The All Things Cycling Thread

[sona]

Yessir, they make a hack like me pucker for sure!

Yeah it is sketchy in places. Super dry dirt doesn't help much either. Really fun place but I won't take the single speed / one brake DJ bike back there. Fun but actual braking ability is required as evidenced by my leg right now. She is on a 4x bike though and loves the place.

 

[bigeasy]

Sounds like the mtn bike trails have changed a lot since I graduated from UT. At the time I really only had IC King and Concord (but I never made it here since it was so far west from campus)

Guess I need to make a trip back. Is I.C. King still rideable and used?

 

[kiddiedoc]

Sounds like the mtn bike trails have changed a lot since I graduated from UT. At the time I really only had IC King and Concord (but I never made it here since it was so far west from campus)

Guess I need to make a trip back. Is I.C. King still rideable and used?

Yes, but there is not much reason to go there, now. They are working on some new trails, I believe.

The South Loop and its offshoot trails are where it's at. 40+ miles.

http://www.outdoorknoxville.com/urban-wilderness

Haw Ridge is still a good ride, and Loyston Point in Norris is a fun, fast, relatively easy 12 mile double loop. I've never been a fan of Concord... Not very well maintained, tight and technical around the water edge.

 

[sona]

Sounds like the mtn bike trails have changed a lot since I graduated from UT. At the time I really only had IC King and Concord (but I never made it here since it was so far west from campus)

Guess I need to make a trip back. Is I.C. King still rideable and used?

Still used! Knoxville has killer trails now, everything from full on downhill to flow tracks to the usual singletrack. It is worth coming back for a ride whatever style you enjoy.

If you ride downhill and like air time, Baker Creek Preserve will accommodate at any level. Head over to Oliver Springs if you like more natural and gnarly downhill and have the bike for it.

A few links for local stuff:
Trail overview: https://www.trailforks.com/region/knoxville/

Knoxville Urban Wilderness (includes link to Baker Creek stuff): http://www.outdoorknoxville.com/urban-wilderness

Windrock Bike Park (serious downhill): http://www.windrockbikepark.com/
https://www.facebook.com/windrockbikepark

The biggest problem now is deciding which trail to hit! Come back and ride.

 

[sona]

Fun little mix of street and woods today. Daughter messed up my brakes so I rode her bike as she was sitting this one out. Her bike rips anyway so it was a good day!

 

[bigeasy]

Thanks for the links! I may have to make a trip to Knoxville to try out these trails. I thought about riding my mtn bike over the weekend, but the road bike took priority like usual.

The weather was perfect on Sunday. Got in another good 30 mile ride with over 3,000ft of climbing. Hopefully this weekend I can go more for distance and not elevation.

 

[Biopsyman]

Saw a guy today riding a wheelie On a 10 speed

 

[sona]

Saw a guy today riding a wheelie On a 10 speed

Must have been inspired by this guy:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM0oQIRIyrs[/youtube]

That guy is smooth but still...this is a road bike. I would only jump a road bike if I was getting them for free.

 

[VOLatile]

A windy 63 today. 42 before work and 21 after. I think I should do these pre-work training rides more often!

 

[VOLatile]

I ticked over 2k on the year last week. Probably at 2150 now. Almost all commuting. So not ready for DK200 on June 3.

 

[BruiserVol]

Need a little help guys. Just getting into biking and lookin for opinions. I know I could just google, but I'd like to couple the search with some wisdom.

I'm going to be riding some trails and whatnot, but also would enjoy riding around town. I live in a small town and the city limits are extremely peaceful in the evenings so I would be using it for road and mountain both. I really am clueless with this subject so yeah lol.

Any kind of types, brands, etc. that are better would be appreciated. Not looking to spend crazy money, but I also don't want a cheapo if that makes any sense.

 

[kiddiedoc]

Unless you plan on serious downhill and uber-rough terrain, a 27.5" hardtail mountain bike should fit your needs. 29s are popular, but a little harder to negotiate if your trails are technical, without much experience. What kind of terrain is common in your area? Sand? Mud? Loose gravel?

You should be able to find a decent front-suspension bike with disc brakes for $600-900 without trouble, assuming you are shopping new. If you aren't set on a new bike, check Craiglist, local bike shops, used sports stores for a deal. Most major brands (Cannondale, Specialized, Giant, etc) use similar components. Ride a few and see what feels good.

Of course, if money isn't an issue, the sky is the limit. Titanium ultralight frames, hydraulic saddle posts, dual mode rear-suspensions, etc are sweet, but you can get into the $5000+ range in a hurry!

 

[UT-Rex]

Need a little help guys. Just getting into biking and lookin for opinions. I know I could just google, but I'd like to couple the search with some wisdom.

I'm going to be riding some trails and whatnot, but also would enjoy riding around town. I live in a small town and the city limits are extremely peaceful in the evenings so I would be using it for road and mountain both. I really am clueless with this subject so yeah lol.

Any kind of types, brands, etc. that are better would be appreciated. Not looking to spend crazy money, but I also don't want a cheapo if that makes any sense.

Recommend a very good headlamp + tail-light (nite AND day). Here are good ones/worth the $:

Cateye Volt 1200 (am a zon) $120
Bontrager Flare RT --

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/...lights/bontrager-flare-rt-tail-light/p/12539/

If more off-road, here's a good-looking, solid entry mtn bike that should work on the streets too:

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/...pbiBCaWtlcyAmIEZyYW1lczoxOjQ6Y2NDYXQxMDAxNjA=

A "cross" bike may actually be more-suitable if you want to ride streets and off-road / example:

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/...IEJpa2VzICYgRnJhbWVzOjE6NDpjY0NhdDEwMDE1OA==#

Here's a good vid, comparing cross vs mtn:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naSgdcZlcPE

 

[BruiserVol]

Thanks guys. Already been extremely helpful. I live in Middle Tn so the terrain isn't anything really out of the ordinary. I will probably do some traveling though.

 

[kiddiedoc]

This is a shot in the dark, but does anyone know of a local shop that will do a repair job on a classic Cannondale Super Fatty Headshok? I found a place in New York that does a ton of them with great reviews, but I'd love to save the postage and keep it local.

 

[VOLatile]

When you can't find an acceptable mount to meet your needs just design and 3d print one.

 

[bigeasy]

A windy 63 today. 42 before work and 21 after. I think I should do these pre-work training rides more often!

Jealous! I don't know how you have the time to get so much riding in and still work. I am lucky if I have enough time for 15 miles during the weekdays :cray: I got 40 in on Saturday which went much better than I thought since it had been about 1 1/2 weeks since I rode. I have come to realize that nutrition on the ride seems to be an issue of mine. I need to learn to have a constant intake because around the 2 hour mark I start to crash.

 

[VOLatile]

Jealous! I don't know how you have the time to get so much riding in and still work. I am lucky if I have enough time for 15 miles during the weekdays :cray: I got 40 in on Saturday which went much better than I thought since it had been about 1 1/2 weeks since I rode. I have come to realize that nutrition on the ride seems to be an issue of mine. I need to learn to have a constant intake because around the 2 hour mark I start to crash.

I commute by bike 100%, so on average I get 22 miles per day when I have class > work > night class. My commute to the bike shop on weekends is 22 miles in itself. Sundays we're only open for 4 hours, 12-4, so that's how I got a solid ride in before work that day. I also don't have any fear about night riding, so I do a lot of that.

 

[VOLatile]

72 last night with sections of gravel and singletrack thrown in for chits and gigs. So in love with this bike.

 

[sona]

This is a shot in the dark, but does anyone know of a local shop that will do a repair job on a classic Cannondale Super Fatty Headshok? I found a place in New York that does a ton of them with great reviews, but I'd love to save the postage and keep it local.

A bit late buy my computer died. Anyway, I would check with West Bicycles in Farragut. Pretty sure this is the same guy that sold Cannondale for years as "West Hills Bike Shop" when it was in Bearden. Farris is his name I think...not sure but they still do Cannondale stuff today. Worth a shot checking with them.

http://www.westbikes.com/

 

[kiddiedoc]

A bit late buy my computer died. Anyway, I would check with West Bicycles in Farragut. Pretty sure this is the same guy that sold Cannondale for years as "West Hills Bike Shop" when it was in Bearden. Farris is his name I think...not sure but they still do Cannondale stuff today. Worth a shot checking with them.

http://www.westbikes.com/

Yeah good guys, I have bought gear there and had them service my bike. They said they were unable to open and repair them as you couldn't get parts anymore. So, new fork + suspension, spacer for the larger neck = $400-500.

Good news, Mendon Cyclesmith in NY made mine like new and had it back to me in 8 days, $75. Absolutely incredible service. Pass the word along if anyone needs work on an older model Dale, it's this guy's niche.

In the end, I got to keep my handmade in the USA frame (orange, white, and black, to boot) and save a bunch of money on a new ride. It's dated but I love it.

 

[kiddiedoc]

Super Fatty HeadShok...feels like 2002 again. I brought a little of the South Knox Loop back with me this evening.

 

[VOLatile]

Yeah good guys, I have bought gear there and had them service my bike. They said they were unable to open and repair them as you couldn't get parts anymore. So, new fork + suspension, spacer for the larger neck = $400-500.

Good news, Mendon Cyclesmith in NY made mine like new and had it back to me in 8 days, $75. Absolutely incredible service. Pass the word along if anyone needs work on an older model Dale, it's this guy's niche.

In the end, I got to keep my handmade in the USA frame (orange, white, and black, to boot) and save a bunch of money on a new ride. It's dated but I love it.

They were the first people to develop a system to adapt a lefty fork to a fatbike.

 

[kiddiedoc]

They were the first people to develop a system to adapt a lefty fork to a fatbike.

Cool, did not know that.

 

[sona]

Yeah good guys, I have bought gear there and had them service my bike. They said they were unable to open and repair them as you couldn't get parts anymore. So, new fork + suspension, spacer for the larger neck = $400-500.

Good news, Mendon Cyclesmith in NY made mine like new and had it back to me in 8 days, $75. Absolutely incredible service. Pass the word along if anyone needs work on an older model Dale, it's this guy's niche.

In the end, I got to keep my handmade in the USA frame (orange, white, and black, to boot) and save a bunch of money on a new ride. It's dated but I love it.

Glad you got it fixed, sounds like a great deal too.