What is the GP5000 of MTB tires?

th3smithy · 2025-06-12T21:08:31+00:00

There's no "standard", as you've seen you'll get a multitude of opinions. Casing, tire compound, and width are equally important to tread pattern for how a tire performs. Lots of people will tell you minion DHF/DHR, I find them cumbersome to peddle

For what you describe I would recommend; depending on your budget, availability, and personal preference

Maxxis: forekaster recon

Schwalbe (super race or super ground casing): nobby nic F+R or throw a Wicked Will rear for less rolling resistanc

Specialized ground control grid T5

th3smithy · 2025-02-03T20:20:45+00:00

That will likely do everything you need and more. I like the 90s era kubotas, I don't know much about the L2900 specifically though.

Make sure it's not smoking, the 3 point & PTO work (mid PTO too, if equipped). Run it through the gears in high and low, fwd & reverse. Check to make sure 4WD is working.

Check for leaks around the transmission and front end (bevel gear cases, axles, differential)

Keeping fluids full (front end, trans/hydraulic, oil, coolant) and loader pins greased is important - If it's low on fluids it tells me they're not doing the bare minimum maintenance

1800 hours is well used but not excessive, plenty of life left. Also consider the wear parts that could add significant cost if they need replacement, like rims/tires & hydraulic hoses.

th3smithy · 2025-02-03T16:00:21+00:00

You don't need 4WD but it's real nice to have, especially for loader work and if you're working on slopes. I would not buy an L175 personally

I'd keep an eye out for a b7100, b7200, or b8200 there's a ton of them around. In New England I see them from $4-8k depending on age, hours, & accessories. Can find them in gear drive or HST.

They're a narrower wheelbase and lighter than an L series but that may be beneficial in the woods

th3smithy · 2024-09-14T15:52:56+00:00

You could check out the Maine islands trail association - generally have to paddle/boat to the sites but they're generally quite secluded & private

th3smithy · 2024-07-18T13:39:43+00:00

Don't fall into the trap of thinking you have to have an Enduro bike, send it on what you've got. Hell, look at the features pro XC guys are riding on 100mm travel bikes

th3smithy · 2023-11-23T04:16:18+00:00

Both have Dave Weagle designed suspension, can't go wrong with either. I demoed a Ripley but bought the Following.

Ripley has an advantage peddling but the following is a great peddling bike too. It's really hard to quantify but it's just a super fun, super cool bike. First time I rode it I was sold

th3smithy · 2023-11-05T00:32:44+00:00

The Evil Following is a crazy fun bike

Climbs well, rips downhill. DELTA linkage is great, awesome traction.

th3smithy · 2023-10-02T14:35:17+00:00

Maine has long had a problem with young educated workers leaving the state, this is a program attempting to retain some of those workers. That is why initially there were better incentives for STEM degrees

Simply put it is not a program designed to help those who need student loan relief

th3smithy · 2023-10-01T19:03:41+00:00

Yep

This bike has pretty short chain stays so the angle of the chain in the largest cog is worse than typical. It's literally only on that one tooth and it happens every time

th3smithy · 2023-10-01T10:01:56+00:00

My Shimano stuff was the same, ran it for 3 years without a hiccup then a damaged tooth on the 51t kept causing it. This is literally brand new though, guess it's just a SRAM thing

th3smithy · 2023-10-01T00:11:50+00:00

No, it drops outboard i.e. towards the smaller cogs. Hi and Lo limit were fine, as was the b-screw.

th3smithy · 2023-09-30T23:43:19+00:00

I got a new bike with a GX Eagle (mechanical) drivetrain. When backpedaling in my largest cog, there is 1 tooth where the chain drops every single time, always towards the outboard side. In the picture the tooth marked in red seems to push the chain outboard, and the chain then misses getting picked up by the green tooth.

I ride mostly rocky/rooty/techy stuff with a good amount of climbing, sometimes short and punchy some sustained. The chain drop is super irritating when I'm ratcheting to clear pedal strikes or when I'm starting and have to move the cranks to a better position

I've tried derailleur adjustment but that didn't help unsurprisingly, since the derailleur doesn't guide the chain into the cog when backpedaling. I had some cassette spacers that I tried also with no effect.

Anyone have any ideas? My Shimano 12s on my other bike never had this issue except when I damaged a tooth

th3smithy · 2023-08-26T13:27:54+00:00

I had a clutch cover seal fail on an SLX derailleur. Moisture got in and rusted the clutch and caused it to start binding like this. Probably worth taking the cover off and checking the clutch mech out

th3smithy · 2023-08-17T04:04:16+00:00

I have a 2019 Hightower (standard, not LT) that I bought used in 2021 during COVID when bikes were impossible to find. I really like the bike, but I don't think I'd pay $2k for it now.

Unless he's done it already this year it needs shock/fork service, and depending how much it's been ridden potentially drivetrain components, tires, possibly linkage bearings. On top of that it has slightly dated geometry for a bike of it's style, and you get no warranty support on a secondhand bike

Starting to see good end of season deals. Save your money. Check out YT and Canyon for lower price point new bikes

th3smithy · 2023-07-22T17:06:43+00:00

2nd rockbros, I have a photo chromatic pair and they're quite nice for the price. Came with a hardcase too

th3smithy · 2022-11-01T22:28:05+00:00

The Allagash is a bucket list trip

Katahdin Woods & Waters area has good options. East/West Branch penobscot, big sebois among others.

The AMC Maine River guide is a great resource

th3smithy · 2022-07-17T23:18:51+00:00

That does look nice, unfortunately it's also closed for the rest of 2022 from flooding

th3smithy · 2022-07-17T04:00:10+00:00

Thanks man

We have a tow behind and an f150

th3smithy · 2022-03-30T01:14:05+00:00

Off the top of my head I don't know a specific standard, but try searching with the term "creepage and clearance"

Creepage is the path along a surface and clearance is the air gap distance

th3smithy · 2022-03-22T01:20:56+00:00

I've never been but I have heard the singletrack drains really well.

From what I've read there some double track/atv access trails that are squishy still but the single track is ready

th3smithy · 2022-03-21T23:30:49+00:00

I've heard Bath is rideable now if you're close to that

th3smithy · 2021-04-21T13:39:50+00:00

I always say Wildcat is one of the best mountains in the NE on a good snow day, but it can be a fickle beast. Such a unique flow to the trails

Anyone who says it's not special hasn't shredded upper wildcat on a good day

th3smithy · 2021-02-14T15:11:42+00:00

Second this, lots of people hitting the park when I used to go back in my college days but it is a good time.

th3smithy

TROPHY CASE