I desperately need to get back into some aerobic exercise (tai chi only goes so far) so I plunked down money for one of these. Pick it up Sat and will head to the trails right from the shop. Hopefully my knees cooperate.

http://salsacycles.com/images/sized/...-500pxx361.jpg

That big ring is so "small". How big is it? Is that what those thing are made to do, climb trees? No speed? I have not mtb in a long time, lost interest.

24/38 with 11-36 rear. 2x10 seems all the rage. I have given up on road riding around here - just too many distracted drivers. I can drive a relatively short distance and be on decent trails so I'm going to give that a go. Back in the day we bagged most every peak in the ANF. Now I'll just be happy to putter on fire roads and not puke.

It does not make sense to only have two front ring? You come across some flat areas in the hills, you run out of gear don't you think? But then I really haven't pushed that big gear in the trails. PLus, mtb is way too much of a grinding type of climbing for me. I hate climbing but I do it just because its necessary on the road. Have fun and tell me how it go getting beck on the bike. I did it 6-8 month back after over 10 year of no riding. I am having a tough time getting back on track. I was dropped in the hills on the way back in Arcadia sucking wheels all the way on the Montrose Ride this last week. I lasted 4 laps at the rose Bowl and my tongue were hanging past my saddle gasping for air. No more Bowl ride for a long while.

I forgot to say, all the peaks in the local hills? There are some high ones, with lack of oxygen up that high. I can hardly walk it. You must have done Iron Mt. or Baden Powell? those make me sick hiking it due to elevation sickness.

Nice bike! Wish I had the budget for a full suspension ride. I'm going small with a GT hardtail. Maybe after a couple thousand miles, I'll upgrade to something more substantial.

Chris, I think you should find a couple year old MTB and benefit from depreciation.

The highest was Baldy - we rode to the summit which is just over 10K. Well, pushed our bikes the last mile or so as it is unrideable shale.

The only time I got altitude sickness was White Mountain. Once we got above 10K' and kept riding I started to fade and turned back at 11K'

Most of the peaks in the ANF and Los Podres are 6-8K'. Are club was famous for "death marches" back in the day. If it didn't have hike-a-bike sections and last at least 6 hours it wasn't a "ride." Ahh youth...

I actually love climbing - kind of zen torture. No need to big gears off-road as I'm not racing. On flats when I was racing I'd max out a 44/12 pretty easily but that was 20+ years ago. I think 38/11 will be plenty of gear. I'm hoping 24/36 will be low enough for my slow butt. For White Mountain I put on a 4th front 19t chainring and was runnin 19/30 in some stretches. You could walk faster. That ride was nuts...

Back in the day, when I had a back that didn't wake up 2 hours after I did.....I LOVED doing hills....up and down both running and bikes.

Used to enjoy sneaking up on someone then 'pass with authority'.....always a let down to the one you are leaving behind.

Racing is all about not letting the other guy know how bad you are hurting. I miss that....sucks getting old.

My new team bike arrived yesterday, Trek Superfly 100 Elite SL 24.8ish with pedals full pound and half lighter than last years. :cool:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1368198171.jpg

Fun reads.

Have any of you been on some century's and out of no where comes some 75+ yr. old on a seventies vintage Schwinn Varsity or JC Penney 10 speed? Sporting Ked's whites, big rubber tires, chain wheel grinding.... LOL Those dude's are an inspiration!

Yep.....see them when I be in the bar across from the finish line having a cold one....an hour after I finished....

Good on them.

I did the Marin century a few years ago and was passed up climbing a hill by some older guy in cutoff denim shorts, cowboy shirt, Teva's and no helmet. I was quietly cursing him.

just got this legnano gran premio from my neighbor for free. I like that guy . Got 4 awesome bikes from him already :)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17...psace14185.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17...ps1906a90f.jpg

Give us a closeup of that Columbus sticker, can you 930 dude? That'd make a great single speed. Love the color.

sure ill get more of the stickers tomorrow. they are definatly cool. dont think ill be modifying this bike. from what iv seen just now looking around online these are priced from 2500-4k so i guess its a good one :)

New road shoes are in! Can't wait to go for a ride. Beautiful carbon layup

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7414/8...1a83e644_c.jpg

Built up a 'crit bike'. Got a screaming deal on an old alloy s-works frame. Debadged out of loyalty to the shop I ride for that doesn't sell Specialized. ;)

My fit is weird since I have longer legs, but a shorter reach and am too old for the massive bar drop, but it rides nice. Campy athena 11 speed mix, misc leftover parts...

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7380/8...7f8a3fb7bd.jpg