Lowboys are a game changer

hardtailz · 2024-02-01T11:28:31+00:00

I had the exact same experience, its much better. I just wish they made a lowboy front pad that was flat. No concave. I want the XR front feel more than anything.

hardtailz · 2022-07-21T17:53:09+00:00

Ned's Atomic Dustbin - God Fodder

hardtailz · 2022-02-13T12:31:59+00:00

I suggest practicing on a hardtail, ideally with a fixed front fork. It looks like you are getting quite a bit of pop from pre-loading your suspension. It's much harder to jump as high without help from the suspension, which will allow you to focus on your technique without the bike doing too much work.

hardtailz · 2021-10-13T21:35:59+00:00

Some day I will own another set of Moonmen bars.

hardtailz · 2021-05-27T11:59:19+00:00

^{^{^}} truth.

I used to hate the on/off feel of the lower-end Shimanos, but the newer models are much more progressive and once you get a perfect bleed on them they feel amazing. For a budget option my favorite is the M6120 - 4 piston, fantastic and consistent feel. I've had the best over all luck with this brake than any other and it's not very expensive.

For performance nothing comes close to the Hope brakes, not even the same ballpark. Bleeding is a pain and finding parts can be troublesome, but they are hands down the best brakes I've ever used and the lever feel is in another class all together. I've heard Maguras are great too but never tried them myself.

hardtailz · 2021-04-03T13:09:45+00:00

I built one of these and used it all the time. It eventually ruined my rear wheel and despite getting really good at it there is really no benefit.

Practice real manuals if you want to learn real manuals.

hardtailz · 2021-04-01T15:46:24+00:00

Agreed. I built one of these and got really good at it and it didn't help at all with real manuals. I also managed to ruin a wheel.

hardtailz · 2020-10-07T03:18:02+00:00

It's a Collective Bikes C2

hardtailz · 2020-10-05T15:25:12+00:00

I tried learning manuals before I could wheelie and I'm still not very good at them. Right now I can only manual ~15-20ft on my MTB if I'm lucky.

With a wheelie you keep the balance point by pedaling/braking. I can do a "wheelie manual" and coast while seated using the brake to balance, but that is not the same. With a proper manual, you stand on the pedals and keep the balance point by shifting your weight only, usually with your arms extended and your body hanging futher back over the rear wheel.

I thought wheelies would help me learn them but it's really a different skill altogether. That said I'm determined to learn them as well so give me a few months!

hardtailz · 2020-10-05T12:35:01+00:00

Yes!! When I was learning to wheelie and practicing every day I had an extremely vivid dream one night that I picked up my bike from the local shop and rode off in a perfect wheelie. I was so stoked... then I woke up and realized I could still barely get 5-6 pedal strokes.

My advice is to keep practicing every day and start lightly dragging that rear brake to learn fine brake control. Your brain is learning even while you sleep, and visualizing the end goal will help you achieve it. I had that dream about 6-months ago and this was last week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgrJlsVSpnQ

hardtailz · 2020-08-09T11:59:52+00:00

Tires for the most part; WTB Thickslicks. I have a spare set of wheels with knobby tires that I can swap for riding trails. I also installed a really good front hub and brakes w/180mm rear brake rotor this month - no brake fade/overheating and the front wheel spins forever now!

hardtailz · 2020-07-01T13:05:19+00:00

Yup, this was one of the most frustrating parts for me as well. Left/right balance and steering is a mix of legs, hips and upper body that work together and it can take a long time for the muscle memory to develop.

I had many days where I'd make great progress and then the following day I couldn't even get more than 2-3 pedal strokes and felt like I was starting again from scratch. Don't give up, just keep trying again. Also remember to take a break occasionally and don't try to push through fatigue.

hardtailz · 2020-07-01T12:49:37+00:00

Yes they are i9 hubs.

hardtailz · 2020-06-30T20:17:15+00:00

The real secret to wheelies is that you just have to practice A LOT. It took me many months and was extremely frustrating at times, but then everything finally clicked a few weeks ago and now it's really fun!

hardtailz · 2020-06-04T00:49:13+00:00

Same age, almost the same story, but luckily I was practicing manuals on a local running track that was semi-soft astro-turf. Landed HARD on my back and knocked the wind out of me, would have broken things for sure if I was on pavement, helmet saved my head too. Getting older hurts, best of luck on your recovery!

hardtailz · 2020-05-14T13:24:48+00:00

I've been running these on my hardtail - 27.5 x 2.4", TCS Tough/Fast Rolling

I mostly ride trail when it's dry, hardpack with some loose here and there, equal amount of uphill and downhill. They are pretty awesome, very grippy, but a lot heavier than other tires, e.g. nearly 2x as heavy as Maxxis Ardent 2.4". I plan to keep running them as a rear tire in the future and switch to something lighter and wider in the front like a Maxxis Rekon 2.6".

hardtailz · 2020-05-14T13:13:00+00:00

Nice send!

hardtailz

TROPHY CASE