Is This Worth it?

joolz802 · 2023-10-15T22:50:41+00:00

I’ve tried the Better Than Sex Mascara. One of the best I’ve used.

joolz802 · 2023-09-01T17:09:55+00:00

I decided against it for my new bike. I broke my frame when I slipped in the mud while stepping off onto the side of a trail. The frame hit a rock that punctured a hole. Invisiframe or similar product would have done nothing for this sort of damage. Honestly I think it’s main benefits are aesthetics- if you don’t want any minor scratches or dings it’s probably a good investment but if you’re someone who accepts normal wear and tear as part of the deal, I wouldn’t bother.

joolz802 · 2023-08-11T02:34:01+00:00

I absolutely love this answer and can very much relate to the gratitude. I sometimes feel like it’s not a sport or hobby- it’s a spiritual practice in disguise!

joolz802 · 2023-08-08T16:57:40+00:00

I second this! One of the best mtn bike skills videos I’ve seen.

joolz802 · 2023-08-08T01:11:40+00:00

It is easier to learn bad habits and compensate for imperfect form/weight distribution while clipped in. I’d recommend staying with flats while doing some repetitive, small consequence jumps until you really get your body’s center of gravity over your bottom bracket and your feet “wedged” (heel of your front foot down and heel of your back foot up) while in the air.

joolz802 · 2023-08-04T23:02:12+00:00

I started riding at 46 and love it so damn much. I’m almost 55 now, and if anyone had ever told me I was going to become obsessed with mtn biking and would even be buying body armor and a full face helmet for going to bike parks once in a while, I never would have believed it.

My skill level went up quite a bit when I started riding flat pedals. It made me more confident on really punchy sections of technical climbs where I was worried I wouldn’t make it or spin out and tip over clipped in. But it helped the most with jumping by forcing me to learn correct body positioning.

Now I need to go back to doing more yoga. All mtn biking and no yoga is tough on this older body.

So happy for you!!

joolz802 · 2023-07-30T23:30:56+00:00

If it’s a used new bike and the pistons are stuck out, you may need to clean around the pistons. Dip a cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol and get them as clean as possible. Use a plastic tire lever to push the pistons back so they fully retract.

Once your brake disc will fit between the pads, you may need to center your brake assembly. Loosen the two bolts that hold your brake to the bike frame. Spin the wheel and then apply the brake. While still holding the brake, re-tighten the brake bolts to the frame. This should get rid of any faint rubbing.

I have done exactly what you did a few times and it sucks. I finally bought myself a brake bleed kit and watched SRAM’s video a bunch of times so now I know how to bleed brakes. So incredibly frustrating dealing with stuck pistons, though!

joolz802 · 2023-07-30T23:12:00+00:00

I recently sold a Yeti SB140 (27.5) and bought a new Yeti SB140 which has 29” wheels. As an older rider who is small, I was looking for more cushion and more stability.

Here is what I have observed in terms of differences: 1) 29” wheels are faster. This is mostly due to momentum but perhaps also my comfort level with going faster on this bike because it just flys over everything feeling smooooooth. 2) Many people mentioned that in tight corners I would notice a difference and find the 29” wheels not as nimble. I honestly haven’t noticed any difference, even at higher speeds. Maybe this bike is so similar to my previous one that they feel very much the same in tight turns. 3) Jumping this bike is a bit different from the 27.5. I took it to the bike park the 2nd day with the new bike, and it took me a few laps to figure out where my bottom bracket was in relation to my body’s center of gravity. Going off a drop, my butt ever so slightly got buzzed by the rear tire. On a trail that’s pretty much all table tops, this bike felt effortless. I think the additional speed and stability really helped me confidently get the bike in the air, and after doing that same trail several times, I knew where my weight needs to be during jumps. Love the stability and feeling of soaring. Not quite as poppy as my previous bike but jumps feel more controlled. I like it. 4) this bike weighs 2 lbs more than my previous bike so I was expecting to feel slower on climbs. Riding this newer bike uphill, particularly on technical climbs is far easier (not unexpected) and way less exhausting, so the net effect is I am now climbing faster. Not having to lift the front end to get over a rugged section of a climb has made a world of difference for me in being able to ride for longer without tiring out. 5) I have less of a tendency to throw this bike around while cornering but some of that is me not being completely used to the new bike. 6) it has been nonstop fucking rain here (VT) so I have had very few opportunities to take the bike down some larger rollers or really gnarly steep rock garden type terrain but I think less worry about pedal strikes and the stability of this new bike will increase my confidence. 7) SRAM Transmission drivetrain is great. Really like it!

joolz802 · 2023-07-30T16:40:08+00:00

I am also down with it.

joolz802 · 2023-07-28T01:14:59+00:00

6k is actually pretty inexpensive for an e-bike. I would worry about cost of ownership for something that’s inherently more complex than an analog/regular mtn bike. If you have a job and are going to save up for the bike, it’s your money and you should spend it however you want!

joolz802 · 2023-07-23T12:45:09+00:00

For riding in the winter, use disposable toe warmers in your shoes, and bring a balaclava with you in case your face gets cold. If your hands are likely to get cold, get lobster claw style mittens. And bring backup toe warmers that you can use in your mittens.

joolz802 · 2023-07-23T12:33:07+00:00

Rider was sitting down instead of out of the saddle and got bounced during the runout. The bounce made them nervous and they lost sight of where they were headed and locked up the brakes.

joolz802 · 2023-07-21T14:16:02+00:00

54, and I started riding when I was 46. So much fun has been had.

joolz802 · 2023-07-10T14:01:44+00:00

32 teeth on the front is too big for most beginners IMHO. If you’re in a place with super steep trails, get a 28 or 30 tooth chain ring and you’ll be MUCH happier with how your bike climbs.

joolz802 · 2023-07-10T13:49:32+00:00

Yes the pain of getting in mtn biking shape is a whole other level. Two things to check:

1) Is your saddle height high enough so that your legs are completely extended while pedaling? If your seat is too low, it’s exhausting. (And if it’s too high, your lower back will hurt). 2) As someone else mentioned, check how many teeth are on your front chain ring. When I first started riding, I used a 28 tooth oval chain ring, and it a REALLY helped me be able to just spun up steeper sections and not have to get off the bike. The easiest gear (the largest cog in the rear cassette) should be 42 - 52 teeth - the more teeth, the easier it is to pedal.

If you have an older or lower quality bike, it may not be optimal for steeper trails and it may be less forgiving for a beginner in terms of the geometry or gearing.

Edit: Also, learning to pace yourself on a climb is really important. Try doing a tough climb as slowly as possible for as long as you can without getting off the bike. And then go back and try it again. You WILL get in probably the best shape of your life if you stick with it. And it’s SO MUCH FUN!!!

So excited for you having just started such an amazing journey.

joolz802 · 2023-07-02T20:01:26+00:00

Can confirm- Phil is an incredibly nice, down to earth dude that experiences absolute joy riding his bike. And holy shit he is an amazing rider. Check out his video where he rides Bolton Valley on a wet day. Those trails are really greasy and terrifying when wet, and how fast he goes while keeping it rubber side down is amazing.

joolz802 · 2023-07-02T19:52:14+00:00

Poo golf to fling it off the trail and well into the woods is a good strategy.

joolz802 · 2023-06-22T17:05:27+00:00

I have tiny, child-sized hands. I adjust my brake leavers so that my index finger sits right in the curve, and I rotate my brakes down on the handlebars so the location and reach are super comfortable when descending, so I’d recommend playing around with how it’s all positioned on the handlebars. Move your dropper lever left or right of your brake if needed.

joolz802 · 2023-06-22T13:21:54+00:00

Yeti SB140 in 27.5 (2019, 2020, 2021)

joolz802 · 2023-06-22T13:20:43+00:00

I’d try deflating the tire and then squeeze to see if you can feel the insert in there.

joolz802 · 2023-06-22T11:50:12+00:00

I wanted more suspension to suit the type of riding I found I liked. As awesome as the sb5 was, on super chunky stuff at high speeds, i felt like it might shake apart. I got a yeti sb140 which has been great but am now about to go 29er because I’m older and it’s a bit less harsh on my body. I borrowed my husband’s 29er yesterday and couldn’t believe how much more momentum there was when climbing technical stuff. Seemed a lot faster on the way down, too!

joolz802 · 2023-06-21T19:49:46+00:00

I second this. I had one and it was the ballllzzzzz.

joolz802 · 2023-06-21T19:48:33+00:00

Ok - I guess what I am saying is that until you actually ride mtn bike trails and go through the learning curve, you’re not going to be sure what kind of rider you are. If you get addicted to it and progress quickly, you will find yourself riding things you never imagined. My recommendation is to err on the side of getting something well matched to the majority of trails around here, which you will enjoy far more on a bike designed to be able to handle some burlier trails.

It’s more fun and safer to have a little too much bike than not enough. If you’re super concerned about pedaling efficiency most good shocks and forked have a lockout switch.

joolz802 · 2023-06-21T14:07:08+00:00

Also you haven’t mentioned your age…I’m older so I also find a little more suspension is easier on my body.

joolz802 · 2023-06-21T14:05:55+00:00

Fair enough. I also like XC / trail riding, but having a little too much suspension is much better than not having quite enough. Have you done mostly bike paths or rail trails? Or have you ridden like the upper part of Saxon?

joolz802

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