Bikes and Tundra

Had a chance to demo a SC Hightower V3. Just from the first little ride, it climbs 10X better than the Rocky Mtn i rented a few weeks ago. Almost to the point it's enjoyable to climb, which I never saw myself saying. Granted it's on of the high-end GX models with super nice components so it should climb well lol. I did find it a little less poppy and exciting on the downhills. The rear had TONS of traction which i wasnt used to... I think having all that traction caused my front end to slip out twice but thankfully I was able to save it. Not sure if the switch chip had anything to do with it. Rode it in the low position so might switch over to the high position before i go out for a second and longer ride this morning before I return it.

 

I haven’t rode and SC in a while , but the front end experience was the same. They’re pretty slack, and do require some extra front end weight / body position. Although I don’t remember it climbing well, but I was demoing DW link bikes at the same time which were night and day at the time.

 

Since I had not seen much online about tonneau covers and Rockymount DropTop bike mounts I wanted to share my experience.

I picked up a TruXedo Pro x15 from Amazon, it was on sale. I installed which wasn't bad, but I had to flip my Rockymounts upside-down so that they would work with the tonneau.

With the cover rolled up, the bar across the front prevented the handle from lifting on the mounts. I ended up rotating these 180 degrees horizontaly and the mounts work, but are less user friendly. Now the lock is accessed from the bottom and loading and unloading is a little cumbersome in that you have to hold the bike up while engaging the closure mechanism. Not horrible, but no longer any easy drop in.

Overall it works for me and the cover can be fully closed with the mounts installed.

Oh, and if you haven't looked at the Rockymount DropTop, I highly recommend them. A bit pricey but a great way to transport bikes, especially if security is a concern.

 

Well, had a chance to demo a megatower.. little too much bike for around where I am I think. Still a super fun bike but I can tell it's not nearly as efficient as the others.

Also, a bike shop around here is opening a second location real soon. That means they will offer demos again (all 22/23 models) and ill get a chance to ride a Stumpy Evo along with a Sentinel before i finally decide

 

Transition Sentinel, it wasn't planned for them to match but worked out that way.

 

Some friends and I rode the Cuyuna Minnesota trails last week.

https://youtu.be/tsg_CVonc3I

https://youtu.be/zK2fk_lAjis

https://youtu.be/alWjlzOjlMU

 

Staging a come back after a rough 31 days...temps close to seventy for one last day and I grabbed it.

November 7, 2022 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

November 7, 2022 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

November 7, 2022 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

November 7, 2022 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

November 7, 2022 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

SPP

 

New bike frame day!! Forbidden Druid (no the clamp is not tight)

 

Sold one of my bikes yesterday.

The cool thing was the dude pulled up in a Gen 2.5 Tundra in white, looked almost like my Gen 2. He gets out and obviously seeing my truck on the drive way, he said "Great taste!" at the same time that I said "Gorgeous truck!"

 

Installed a Cascade Components rear link and new DHX2 for my Nomad. Always wanted to try this combo and when I blew out my old X2 last week, I figured it’s now or never. Old shock made it about 5 years with no service before it puked the oil out the shaft seal. The old shock was a 230mm X 60mm, the New shock is 230mm X 65mm. Together with new link increases the rear travel from 170mm to 190mm. Excited to try it out! This bike should be an absolute beast now!

 

Those travel numbers are crazy. I’m going to build the Druid (above) with the cascade link and a dhx2 also. I figure it should make for a very sporty 160f/143r trail bike.

 

I think you need a dual crown now to go with it!

 

That bike is sweet! Can’t wait to see it built. Bet that’ll be a super fun set up!

 

Haha I thought about it when I upgraded my fork but couldn’t get myself to do it so I bought the 38 180mm instead.

 

Nice, it’ll still be stout. Please report back after a couple rides

 

Definitely!

 

That is one sexy bike!

 

Silly question. I have a Garmin Fenix 5 watch, can I use it to map a trail I'm biking?

I know I can track the activity. But can I load the trail so I know if I need to turn left or right at the fork?

 

Thank you!

 

Got my Cannondale Carbon Topstone shortly after my 2020 Limited. Both seem to suit me well.

 

30 miles at 90' per mile, cold, windy, with a few inches of snow predicted overnight on Tuesday.

Where does the time go?

My Great Aunt Ang, who lived past 100 years of age, used to say to me, "Peter, it's like I blink my eyes and it's another season, or another year."

November 14, 2022 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

SPP

 

Half century on the Harlem Valley Rail Trail today.

All the way from Orphan Farm Road to where it ends in Wassaic, NY, and back again.

Some sun, lots of clouds, even some snow at times, temps mostly in the mid-30's.

I took the Ahearne, which is kind of heavy, but since there's not a lot of climbing I figured I'd put some miles on it.

November 17, 2022 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

November 17, 2022 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

SPP

 

Logged a couple rides with the cascade rear link, the link changes the geometry of the rear triangle and noticed right away it had better small bump sensitivity and a progressive leverage curve making the travel feel bottomless. It also lengthened the chainstay making the bike a little more stable on the downhill. Definitely a huge upgrade over the stock link!

 

If this picture is on lower 9 in SC then I'm pretty sure ive seen you parked while I was working in the area lol.

 

Haha you have a great eye! That’s exactly where it is, usually at that spot every Friday or the weekends.

 

I knew it lol. Every time we're up there it makes me jealous I dont have a bike when I get to see everyone ripping around.

I was working up there for the last few months when they would shut it down during the day and do all the road maintenance so I got a decent lay of the land

 

Haha I tried to ride one of the weekends that they closed 9 and was pissed haha! It’s a fun spot, if you’re ever back up and have your bike let me know, I know the trails pretty well

 

I absolutely will. Eventually wanna spend the weekend up there riding in the future.

 

I'm selling my 2021 Polygon T8 with full Fox suspension 140mm up front, 135 rear. Too old to ride anymore and can't afford another catastrophic injury so it's gotta go. 1900.00 tyd and I will include some goodies to go along with it. I do have a Wolf Tooth L/A remote, WT front axle in purple, and a WT head set in purple installed already. PM me here if interested. you can see the spec at bikesonline.com

 

If you happen to run across a 2019 Stumpy alloy Evo in California it might have came from my garage. Was borrowing it from a friend and this morning woke up to an opened garage door and the bike missing. DoubtfulI’ll find it but if you guys keep an eye out too, that’d be great. All stock minus a bell and the red pedals.

My location is San Luis Obispo, Ca.