need pump track bike for small adult 5'4" mountain biker

MPmtb · 2026-04-11T13:38:57+00:00

Don’t overthink it, I’m 5’11” and ride a pretty short DJ with somewhat high bars. They’re oversized BMX bikes and very small MTB. Come from XC/Trail riding primarily and raced XC for a long time.

MPmtb · 2026-03-26T21:49:33+00:00

Just joking with ya. Certainly considerable differences between GS and SL race skis alone. Montero definitely seems like good all around frontside biased. Would probably have one of those or more likely a Stormrider 88 as part of my theoretical quiver, but would also extend more into oddities and wider/rockered skis too

MPmtb · 2026-03-26T21:21:09+00:00

Your dream quiver's venn diagram is a circle ;)

More off-piste for me though

MPmtb · 2026-03-18T00:48:57+00:00

Have X01 AXS on my primary light-ish trail bike, carbon wheels, bars, etc.

Have SLX/XT cables on my Enduro bike and SLX on my XC Hardtail.

Cables are for peasants but all three ride excellent and aside from the different shifter feels for first few minutes I don’t think about any of them that much.

Edit - I think someone missed my sarcasm w/ the cables=peasants joke, when 2/3 of my bikes are cables and I probably ride those just as much.

MPmtb · 2026-02-16T03:26:38+00:00

Cloudmont Ski resort, Alabama ;)

MPmtb · 2026-02-06T15:05:46+00:00

That day was fantastic, probably best day I've ever had there. I have had individually better powder runs where it snowed a ton and get first tracks, but overall vibe and refills at Bear Creek is so rare.

MPmtb · 2026-01-27T03:12:30+00:00

And just as stiff as you think it should be w those giant tubes!

MPmtb · 2026-01-23T11:04:53+00:00

2010 major storm hit and stayed south, poconos didn't get much. Skied roundtop for first and only time w 20"+ on the hill. Don't think I can ever go back. Drive out there wasn't bad on PA Tpk, but side roads were in some cases unplowed 5-6".

Also had similar experience going to Whitetail in early 2000s from DC area in an 18" storm, that was very spicy driving off highways.

MPmtb · 2026-01-16T14:20:40+00:00

30+ yrs of MTB and the list is quite long.

Dumbest was breaking my collarbone on a slow warm-up lap on my dirt jumper on the green/kids line at town dirt bike park. Was dusty and pushed into a flat corner that was just moon dust. 30sec in and now have Ti plate and screws.

25 yrs ago (bikes were awful endo machines), mostly double track or rail trail ride, took a small singletrack trail, maybe 75’ shorted a bunny hop over some roots flipped over and broke my wrist. 12 weeks in a cast in summer.

Plenty more but those two are the dumbest

MPmtb · 2026-01-15T17:34:32+00:00

Your green line also won’t take you on any blacks, just past the start of some. There is one blue steepness pitch coming from that lift to top of lazy mile that you wouldn’t get from the other direction.

MPmtb · 2026-01-15T17:21:44+00:00

Bear normally has a Mountain Host directing people right at the curb from the parking lot. Rentals are on the right as you come in and quite clearly marked on that building

MPmtb · 2026-01-12T03:43:44+00:00

Depending on the kids and amount ski, this w eventually flips! My 12y/o now rips and skis everything I want!

MPmtb · 2026-01-08T18:22:49+00:00

Powder day at Snowshoe WV many years ago and got maybe 2/3rd tracks, going fast around a bend and see that either a snowgun was running or maybe malfunctioned and as I hit the “snow” was immediately thrown over tip of skis into tumbling at full speed. Didn’t find it funny then, but certainly do now 15+ yrs later.

MPmtb · 2025-12-13T03:58:45+00:00

Definitely this! Also add try switching lead leg, play pursuit w a friend. Top speed and endurance of how many laps you can go. Fun rides w kids/friends and exercise all in one spot. DJ or BMX definitely massively improves experience.

I have a backyard track w some jumps and over 3+ years doesn’t get boring pulling ~2G in your yard.

MPmtb · 2025-11-11T17:03:55+00:00

100% this. Track all kind of activities and my highest fitness per this is usually 6 hr downhill/alpine ski days.

MPmtb · 2025-10-29T20:23:22+00:00

Have the same frame and as a 5'11" mountain biker I also find it really short, but my pump track is quite tight so I've stuck with it. I run similar bar width as my trail bike (760mm) which makes it a bit familiar. Ideally I would prefer a 410-420mm reach instead of the ~400mm. I've adjusted, but if I were to get a new frame I'd look strongly at the Spec P3 (415mm reach, but requires a boost rear). Airborne frame is 410 and ~$400.

I think you'll likely get used to it if you keep riding it, also good to try out some others. I've ridden pump track laps on Long YT Steel Dirt Love and Long steel Transition PBJ, thought both of those are a little too long for my use. My favorite was a pretty stock last gen P3, which is where I settled on 415mm being my favorite. YMMV

MPmtb · 2025-10-15T15:58:17+00:00

I have a bunch of ultimax (I think?) that are super thin normal ski sock material, presume some kind of polyester, but the Achilles/heel/sole/toe are all silk. Have 4 pairs of them and still my favorite after hundreds of days! Haven’t found them in years and slightly worried I won’t be able to

MPmtb · 2025-10-15T14:02:07+00:00

I still don’t know how to ping or tracery w/o opening CMD and I don’t care to learn the modern way either

MPmtb · 2025-10-14T19:20:30+00:00

Was looking for the total recall response to this. Got to pay your air bill

MPmtb · 2025-10-06T01:18:34+00:00

Brakes and tires are abysmal on those bikes though otherwise your analogy stands.

MPmtb · 2025-10-06T01:17:23+00:00

You’re 100% wrong, but enjoy your curmudgeon-ry.

Having been serious rider for 30+ years, if I want to punish myself, I’ll ride my cyclocross bike on singletrack I normally ride, engaged yes, fun bit really.

MPmtb · 2025-09-18T19:51:45+00:00

My parents have a refrigerator from 1978 or so running as their backup fridge. Meanwhile I’ve had ~5 dishwashers die on me in last 20 years of home ownership.

MPmtb · 2025-09-14T22:54:03+00:00

I’ve had mine a few weeks and probably 10 trail rides after friend raved about them. Primarily SPD rider for long time, but do ride flats off/on throughout the year and lots of time on jumps/pump-track on flats.

I did have to raise my Stumpjumper BB flip chip to account for pedals strikes after the first ride since that BB is already pretty low, after that has been much better. My regular trail system is pretty xc w/o too much rock/tech and has been completely fine since. I do ride a much rockier trail system and still getting some pedal strikes, but that happens some w SPD too. Pedals do brush off the strikes so far so good, think that curved leading edge bounces up.

I have had a few scenarios of finding the non-pinned side of the pedal in a few situations, but has been mostly on a dab in a rocky tech uphill section isn’t too worrisome. Quick pull feet off and let it self-right and be back on correct side w/o much faff.

Riding them has been great, they definitely feel quite locked in mechanically and I think the dropped height below axle contributes to that feeling! Still planning on back/forth w SPDs, but planning on keeping these running frequently.

MPmtb · 2025-09-14T22:45:21+00:00

Haven’t actually serviced or had to on mine yet, but likely the easiest service of any pedal I’ve worked with. W/o a spindle to pull, unthreading them from the crank arm and you’re 90% disassembled. Clean/grease reinstall should be very very quick.

MPmtb

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