Bikes and Tundra

Damn dude sorry to hear. That’s my worst nightmare!

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/lets-see-your-motorcycles.242/

 

Bike thieves suck! Hope it’s recovered soon.

 

Tacky dirt roads.

December 4, 2022 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

SPP

 

Sunset, Harlem Valley Rail Trail...

December 5, 2022 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

SPP

 

I'll make my annual goal set at 5,000 miles this year, but a few obstacles definitely tried to derail this year's achievement, including...discovery of heart disease after minor stroke (May 2021), cardiac ablation in October 2022, and Covid just 2 weeks post-ablation.

Generally my goal is to ride 100 miles per week, although I am thinking that for 2023 I will ride less for the remainder of the Winter, having looked at the effects of the last few years of riding in the slop that contains multiple corrosive agents.

Here's my stats for the past few years....annual mileage followed by elevation...

2022: 4,778 / 300,712

2021: 5,613 / 434,262

2020: 6,202 / 470,538

2019: 10,083 / 525,082 (Festive 500 completed)

2018: 7,830 / 403,957 (Festive 500 completed)

2017: 6,314 / 309,357

2016: 6,151 / 371,250

2015: 5,400 / 407,083

2014: 5,864 / 400,869

2013: 2,858 / 260,174

Here's a link to my Strava => https://www.strava.com/athletes/403203

SPP

 

some Christmas maintenance...bleed and adjusted SRAM code R brakes on my hard tail. A bit of learning curve on the tension adjustment between pressurizing and burping the caliper but I got it where I want it now. No more mushy feel.

 

Looks like specialized is running a sale on all evo stumpjumpers.

 

Druid is almost complete! 160mm Factory fork, DHX2 shock w/ cascade link, 5Dev crank w/32 tooth chainring, XO1 cassette and derailleur w/ XX1 chain, Code RSC brakes, Oneup carbon bar, ride wrapped, i9 hydra hubs with EX511 hoops

 

Absolutely beautiful! Nicely done

 

10k miles and that elevation are sweet stats. I was happy to hit 4k this year for the first time. Kudos!

 

Thanks! The picture doesn’t really do it justice. I can’t wait to ride this thing.

 

Haven't ridden since mid-November. Lot of rain the last few months and I also just got busy almost every weekend. But last weekend we got some nice sun so I got my first ride in of 2023. Gorgeous day and almost perfect riding weather, but just a bit windy.

 

Anyone run the maxxis assegai front and rear? How do you like it? Getting ready for the seasons mountain biking.

 

My Bike came stock like that. Cannondale Jekyll, 150mm travel enduro bike. Ridiculous amount of grip, but too slow rolling and heavy for me (ex XC racer). I changed the rear tire out for a Minion SS, and I loved that combo. Fast rolling, and good cornering traction, but very little rear breaking traction. When those wore out, I opted for the Assegai on the front again, but this time with a Aggressor on the rear as the minion SS was hard to find / discontinued. More grip, and increased breaking traction over the Assegai / MinionSS combo, without much of a gain in rolling resistance. I will be running the same combo this summer (assegai / aggressor).

I'm a big tire nerd when it comes to my bikes. I've tried a lot of different combos for Enduro, XC and "down-country" rigs.

 

Thanks. I’m too a tire nerd but with cars/trucks. Mountain biking is all new to me.

I’m mainly looking for maximum grip as I tend to go way too fast downhill and lose traction with the stock butcher t9 tires.

What do you think about the maxxis dhr 2 for the rear?

 

In that case assegai front/rear would probably be pretty good. I think a DHR wouldn't have as much grip as an Assegai, and I don't think the weight or rolling resistance difference would be too noticeable.

I haven't tried too many of the specialized enduro / trail / Dh tires so I don't have much comparison for the butcher.

 

I will try assegai both front and rear and see how it grips. Thanks!

 

I've been running the Assegai front Minion DHR2 rear (just put a new one on) as they're the stock set up from Transition seems to work well on 3 different bikes now, the other tire combo I like is the Schwalbe Magic Mary front and Big Betty rear although they're pretty heavy depending on the casing.

Not sure if you've seen these videos and blog but one of the guys talks about running the Assegai front and rear.

https://thelostco.com/blogs/blog/maxxis-mtb-tire-guide?_pos=16&_sid=4f51e2617&_ss=r

Bike and skis pic for fun...

 

Unfortunately the Kenda Hellkat turned out to be a big bust. The performance was great but the wobble was horrible. The rear Nevegal was not much better…

Additionally Kenda has atrocious customer service because it is impossible to get a hold of them in person or through email.

Was riding the DHF for the last 5 months but I just don’t like that transition zone…I don’t have berm type corners where I ride.

So I figured I would give the WTB Vigilante 2.5 a try. They get great reviews in all but mud and fast berm style hardpack (don’t have that anywho…).

 

Just picked up a new ride for this season . Sold my Salsa spearfish 29er and really wanted to get back into a 27.5. Found this one on markplace
2021 Santa cruz 5010 Carbon S. Hopefully it quits snowing here in Michigan.

 

Curious if you have tried the Assegai? It's supposed to have better cornering transition. If you have, I'd be interested in your feedback.

 

I do not have any experience with the Assegai…

Maxxis dominates in my area but in all honesty I don’t love them or hate them. The DHF is a solid across the board even with its vague transition zone. Hence why I purchased one when I upgraded my wheels to 30mm ID (wider). I wanted a decent performer while I researched another front tire…

My local trails are mostly slower and technical with flat and off-chamber turns. My most frequented trail gets very wet. Personally I have found other brands to be better in these conditions. Nothing against Maxxis, they are the biggest for a reason and make some excellent tires.

 

Since the rain has stopped i started riding again and picked this up for under 2500 OTD. Pretty decent starting set up. Probably get some gx stuff once the nx takes a poopoo.

22 Status 160 S4

 

Sweet ride! GX would be a nice upgrade. My bike came stock with NX and the rear derailleur exploded on me in Santa Cruz. Literally saw parts of it flying as I was riding down hill! Not sure if it hit something or not but it didn't seem like it.

 

Thanks man, figured it would be a good base set up and upgrade parts as I go since this is my first mtb.

Ill have to make a trip to santa cruz this summer and see if anyone else can meet up for a little bike ride in the mountains.

 

Right on! As long as I'm not working or have plans I'll definitely meet you out there

 

Curious why you wanted back on a 27.5”?
I have one I like but was considering a 29” for the smoother ride and such, its rooty and rocky in the west.