Any Mountain Bikers?

[Higgins617]

Hey guys just wondering if there is any other riders on here, I love the sport and may even start racing this spring.

[kirk13]

Far too long since I took my old SpeSmurfpillsed out into the green

[Zed]

Hi mate,yep done mtb'ing since 1988 mainly for training as raced road bikes and track plus bmx,did some mtb races back in the 90's plus dh racing,stopped bmx racing at 38 now 43 and still train on the road bike and go out and have fun on my mtb,cyclocross is good fun as well, 

[Grant Lamontagne]

I used to, although most of it was more a case of barely avoided falling down.  Sometimes less avoided than I'd like.  That was in the days before suspension was added though.

Def

Sent from a digital multitool

[Higgins617]

Thanks for the responses guys, those are some sweet rides Zed I've always liked Konas. I just made the jump to full suspension this year when I realized my hardtail had taken more than its fair share of beatings. I think its a fantastic way to get out and escape everything for a while. Don't worry Grant you aren't alone, no matter how good I may think I get there is always hard fall to bring me back down lol. Kirk I have an older specialized, wonderful frames.

[Zed]

Think ive tried most setups now  single speed is fun but was ok when i was super fit,i stick with a hartail setup these days with a low slung frame as like something with a bmx feel to throw around and do jumps but comfy for xc rides,ive still got a old gt zaskar in my shed but its still in bits    mtb'ing is really good fun and nothing better than getting outdoors 

[Higgins617]

For a while I was on a 99 Voodoo which had the really upright XC geometry of the older race bikes, it was fine until I wanted to start pushing myself a bit harder. Being a college student sort of limits the budget, but I picked up a Giant Trance that was ridden 5 miles then stashed away. I'd post pics but I'm not exactly sure how . I built a single speed hardtail that's great for whipping around and maybe getting a little air, the hardtails are easier to have full control and maneuverability on.

[Zed]

I like the old voodoos very similar to kona plus got joe murrays influence  i like the older mtb's for long rides but prefer modern bikes for more of a universal setup,i had a giant atx1 for dh competitions but was only any good for just going down hills  ive also had a few dirt jump bikes but again setup for jumps so good to find a in between bike 

[Higgins617]

The Voodoo frame was always so pretty that I almost didn't want to get her dirty, almost. I haven't gotten a chance to get the Trance on the trails but I have high hopes, I'm not a great rider by any means but I am looking forward to a bit more of a slack geometry to help me keep confidence at speed. I've been downhilling as well, just on rented bikes but what a blast.

[Higgins617]

Dragging up my own thread, I decided to stop just talking and take the plunge. I'm starting racing this May, short XC at first, but if everything goes well I really want to get into team endurance racing like the 24hrs at Pat's Peak(more likely 12 for me).

I'm extremely excited and cannot wait to try it, so I figured I would share it here as well

[ducttapetech]

Cool! Best of luck to you and have fun!

that's us mobile

[hiraethus]

I quit MTBing when I moved from Wales (where there are mountains) to the UK midlands (where there are no mountains) because I got fed up of riding through muddy fields.  I also hate cleaning the muck off my bikes, so I became a roadie instead.

I have ridden one 24 hour MTB event as one of a pair - we even came third in our category (singlespeed).  It's bloody hard work - good luck with the racing.

[Higgins617]

I quit MTBing when I moved from Wales (where there are mountains) to the UK midlands (where there are no mountains) because I got fed up of riding through muddy fields.  I also hate cleaning the muck off my bikes, so I became a roadie instead.

I have ridden one 24 hour MTB event as one of a pair - we even came third in our category (singlespeed).  It's bloody hard work - good luck with the racing.

24 on a singlespeed!? I salute you sir! Did you do any sort of special training before you entered, or just went in normal riding shape? I don't intend on winning but the whole idea of it really gets my adrenaline going, my partner is not the most experienced rider either so finishing is good enough for me at first.

Thanks ducttapetech!
First race is May 18th, I miss the first two events of the series since I'll still be in school, but I figure if I like the first one I can finish out the series and know what to expect the following year.

[hiraethus]

No, me and my buddy are just bloody minded and kept riding (slowly) even though loads of others dropped out because of rain.  SS makes equipment failure much less likely too.

You'll do better on a 24 if you ride more than one lap at a time, particularly if there's only two of you on the team.  Changeovers take time and the fewer you do, the better.

[Higgins617]

I ride a SS stumpjumper for commuting and shorter rides, but it isn't a good choice for longer rides(frame is a little small, odd geometry) but it is a very fun ride nonetheless. Thanks for the tip on the changeover. The only thing that might keep us from that technique is the brutal climb that the course starts you off with, 900 feet of vertical climb per lap.

[hiraethus]

Ah. The route I did only had 250 feet per lap!

[Higgins617]

My ride is a bit hefty too, but I'm not too concerned about that at this point.