Bikes and Tundra

Got in a quick 7 mile ride today…

 

Rode the local trail this week 3 times. Twice with the LBS's and then a solo yesterday.

One of the riders brought their camera and took some pictures of the group.

Some how i managed to get a few taken

Rest of the pictures

 

Found a bangin' deal on this 23 Fuel EX8. Finally got a big boy bike and upgraded from my wife's Cali SL.

 

I’m starting to like these extra long bed tundras.

 

Going to be up in Santa Cruz for work next week and im bringing the bike. Staying down at the fish hook and my plan is to ride hwy 9 area. Ive only shuttled from emerald grade once so im just trying to follow some strava segments to get me to the top from the dirt lot at the bottom of 9. My plan was to pedal up to the water tanks and maybe to sweetness and back down to the truck or do a few laps at mailbox and park up at emerald grade. No real set plans for me, just throwing it out there for anyone maybe wanting to ride after work and knows a few fun routes. Ill probaby start anywhere between 4:15-5pm. Not sure if i can swing the demo trail with getting off so late. Lemme know and happy riding!


Im avaliable to ride Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and will probably ride all three days.

 

thanks to Black friday sales, I'm proud owner of a carbon 2023 Stumpjumper Evo now let the fun begins !
so far 8 miles on it fine tuning the suspension. Already cut the handlebars to 780mm which is my favorite length.

 

Got a new mountain bike. Not top of the line bike, but it’ll do for me. I’m setting it up for spring turkey hunting. Today I’ll try to get a picture of the bike with the tundra.

 

Did a test fit for the compound bow. It’s snug as a bug. I’m ready for spring turkey season.

 

I got a second bike last week. Nothing fancy, used Zircus dirt jumper that I can thrash on. Forks were upgraded to fox float 32s. I have a list of parts coming. Pedals, seat and post, grips and tires.
I am stoked to get some air on a proper jump bike. One of my real good friends and I became the lead park maintenance and development crew at the local bike park because no one else on the board jumps or understands the physics around it. Hence needing a proper tool for the job

 

Inside topper bike mount. Freedom Coast L Tack & Adjustable Fork mount.

 

Okay bike gurus

Norco Sight A2 or a Trek Fuel EX 7?

 

Which ever fits you better and is more comfortable.

 

my best friend is considering selling his A2 pretty soon. Complete bike in large.

 

I rode the Norco in the parking lot today. It seemef pretty good. I'd have to order in the Trek in my size though.

I'm looking for a small frame, 27.5" wheels.

 

Unless you know you like Trek's geometry in that size for a similar bike. I'd go with the one you could actually sit on and were a fan of.
Both bikes seem good so I don't think you can go wrong either way.

 

Best advice was already given - ride them. I took my wife to three different shops to ride four or five brands.

If you can, I'd tell you to bump to the EX8 if you go with Trek. I think the fork/shock/shifter upgrade is worth it (I own one).

 

Downhill season is coming...

 

Random bike rack question folks - I recently bought a 4 bike hitch mount rack off marketplace. I didn't think to look very carefully as it was in good shape and fit my needs/budget, although I did a test fit to see if my receiver was going to take the rack and clearances with tailgate would be ok and everything was fine. The seller said it simply secures with a 5/8" hitch pin so I made the deal. When I got it home I realized upon closer inspection it is meant to use a threaded locking anti-swaying hitch-pin. So the question is, if I use a regular non-threaded, non-locking hitch pin, will that compromise in any way the connection between the rack/receiver? (yes, I understand the hitch will not be locked to the vehicle, but I have a cable lock for the bikes that'll go to the safety chain loop on the receiver so....). Thanks.

 

I would definitely use the threaded hitch pin. It's not about locking it to the vehicle for security. It's about making sure the rack moves with the vehicle and is restricted from making too many movements opposite what the truck is doing. Bike racks, especially when loaded will exert a great deal of force on themselves (and the hitch receiver, but that shouldn't be an issue). If you hit a bump or make a sharp turn, you want the hitch to move with the truck. If you drive without the threaded pin, that thing will be bouncing and swaying along with your bikes. It might not fall off, but you can end up breaking it.

 

Not that im any racer type, but here is some goods in santa cruz. First time seeing it with a few new doubles in the beginning but besides that, hero dirt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRUJ-QQnVmY

 

Can’t wait to be in the speed zone

 

I just ordered the same setup for the bike mount. Pricey$$

 

If you don’t do the threaded hitch pin you can always use an anti rattle clamp to keep movement down. I would probably consider one for a 4 bike rack anyway. Mine does a good job decreasing movement and bounce.

 

Hero dirt tonight.

 

So I got the threaded hitch pin and it did make a very noticeable difference so thanks for the feedback. I just have to remember to bring the socket set with me if/when I go anywhere other than home that may require removal of the rack since there's NO way that threaded pin is going in or coming out without that tool (but I guess that's the point).

Do you mean use the threaded hitch pin AND the anti-rattle clamp together? Excuse my confusion, I'm not familiar with the anti-rattle clamp (but I can guess at it's function)?

 

I would find an extra wrench and always keep it in the truck. I don't see any benefit to having both the clamp and the bolt. I think if the rack and the bolt are working correctly it shouldn't need a clamp.

 

Cool man. Glad to help. Would hate to see you come back and say you lost your bikes on the highway because the rack broke.

 

Some pics following a rip in Squamish last summer! I have since picked up a velocirax bike rack, but don't have any pics of that, yet.
Norco Range -29" (new one with high pivot), Specialized Enduro - 29", and an older Norco Range - 27.5".

love my Enduro!

 

Well, I pulled the trigger on a Trek Fuel EX 8. It should be waiting for me when I finish this rotation of work. Got a good sale on it of $1000 off.

I also sprung for a 1Up USA double tray hitch rack with an add-on so I can haul the whole family's bikes.

My wallet is filing for divorce and I need to make the formal request that the USA invades Canada soon so I don't keep getting jacked up on the exchange rate.