Anyone into mountain biking?

[Quick281]

I am now in Alaska (thread to come with pics later) and looking for a bike. I don't need a 8,000 downhill riding bike but I would like something above the 100 dollar beater at Walmart.

I was hoping to scan craigslist and find a good deal but at the same time I would like to get one in the next day or two before I start working my two jobs.

Called this guy and the bike works fine except for the front sprocket derailer isn't working. Worth it?

http://anchorage.craigslist.org/bik/1152874349.html

Trying to find something in Wasilla since I will be heading down there today anyways.

[Evadd]

if it's a just a front derailleur problem, it shouldn't be a tough fix. without more info, it could also be the shifter which also isn't a big deal, but it could be something more severe like the front cassette is all mangled, which will be more costly. i have no idea what the going price is on that bike in the first place, though. so basically, i'm of no use to you.

[RACER X]

maybe the bottom bracket is fragged.........dunno how a ft sporckets gets froze up

make sure to go visit the Pailins when your in wasilla :pat:

[azoomm]

www.mtbr.com

Ed - for the LOVE OF GOD can you please post something that at least appears to be in English? I mean, REALLY. :nee:

[Quick281]

Thanks guys. I have heard and seen the specialized name alot so I figure it wouldn't be a hard bike to find parts on and stuff like that. For 250 I am in the ballpark that a nice walmart bike would run me but getting a better bike in the deal.

Unless anyone screams NO while driving, I will be sure to pick it up after checking out a couple bike shops.

btw: You are like the 1 billionth person that has told me to say hi to Palin while in Alaska.:rant:

[Particle Man]

Thanks guys. I have heard and seen the specialized name alot so I figure it wouldn't be a hard bike to find parts on and stuff like that.

regardless of who makes the frame, you can find a new front derailleur at any bike shop.

Word to the wise: when replacing gears and shifters, pay more for the quality stuff... any mid-range Shimano stuff will work if you're riding recreationally.

[Quick281]

Btw, the guy said the bike is ridable but only the front sprocket won't shift. So its not like I can't pedal it.

[Particle Man]

Btw, the guy said the bike is ridable but only the front sprocket won't shift. So its not like I can't pedal it.
hell, it may be something as simple as a broken cable

hard to see from the pic, but it looks like it has rapid fire shifters... the little end on the cable may have broken off so it looks like it's shifting but it really isn't. Easy to fix...

[Quick281]

Thanks, I am going to take off now and look at it this afternoon. It should be a simple fix and I believe the bike cost in the 350 to 400s new.

I will check out the bike shops around town first.

I will post up when I get home.

[azoomm]

Thanks guys. I have heard and seen the specialized name alot so I figure it wouldn't be a hard bike to find parts on and stuff like that.

Our Specialized is now a Special Ed :whistle:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b56/azoomm/_Bicycle/Bicycle017.jpg

mtbr is my favorite resource for bicycles in general - not just Mountain Bikes. They're a quirky bunch - but, for the most part reliable. And, have some killer deals in their Hot Deals section. That would be for parts AND completed bikes.

We just converted our office into the bicycle room - 10 in there hanging off the walls right now :lol:

[Tsunami]

We just converted our office into the bicycle room - 10 in there hanging off the walls right now :lol:

Holy crap, why do you need so many bicycles? Motorcycles i can understand...

[Particle Man]

Holy crap, why do you need so many bicycles? Motorcycles i can understand...

because they can :)

[Tsunami]

because they can :)

good point :lol:

Like my dad use to say, why do you have so many shoes? you only have 2 feet. :lol:

[Amber Lamps]

I am now in Alaska (thread to come with pics later) and looking for a bike. I don't need a 8,000 downhill riding bike but I would like something above the 100 dollar beater at Walmart.

I was hoping to scan craigslist and find a good deal but at the same time I would like to get one in the next day or two before I start working my two jobs.

Called this guy and the bike works fine except for the front sprocket derailer isn't working. Worth it?

http://anchorage.craigslist.org/bik/1152874349.html

Trying to find something in Wasilla since I will be heading down there today anyways.

Tell the guy $150 and buy it. Bicycle repairs are pretty cheap usually and you can get that entire assembly for a couple hundred max. In fact if there is a bike shop around you they may have it used for cheap do to an upgrade. A specialized USED to be an exceptional bike but now they are made in China like everything else and have suffered some quality issues on the lower end bikes like these. Even with that said, you will be happy that you spent the extra cash instead of going to Walmart. When you go to look at it just make sure the derailleur isn't totally jacked up. If it isn't you may be able to free it up with some time and some really good lube. Heck, the cable may just be jammed up or ill adjusted.

[Smittie61984]

btw: You are like the 1 billionth person that has told me to say hi to Palin while in Alaska.:rant:

Tag Palin and her daughters and video and then post in Dark Alley. I think a nipple exception for that vid could be excepted.

My buddy has that exact specialized except it has mechanical disc brakes. Nothing wrong with V-brakes, infact they can stop a freight train (so be careful), but they'll squeel like hell if wet or get enough dirt between the pads.

Azoom. Nice SS!

I love bicycling. Infact it has kind of taken over my motorcycling a good bit but that's cause I'm trying to loose a decent bit of weight.

[Quick281]

Well I picked it up after offering the guy 180 and he said 200 was the lowest he would take. I checked it out and took it home. Pretty paint is beat up but mechanically the bike is fine. Also has some mud flaps and ice tires installed but the guy threw in two new street tires which was cool.

I still feel I did ok compared to a wally world bike and I think the derailer may just be jammed up but nothing difficult.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/pootiestang/Talkeetna09090.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/pootiestang/Talkeetna09091.jpg

[Quick281]

I love bicycling. Infact it has kind of taken over my motorcycling a good bit but that's cause I'm trying to loose a decent bit of weight.

I would really like to get my Gixxer sent up here but for now I wanted a bike to get around so I could avoid firing up the diesel for a 3 mile drive. I am also trying to slim down a bit which is a bonus.

[Evadd]

nice grab.

hard to tell from the pics - if those are plastic pedals, get some metal ones or you might be finding yourself walking home from a good ride when a plastic one cracks. in any case, clipless go a long way in making it easier on you.

why's the seat so low?

[Smittie61984]

The seat is pretty low. For your seat height you want to sit on the seat and have it so that when your pedal is all the way down that your leg is almost extended. Don't lock your knee out.

The pedals are the factory pedals. They work okay but some nice platforms work great too.

[Particle Man]

nice grab.

hard to tell from the pics - if those are plastic pedals, get some metal ones or you might be finding yourself walking home from a good ride when a plastic one cracks. in any case, clipless go a long way in making it easier on you.

why's the seat so low?

definitely go with either clipless or a decent set of cages so you get power out of the up-stroke as well as the down-stroke when you're pedaling...

just don't come cryin' when muscles you didn't know you even had start complaining about it :lol:

[Evadd]

definitely go with either clipless or a decent set of cages so you get power out of the up-stroke as well as the down-stroke when you're pedaling...

just don't come cryin' when muscles you didn't know you even had start complaining about it :lol:
not to mention the crotch pain. :panic:

[Particle Man]

not to mention the crotch pain. :panic:

that also happens if you don't know how to use the clipless pedals... :lol:

[azoomm]

OMG that poor bike - do it a favor and clean EVERYTHING. Then, lube.

Not a bad bike - congrats!! I agree with the others on the clipless for mountain bikes. That shit hurts when you're falling one direction and can't unclip, though it makes for really funny video.

[Rider]

Beat up? That thing looks almost brand new. Shit you should see my GT since my son got his hands on it. Fucking thing looks likes it been through a war.

[Switch]

I just picked up a Trek Fuel EX7. I am happy. It's a pretty fun sport.

[Quick281]

Thanks for the replies folks. I am going to find a hose somewhere on property and then wash it down a bit. Then lube it up!

I put the new tires on it and will head down to town and put some air in them. I also worked on the derailer thing and it is simply rusted up. I will probably look into ordering a new one tonight. The seat is at the height of the old rider, I haven't really done anything but a quick parking lot ride.

[Amber Lamps]

Thanks for the replies folks. I am going to find a hose somewhere on property and then wash it down a bit. Then lube it up!

I put the new tires on it and will head down to town and put some air in them. I also worked on the derailer thing and it is simply rusted up. I will probably look into ordering a new one tonight. The seat is at the height of the old rider, I haven't really done anything but a quick parking lot ride.

Try Quick Silver on the derailleur it may free it up.

[Quick281]

Took it for a nice ride this afternoon. Maybe 2 hours of riding? Bike rides nice and straight but the front shock might as well not exist. I thought my arms were going to flop right off after a long down hill gravel road. Brakes are fine and once the front derailer is fixed, I am ready to rock.

On a side note, anyone use Camelback to hydrate? I just bought one and I was wondering whether I need to empty it out after each use or what I should be doing to keep it clean.

[Amber Lamps]

Took it for a nice ride this afternoon. Maybe 2 hours of riding? Bike rides nice and straight but the front shock might as well not exist. I thought my arms were going to flop right off after a long down hill gravel road. Brakes are fine and once the front derailer is fixed, I am ready to rock.

On a side note, anyone use Camelback to hydrate? I just bought one and I was wondering whether I need to empty it out after each use or what I should be doing to keep it clean.


The shock may be adjustable...

[Smittie61984]

Took it for a nice ride this afternoon. Maybe 2 hours of riding? Bike rides nice and straight but the front shock might as well not exist. I thought my arms were going to flop right off after a long down hill gravel road. Brakes are fine and once the front derailer is fixed, I am ready to rock.

On a side note, anyone use Camelback to hydrate? I just bought one and I was wondering whether I need to empty it out after each use or what I should be doing to keep it clean.

You really do want your shocks to be fairly stiff. I keep mine that way. I've kept it soft before and it's a recipe for disaster. If you keep it too soft you'll bottom out going over say a root and then before it has a chance to rebound you hit somehting else and it will throw you over the bars.

Definetely empty the camelbak after each use. Infact what i do is empty it and then wrap it up and put it in the freezer. I've kept water in there before to just empty it out and put more water in. Very bad combo. I've gotten sicker than hell from bad water and it isn't fun (especially when it hits you in the middle of the ride about 6miles from anything).

[Quick281]

The shock may be adjustable...

I did fiddle with the preload and noticed no difference.

You really do want your shocks to be fairly stiff. I keep mine that way. I've kept it soft before and it's a recipe for disaster. If you keep it too soft you'll bottom out going over say a root and then before it has a chance to rebound you hit somehting else and it will throw you over the bars.

Definetely empty the camelbak after each use. Infact what i do is empty it and then wrap it up and put it in the freezer. I've kept water in there before to just empty it out and put more water in. Very bad combo. I've gotten sicker than hell from bad water and it isn't fun (especially when it hits you in the middle of the ride about 6miles from anything).

Thanks for the advice, I am going to put mine in the freezer of my mini fridge right now. Seems like a great way to slow/cease bacteria.

[Krabill]

When I first saw your picture I was going to suggest getting rid of that RST fork, but I didn't want to assume what type of riding you'd be doing. They're fine for easy bike path type of stuff, but pretty much worthless for real mtb riding as you've found out.

You'll need to replace it with a real fork if you're going to do any serious riding.

As far as the camelbak issue goes, empty it and let it dry out every night. I've got an actual camelback hanger that goes down inside to hold it open so it dries completely. It will stay new and clean for a long time if you take care of it. Leaving liquid in it will cause it to get nasty in a hurry.

[Evadd]

that also happens if you don't know how to use the clipless pedals... :lol:
i'm pretty sure if you haven't ridden a bike in 6 months or longer, the day after your first real ride you will have some crotchitis no matter what your technique.

[Particle Man]

i'm pretty sure if you haven't ridden a bike in 6 months or longer, the day after your first real ride you will have some crotchitis no matter what your technique.

I was talking more balls-on-bar contact

[azoomm]

Thanks for the advice, I am going to put mine in the freezer of my mini fridge right now. Seems like a great way to slow/cease bacteria.

A bit of vinegar mixed with water will take care of that too... just make sure to dry it out after use and no problemo!!

[Smittie61984]

Oh yeah. Get yourself some nice biking shorts. You can get the tights or "baggies' which look like normal shorts but have underwear like tights with padding. They run around $60 or so but are 100% worth it.

[Quick281]

When I first saw your picture I was going to suggest getting rid of that RST fork, but I didn't want to assume what type of riding you'd be doing. They're fine for easy bike path type of stuff, but pretty much worthless for real mtb riding as you've found out.

You'll need to replace it with a real fork if you're going to do any serious riding.

As far as the camelbak issue goes, empty it and let it dry out every night. I've got an actual camelback hanger that goes down inside to hold it open so it dries completely. It will stay new and clean for a long time if you take care of it. Leaving liquid in it will cause it to get nasty in a hurry.

Thanks for the advice. I will deal with the shocks for now but the front might get an upgrade if I hang onto the bike through the winter.

i'm pretty sure if you haven't ridden a bike in 6 months or longer, the day after your first real ride you will have some crotchitis no matter what your technique.

Um the crotch is fine, the ass hurts like hell today.

Oh yeah. Get yourself some nice biking shorts. You can get the tights or "baggies' which look like normal shorts but have underwear like tights with padding. They run around $60 or so but are 100% worth it.

I see that now. Thanks for the advice. Maybe after a paycheck or two I will look into it.

[azoomm]

Um the crotch is fine, the ass hurts like hell today.

Now, that's something you don't read everyday... :whistle:

[Quick281]

I don't live an every day life. :)