlanta to pick my frame up. It is the baby blue color (stunning color in person). When the brought it out, and handed it to me, as soon as I took hold of it, it gave me chills and I got a bit misty eyed too. It is an incredible frame.

Another manufacturer I've been interested in is Devinci, like the Ollie (http://www.devinci.com/11610_an.html) for example. They are an Eastern Canadian company, and they are a little pricey, but they make nice bikes.
I'll have to look those guys up.
But take a look at the Rocky Mountain lineup and see if there's anything you like. I loved the 2006 model Slayers, but they redesigned them and now they have slopestyle models as well:
http://www.bikes.com/main+en+01_101+Slopestyle.html?CATID=1&SCATID=6Since their headquarters is not too far from Vancouver, I'm highly sure you can find a dealer for them around.
One of their bikes that I would also recommend, that they don't make anymore, is the Switch. If you could find an '06 or '07 Switch, those are pretty awesome too. I love their RMX, but they don't make those anymore either and I think that would be more bike than what you would need.

[Idle Mind]

Oh, I've seen pretty much everything Rocky Mountain has to offer. On the West Coast here (North of the border), pretty much all shops carry full line-ups of Norco and Rocky Mountain. They are the "local" brands. Although, I think Rocky has moved their main distribution center to Quebec, so a lot of local shops have started to carry other manufacturers due to increased cost. Which is a shame, really, because Rocky Mountain has been a West Coast icon for over a decade.

The baby blue Bottle Rocket is very nice, yes -- they have a small sized frame in that colour mounted on the wall in the shop up the street. They also have a built bike with the Pabst Blue Ribbon decal scheme, which looks surprisingly good. I can't support American beer though. ;) The other build they had of the BR was the brushed aluminum frame, but all the accent parts were red or white and it looked amazing.

I may just hit as many shops as I can and try to get some test rides in. Feel out a few different frames and go from there.

I do live near Whistler, correct, but I don't take advantage of it as often as I should. It's quite the shame really, because I have had a blast both times I've gone. I live on Vancouver Island, and we have a park on Mt. Washington as well. This is the site of the Bearclaw Invitational, another slopestyle event.

[Idle Mind]

I miss going mountain biking. Every year I think I'll get in good enough shape to go on a few rides, but I never do. I go on twenty to thirty miles road rides to stay in shape, and the mountain bike just gathers dust. The last time I did any upgrading at all on my MTB was 1997. The frame and fork date from 1990!

I did a lot of mountain biking the summer of '95, most of it at Boggs demonstration forest. (http://arnica.csustan.edu/mtbike/Boggs_1/Boggs_Nov23.jpg) Miles of great single track. I was getting pretty good, but that's been years ago.
I don't know how I missed this the first time, but that place looks really cool! And 20-30 mile road rides? I wish I had the lungs to get me that far. There was a time when I could, then I neglected my general health for a couple years and am left in very poor shape.

One great ride I've done a few times is a ten mile climb up Grasshopper Peak in Humboldt Redwoods state park (reviewed here (http://books.google.com/books?id=cFsiLR0ktrgC&pg=PA12&lpg=PA12&dq=grasshopper+peak+mountain+bike&source=bl&ots=cLuPgeFolN&sig=N0gjrawwBOyT3NqKfOtGm77n_Zk&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA11,M1) ) with some of the climb being a grind in your lowest gear, being careful to distribute your weight just right- too far forward, your back tire slips, too far back, and the front end begins to lift up. When I've gone with groups on this ride, I was one of the few to not get off and push up this section. And coming back down it is a white knuckle rush.
Quite the feat! I am also a terrible climber but have a lot of respect for those that do it well. I am much happier when the nose of the bike is pointing down hill.

I ought to just go ahead and buy a new mountain bike this spring.
You should! It's never too late.

[Steve100]

Stuff the expensive bikes, get yourself a £40 second hand GT Dyno BMX like me.

http://bmxmuseum.com/image/nicoles_pictures_007_copy0_copy0_lg.jpg

Mine has back breaks, two pedals and is battered though.

Steve100: Are you referring to Vancouver's North Shore?

I don't know, its this sort of thing...

http://bikemag.com/gallery/Rays-MTB-Opening-07/_MG_3842.jpg

Only it's (was) in the woods near my house, not indoors.

[Idle Mind]

Not to be intentionally obtuse, but you live in...the UK? I'm guessing so because you mention picking up a bike for £40, but I'm just verifying.

Vancouver's North Shore in BC is the grandfather of everything called "North Shore" with respect to mountain biking, and it's a whole animal of its own. Not to discredit you riding the types of stunts above on a BMX, which is definitely impressive, but there is so much more to make riding on Vancouver's North Shore extremely difficult, even on a mountain bike.

[mikenostic]

Stuff the expensive bikes, get yourself a £40 second hand GT Dyno BMX like me.
While riding a North Shore style trail on a BMX bike is doable, I'd HIGHLY recommend against it. Either you and/or your bike will end up in the scrap heap.

I don't know, its this sort of thing...

http://bikemag.com/gallery/Rays-MTB-Opening-07/_MG_3842.jpg

Only it's (was) in the woods near my house, not indoors.
That's Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park in Cleveland, OH. I've been there twice. It's fun as hell and a really cool concept.

[Idle Mind]

BentheMan: http://bb.nsmb.com/showthread.php?t=116426

There is some discussion there about good places to ride in California that you might be interested in checking through. Sounds like there are some leads to nice single-track cross-country type trails. Apparently Santa Cruz has amazing trails.

*edit* I also found a new frame candidate for myself: http://www.covebike.com/bikes/std.html

[Idle Mind]

Some downhill videos, just because:

Fabien Barel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tY4SCXabrgc)
Cedric Gracia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1ygsKAJTWg&feature=related)
Steve Peat and Andrew Shandro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M17BICr9RhA)
A Mix of Riders on Whistler (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF7UIqGbKo4)

[Steve100]

Not to be intentionally obtuse, but you live in...the UK? I'm guessing so because you mention picking up a bike for £40, but I'm just verifying.

Vancouver's North Shore in BC is the grandfather of everything called "North Shore" with respect to mountain biking, and it's a whole animal of its own. Not to discredit you riding the types of stunts above on a BMX, which is definitely impressive, but there is so much more to make riding on Vancouver's North Shore extremely difficult, even on a mountain bike.

I do live in the UK.

The stuff in the woods was a lot bigger and harder than that looks in the picture too.

There's still a few things left I think, but only things that I didn't dare try anyway. I'll take some photos next time I'm down there.

[Idle Mind]

I'll take some photos next time I'm down there.
Please do! I like seeing trails from places I will likely never get the chance to visit.

[Idle Mind]

So, I'm buying an 2008 Transition Blindside on Saturday. I'm pretty excited about it, and it is a decent deal.

[Steve100]

I'd get it in "really bright orange".

[visceral_instinct]

So, I'm buying an 2008 Transition Blindside on Saturday. I'm pretty excited about it, and it is a decent deal.

Good choice. That thing looks really cool. I think I'm gonna get one for my 19th next year.

@Steve, don't all mountain bikers ride standing up? All the dudes I go with do..

[Idle Mind]

Steve100, I'm buying second hand so I don't have a choice in colour. I could get it powder coated, but I think "really bright orange" is a little too ostentatious for me.

I will let you know how it rides, VI, once I have given it a bit of a test.

I will sit or stand depending which direction I am headed -- sitting for ascents, standing for descents.

[visceral_instinct]

I will let you know how it rides, VI, once I have given it a bit of a test.


Thanks :)

I will sit or stand depending which direction I am headed -- sitting for ascents, standing for descents.

Ah right. I didn't think of that, being a DH'er, I always ride standing up. :)

[Idle Mind]

Well, in most places I ride you have to earn the downhill parts by riding up to the top first. I would consider myself more of a downhiller as well, since I shy away from some of the big hits but absolutely love fast technical single track.

[Idle Mind]

Haha, oops. I totally forgot that I was going to post a review of the bike.

I didn't get around to it because I had to make some repairs and setup adjustments before I could take it out for a spin, and I wanted to ride the familiar trails of my old town to really push the bike. I know the trails well and am comfortable riding them as fast as I can; a level of comfort I haven't achieved in the new local trails quite yet.

So, the bike is a 2008 Transition Blindside. The specs are as follows:

Shimano Deore hydraulic disc brakes
SRAM X9 shifter and X9 short-cage rear derailleur
Race Face Ride DH cranks (not sure of the Bottom Bracket)
Wellgo DH flat pedals
RMB hubs
Mavic 521 rims with 2.5 Maxxis Minion tires
Rock Shox Vivid 5.1 rear shock
2007 Marzocchi 66 RV
Chromag 20mm riser and RMB stem.
FSA headset which converts the 1.5" head tube to allow a fork with a 11/8" steer tube.

The ride is super plush, and will handle pretty much anything that I will throw at it in now, or in the future. It's a DH bike through and through, and the slack angles and plush suspension setup I have going (35% sag on the rear with high rebound, and a soft front setup) devours steep, technical descents and will still handle jumps and drops that I come across. It wants to go fast, and my own abilities are the limitation, which is exactly what I need. The brakes work quite well, but I think I will be upgrading them in the spring. I'm on the heavy side, and I don't know what kind of fade they will experience in bike parks or shuttle days. The modulation on them is great, but coming over from Hayes HFX-9's, that's no surprise.

In a lot of reviews of the frame, flexiness in the tail end was a major complaint, but I haven't noticed that. It could be my own riding and not hitting corners fast enough to experience the flex, but I am a bit heavier to I should have noticed it through some of the corners I was railing. I did not.

I would recommend this frame, for sure, but it depends on the type of riding you like to do. While it pedals well for a DH rig, it's not the lightest bike, nor is it the most efficient rear suspension linkage on the market. Tons of fun.

Planned upgrades:

I would like to have a silver, red and white colour scheme.

White Syncros DS28 rims, red Chris King hubs, white bar and stem with red spacers, red pedals. Maybe a titanium spring for the rear shock. Avid Code brakes for the strength and glorious Avid modulation. Maybe look into the newer Marz 66's (an ATA for weight savings?) with the white lowers. It will look great when it's done.

[visceral_instinct]

Thanks for the review Idle Mind!

[Idle Mind]

A video review of the Norco Vixa, given by a female factory team rider:

http://nsmb.com/page/s/2785/darcy-on-the-vixa/

[Idle Mind]

Anyone getting any riding in over the colder months? I guess some people in the more southern States have rideable weather, but where I live we have been buried in snow for the past couple weeks. It's mostly gone here, but the trails are going to be super soft and it's raining constantly. Good ol' West Coast of Canada.

I want to get out and ride so badly, and I'm going to try and get out one of the upcoming weekends.

[mikenostic]

Haha, oops. I totally forgot that I was going to post a review of the bike.

I didn't get around to it because I had to make some repairs and setup adjustments before I could take it out for a spin, and I wanted to ride the familiar trails of my old town to really push the bike. I know the trails well and am comfortable riding them as fast as I can; a level of comfort I haven't achieved in the new local trails quite yet.

So, the bike is a 2008 Transition Blindside. The specs are as follows:

In a lot of reviews of the frame, flexiness in the tail end was a major complaint, but I haven't noticed that. It could be my own riding and not hitting corners fast enough to experience the flex, but I am a bit heavier to I should have noticed it through some of the corners I was railing. I did not.

I would recommend this frame, for sure, but it depends on the type of riding you like to do. While it pedals well for a DH rig, it's not the lightest bike, nor is it the most efficient rear suspension linkage on the market. Tons of fun.

Planned upgrades:

I would like to have a silver, red and white colour scheme.

White Syncros DS28 rims, red Chris King hubs, white bar and stem with red spacers, red pedals. Maybe a titanium spring for the rear shock. Avid Code brakes for the strength and glorious Avid modulation. Maybe look into the newer Marz 66's (an ATA for weight savings?) with the white lowers. It will look great when it's done.
Damn Idle,
How did I miss this post???

MEGA KUDOS for getting a blindside. Those remind me of the Bottlerocket's bigger brother. That bike will endure any abuse you throw at it and ask for more. What kind of front fork do you have on it?

Visceral, if you do decide against the Syren, as Idle has displayed, Norco is a very well known manufacturer too.

I have some news for the Bottlerocket too.
I am less than a week from ordering a 2007 Rockshox Domain 318 fork and a set of Azonic Outlaw wheels for it.*

Anyone getting any riding in over the colder months? I guess some people in the more southern States have rideable weather, but where I live we have been buried in snow for the past couple weeks. It's mostly gone here, but the trails are going to be super soft and it's raining constantly. Good ol' West Coast of Canada.

I want to get out and ride so badly, and I'm going to try and get out one of the upcoming weekends.
Yeah, I heard about areas like Spokane getting 6 1/2 feet of snow. That's why you should live in CO instead. It's still cold, but with a lot less precip.
It's almost a moot point here to try to ride in the winter.
While we don't have the winters that the Pac NW has, it does rain once or twice a week. Just enough to keep the trails too damp to ride in between rains. Fuck mother nature.
I have been out at our park a few days of the past few months. We just started excavating a drainage system that will also yield enough dirt for us to build a couple of doubles and a dirt landing ramp for one of our wood launch ramps.

*If you're on a budget, you can find the Domain 318 for under $500.
This is the one I'm getting:
http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=48602&page=ROCKSHOX+DOMAIN+318+COIL+SUSPENSION+FORK+2007

But if 180mm travel is too much/too tall for you, they have the '08 115-160mm travel version (it even has a 1.5" steer tube, which the Blindside has):
http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=80497&page=ROCKSHOX+DOMAIN+318+U-TURN+SUSPENSION+FORK+2007/+2008

Also, a set of FR/DH rated Azonic Outlaws are $250 a set, and you can get them in different colors. I'm getting the white rims/black spokes set. Those white wheels will look awesome with my baby blue frame!
http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=68688&page=AZONIC+OUTLAW+DISC+MOUNTAIN+BIKE+WHEELSET

[Idle Mind]

The fork on it is a 2007 Marzocchi 66 RV. 180 mm is plenty up front, and while it doesn't have a ton of adjustments, it has air preload and rebound adjustment. That's enough for me.

Overall, the bike is awesome. I love it. I haven't had a chance to push it too hard yet, but the rides I have in on it were amazing.

Out in the West all we get is rain, so soil is really resistant to erosion as long as the trail lines are cut in the right areas. If we didn't ride after it rained, we'd likely never get to ride. ;)

My plans for wheel upgrades (first area to get some love), are white Syncros DS28's with red spoke nipples, white spokes and red Chris King hubs. After that, I want red pedals, a white bar/stem, and some other red accessory parts I can order from Transition (like spacers and pivot bearing covers). Brakes in in the plans, probably Avid Codes. The white/red/silver colour scheme will be sweet.

I agree with your rim choice, white with the baby blue is so nice.

[mikenostic]

The fork on it is a 2007 Marzocchi 66 RV. 180 mm is plenty up front, and while it doesn't have a ton of adjustments, it has air preload and rebound adjustment. That's enough for me.
I'd love to have a 66, but I'm not spending what Marz wants for one, especially when I can get a fork just as good (the Domain 318), for half the price.

Overall, the bike is awesome. I love it. I haven't had a chance to push it too hard yet, but the rides I have in on it were amazing.
You're going to have to try really hard to push that bike beyond its limits. I don't think Bender or Cam McCaul could push a bike like that beyond its limits.

Out in the West all we get is rain, so soil is really resistant to erosion as long as the trail lines are cut in the right areas. If we didn't ride after it rained, we'd likely never get to ride. ;)
Oh, I know. That's exactly how North Shore Style Freeriding started. The trails were just too muddy to ride most of the time, so the started building wooden catwalks over them; it just progressed from there.


My plans for wheel upgrades (first area to get some love), are white Syncros DS28's with red spoke nipples, white spokes and red Chris King hubs. After that, I want red pedals, a white bar/stem, and some other red accessory parts I can order from Transition (like spacers and pivot bearing covers). Brakes in in the plans, probably Avid Codes. The white/red/silver colour scheme will be sweet.

I would otherwise say that the front fork should be a higher priority to get some love, but you already have that area covered.

I agree with your rim choice, white with the baby blue is so nice.
What color is your blindside?
Is your rear shock an air or coil setup?
I have a Fox DHX 5.0 coil on the Bottlerocket.

[Idle Mind]

The frame is silver, and has the big Transition stickers in red on the downtube. I am running a Rock Shox Vivid 5.1 coil setup. Very nice, although it doesn't have air assist. It has high/low speed damping and rebound adjusts. Super smooth feeling.

[mikenostic]

The frame is silver, and has the big Transition stickers in red on the downtube. I am running a Rock Shox Vivid 5.1 coil setup. Very nice, although it doesn't have air assist. It has high/low speed damping and rebound adjusts. Super smooth feeling.

Very nice. I'm almost envious...almost. I'm really looking forward to getting the fork and wheelset put on the BR. I can't wait until it dries up a bit here. I'm really itching to jump onto something, off of something or over something.

If you are ever down here in the Southeast, we'll have to go riding. There is a pro level DH trail in East Tennessee called Windrock. I'm supposed to be going sometime this spring with one of my buddies who just got a...Chumba F5!!! :eek:
If I do go, I'll have to be careful. From what I understand, the BR doesn't do stellar on DH (rockgardens, rough high-speed sections, etc.). But maybe it will do at least OK if I dial in the suspension correctly.

[Idle Mind]

Yeah, one day I'd like to do a mountain bike road trip that takes me all over North America. Riding in Peru would be amazing as well.

The Bottlerocket is a bit short for high-speed rock gardens, I think, but if you crank up the high speed damping and the rebound, it should be manageable. Don't try too hard to keep up with the Chumba though.

Have you seen the new Uzzi: http://www.nsmb.com/page/s/2784/a-new-intense/

[mikenostic]

Yeah, one day I'd like to do a mountain bike road trip that takes me all over North America. Riding in Peru would be amazing as well.

The Bottlerocket is a bit short for high-speed rock gardens, I think, but if you crank up the high speed damping and the rebound, it should be manageable. Don't try too hard to keep up with the Chumba though.

Have you seen the new Uzzi: http://www.nsmb.com/page/s/2784/a-new-intense/

I like the Uzzi, but it's not my style. If I could spare the money to be able to afford an Intense it would be the SS:
http://www.terrengsykkel.no/img/magasin/telex/full/Intense-6.6-SS-front.jpg
But since I have only been able to ride the BR a scant few times in the 9 months that I've had it, and those few times were on a crappy Marz Drop Off fork and XC wheels that could have used some truing, I can't make a solid assessment as of yet, but after upgraded with the Domain and the Outlaws, it shouldn't disappoint in the least.

I happened to find this pic. This is me going off our Elbow Drop on the Edge about a year and a half ago.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/mike240z/bike%20trail%20pics/MikeLaunchelbow1.jpg
The drop is about 8.5' off the ground, and the landing ramp is about 5', but it has a curved transition. Currently, the ramp is about four feet farther out than it is in that picture, as we were still testing how far we could go given the approach distance we had.

[Idle Mind]

That looks like a lot of fun.

The SS is gorgeous. I think I would get a Knolly if I had the money, however. Hand made in Vancouver, the designer still oversees and inspects nearly every frame personally. Apparently the linkage is unbelievable, but the bikes are $$$. The DH prototype he's working on looks pretty hot. http://www.knollybikes.com

[Idle Mind]

So, I went to my previous local bike store (which, incidentally, is ~90 miles/~140 km away) and priced out the wheels I wanted. Chris King hubs are simply not going to happen, with a Canadian retail of $820 CAD for the rear and $350 CAD for the front from their catalog. However, they do come with a 10 year warranty.

So, the build I decided to go with are Syncros DS28 rims in white ($80 CAD for each rim), Hope Pro 2 hubs in red ($350 CAD for the rear and $150 for the front) and DT Swiss Competition spokes in black ($125 CAD for a box of 72, which will leave 8 spares). The total should be just under $800, minus any buddy discounts for loyalty. Not too shabby.

[mikenostic]

So, I went to my previous local bike store (which, incidentally, is ~90 miles/~140 km away) and priced out the wheels I wanted. Chris King hubs are simply not going to happen, with a Canadian retail of $820 CAD for the rear and $350 CAD for the front from their catalog. However, they do come with a 10 year warranty.

So, the build I decided to go with are Syncros DS28 rims in white ($80 CAD for each rim), Hope Pro 2 hubs in red ($350 CAD for the rear and $150 for the front) and DT Swiss Competition spokes in black ($125 CAD for a box of 72, which will leave 8 spares). The total should be just under $800, minus any buddy discounts for loyalty. Not too shabby.

Dang. You're going all out on some wheels.
I'm on a budget so..
I ordered a set of these today:
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/WH302A02-Azonic+Outlaw+Wheelset+0809.aspx
The white wheels/black spokes and hubs combo for $200.

I also got an '07 Rockshox Domain 318 coil fork, and a pair of 5.10 Impact high top shoes, a saddle (ordered seat post last week), and a pair of white Oury grips. Now my bike is finally going to be complete, but it's going to be too damn wet (been raining a LOT) to ride. :mad:

[Idle Mind]

Well, since I don't need a new shock or fork for some time, I am going a little higher with the wheels. But, I want something I'll be happy with (I'm never one to go half-way on something). I'll find a way to make it work.

I have the 5.10 Impacts, but the low-cut ones that look more like skater shoes. They are fucking amazing. If you've never tried them before, you'll be amazed -- if you have had the pleasure of riding with some then I'm just preaching to the choir. So sticky. So much so that they'll take some getting used to and they can be hard to adjust foot position sometimes.

I'm also looking at a Syncros bar/stem combo that's white, and am contemplating red grips. We'll have to wait and see what the finances look like come spring. One thing I do know, is we're going to need some completed project pictures once everything is together.

[visceral_instinct]

Idle Mind, can I ask you something? How high is the seat of the Blindside, approximately?

I definitely want one, but I'm quite little...

[Idle Mind]

Um, I'm just estimating because I don't have a measuring tape (I know, wtf right?), but I'd say the seat in it's current position is about 91 cm (36") from the floor, but it could be lowered another 8 cm or so. The standover height is about 80 cm, I'd guess. The frame is a small, as well.

[visceral_instinct]

Ah I wouldn't have trouble sitting on that then.

Thanks :)

[Idle Mind]

Those measurements are to the floor, as well. It's a much shorter distance to the pedals.

But, I would really suggest trying to find a shop that carries the bikes so you can give one a test ride. Only then will you really be able to decide if the fit and feel is right for you. If you are riding a bike that doesn't fit correctly, you're going to be less confident, and you'll have less fun riding.

[Idle Mind]

Mikenostic, do you have any experience with Avid Elixir R or Shimano Saint brakes?

[mikenostic]

Mikenostic, do you have any experience with Avid Elixir R or Shimano Saint brakes?

Unfortunately I do not. However, interesting that you should post this evening of all, after no posts in this thread for so long. I was gunna send you a PM, but this will do.
I got the Bottlerocket out of the shop today. It is complete and.....DAMMMMMMMMMN!! It's dope!

I dropped it off at Kenny's on my way home. I was going to snap some shots of it but his g/f had his camera at her friends.
I'll get some shots of it tomorrow and post them up on here.

[Idle Mind]

I am likely going to order my wheels on Monday, but will have to wait for the new bar/stem, pedals and the new brakes. I have Shimano Deores on there right now, and I like the modulation but I'm concerned about the power and brake fade when I'm riding one of the parks (Mt. Washington or Whistler). Neither of those will be open until May, so I can wait for the brakes -- the ones I have will be fine for the local trails.

Anyway, please get some pics up when you have a chance! I'd love to see the finished bike. :)

[mikenostic]

Here it is!

With many thanks to Travis the bike shop mech, as he was the assembler.
It's noticeably heavier than the Edge, but much more solid. It also has a lower center of gravity.

-Azonic Outlaw wheels/white rim, black spoke/hub
-'07 Rockshox Domain 318 coil (170mm)
-Shimano LX crankset
-SRAM X-9 medium cage rear derailleur
-polished aluminum Kalloy Uno seat post
-Thomson shorty stem
-Holzfeller DH riser bar
-white e.13 bashguard
-MRP single pulley chain guild
-white OURY grips

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/mike240z/bikes/BRsideview.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/mike240z/bikes/BRclosebashview.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/mike240z/bikes/BRreardview.jpg

other three pics coming up next post.

[mikenostic]

Here are the other three.

Yeah, that's right. My seat has chrome stripes. They go well with the X-9 and Thompson shorty.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/mike240z/bikes/BRseatpostview.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/mike240z/bikes/BRgriphandlebarview.jpg

These came as quite a suprise; one of Travis' add libs (bullet shaped valve stem caps):
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/mike240z/bikes/BRvalvestemcoverview.jpg[/QUOTE]

[Idle Mind]

That bike looks so slick. Nice build, man.

[Idle Mind]

What does it weigh in at?

[mikenostic]

What does it weigh in at?
I forgot to get it weighed. I'm going to guess between 36 and 42 lbs, but I'm not exactly sure.
There is a noticeable difference between it and my Edge (which weighed about 29-30 lbs).
How's your Blindside coming along?

[Idle Mind]

Ordered the wheels today, but the rear hub is going to take about two weeks to come in. The distributor didn't have any in stock, and are only getting one red one when they do. But, it's unspoken for so we should be good to go once they get it. There are a few other accent parts I would like, but I'll get pictures up after the new wheels go on because it may be a month or two before the other parts get ordered.

[Roman]

Hiking + biking = mountain biking.

Hiking + biking + wilderness = hell (http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/staticfiles/NGS/Shared/StaticFiles/Photography/Images/POD/m/mountain-bike-traverse-518109-sw.jpg) biking (http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/staticfiles/NGS/Shared/StaticFiles/Photography/Images/POD/b/bike-walk-517991-sw.jpg)

[Idle Mind]

Those types of tours and trips would be really cool, but I definitely don't have the stamina for that. A different type of riding that I'm into, but it would be interesting for sure.

[mikenostic]

Hiking + biking + wilderness = hell (http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/staticfiles/NGS/Shared/StaticFiles/Photography/Images/POD/m/mountain-bike-traverse-518109-sw.jpg) biking (http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/staticfiles/NGS/Shared/StaticFiles/Photography/Images/POD/b/bike-walk-517991-sw.jpg)

I'd love to find a campground that has a mtn bike trail (even better if it has a lot of freeride stunts) where you could go camping, then get up out of your tent and go ride.

[mikenostic]

Ordered the wheels today, but the rear hub is going to take about two weeks to come in. The distributor didn't have any in stock, and are only getting one red one when they do. But, it's unspoken for so we should be good to go once they get it. There are a few other accent parts I would like, but I'll get pictures up after the new wheels go on because it may be a month or two before the other parts get ordered.
My downhill buddy here in this area, Tryon, just got a Chumba F5. He's waiting on parts to get it finished as well. I can't wait to see it. Those F5's are freakin ridiculous.

What kind of fork did you say you have/are getting for it?

[Idle Mind]

I currently have a 2007 Marz 66 RV. Should be fine for a season or two, and it's in really good shape. I may look into a Fox 36 Float or Vanilla, or a newer 66 RC2x or ATA. Going to see how the season goes first, and decide if I like the feel of the fork or not. I haven't really been able to push the bike too hard yet, but this summer it will be put through its paces.

[Roman]

I used to go bike this dirt road up a mountain, then follow a trail up the mountain valley, before having to carry the last 1000 ft or so to the top, then ride the ridge until dropping down into brush and a forest valley (had to carry a lot there), pick my way through bogs on moose trails, get to the creek in the middle between the mountains, inflate my raft, take down the bike and put it on the raft, float back to the start, and bike home.

[edit]
With hell biking, the riding, pushing, and carrying all happen on the same day. The bike is just another tool to cross the landscape with.

[mikenostic]

I used to go bike this dirt road up a mountain, then follow a trail up the mountain valley, before having to carry the last 1000 ft or so to the top, then ride the ridge until dropping down into brush and a forest valley (had to carry a lot there), pick my way through bogs on moose trails, get to the creek in the middle between the mountains, inflate my raft, take down the bike and put it on the raft, float back to the start, and bike home.

You had me right up until you said 'up a mountain'.
I don't do uphill pedaling. The only way I'm going 'up' a mountain is in a lift or shuttle. Unless it's going off a launch, the only direction my Bottlerocket goes is downhill.

[Idle Mind]

Haha, I will ride up hills, but I definitely have more fun on the way down.

[Roman]

You guys aren't mountain bikers; you're just huckers.

Pfffff......:rolleyes:


:p

For me, all the hard work of pushing my bike through brush and carrying it around my neck as I scramble across moraine makes the trails that are ridable that much sweeter.

[mikenostic]

You guys aren't mountain bikers; you're just huckers.
You have the right to call us just huckers when I see some vids of you going off a big drop or something like that. LOL


For me, all the hard work of pushing my bike through brush and carrying it around my neck as I scramble across moraine makes the trails that are ridable that much sweeter.
For me, it doesn't get any sweeter than a 36 year old riding his bike off stuff that even guys in their early 20s are too chicken shit to go off. :D

[Roman]

I huck waterfalls.
Safer Softer landing.

[Idle Mind]

Just because I prefer to ride down hills does not mean that I huck. I am not a big drop kind of guy, but more a go as fast as you can sort of rider. If I leave the ground in the process, it's all good, but slow moving drops are not my cup of tea.

[mikenostic]

Just because I prefer to ride down hills does not mean that I huck. I am not a big drop kind of guy, but more a go as fast as you can sort of rider. If I leave the ground in the process, it's all good, but slow moving drops are not my cup of tea.

Mine either. That's why you ensure that the drop has a formidable gap as well as a vertical drop, so you can't go off them slow.
:D

I consider myself more of a slopestyle type rider. Fairly short runs (anywhere between 1/4 and 2 miles, with lots of jumps, platforms, wallrides and such.

[Idle Mind]

I may get into slopestyle more, but unless up I'm at one of the lift parks, the trails around here aren't very conducive for that type of building. BC has really strict liability laws on public land, so most big stunts get taken out before long. The lower mainland is a little better, but the Island here gets the shaft a bit. Most of the trails are fast, flowy single track and tech downhill.

[Idle Mind]

Mike, the new M6: http://www.sicklines.com/2009/02/12/intense-m6-team-evo/#more-3589

*drool*

[Idle Mind]

I get my new wheels on Saturday, I'm pretty excited. I will post up some pics when they are on and rocking.

[Idle Mind]

Sigh, was delayed again. Wheels today, pics tomorrow.

[mikenostic]

Sigh, was delayed again. Wheels today, pics tomorrow.

Hurry up and get it done already.

[Idle Mind]

I'll save the rant for later, but holy hell I hate bike stores sometimes. Two misorders later and I still only have my front wheel on. Two different bike stores, two different botched orders. Getting real fucking impatient now, because the weather is actually perfect for riding right now. The trails are still going to be super tacky, and the detritus and leaf litter left behind from the trees dropping them last autumn are going to make things super fun.

Soon enough. Should be ready to rip on Monday. Thankfully there was a woman there this time, since all the men I talked to had a problem comprehending basic English.

And Visceral, I saw a Transition Syren (http://transitionbikes.com/Syren.cfm) (Transition gives you a sticker kit that you apply yourself, so pink is not necessary) built up at the store this afternoon, and the nice girl working there owns one. I must say, that bike looks pretty hot, and she is in love with how it rides. The riding around Victoria has some pretty gnarly lines, so I have no doubt that it will be able to handle everything you throw at it. I'll ask her some more questions about it when I go to pick up the axle I ordered, provided she's working.

Ok, fuck it, I'm going to rant now. All this riding talk has got me all pissed off again.

So, I bought this bike from a kid who lives in Whistler, and he wanted to get rid of it so he could get something a little smaller and easier to flick around. He's a dirt jumper and spends a lot of time in the bike park, so tricks and things are part of his riding. Fair enough. I love the frame, but some of the components are not what I want, so I'm changing them out.

I noticed a bit of play in the rear wheel when I took the bike in to have the oil topped up in the forks, and upon inspection, we noticed that someone had rigged a hub with a 10 mm axle into 12 mm "through-axle" drop-outs. Meaning, you line up the wheel, then slide the axle through the frame, through the hub, and out the other side of the frame. 10 mm axles do not slide out of the hub, so it was jerry rigged in there somehow. The only way I was able to get the rear wheel off was by taking the drop-outs off the frame with the wheel. This is why my bike has been out of commission for so long.

I ordered some replacement drop-outs from Transition, and in order to replace them I had to take the wheel and old drop-outs off the frame. I wasn't about to pull the same hack job and get the wheel back on, since I had just ordered new wheels. But, the distributor for Hope didn't have any 12 mm x 135 mm hubs in red. They were getting a single rear hub in two weeks, and it wasn't spoken for.

Everything finally arrives after 3.5-4 weeks, and the wheels are built. Two problems, aside from them looking fucking sexy and the rear hub sounding loud and awesome as fuck. First, although I ordered the front hub with 20 mm through-axle spacers, they ordered the 9 mm quick-release (QR) spacers. This doesn't work with my fork (which I also told them what I had, so if they were unsure they could have referred to the fork...). Great. That's okay, I can run the old front wheel for now. Secondly, since the previous owner was running a 10 mm x 135 mm rear hub, I don't have the necessary 12 x 135 mm rear axle. Fuck. This is my bad, so no fault to the bike store here.

But, frustratingly enough, my bike is still not ridable. So, last Friday, I ordered the conversion kit for the front hub (which are just spacers that allow a 20 mm axle to run through the hub), and a rear axle so I could get my rear wheel mounted. But, the bike store heard "rear hub" instead of "rear axle", so now I have to wait while they place another order, and I still can't ride my fucking bike.

People at bike stores have a hard time listening, and if they're unsure, they don't like to call you to make sure that things are correct. Sigh.

[visceral_instinct]

@Idle, Syren's cool, I eventually decided on a Blindside though. Cos it's made specifically for downhill. :)

[mikenostic]

@Idle, Syren's cool, I eventually decided on a Blindside though. Cos it's made specifically for downhill. :)
I still think you would have been happier with a Syren.
For one I bet a Blindside weighs more than a comparable sized Syren and two, the Syren's geo was specifically designed for women.

Idle, if it's any consolation I found out to no surprise, that the shimano front brake that I have on the BR that I pilfered from the Edge just isn't cutting it. A caliper designed for a 29 lb A/M bike on a 40 lb SS bike; and you can guess the results. I'm about to order an Avid BB7 front brake kit with an 8" rotor.
This was discovered last Saturday when I finally got to ride it out at our park for a bit. It's very, very stable. But on the flipside, it's a good 10 lbs heavier than the Edge and not near as flickable. It's not quite as easy to manhandle as the Edge was. I guess I'm going to have to lift some weights and get some more strenfth.

[visceral_instinct]

I still think you would have been happier with a Syren.
For one I bet a Blindside weighs more than a comparable sized Syren and two, the Syren's geo was specifically designed for women.



Meh. I don't mind riding something heavy.

Yeah but the Blindside has that backward angled geo more suitable for downhill.

[Idle Mind]

Another thing I'm concerned about is sizing. How tall are you, VI? And I thought I recall you saying something in another thread about having relatively short legs? Maybe I'm mistaken.

Anyway, I'm 6'1", and I am on a size small Blindside frame. It gets a little tight in some situation (the cockpit feels a little short), but otherwise it fits nicely. The effective top tube length is actually quite long, even on the small frames. To contrast the two frames (Sm Blindside vs Med Syren), the standover on the Blindside is 2.5" taller. The wheelbase on the Blindside is only 1.7" longer, which will make it more stable, but since it's bound to be a heavier build that may be offset. Plus, you could put a longer axle-crown fork on the Syren and make the head angle more slack quite easily. The Blindside has a 65 degree head angle compared to the Syren's 67, which will be quite significant, but like I said, you can probably get the Syren a bit more slack with a longer fork.

I'm not trying to talk you out of any decisions, it's up to you 100%. But I think you'll be happy with either frame. Also, make sure you find a dealer and ride one of each around before you buy it.

Yeah Mike, that sucks about the brakes. I'm going to upgrade as well. I have Deore hydros on right now, but I am a solid, heavy dude compared to the usual biking crowd and I'll need something with a little more bite. I've settled on some Avid Elixir R's, and will probably order them pretty soon. Any reason you're going with a cable disc brake rather than hydraulic? Cost? Intended use? I'm not sure I could go back to cables, even after only having ridden entry level hydraulics (HFX-9's on the Rampage, and the Deores on the Blindside). But, to each their own. Proper working brakes are better than ones that are under powered.

[mikenostic]

Yeah Mike, that sucks about the brakes. I'm going to upgrade as well. I have Deore hydros on right now, but I am a solid, heavy dude compared to the usual biking crowd and I'll need something with a little more bite. I've settled on some Avid Elixir R's, and will probably order them pretty soon. Any reason you're going with a cable disc brake rather than hydraulic? Cost? Intended use?
For one, the guy who built the bike for me recommended them. He is very reputable in this area. Two, as you mention...price. I found a set on cambria for $45. Three, I'm a solid, light dude (5'11", 160ish). I won't need quite as much stopping force as you. And lastly, they had very good reviews on MTBR.
I did, however also buy a G2 Clean Sweep rotor. I am either going to try to use the Roundagon rotor that comes with the BB7 in the back with the Shimano caliper (if I can find an adapter), or just set it aside and use it as an emergency spare.

If I do wind up deciding to splurge on a brake kit, it might as well be this one::worship:
http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=79980&page=HOPE+TECH+V2+HYDRAULIC+DISC+BRAKE
That vented rotor is insane.

[Idle Mind]

Yeah, Hope brakes are sexy as hell, but it's going to cost a pretty penny. They would go well with my Hope hubs though...

I've heard nothing but good things about the Elixirs, which are also quite affordable.

[mikenostic]

Yeah, Hope brakes are sexy as hell, but it's going to cost a pretty penny. They would go well with my Hope hubs though...

I've heard nothing but good things about the Elixirs, which are also quite affordable.
Elixirs (even the least expensive R model) are still about triple what the BB7s are. Like I said, if I'm going to spend much more than $100, I'm just going to get the Hopes.

[Idle Mind]

Yeah, sorry, I was just trying to justify my own choice in brakes (to myself, mostly), I wasn't trying to pitch the Elixirs to you. The BB7 will be a killer brake.

[visceral_instinct]

Another thing I'm concerned about is sizing. How tall are you, VI? And I thought I recall you saying something in another thread about having relatively short legs? Maybe I'm mistaken.
.

I'm a bit over average height for a girl, around 5'7. But yes, I do have short legs.

[Idle Mind]

Well, the best thing to do in either case would be to try out a built bike of each and see what you prefer. If you ride exclusively downhill, then the Blindside may be a better choice. But, if you do any other type of riding you may be happier on a different frame. DH-specific bikes are decidedly poor trail bikes for the most part.

[visceral_instinct]

Yes I ride exclusively downhill. I also ride standing up nearly all the time so it doesn't matter if it is a bit high, just high enough that I can actually sit on it.

[mikenostic]

Yes I ride exclusively downhill. I also ride standing up nearly all the time so it doesn't matter if it is a bit high, just high enough that I can actually sit on it.
I would recommend you do a bit of trail riding every now and then, and especially try some small jumps, drops, skinnies and the like. Trust me, it will make you better at DHing.
I'll have to dial in the suspension on the BR, but I'm going with my DH buddy to a place called Windrock (an apparently nationally reknowned DH trail) this spring. While DH is not my favorite, I am looking forward to it because it will help me out on the FR/SS trails.

[visceral_instinct]

I would recommend you do a bit of trail riding every now and then, and especially try some small jumps, drops, skinnies and the like. Trust me, it will make you better at DHing.
I'll have to dial in the suspension on the BR, but I'm going with my DH buddy to a place called Windrock (an apparently nationally reknowned DH trail) this spring. While DH is not my favorite, I am looking forward to it because it will help me out on the FR/SS trails.

Thanks for advice....I'll see where I can do some..

[Idle Mind]

http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/prisefightinginferno/blindside1.jpg

http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/prisefightinginferno/blindside2.jpg

http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/prisefightinginferno/blindside3.jpg

Wheels are Syncros DS28 rims laced to Hope Pro II hubs. Sorry for the cellphone camera photos. I don't have a proper camera and my roommate can't find the memory card for his.

[mikenostic]

Sweeeeeet!
I affectionately refer to the Blindside as the Bottlerocket's bigger brother.
I like the red hubs.
I see that you've already had it in the dirt by the dirty tires there.
If our backyard park is dry enough tomorrow, Ima ridin. I gotsa jump I need to be hittin.
I ordered a set of Avid BB7s and 203mm rotor size. I also ordered a G2 Clean Sweep rotor as an upgrade, but I didn't realize that kid didn't come with the levers, cables or cable housings. So now I'm going to have to see if I can find a set at a bike shop.

[Idle Mind]

Yeah, I've had it in a few short little trails that are within riding distance from my house (read: less than 10 minutes), so I quickly spun through there. But it had been raining significantly (west coast style) for the previous couple days and the moss and rocks were super slick. Not safe conditions for the padless.

I'm also fighting with derailleur adjustments a bit and the front brake needs to be bled, so I'm not pushing it too hard yet.

Can you not use the current cables/housing? Lever might be a little trickier unless you already have Avid brakes.

[mikenostic]

Can you not use the current cables/housing? Lever might be a little trickier unless you already have Avid brakes.
Current brakes are uber base model Shimano hydraulic so, no.
I have a buddy coming over to the park Sunday. His dad owns a local bike shop. I'll have him grab a lever, cable and housing and just bring it to me then.

[Idle Mind]

Well, that's not too bad then. Worst case scenario you just ride without a front brake for a day. ;)

[Idle Mind]

I've decided that I'm going to try my hand at DH racing next season (and Vis, I know you're interested in this on some level as well). After the brakes I am getting on Monday (Elixir Rs), I have two more upgrades that I'd like to make in order to get my bike race ready (only one is necessary). Fork (2010 Boxxer Team) and shock (Marzocchi Roco WC air - this one is optional, since I like the feel of the Vivid that's on there now). But those will come later.

This season will be about skill development and fitness for me, so why don't we shift the focus of this discussion a bit and talk about bike-specific training. Obviously getting out and riding is going to be the most applicable, but let's also focus on what can be trained in the gym as well.

I go to the gym 4-5 times per week, and mix cardio and weight lifting, but I'm a little unfocused at the moment. I row and run while at the gym, and most of the "spinning" I do is out on my bike (which has been very little lately due to the low temps and the rain/snow).

I have a back/shoulder day (wide-grip pull downs, chin-ups, seated row, military press, forward raises, vertical row, and rowing for warm-up/cardio) and a chest/core day (dumbbell press, inclined press, declined press, dumbbell flies, twisting crunches, air bike, roman chair and a run as a warm-up), but I'm debating whether or not I should add in a leg routine or let the running/riding naturally tone and strengthen my legs (which are already very strong and should probably be slimmed). The days are alternated throughout the week.

What else should I be focusing on?

[Roman]

What's that thing weigh, a million pounds? How are you supposed to get across a glacial crevasse with that thing?

[Idle Mind]

Mine? I haven't got it on a proper scale yet, but the bathroom scale estimates 38 lbs. I would get another bike for that type of riding. ;-)

[mikenostic]

What's that thing weigh, a million pounds? How are you supposed to get across a glacial crevasse with that thing?
It really doesn't matter when you are going almost straight downhill. Gravity will give you the speed to overcome the weight of the bike.
He should be more worried about being able to stop, than go fast.

[Roman]

It really doesn't matter when you are going almost straight downhill. Gravity will give you the speed to overcome the weight of the bike.
He should be more worried about being able to stop, than go fast.

I thought this was a thread about mountain biking??? :confused:

[Idle Mind]

There are different types of mountain biking. The bike I am building up and posted above is for Downhill type riding (Europe has DH racers that are sponsored by several companies and can make millions). Were I to get into Cross Country/Enduro-cross, or "All-Mountain" riding, I would likely build a different bike that's lighter and has a steeper headtube angle. However, the riding in my neck of the woods and the riding I enjoy most requires something a little more like what I've built.

[Roman]

I know. I'm just giving you guys a hard time.

[mikenostic]

I thought this was a thread about mountain biking??? :confused:
What part of the statement I made that you quoted can't be applied to mtn biking?

If you ever get to ride a DH course, you will notice that some parts of a DH course are more or less straight down.

[Idle Mind]

I know. I'm just giving you guys a hard time.
Ah-ha. Touché... It's hard to tell on the internet sometimes.

Any input on weights or training that would help while racing?

[Idle Mind]

New Transition DH prototype unveiled: http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Transition-TR450-Prototype-2009.html

[mikenostic]

New Transition DH prototype unveiled: http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Transition-TR450-Prototype-2009.html

Saw that on MTBR yesterday. That is an absolute beast of a bike.

[Idle Mind]

Should be pretty awesome, and I may consider upgrading my Blindside frame when it hits retail. Maybe.

I went out into the woods, and the Blindside is not happy in pedally sections, or in any sort of technical climbing situations. We chose a bad route through the trail system...

But, I have started going on some longer road type rides with my commuter to get the pedaling conditioning up. 16.25 miles on Friday, 27.8 miles yesterday, and a planned 33.75 miles for Thursday. Riding in the mountains is a whole different animal, that's for sure.

[mikenostic]

Should be pretty awesome, and I may consider upgrading my Blindside frame when it hits retail. Maybe.
What size is your Blindside?

I went out into the woods, and the Blindside is not happy in pedally sections, or in any sort of technical climbing situations. We chose a bad route through the trail system...
Can you tell me why I am not surprised in the least to read what you posted about a downhill bike? :D

But, I have started going on some longer road type rides with my commuter to get the pedaling conditioning up. 16.25 miles on Friday, 27.8 miles yesterday, and a planned 33.75 miles for Thursday. Riding in the mountains is a whole different animal, that's for sure.
May I suggest an all-mountain bike if you are going to be on pedally and uphill techy sections?

[Idle Mind]

What size is your Blindside?
Size small.

Can you tell me why I am not surprised in the least to read what you posted about a downhill bike? :D
Oh, I'm not surprised either, but some suspension designs are better than others, and I think Transition's take is in the lower end of the spectrum. We didn't mean to find ourselves in those types of trails, but since we're relatively new to the area we didn't know any better when we took a suggested route. That mistake will not be made again.

May I suggest an all-mountain bike if you are going to be on pedally and uphill techy sections?
You may, but I don't take the DH rig on the long rides, and it's mostly a cardio conditioning venture. I have a large Norco Scrambler from 2006 that functions as a commuter that I will take for the long road-type rides.

And there is some pedaling in DH riding, especially if I'm looking to race. ;)

[Idle Mind]

Went for a ride tonight after work and made some better trail selections this time around. Had a much better time of things.

The bike is finally feeling pretty dialed as well. I have the Avid Elixir Rs now, 203 mm rotor up front and 185 mm on the back, and they have such great modulation it's crazy. Very powerful as well. The bike is fast. It loves the choppy technical sections and seems to float through them. Very confidence inspiring.

The main thing I will have to learn to be more careful of is pedal position. I have the sag set at 35% so the bottom bracket is quite low to the ground and the pedals and crank arms will strike the ground or rocks quite readily if I'm not paying attention to where my feet are. And, I think I need to add a bit of air to the fork since it's quite soft, and I need to play with the rebound setting to get it to pop a little more. It seemed kind of sluggish and wallowed a bit in certain situations (which is common for Marzocchi forks). I can improve that feel though, so it should be tweaked and tuned after the next ride.

I'm excited for the season; it's going to be a great one.

[Idle Mind]

Any updates from anyone?

How's the riding been in the respective necks of the woods?

It was really dry here for a bit, but it's been raining on and off for the past couple days. Making the trails really tacky, but also making the roots a nightmare, and making rock faces that much sketchier. Still super fun though.

I also decided to dive in and have ordered a 2010 (wtf, I know) Boxxer WC. Should have it for the following weekend.

[Repo Man]

No mountain biking, but I've been doing a fair amount of road riding. I did a century ride a couple of weekends ago. It took a little less than seven hours. It's pretty mild century, only 4,300 feet of climbing. The last time I did this particular one was 1990. I was in the best shape of my life then, and tore through it in five hours and twenty minutes.

I live about eleven miles from the start/finish, so I just rode in. The ride home was pretty slow going though. 122 miles in one day. I need to commit to another ride to give me incentive to stay in shape (and continue to get in better shape).

[Idle Mind]

Jeez! Good on you for doing that ride. I did a few longer road rides on a commuter bike, and after 30 miles I was pretty bagged, and that's without the 4,300 vertical feet.

I'm impressed.