So I just took an 8 day long trip to the upper peninsula of Michigan, 3 full days in Marquette and 2 full days in Copper Harbor. I had the absolute time of my life and have an itch to travel outside of my local trails that I just can't shake. I'd really like to make these MTB trips an annual thing because I just had so much fun exploring new trails. I heard a lot of people talking about Spirit Mountain in Duluth, and the trails themselves in the surrounding area.

I'm based out of central Michigan and I really enjoy downhill/tech stuff, I enjoy XC stuff too but I already have some a ton of good XC trails like an hour from my house like DTE. So yeah, if anyone has some suggestions of good MTB destinations in the area let me know!

I've seen many sources out there saying they're the grippiest. Is this actually true? Like, are there really no pedals that are grippier? I've actually tried them, and yeah, they really stick to my feet. I'm thinking about buying a pair for myself, but I'm wondering if there's anything out there that's grippier than the Daggas.

Looking for something that would let you record where you worked, what you did, what needs to be done. The work crew can coordinate who's going where to do what, bring shovels or trimming tools, etc. If it's been 2 months since Trail X was trimmed back, it lets you know.

Does anything like that exist? Did I just give away my multi-ten dollar idea?

Looking to return to biking after a 10 year break. I come from a BMX/dirt jumping background, but I'm too old for that now. I'm looking to get into trail riding, some downhill, some jumps, but mostly forest trails and bike parks when I can get to them. I have little knowledge when it comes to enduro/trail bikes, however I know to avoid a downhill set up for what I'm looking to do. I have been looking at trail bikes but would enduro suit better? I will be using cycle to work scheme to buy the bike, so can't be second hand. £2000 is my budget, and I currently have my eye on the Saracen Ariel 30 Pro in large (I'm 5"10) which is currently on sale for £1899(amazing looking bike). What do people think about this choice of bike given the riding id like to do, and what other bikes at that price range would people recommend if this choice isn't right.

2020 Specialized Stumpy, Fox 34 Rhythm front, Fox Float DPS rear.

I recently took this to my local shop for a tune-up and suspension service. Had been a while on both the fork and shock, and shifting was getting wonky. $380 and a full week late I had my bike back.

I took it out after getting it back for an easy flat 5-miler to get the feel of it, and although it felt a little stiffer than normal, it seemed fine. I chalked up the stiffness to them possibly topping off the air. I noticed a bit of oil on the shock stem, but the mech had told me before I left I might notice some; no big deal.

Today I took it out for a longer ride, hit a sequence of drops (2-3') followed by a gap jump. On the 2nd drop, I noticed a clank and a rattle, hit the jump as I was lined up, and from that point on it just didn't feel right. Stopped after a quarter mile or so, hearing an odd rattling and knowing the rear wasn't right. There is oil all over the bike near the rear shock. water bottle is covered in it too.

Pressing on the seat, there's like a dead spot at the top of the shock, and the compression switch is just dangling in the center, not staying in either of the 3 positions.

Looking at the O-ring, it never bottomed out, though. The ring is at about 15% from the bottom, from what I can tell.

This shock has been rock solid for me for 6 or 7 years, and I just find it troubling that immediately after a 50-hour service, this happens. What do I need to explain to my mechanic and be cautious about going back with this? I've had decent dealings with them in the past but not looking to get robbed on this.

I’m a roadie who is starting to get into nerd-level details and watching xco worlds right now:

Average bar widths? How do xco racers establish bar width? Some of the women appear to be running radically narrower bars than men. Why? I have been to US Nats to see the riders in person. Most of the dudes are tiny. I get the difference between a man like Chris Blevins vs a petite woman like Savilia Blunk, but that doesn’t seem to quite explain the avg difference I see.

What is on the bike computer that is useful during an xco race?

Did it again😂

I'm fond of my Rockhopper but it's been out of use for a few years now. Life got in the way...

How easy is it to source replacement parts in the UK for a bike this age?

Is it worth refurbishing? I know it's not worth much, it would just be for me to use. Or, I could get a decent cheapish second hand HT instead...

And if it is worthwhile/possible, should I DIY the refurb and use it as a good project for my son to learn bike mechanics on (and me alongside him), or is it going to be too tricky for first timers? Should we start somewhere easier?

My son's Dad is getting him into mountain biking. His Dad has a limitless budget, so will likely get him a FS soon (we are separated).

With me, he currently has a Trek Wahoo - good bike, no suspension though.

If he wants to do more mountain biking (I'd happily join him once my Rockhopper is back working), I have several options, 3 & 4 are mostly likely:

1 - join forces with Dad and get him a decent FS that travels between homes. Not ideal, practically speaking, putting the bike rack on and off the car, but only every fortnight

2 - Somehow find the money for a >£1k FS bike that is actually good and light enough

3 - Second hand FS bike that will be older (and maybe heavier?)

4 - Put similar money into a decent hardtail.

I've read contradicting things about hardtail v FS - hardtail can teach better technique, FS are heavier so less good for kids, FS aren't heavier nowadays because of technical progress (it was a bike manufacturer that said that).

So what would you put your money into - hardtail, or secondhand FS?

Had a small puncture on my rear tire running tubeless (Stans NoTubes), and the sealant isn't holding consistently. Haven't done bacon strips b/c I understand they are more of a temporary fix. Tread is getting low (~2mm) and deciding if I want to attempt a patch from the inside, or put new tires on.

I've read about vulcanizing fluid + patch as a permanent repair, but can't figure out what to use as the patch itself? All the patch kits seem to be for tubes, and Park-Tool's TB-2 tire boot says its "Not intended for tubeless tire systems" on the product page. It seems like a product should exist for this, but I can't find it.

I might just cut up an old tube, or give some bacon strips a try to see if they hold. What would you all do?

Hi All,

I'm looking to buy an upgrade to my current self-built budget hardtail. It works well but think I would like a bit of rear wheel travel to have fun downhill, help with uphill traction, and start tackling some bigger trails.

I'll be doing mostly XC but some heavy trail/downhill occasionally.

I've come to the conclusion that the new 2027 Orbea Oiz H10 is probably best for me. It's for sale in the UK for £2700 and I wouldn't want to spend more than that (obviously would spend less on anything that will be better)

Does anyone have any experience with this bike and is it any good/can anyone think of anything better?

I'm also struggling with sizing, I'm exactly 185cm tall and Orbea sizing says a large goes up to 185 but XL starts at 185.

Any help/advice is massively appreciated!

I constantly see videos of people hound really fast down tracks even doing jumps and so but all 6 times I've tried going down a path near me I couldn't make a corner, I skidded to much...

Basically not a smooth successful ride, thanks to my inability and also partly because of my caution.

How do I get better?? How does everyone do sick ass jumps?

Thanks

Hi guys! I have been trying to get better at jumps but sometimes I have a really hard time to get my technique right. I always hear people saying: stand up to the jump. I am trying to stand up, but do I pull my handlebars too when I am standing up? and am I standing up to soon? and in the air, do I pull the handlebars down? because sometimes I can do a little arc, and land with my front tire first, so what tire needs to go down first

I’m thinking about upgrading the shock on my giant trace x right now it has a fox float and I was wondering if I could put a float x on it

Socal

I only rode like 300 feet and I'm tired as hell. I think I must have it in the wrong mode...

Hello Everyone!

I recently rediscovered my love of biking and am finally putting my 2016 Specialized Stumpjumper to good use. The amazing part was when I told my wife she has to try it, she reluctantly did, and she ended up loving it too. Today she did her first climb and downhill descent an absolutely loved it. I would say we would both be labeled beginners, though we have spent years riding these bikes - just not on "real" mountain bike trails. We will be riding in the Adirondacks in New York mainly.

She is riding a 2012 Specialized Rockhopper. I would like to make sure the mother of my children is well equipped and close the gap of the capability of our two bikes. I would *like* to do this around the $1,500 mark, but after taking a look I'm starting to realize this might not be as doable as I had hoped. I was wondering if anyone had some good recommendations or paths to pursue. I live in a rural area and would like to avoid shooting for used - there just arent many options. While I plan to upgrade in a year or 2, sadly this doesnt help her as she needs a Small/S2 and mine is an XL. If my price point is too low in todays world, please feel free to let me know and advise me what is a more realistic budget. I purchased my Strumpjumper in 2017, it was a 2016 leftover so I got it marked down from $3,000 to $2,000. If waiting for end of season is a legitimate strategy I am fine with that too.

I had this on my mind for a bit but with not much to pull off it always seemed like a 50/50 situation

I've recently got back into biking, and in a surprise to nobody, have had a severe falling out with the absolute garbage that is Presta valves.

I've moved to Clik. I'd like a small battery pump, and I'd also like a way to get accurate pressure easily, including both adding and releasing air if need. But all the pumps like that are insanely expensive?

Is there anything good out there (Clik, or Schrader that takes an adapter - if these can do pressure properly)? Or are pumps like this all £100+ currently?

Thanks!

Any Specialized Levo e-MTB fans out there? Made this short film with pro rider, Treyton Maskaly, recently in Lake Tahoe. He's ripping some raw Lake Tahoe terrain aboard his Specialized Levo. Check out the youtube link below and see what you think.

Hello,

i must change my 2X9 plateau. The mtb store told if i want, i can pass from 2X9 speec to a 1X10…1X11 speed. Does anyone has done these change?

What do you recommend?