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Official mountain biking thread

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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
I know there are more brown pow lovers on this site, yah there is pinkbike but lets be honest, newshcoolers is wayyyy cooler. so lets posts our rides, questions about components, mechanic questions etc in this thread.

I just bought this beauty and i definitely sacrificed uphill capabiltiy in order to get a beefier dh/park bike. id been on a nomad for a while and it's a huge switch in riding styles for me. definitely getting used to the weight and having to keep speed a lot more.

specs for said beauty, 2011 rc2 dh totem, 2012 dhx rc4, highrollers front and back (gona go dhf front and highroller in the back), mtx 33 wheel set, slx brakes, diablous cranks, FSA 760mm Handlebar, Shimano SLX Shifter & Shimano Deore XT Derailleur.



Alright newschoolers, post your bikes. i wanna see some sexy steeds.
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Jun 9 2014 5:41PM
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Loco-Deer-Slayer
Posts: 1401 - Karma: 701
JuliusJTheres so much. Hitch up Teton Pass. I need to get back there, just moved to SLC so stoked to get some riding in here and the surrounding areas.

Also a bit of trail riding photo stoke


Sweet man thanks! I'm heading out of SLC to go ride there. What trail is in the third picture? That's what I'm looking for.
Sep 21 2015 2:03PM
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JuliusJ
Posts: 3778 - Karma: 2,106
Loco-Deer-SlayerSweet man thanks! I'm heading out of SLC to go ride there. What trail is in the third picture? That's what I'm looking for.


It's in Bend haha. Sorry should have clarified, I literally just moved here to Salt Lake. I'm sure there's similar trails though. Use mtbproject/trailforks or just good ol'fashion go talk to a shop.
Sep 21 2015 2:33PM
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GANDALF
Posts: 6303 - Karma: 6,578
Yesterday was the sickest day I have ever had on my bike. Hero dirt/loam, perfect weather, 5 hours of shuttle laps, and a group of equally stoked people.


Sep 22 2015 10:54AM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
GANDALFYesterday was the sickest day I have ever had on my bike. Hero dirt/loam, perfect weather, 5 hours of shuttle laps, and a group of equally stoked people.




Where was that?
Sep 22 2015 11:07AM
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GANDALF
Posts: 6303 - Karma: 6,578
californiagrownWhere was that?


"Greater Bellingham area"
Sep 22 2015 11:56AM
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Freeskim@n
Posts: 732 - Karma: 203
Just bought myself a Turner DHR frameset with a cane creek db air. Theyre almost at 70% of MSRP on their site which is a real steal for such a nice bike

Also just put my hands on a ltd stealth edition of a fox 40 for dirt cheap

I will probably throw a full saint groupo on it as I got s-tech deals.

Any recommendations on good dh wheelsets around 1000-1500 retail a pair?
Sep 22 2015 3:01PM
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byubound
Posts: 1636 - Karma: 9,870
Freeskim@nJust bought myself a Turner DHR frameset with a cane creek db air. Theyre almost at 70% of MSRP on their site which is a real steal for such a nice bike

Also just put my hands on a ltd stealth edition of a fox 40 for dirt cheap

I will probably throw a full saint groupo on it as I got s-tech deals.

Any recommendations on good dh wheelsets around 1000-1500 retail a pair?


I would do derby carbon dh rims laced to tune components hubs at that price point. Would probably run around 1300 dollars.
Sep 22 2015 3:18PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
The Aspens are poppin off here in Aspen



https://www.newschoolers.com/watch/783580.0/20150922-145050-mp4
Sep 22 2015 7:44PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,507
byuboundI would do derby carbon dh rims laced to tune components hubs at that price point. Would probably run around 1300 dollars.


Do you know much about the derby wheels. I was looking at those.

Has as anyone used those "cheap" Chinese carbon rims? Really good price compared to the competition but looking at the pics they don't look up to the same quality either. But looking a little rough round the edges does not mean they suck nesacarilly so has anyone tried them?
Sep 23 2015 4:55PM
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JuliusJ
Posts: 3778 - Karma: 2,106
tomPietrowskiDo you know much about the derby wheels. I was looking at those.

Has as anyone used those "cheap" Chinese carbon rims? Really good price compared to the competition but looking at the pics they don't look up to the same quality either. But looking a little rough round the edges does not mean they suck nesacarilly so has anyone tried them?


Never used em, but have heard nothing but good about the derbys. Relatively cheap in comparison to some other carbon rims. Have heard very mixed things about Chinese carbon rims. Think its a bit of luck of the draw on that.
Sep 23 2015 6:56PM
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byubound
Posts: 1636 - Karma: 9,870
tomPietrowskiDo you know much about the derby wheels. I was looking at those.

Has as anyone used those "cheap" Chinese carbon rims? Really good price compared to the competition but looking at the pics they don't look up to the same quality either. But looking a little rough round the edges does not mean they suck nesacarilly so has anyone tried them?


I have a friend who has been running the derbys hard for around a month who loves them, and everything else I know is just from online, where they get good reviews. Havent been on them myself.
The chinese carbon do seem to be pretty hit and miss with quality control. I have heard good things about the customer service from litebike though, so it might be worth it.
Sep 23 2015 7:27PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
ThaLoraxThe Aspens are poppin off here in Aspen



https://www.newschoolers.com/watch/783580.0/20150922-145050-mp4

WTF, why do all my posts of vertical pictures come out rotated horizontally on NS now? Anybody know why that happened for both the video and the picture? They're rotated properly on my computer.
Sep 23 2015 7:38PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
tomPietrowskiDo you know much about the derby wheels. I was looking at those.

Has as anyone used those "cheap" Chinese carbon rims? Really good price compared to the competition but looking at the pics they don't look up to the same quality either. But looking a little rough round the edges does not mean they suck nesacarilly so has anyone tried them?


From what i understand about the Chinese rims the downside is the customer service that goes along with them. If they show up with cracks, or fracture prematurely you are shit out of luck. no returns, no warranty.


That said, If you get a good pair, and there is no reason why you shouldnt, you get an incredibly high quality wheel for ludicrously cheap. So i got one question for you, you feeling lucky, punk?
Sep 23 2015 7:53PM
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mike759
Posts: 879 - Karma: 1,971
any advice on building a dirt jump from scratch
Sep 23 2015 8:45PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
mike759any advice on building a dirt jump from scratch

pile up logs, rocks etc as the base of the jump. Makes it a helluva lot less shoveling.

Dig when the soil is moist and easily packable. get ready to put in some serious time with a shovel.
Sep 23 2015 9:22PM
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mike759
Posts: 879 - Karma: 1,971
californiagrownpile up logs, rocks etc as the base of the jump. Makes it a helluva lot less shoveling.

Dig when the soil is moist and easily packable. get ready to put in some serious time with a shovel.


I bike on a public walking trail that not many people use (but still some) that is somewhat maintained by the town, so how much time are we talking?
Sep 23 2015 10:19PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
mike759I bike on a public walking trail that not many people use (but still some) that is somewhat maintained by the town, so how much time are we talking?


dont build there. you are going to fuck up trail advocacy for MTBers in the area.
Sep 23 2015 10:40PM
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mike759
Posts: 879 - Karma: 1,971
Should i build next to the trail so that we can hit the jump without interfering
Sep 24 2015 12:39AM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
mike759Should i build next to the trail so that we can hit the jump without interfering


no. dont build within site of the trail. When MTBers start altering hiking trails illegally to suit their needs it pisses off the hikers and the city that maintains the trail. ESPECIALLY if you are building shitty little doubles along the side. This in turn makes it even more difficult for new MTB trails to be built legally and sets back the cause.


Just go out to the forest someplace and build there. Or go to an empty quarry or hilly area way away from people and shape some stuff there.
Sep 24 2015 1:13AM
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byubound
Posts: 1636 - Karma: 9,870
californiagrownpile up logs, rocks etc as the base of the jump. Makes it a helluva lot less shoveling.

Dig when the soil is moist and easily packable. get ready to put in some serious time with a shovel.

I would disagree with the first part of what you said. Logs rot, and rocks rattle when you hit a jump and slowly depack it. Take the time to do it all from dirt.
Sep 24 2015 2:53PM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 43,013
Fall riding is totally the worst.



And yes, I almost fell out of the tree like 6 times.
Sep 26 2015 11:49PM
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Happynomad
Posts: 9 - Karma: 10
cydwhitFall riding is totally the worst.



And yes, I almost fell out of the tree like 6 times.


you keep putting in effort like that and you'll get a good shot
Sep 27 2015 12:56AM
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JuliusJ
Posts: 3778 - Karma: 2,106
Hey I climbed up a tree to get a shot too! I fucking love fall riding

Sep 27 2015 1:35AM
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booniemon
Posts: 328 - Karma: 1,056
Not done yet, but here's my Status DH build so far
Oct 4 2015 8:13PM
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rtl32
Posts: 679 - Karma: 1,161

who needs suspension when you can just hover over the rough stuff?
Oct 4 2015 9:46PM
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JuliusJ
Posts: 3778 - Karma: 2,106
Oct 4 2015 9:59PM
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GANDALF
Posts: 6303 - Karma: 6,578
Moving to bend in a month. Looking for a guide. I prefer going downhill and spending time in the air
Oct 5 2015 5:27PM
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JuliusJ
Posts: 3778 - Karma: 2,106
GANDALFMoving to bend in a month. Looking for a guide. I prefer going downhill and spending time in the air



Originally from Bend, so awesome. Flagline -> funner/tiddywinks (best imo)/tylers is always killer. Whoops is also rad. My parents live on the West side and I can ride for under two hours from my house and back and get a killer ride in. Most stuff in Bend is pretty smooth and can get pretty blown out in summertime, but also its fun cause you can just haul. What bike are you on now?

Haven't been to the Lair (freeride area) in a while, but know the same loose riding conditions can apply.

There are lots of of trails right in Bend, but there is also SO much awesome riding within a few hours too - Oakridge should be on the top of your list, Black Rock, Post Canyon, Sandy, the list goes on and on. Have fun.
Oct 5 2015 5:35PM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
Has anyone ever built a wheel before?

I've got a hub and a rim on it's way and it's going to be my first build. Anyone have any tips?
Oct 5 2015 6:28PM
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byubound
Posts: 1636 - Karma: 9,870
TingaHas anyone ever built a wheel before?

I've got a hub and a rim on it's way and it's going to be my first build. Anyone have any tips?


Do you have a consignment tear down bike store near you like http://www.recycledcycles.com/sales/?
Ive heard that your first wheel can be pretty bad, so to practice with cheap stuff. Good luck!
Oct 6 2015 12:13AM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
byuboundDo you have a consignment tear down bike store near you like http://www.recycledcycles.com/sales/?
Ive heard that your first wheel can be pretty bad, so to practice with cheap stuff. Good luck!


I've got an old parts bike that I will tear into this week before my new parts arrive.
Oct 6 2015 12:30AM
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kung_powpow
Posts: 1990 - Karma: 3,671
Recently got some new shoes for the whip, like new Giant P-am2 wheels laced to dt swiss 350 hubs for only $40 a piece. I set them up yesterday ghetto tubeless with gorilla tape no problem. My old cassette didn't fit so I found a slightly used XT cassette on Ebay for $15. One of my more solid Craigslist finds, I'm stoked on it.
Oct 9 2015 1:44PM
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saskskier
Posts: 4774 - Karma: 10,005
Just saw on Pinkbike that Berrecloth and Specialized have parted ways. That's like Seth and K2 or Pollard and Line breaking up.

Crazy stuff.
Oct 9 2015 3:22PM
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byubound
Posts: 1636 - Karma: 9,870
Bike looking proper for fall riding in WA.

Dang, I dont know why image quality got so bad.
Oct 9 2015 5:46PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
Heading to Moab tomorrow for the first time in a few years to go biking and looking for some advice on new trails to ride. Haven't been since they built all the new trails and redid Porcupine Rim. Definitely doing porcupine, because that trail's the shit, but are any of the new trails particularly fun? I've heard mixed reviews on Captain Ahab. The only other trails I've biked there are Poison Spider and Slick Rock.
Oct 9 2015 9:13PM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
saskskierJust saw on Pinkbike that Berrecloth and Specialized have parted ways. That's like Seth and K2 or Pollard and Line breaking up.

Crazy stuff.


looks like he is hoping on with canyon.

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/berrecloth-signs-with-canyon-2015.html
Oct 12 2015 7:20PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
Had a great time in Moab this weekend. Lots of humans, but the weather was perfect. More people seemed to be 4 wheeling this weekend though, which worked out in our favor for bike crowds.

Hymassa Trails at sunset:







Upper Porcupine Rim



Lower Porcupine Rim
Oct 13 2015 1:21PM
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GANDALF
Posts: 6303 - Karma: 6,578
Some Bellingham porn. Video we made for a local mountain bike video competition.

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/787462/LOAMWARD-BOUND
Oct 13 2015 3:51PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
GANDALFSome Bellingham porn. Video we made for a local mountain bike video competition.

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/787462/LOAMWARD-BOUND


fuck yeah buddy! That vid makes the trails look so damn playful and fun.... great shots. Hope you dont miss PNW trails too much haha!
Oct 14 2015 2:06AM
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GANDALF
Posts: 6303 - Karma: 6,578
californiagrownfuck yeah buddy! That vid makes the trails look so damn playful and fun.... great shots. Hope you dont miss PNW trails too much haha!


I will miss them too much. its an easy weekend trip though if I need my fix
Oct 14 2015 2:15PM
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DayMan
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 8,748
Just found out that there are some decent trails near Tallahassee so I'm gonna try to swap my road bike for something more fit for trails. I've checked Craigslist but there's not really anything for sale at the moment unfortunately
Oct 15 2015 11:14PM
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saskskier
Posts: 4774 - Karma: 10,005
Ramage will be streaming live starting in just over an hour. Absolutely insane stuff going down there.

http://www.redbull.tv/videos/event-stream-556/mountain-bike-freeride-thrills-from-utah-usa?wtk=db23f08c30604afa866e979f1c11e849

Also (if you haven't already), check out Claudio's course preview. Easily the best part of the world cup DH series, but now he's got a Rampage one. Terrifying and hilarious at the same time.

http://www.redbull.com/uk/en/bike/stories/1331753571667/claudio-caluori-rampage-pov-preview-2015
Oct 16 2015 11:32AM
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Alvaro
Posts: 323 - Karma: 2,066
saskskierRamage will be streaming live starting in just over an hour. Absolutely insane stuff going down there.

http://www.redbull.tv/videos/event-stream-556/mountain-bike-freeride-thrills-from-utah-usa?wtk=db23f08c30604afa866e979f1c11e849

Also (if you haven't already), check out Claudio's course preview. Easily the best part of the world cup DH series, but now he's got a Rampage one. Terrifying and hilarious at the same time.

http://www.redbull.com/uk/en/bike/stories/1331753571667/claudio-caluori-rampage-pov-preview-2015


i dont even ride mtb but that was the sickest event ive ever seen
Oct 16 2015 4:54PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
Its that time of year where i either ride at night, or i can only ride on the weekends.


What lights do you all use and reccomend?
Oct 23 2015 2:54AM
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GANDALF
Posts: 6303 - Karma: 6,578
Went up to Squamish for the day and rode......applying for dual citizenship asap
Oct 24 2015 12:55AM
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skier58284
Posts: 1705 - Karma: 5,365
californiagrownIts that time of year where i either ride at night, or i can only ride on the weekends.


What lights do you all use and reccomend?


I love my Cygolite Metro and Hotshot. More urban/commuter oriented but they would work well for mountain biking too. If you get the Metro and intend to use it for mountain biking I strongly recommend the helmet mount so you can see to the sides when you turn your head (unless you wear a full face helmet, in which case it won't work due ot lack of vents, so then you'll have to just do the handlebar mount). The helmet mount isn't included but it's pretty cheap to buy separate. You can also get the Metro+Hotshot in a 2-pack, cheaper that way. They're very bright (with different brightness settings to save battery), USB rechargable, waterproof. 10/10 would recommend again
>inb4 accused of being a Cygolite shill
Oct 24 2015 1:03AM
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skier58284
Posts: 1705 - Karma: 5,365
I will add two things...
If you are riding aggressively / techy singletrack the Hotshot may not be ideal, I've never had it fall off but the mount is maybe not secure enough for aggressive mtbing.

The Metro is a very secure mount (whether you do the bar mount or helmet mount) so definitely good for mtb, but if you do the bar mount, mount it upside down, that way it will keep pointing straight ahead/not tip and point downward.
Oct 24 2015 1:05AM
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JuliusJ
Posts: 3778 - Karma: 2,106
To be honest I'm a cheap skate and use a few Cree lights (probably, as in definitely are Chinese knockoffs) that are like $20.00 on amazon. They're 1500 lumens they claim, but with two its plenty bright. Downside is shipping takes a while at times
Oct 24 2015 5:07AM
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mike759
Posts: 879 - Karma: 1,971
I am inexperienced with mtb and this is my bike:

If I were to take it to a real mountain, would it be suitable for simple trails?
Oct 25 2015 5:34PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
mike759I am inexperienced with mtb and this is my bike:

If I were to take it to a real mountain, would it be suitable for simple trails?


Absolutely. Hard tail bikes can handle a lot.
Oct 25 2015 7:58PM
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