I love Sunday(downhill that is!)

nikita76 · 02-19-2008, 04:08 PM

I started building this a couple weeks ago when my frame came back from paint. I'll finish building my front wheel this weekend and maybe I'll see K9Handler at Sea Otter or Crank Werx in B.C.

Tim Hancock · 02-19-2008, 04:35 PM

Pardon my ignorance on this subject, but the only suspension bike I ever rode was a cobbed up BMX that I cobbed a monoshock system onto in the early 80's as a teen.

I have a late 80's Diamond Back MTB, and still "occasionally" use it for a bit of exercise, but I can't help but wonder if the new school full suspension bikes are heavy pigs compared to a hard tail bike. Unless racing at high speeds downhill, it would seem to me that one could go faster under pedal power on a lightweight non-suspension model. Don't get me wrong, after looking at the new bikes recently, I love the technology, I just wonder what you guys who ride them think. At the relatively low speeds traveled under pedal power off road in dirt, it seems like suspension would not be all that necessary and maybe a hindrance to going fast?

Having raced motocross competitively for quite a few years, I can fully understand the value of suspension when traveling at higher speeds over rough ground (downhill MTB racing for example), but I just can't imagine going that fast for a long distance under pedal power. Please enlighten me, I am always one for taking on a new hobby

911Rob · 911Rob's Garage

in B.C.?

k9handler · 02-19-2008, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 911Rob

in B.C.?

Whistler!!!

Very nice and yes you might see me there, planning vacations this summer and hope to be there. The Sunday is such a great bike, and Sam really did great again this season...DW link proven.

Will ride the Giant DH Comp 1 more season.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 02-19-2008, 07:04 PM

hey Nikita, how have you been? RSR done? Targa

gone?

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

you pedal those uphill too, right? After all, only poseurs take chair lifts to the summit

k9handler · 02-19-2008, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

you pedal those uphill too, right? After all, only poseurs take chair lifts to the summit

ha ha I am a POSER....gravity sled all the way.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

our rules for mountain biking were:

if you can't pedal up, you can't ride down
no ride is complete without hike-a-bike sections
ride self-contained and light

Then again we predated the downhill craze

gchappel · 02-19-2008, 09:32 PM

Ah, you guys are killing me.
Bad wreck on mountain bike 2 weeks ago. I have been riding for 40+ years- first bad one.
8 screws in my knee- comminuted lateral tibial plateau fracture. Can't wait to get back on the bike.
Be careful out there!
Gary

nikita76 · 02-20-2008, 04:12 AM

Hey Tim, as you know from motocross, you are always faster when your tires are on the ground. In most instances a light weight xc hard tail will do the trick(especially on Long Island). For some of the "thicker" stuff a 4" travel full suspension bike will suffice. Alot also has to do with personal preference. Some people dont want to beat up their bodies and let a full suspension bike take the beating.

Shaun, things are going well! Very busy with the new job. Relatively mild winter down here(no snow,not REALLY cold) so I'm probably going to put the Targa on the road mid March. I'm shooting for July 4th for the RSR.

K9handler, Your bike looks ready for some work! How is that fork working out for you? Any valving or setup issues?

Nostatic, I ride uphill to train for my road riding!

Gary, were you downhilling or xc? How long for rehab, back on the bike? Get better soon, the trail misses hard core guys like you!

Rot 911 · 02-20-2008, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

I have a late 80's Diamond Back MTB, and still "occasionally" use it for a bit of exercise, but I can't help but wonder if the new school full suspension bikes are heavy pigs compared to a hard tail bike.

Tim, I think you and I have the same bike! Mine is a florescent orange color.

k9handler · 02-20-2008, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikita76

.

K9handler, Your bike looks ready for some work! How is that fork working out for you? Any valving or setup issues?

Just did a fresh rebuild on the Shiver and full bleed of the Hopes. I have been on the Shiver forks since 2003, had a small switch to a 888 but the Shiver just felt better to me. The pic I posted is from last season, she is resting in the garage.

Needs this season is another pair of 510 shoes and new helmet.

einreb · 02-20-2008, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

the value of suspension when traveling at higher speeds over rough ground (downhill MTB racing for example)

Thats exactly the point of FS downhill bikes. You can hit a rock the size of a baby's head (mtn biking unit of measure) and barely feel it. Take something bigger and still maneuver over it. Granted, on a non-suspension bike you can easily hop it, but at the speeds the good downhill guys are going its essentially a long controlled crash and they need ground contact to stay in control.

As for the 'workout'... take something like the Downieville Downhill that runs for 17 miles http://www.downievilleclassic.com/pages/dh.html

I've made several trips to Downieville and usually rent a FS bike with long travel (not a full DH bike). Lock out the rear suspension and grind up the mountain rather than the shuttle ride and have a blast and enjoy the downhill.

k9handler · 02-20-2008, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by einreb

Thats exactly the point of FS downhill bikes. You can hit a rock the size of a baby's head (mtn biking unit of measure) and barely feel it. Take something bigger and still maneuver over it. Granted, on a non-suspension bike you can easily hop it, but at the speeds the good downhill guys are going its essentially a long controlled crash and they need ground contact to stay in control.

As for the 'workout'... take something like the Downieville Downhill that runs for 17 miles http://www.downievilleclassic.com/pages/dh.html

I've made several trips to Downieville and usually rent a FS bike with long travel (not a full DH bike). Lock out the rear suspension and grind up the mountain rather than the shuttle ride and have a blast and enjoy the downhill.

My buddy Paul is a regular there since he lives in the Downieville area...we are talking of doing a tri-state ride this summer with friends in Colorado, Montana, and California. Then another trip to Whistler.

Tim Hancock · 02-20-2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt V

Tim, I think you and I have the same bike! Mine is a florescent orange color.

I am kind of color blind, but mine is white with maybe green or blue fade. I rode it quite a bit when I bought it in college, but it's main duty now is occasional exercise on the road and it's yearly trip in the back of the airplane to Oshkosh to be used as transportation around the grounds of the Fly-in

gchappel · 02-20-2008, 03:45 PM

We were doing some technical crosscountry. I made a bad decision- I closed in on the guy in front of me- I carried more speed through a technical area just as we entered a series of whoopty doos. He fell, I had to quickly move off trail. Ended up falling 12-15 feet before my left foot found ground- tibia couldn't take the landing. I just saw the doc in followup today. He is quite sure I will have a normal knee again. 8 weeks no weight bearing, then therapy and geting back in shape. I should be able to ride again. I often rode here by myself- nobody around for miles. I don't think I'll do that again- although I loved riding alone. It is not better- just different than group rides.
Be careful out there.
Ride more
Gary