New front triangle, fresh brakes, complete suspension service including dampers, new tires, and after 32 years on 175mm cranks I'm trying it 170mm...
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Nice!! Looking good!!New front triangle, fresh brakes, complete suspension service including dampers, new tires, and after 32 years on 175mm cranks I'm trying it 170mm...
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That’s bad ass!New front triangle, fresh brakes, complete suspension service including dampers, new tires, and after 32 years on 175mm cranks I'm trying it 170mm...
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I stayed with my normal gearing: 10-50 with a 34 up front. I only have 1 quick ride yesterday on this setup (10 miles) b/c I'm racing gravel tomorrow. I feel like my RPE was a little lower with the shorter cranks. Based on a real short ride I am happy, I'm going to run this set up for a while.@jbell
Did you change your chain ring size? With the 165mm cranks I purchased 34T, 32T and 30T to try them all out. It's pretty flat here so the 30T might never make it on the bike. Also, did you feel any difference in peddle cadence?
Good to know. Thanks for the reply.I stayed with my normal gearing: 10-50 with a 34 up front. I only have 1 quick ride yesterday on this setup (10 miles) b/c I'm racing gravel tomorrow. I feel like my RPE was a little lower with the shorter cranks. Based on a real short ride I am happy, I'm going to run this set up for a while.
I'm thinking about going shorter on my gravel bike too.
2.4 Aspen! They are the best XC tire I have ridden & I have tried a LOT of tires. I have many thousands of miles on these tires. When mounted on a 25mm (narrowest I would ever recommend) up to 30mm internal rim width they truly outclass everything as far as minimalist tread XC tire (Weight, rolling resistance in all conditions, traction in all directions, durability, and ease of gettin on and off most rims). I regularly ride them on the road and can be within a MPH or two average (as long as the course isn’t too climby) of my Crux with 35mm slicks. Dont get me wrong you will not have DHF/DHR traction but you will also not feel like your dragging boat anchors.@jbell
Are you using Aspen 29x2.25 or 29x2.4? I have the 29x2.25 and I have always used skinny tires for xc. However, I just came across an older video stating that wider is better for xc and I’m looking for some advice on sizing. The vid made some really good points, so just looking for opinions on sizing.
I appreciate the response. I think that I will give the 2.4 Aspens a try.2.4 Aspen! They are the best XC tire I have ridden & I have tried a LOT of tires. I have many thousands of miles on these tires. When mounted on a 25mm (narrowest I would ever recommend) up to 30mm internal rim width they truly outclass everything as far as minimalist tread XC tire (Weight, rolling resistance in all conditions, traction in all directions, durability, and ease of gettin on and off most rims). I regularly ride them on the road and can be within a MPH or two average (as long as the course isn’t too climby) of my Crux with 35mm slicks. Dont get me wrong you will not have DHF/DHR traction but you will also not feel like your dragging boat anchors.
Turbo Levo mullet here. Dial in whatever workout desired, and ripFun pedal assist, full suspension, nice top speed. Can average 18mph on the 10 mile local course I can run...
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You liking that Assegai?Pre riding all the stages of the Grand Enduro for next weekend. Took some time to look at line options....I'll be happy just spectating on this one.
I'm getting to the point I don't ride all the "Features" even on a good day, this course is pretty nasty. We helped a couple guys get their buddy off the high speed "Ribbon" stage with a severly broken ankle....Ouch. Really puts you in check for the rest of the ride.
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Yep, crashing sucks more the older we get. Hope it heals on it's own my friend, had one bolted back together in '09.My last ride a couple of days ago was good until my handle bars hit a tree gate. Since I cut the handle bars down to 720mm I have been getting more risky. On a slight down hill section, at Erwin Park in McKinney, I caught the tree and I didn't even hit the brakes. I was too late I was OTB. I didn't feel like I got hurt to bad until the next day, sucks getting old, my shoulder is kinda fucked up. Hopefully, I can get back out soon.
Turbo Levo mullet here. Dial in whatever workout desired, and rip
We typically ride the Minion DHF, but found a killer deal on the Assegai last year and the Minion was nowhere to be found locally so I thought what the heck.You liking that Assegai?
Ha....that's great!! Had a guy come around me on a gravel bike like I was tied to a stump the other day. We were on a short dirt road back to the truck so I gave chase for about 300 feet....after that he just walked away from me I didn't have a chance!!Getting some disapproving looks in the parking lot. Wish I could see their faces after they hear "on your left"...
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I gotta hit you up about riding in Arkansas other than just the Bentonville area. The family group has been eyeballing some areas in Arkansas to move to and we might buy in on the property purchase also.Does anyone know what yesterday was???
New bike day!!’
Took the plunge to snag an ebike. Keeping my acoustic bike too but this is going to be great for getting in more riding when pressed for time.
Just got it built, still have to get it out for a shake down ride and a few other upgrades.
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Gorgeous eMTB!!! My analogue bike hit the for sale block after riding my eMTB for just a couple of weeks. You can tailor the workout using the assist level and go faster or further which really adds some snap to a workout ride. I live in some very flat terrain but have a 10-15 mile preserve in my backyard that has two track and single track. I can rip around and get all of that done in 40-60 minutes. With the assist level button, I keep my HR at the planned levels the whole time. Game changer.Does anyone know what yesterday was???
New bike day!!’
Took the plunge to snag an ebike. Keeping my acoustic bike too but this is going to be great for getting in more riding when pressed for time.
Just got it built, still have to get it out for a shake down ride and a few other upgrades.
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Gorgeous eMTB!!! My analogue bike hit the for sale block after riding my eMTB for just a couple of weeks. You can tailor the workout using the assist level and go faster or further which really adds some snap to a workout ride. I live in some very flat terrain but have a 10-15 mile preserve in my backyard that has two track and single track. I can rip around and get all of that done in 40-60 minutes. With the assist level button, I keep my HR at the planned levels the whole time. Game changer.
I gotta hit you up about riding in Arkansas other than just the Bentonville area. The family group has been eyeballing some areas in Arkansas to move to and we might buy in on the property purchase also.
Same, my wife and I are planning a recon trip to North West and North Central Arkansas. Sort climbing and cycling are our priorities. I would love any info y'all can provide!I gotta hit you up about riding in Arkansas other than just the Bentonville area. The family group has been eyeballing some areas in Arkansas to move to and we might buy in on the property purchase also.
I know the group is looking more north central, I want to be further west as there is a TON of riding. Some people go to Bentonville and say its not enough natural tech blablabla (STILL FUN!). There is plenty of natural riding like in Hobbs, Leatherwood, Passion Play, Syllamo.... I have not ridden anything that is further south. Hopefully this summer and fall we will be making more trips. It will be a bunch easier when my 12 yo is just a couple years older and can handle a bunch more riding. We may go to Bentonville in JulySame, my wife and I are planning a recon trip to North West and North Central Arkansas. Sort climbing and cycling are our priorities. I would love any info y'all can provide!
Always wanted to visit Bentonville ever since MTB magazine did the Bible of bikes test there several years ago.We usually stay at the RV park in Bella Vista as you can ride right over to slaughter pen or hit the trails in Bella Vista or Huntl
Come on and ride here Think you would be pleasantly surprised at all Arkansas has to offer. Lots to do and see in NWA.Always wanted to visit Bentonville ever since MTB magazine did the Bible of bikes test there several years ago.
I’ve never been to Arkansas
What's your overall opinion of living in Arkansas? The politics seem ok, people are good southern folk from what I have seen. But what is you opinion of cost of living for someone who's kids are gone?Come on and ride here Think you would be pleasantly surprised at all Arkansas has to offer. Lots to do and see in NWA.
It really depends on where you go in Arkansas. I’ve lived in a few areas of the state and NWA is the best by far. It has the most diverse range of activities and terrain. It’s also quite a bit more upscale and better maintained.What's your overall opinion of living in Arkansas? The politics seem ok, people are good southern folk from what I have seen. But what is you opinion of cost of living for someone who's kids are gone?
It's a blast. Bentonville area has a ton of fun trails a variety of riding. You can go out to lake Leatherwood, Nebo for some more elevation.Always wanted to visit Bentonville ever since MTB magazine did the Bible of bikes test there several years ago.
I’ve never been to Arkansas
We usually stay at the RV park in Bella Vista as you can ride right over to slaughter pen or hit the trails in Bella Vista or Huntley
I liked that spot as it is right there to hit back 40 and just a couple mile easy cruise to Slaughter Pen. Last time we were there we kept getting rained out and pretty much just rode the back 40 and Rail Yard until the last day. We went to Huntley and Coler the time before. My wife would like a more like a state park spot with a bit more room instead of " a giant parking lot"That’s a nice little spot. Not sure how many places you’ve explored from there but you’re also riding distance from the Wonderland trails and several of the trails connected into the Back40.
For people saying they want more natural stuff, it’s around. You named a few and there’s also like 50+ miles of trail cut through Bella Vista, Handcut Hollow, Centennial Park and several others if you know where to go.
I love the flowy jump trails. The eBike is going to help me more enjoy the XC style riding my wife likes too.
Lived here on and off all of my life and won’t go anywhere else , so I’m biased probably ? I live in the Arkansas River Valley on the River , between the Ozarks and the Ouachita ( wash-a-tah) Mountains. Only other places I would live is NWA , East of there until the Heber Srings area , then South to Hot Springs area. I HATE the Little Rock area , lived and almost died there Conway area used to be cool , too crowded now The Western parts of the state is nice around Mena , Greenwood , S of Ft Smith. Land is available , prices for homes and land vary by sections of the state you look. The BAD is property taxes are high , sales taxes suck and vary County to county.What's your overall opinion of living in Arkansas? The politics seem ok, people are good southern folk from what I have seen. But what is you opinion of cost of living for someone who's kids are gone?
I liked that spot as it is right there to hit back 40 and just a couple mile easy cruise to Slaughter Pen. Last time we were there we kept getting rained out and pretty much just rode the back 40 and Rail Yard until the last day. We went to Huntley and Coler the time before. My wife would like a more like a state park spot with a bit more room instead of " a giant parking lot"
How is it there in July and August? I imagine hot and somewhat humid. It shouldn't be much different than North Texas, we ride early or start riding about the last hour of daylight or put the lights on and hit it at sunset. Every time we have been there is been November and January.
I figure they might be low in comparison to other states , but so are incomes.What do you consider high property taxes? I think ours are 2%
No problem at all Marine When you recon the area in Spring give me a heads up !Thank you Sandhog308. I grew up in North Georgia so I know bugs & snakes. My wife is from Maine so... But she is well traveled and can handle most anything.
I have lived in Maine the last 20 years while raising my kiddos but they graduated last week, and both are out of New England at least for now, we just sold everything and are headed SOUTH! Western NC, East Tennessee, and South West Virginia were on our short list but after a recon trip this spring we are going to look into N. Arkansas for the climbing and riding it offers.
Like I said my brother is in Sherwood Arkansas (stationed at Camp Robinson for now) he doesn't hate it there. He and his wife really like NW Arkansas.
We don't have any job interests, other than trying to keep a little food on the table and help support my kids if they need it. Our main goal is to work as little as possible so we can recreate (riding, climbing, hiking / backpacking, hunting, & fishing). So we are wide open as far as options go.
I really appreciate all the info you guys have provided.