Down time ride

[chicago]

For the times when I can't wheel...
This'll get me through!!

I've been wanting to get back into mountain biking for several years now.
W/ my joints aching pretty much constantly, I think I'm at the end of my heavy gym rat days and NEED to get my cardio fitness back.
An investment in my overall health.

Anyone wants to ride during the week, lemme know!!

 

[spressomon]

Hey Keith, sounds like fun; wish I was still riding but to be honest I don't miss the pain. However know, and this came to me after literally tens of thousands of miles of pedaling in my former life/career, you can do your knees equal or more injustice on a bike too.

Make sure, incredibly important for any rider but especially so if you have knee issues, to get the seat height and fore-aft placement of same adjusted properly.

Generally (for seat height), if you are able to look at a video of yourself on a trainer while pedaling you'll want the angle, measured at the knee, created from the hip socket through the knee socket to the center of the ball of your foot (pedal axle) to be in the 150-160 degree range.

 

[chicago]

Dan,
More my shoulders and elbows, but I DO feel the knees too.
There's been a TON of weight on my shoulders (literally) over the years, and it's just taken it's toll.
I'm NOT the type that can go into a gym and just maintain weight. If I can't progress in it, I just don't see the point in doing it. I don't LIKE being at the gym.
More than anything though... I need to do cardio and start to consider CV health. I HATE tread mills, don't care to hike... Only cardio that I've EVER like to do was mountain bike.
Been out TWICE today already on the new steed, and I've gotta say.... WOW!! what a great feeling bike. I tried out 4 different bikes that injad researched. Two treks and two giants. Of all of em... This trek fuel (right out of the gate) just FIT.
Dont like the tires though. They're down right scary. Kinda like an at tire.
I just rode up the hill behind the power station to the top and back.... s*** grip going up and worse going DOWN. frightening in fact.
The suggestions your mentioned are the reasons I invested in a new bike.
My old one I used to race on is one I built back in the day when I was racing single track back in Chicago area. I've tried riding that, but I end up hurting in my knees, back and my wrists go to sleep (just like you mentioned). So... I just didn't ride.
This war has been raging for the last couple years. I just decided that I just need to do it, or I would just keep putting it off, keep going to the gym and lifting like I always do, get injured and it goes on and on.

 

[gregnash]

Sweet new steed dude!! When I finally get my cruiser we will have to get a group of us together to go out and do some wheeling, camping and then some trail riding while we are there. I just did my second race ever after only having ridden for about a 1 1/2 yrs now and I have to say it was a blast. I am jealous that you got a full suspension but at the same time I LOVE my Steel 29er HT.

If you find that the tires are crap (and I really dont like most bontrager tires) I would suggest going with something that has good, fairly wide penetrating knobs. My brother rides a Titus Racer X Carbon and loves the Serac XC Lites (only like 400g each) but also likes that Panaracer FireXC tires for our area. I have been having great luck on my GEAX Gato (f) and Saguaro (r) in our area, except the Saguaro slips in wet stuff (but grabs like velcro in just about anything else).

If you ever get down to carson for a ride, let me know ahead of time and I will met up with you, always looking for new riders! Here is me and the steed right before the PineNut Cracker this year for the Sierra Cup Mtb Series...

Untitled by renofizz, on Flickr


Untitled by renofizz, on Flickr

 

[Fast Eddy]

I'm staying in Tahoe City with a buddy 7/18-22. We'll probably do a ride every day. Two will be partial shuttles, Mt. Rose one day and Hwy 267 pass past Watson Lake and down into TC. That would be a good one. You could meet us at the top and we'll drive you back up after the ride.

 

[chicago]

I'm staying in Tahoe City with a buddy 7/18-22. We'll probably do a ride every day. Two will be partial shuttles, Mt. Rose one day and Hwy 267 pass past Watson Lake and down into TC. That would be a good one. You could meet us at the top and we'll drive you back up after the ride.

That actually sounds kinda fun.
I'm still working on the getting in shape portion of this riding thing... It been so long since I've done any cardio vascular training to speak of.
Down hill is definitely my thing.

Lemme know!!

Thanks for the offer Ed.

K

 

[chicago]

Sweet new steed dude!! When I finally get my cruiser we will have to get a group of us together to go out and do some wheeling, camping and then some trail riding while we are there. I just did my second race ever after only having ridden for about a 1 1/2 yrs now and I have to say it was a blast. I am jealous that you got a full suspension but at the same time I LOVE my Steel 29er HT.

If you find that the tires are crap (and I really dont like most bontrager tires) I would suggest going with something that has good, fairly wide penetrating knobs. My brother rides a Titus Racer X Carbon and loves the Serac XC Lites (only like 400g each) but also likes that Panaracer FireXC tires for our area. I have been having great luck on my GEAX Gato (f) and Saguaro (r) in our area, except the Saguaro slips in wet stuff (but grabs like velcro in just about anything else).

If you ever get down to carson for a ride, let me know ahead of time and I will met up with you, always looking for new riders! Here is me and the steed right before the PineNut Cracker this year for the Sierra Cup Mtb Series...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gfisicaro/7241695576/
Untitled by renofizz, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gfisicaro/6948863136/
Untitled by renofizz, on Flickr

Looks great!
I DO NEED some ride time before I go w/ people though.
I
Horribly out of shape. Went with a couple friends tues night and did the whites creek loop... FAAAAAWWWK! 8 mile of up hill and switch backs up hill. I was sucking wind!!

When I get in better shape, I'll let you know for sure.

 

[gregnash]

Eh.. that is what riding it about though... No need for anything special unless you are planning on going out to compete. Good leisurely ride is always fun too, even if you are not at the same level as everyone else. I got no races in August and only one in July so I am going to have a bit of a break. I will need to get back on it when I get back from NYC in August as I will have two races in Sept (this all being that everything goes according to plan).

I am thinking of trying to plan a full day trip for Emigrant in Truckee with some guys. If you haven't ridden it, the trail is a blast, not that hard and is a great distance for a good day/half day ride.

Just keep riding and the CV endurance will come. I like to normally ride alone but feel that it does not really do anything for me because I don't always push myself. Make sure to ride with people that are as fast or faster than you often as it will force you to build the endurance and muscle.

 

[primer7]

FWIW, been wanting a Mountain Bike (Don't have any bike at this time) for trail riding, can anyone recommend a bike or store?

Thanks
Keith

 

[gregnash]

Not sure about any stores in/near Sparks, but there is always Scheels if you want big box with the ability to get a good, normal brand.

Other than that, in Reno I like Peloton, High Sierra, Great Basin, and Sierra Cycle Smith.. But those are really the only ones I have dealt with. I would recommend staying away from the d-bags at Velo Reno, if you don't have thousands to spend on a uber high end road bike they will not help you or will rip you off.

 

[chicago]

Keith,
I got mine at that shop on longley.
There is another shop right I over by my house on damonte too.
I tried several bikes, but the trek fuel was the one that fit perfect.
Trek has a deal too, 1 year same as cash which was how I bought my bike.
I looked on line for better price, and the shop I got mine from actually was BETTER than any prices I found on line.
Dude gave me a couple hundred OFF.
still wasn't cheap, but....
I knew exactly what I was looking for and wanted.
The place on damonte has giant brand bikes. Nice, but just didn't like those was well as the trek bikes.

 

[rusty_tlc]

@Keith W.;
We got our Trek Navigators at Sierra Cyclesmith, they took the time to make sure we got bikes that fit and that the bikes were adjusted to our body. The after sale service has also been great.

 

[primer7]

Gotta be honest, I'm amazed at what a (decent) bicycle costs. Having short arms and deep pockets makes it difficult to actually find the funds to support the Mountain Bike industry, that plus there are some many choices and "Buzz Word" features (been browsing the Internet) sounds like buying a Harley.,i.e. Hard Tail, Full Suspension, etc. Reviewers discussing the weight of a rim and tire combo. Lance Armstrong maybe...but geezz?

 

[spressomon]

Hopefully Tim Z doesn't still own Sierra Cyclesmith...cuz the guy's a thief. Literally.

 

[gregnash]

Chicago - you are talking about High Sierra off of Damonte (near RCWilley right?)
And I forgot about the shop that is in the stripmall area off longley and mccarran. Been in there once right after it opened but since I live in Carson most of my shopping is limited to Bike Habitat.

Primer7 - yeah really depends on what you want to do and how much you want to spend. I took my FIL out and went bike shopping with him (same problem as you) and he was thoroughly confused about the options. Ultimately it came down to his budget and the fact he is in his 50s and doesn't want to kill his back. With what we have around here a HardTail works well for me but definitely beats me up on the rockier more technical trails. Next purchase will be a Full Suspension 29er (as my HT is a 29er).

Basic concept - 29" wheels allow for a larger contact patch on the ground thus allowing for more traction (think of stock tires on a cruiser vs. 33s). The larger wheel also increases the rotational mass so you will have to get used to pedaling a little harder at first but at the same point with 1 rotation of a 26" wheel you are getting 1 2/3 rotations out of a 29" wheel with the same force exertion.

Funniest way I have heard it put.... with a 26" mtb you can still fall in a 27" hole, 29ers roll right over it.

 

[primer7]

(Basic concept - 29" wheels allow for a larger contact patch on the ground thus allowing for more traction (think of stock tires on a cruiser vs. 33s). The larger wheel also increases the rotational mass so you will have to get used to pedaling a little harder at first but at the same point with 1 rotation of a 26" wheel you are getting 1 2/3 rotations out of a 29" wheel with the same force exertion. )

Funniest way I have heard it put.... with a 26" mtb you can still fall in a 27" hole, 29ers roll right over it. [/QUOTE]

This is helpful and makes sense. Perhaps a line of "Over the Hill" series Mountain Bikes. Or the new "Mid Life Crisis" model for 2012 with air suspension and the optional Direct TV NFL package.

 

[chicago]

It is ABSOLUTELY RIDICULUS what those companies charge for this stuff.
One shock is 300.00???? How do they figure that??
That being said... People buy it.

 

[gregnash]

(Basic concept - 29" wheels allow for a larger contact patch on the ground thus allowing for more traction (think of stock tires on a cruiser vs. 33s). The larger wheel also increases the rotational mass so you will have to get used to pedaling a little harder at first but at the same point with 1 rotation of a 26" wheel you are getting 1 2/3 rotations out of a 29" wheel with the same force exertion. )

Funniest way I have heard it put.... with a 26" mtb you can still fall in a 27" hole, 29ers roll right over it.

This is helpful and makes sense. Perhaps a line of "Over the Hill" series Mountain Bikes. Or the new "Mid Life Crisis" model for 2012 with air suspension and the optional Direct TV NFL package.[/QUOTE]

LOL... I can see it now... new for 2013, the COUCH!!! Full suspension everywhere, tv in front of you, satelitte dish, all the creature comforts while you pedal to your hearts content... Oh wait... its called a trainer! Park it in front of the tv, watch the game, have a beer, and pedal away.. (Whatever you do, DO NOT watch the trailers for the Sufferfest training videos... )

It is ABSOLUTELY RIDICULUS what those companies charge for this stuff.
One shock is 300.00???? How do they figure that??
That being said... People buy it.

Yeah crazy expensive stuff... but guess we trade one addiction for another?! It will be hard to split funds between the biking and the cruiser... Both are definitely fun in their own ways. Oh and wait till you start looking at the cost of a new front fork! Mine blew a crack in the stanchion about 5 months after I bought it (was NOS) and so I had to buy a new one. Wanted something that was air sprung, reliable and quality, ended up with the new Manitou Tower Pro 100mm. After the new internal FIRM spring kit, total cost was about $450. Bike is now worth more than the cruiser I will be picking up.

 

[Fast Eddy]

It is ABSOLUTELY RIDICULUS what those companies charge for this stuff.
One shock is 300.00???? How do they figure that??
That being said... People buy it.

Cheap, light, or strong, pick any two. For $300 you get light and strong.