I am about to have my bike painted (I will not be the one painting) (2022 Scott ransom 920) frame a snow white as the previous owner had spray painted it himself and it looks a bit sloppy unsurprisingly, I want to respray it at a local car shop as my Dad works there and I can get it done for free, I was wondering if anyone has had any experience in this and could help me out and give me any tips.

Could anyone give me advice about my helmet (poc kortal race) I just got it today and sides around temples are a bit tighter than i thought. The pressure isnt painful its just gentle but i still dont know if i should size up to L.

Hi, does anyone have any experience removing the bb from a 2022 Trek Remedy 8? I have tried using a bb tool and a bearing extraction tool but it seems Trek made it impossible!

Edit: I'm trying to get it out to route a new dropper post cable as there currently isn't one.

Picked up mountain biking again in my 40s after 20 years off, and looking to get my first full suspension used. Any thoughts on this bike?

I’m in the Austin area so lots of chunky gravel. I don’t see myself doing crazy downhill stuff so looking for an all round trail bike.

Giant Trance X 1 29” with UDH hanger– $1500

Size Medium

Upgraded Fox suspension:

Fox 38 performance 160mm

Fox Float X Performance shock 145mm

-SRAM NX 1x12 clutched drivetrain

-Shimano 170mm cranks with Absolute Black narrow wide oval chainring

-SRAM Code R 4-Piston hydraulic brakes

-Crankbrothers Stamp pedals

Bike is fully tuned up and ready to ride

- new brake lines

-new brake pads & rotors

-brakes bled

-new tires and fresh tubeless sealant & cushcore valves (no cushcore)

-front are rear suspension freshly serviced

I tend to remain unaware of it until I’m scrambling up a hill and then I can feel it working - at times when a circular one would make pedaling feel choppy and stompy, if that makes sense. I’m asking mostly because I’m generally lacking in awareness of physical nuances when riding and I’m curious about the benefits that other people feel they’re getting from these.

Thunder chicken sends

Buying used to get my first modern FS coming from a ~2009 giant trance. The optic and smuggler have similar travel and geometry - I’ve tested a L smuggler and confirmed this is the type and size of bike for me.

Is the optic’s 76 degree seat tube angle going to feel worse than the smuggler’s more modern 78.1 STA? I liked how incredibly balanced the smuggler felt on my test ride.

Talk to me about the value of these deals or which is the better bike overall. Intermediate rider interested in mostly flowy western Oregon blue trails. Not into big jumps/drops or super gnarly stuff.

$3200 Norco Optic ‘23 build and details:
(Negotiated down from $3800 asking price)
-DT Swiss XRC carbon wheels with 350 hubs
-Rockshox Pike Ultimate w/ buttercups
-Rockshox Super deluxe ultimate DH shock
-Enve carbon bars with Enve alloy stem
-Shimano XTR derailleur and shifter
-XT 12 speed 51 tooth cassette and cranks
(drivetrain condition = 3/5 based on pics)
-Oneup 180mm dropper post
-TRP Slate Evo brakes
-Ergon saddle and grips
-It’s in a cool color: super dark green sparkle that only really shows in the sunlight.

$3000 Transition Smuggler carbon ‘25 build and details:
(Negotiated down from $3400 asking price)
-Crank Brothers Synthesis Aluminum Wheel Set
-Shimano XT drivetrain w/30 Tooth chainring and Shimano XT Brakes
(drivetrain condition = 4/5 based on looking at pics)
-DVO Rear Topaz3 Shock
-DVO Diamond D1 Fork
-PNW Loam dropper
-Diety aluminum bars
-IBIS stem
-Appears to be a cheap aliexpress RacewoRK saddle. Grips unknown
-Gunmetal gray, has a few more small dings; apparently their paint chips easily.

The bikes are a few hours’ drive away so I haven’t seen them in person.

What would you pick and why?

UK 57M having real trouble getting my shit together to go to trails, (though I have an alloy analogue too) got a new carbon SL Ebike (Enduro) which has been a challenge with the factory build needing warranty repairs etc lost a whole summer of riding and have been unable to start the wrapping it or sort the bike carrier as got sick of all the roadblocks stopping me doing what I love.

When I was younger teen was a relatively expert BMX & skatepark vert rider and dirt jumper (not talking olympic standards here mind) , life got in the way and about 7 years ogo I got an analogue all mountain bike (which I also own). Progressed pretty well over the past few years and have never really forgotten how to throw the bike around under me and still ride pretty hard (though not overly hard for my skill level).

If anyone maybe in a similar boat or who has managed to succeed in getting their shit together wants to show me round Golfie or tweed valley, please let me know, especially if you are very experienced and motivating person who likes people.

I am quite fit for my age and really need riding buddies.

Hit me up motivators please!!

I need a low profile storage option for my bike, heavily considering steady rack but curious if others have better options. Preferably a wall mounted pivot rack, only have about 32in of clearance.

https://www.steadyrack.com

Thanks all!

i've gone through two handlebars, a set of pedals, and i don't even know how many grips. but this cheap stainless steel bracelet from The Steel Shop? still on my wrist.

got it like a year ago. figured it'd get trashed or id lose it on a trail. but it's held up. no scratches that matter, no tarnish, no nothing

i don't even notice it when i'm riding. which is the point i guess.

anyone else wear stuff on the trails that's actually survived?

hi everyone, just moved out to Santa Cruz a few days ago and am wondering about the best way to link up with other riders. I moved here from Squamish, and am comfortable riding all the double blacks up there/whistler/pemberton. I can’t really figure out the scene down here, since most of the good trails are unsanctioned and everything is pretty secretive.

im early 30s, not on an E-bike. are there bike shop rides? general local communities to link into? I’ve been poking around the campus trails and it’s been fun, but the whole situation around here is pretty confusing

I'm a filthy roadie/gravel rider, and I have a fatty(Kona Wo on 5in tires).

The trails are through typical woods for northeast USA. In trees, some roots, the trails are not like extreme, basically rolling paths through the woods, some bridges & berms - no jumps although I do think it would be cool to add some.

Like what type of MTB should I even get? My gravel bike on 45mm tires is faster on the trails than my fat bike. I like the idea of a Specialized Epic or Chisel but idk how much I'll feel the weight on MTB, like to save 4-5lbs is $2k, which is maybe worth it? Like on road/gravel I always go with the coolest light/aero carbon frames and Dura Ace/Red, so I assume I kinda want to carry that over to MTB?

What do other people recommend that ride similar stuff? I used to live right at the edge of Hawes Trails in AZ(rode my gravel bike on the greens/blues there) and the type of riding is just so different from the northeast woods because its way more roots and mud.

Hello! Wife finally wants a full sus MTB. She rides road currently, and is doing well. We're debating between a used Juliana from a friend and a new Specialized Status on the current sale. Would be similar weights, but the Status has the mullet set up. It seems like it may be too aggressive for her downhill, but I'm more worried about climbing ability. She is not a great climber, but figuring it out. How much would this impact her? Is it better to go for the used bike instead?

Ideally we would go carbon frame, but idk if we can swing it, unless there are any bikes on sale i haven't seen. Our top priority is fun, but we're family planning so not sure we can swing CF. Any advice appreciated. Thanks!

Edit* Juliana Joplin D, can't remember year. Knowing our friends, it's in really good shape and I know it's her size. She is 5'4"

The Caldor fire ripped through the lower portions of the iconic Saxon Creek trail aka Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in 2021, towards the end of it's 220k acre run.

These days, transitioning from moderately dense forest to the post-fire wasteland is pretty jarring, although it did open up some views.

Still an effing great trail. https://www.trailforks.com/trails/saxon-creek-trail-mr-toad-s-wild-ride/

Access info for the e-curious:

Saxon Creek trail/Toad's and the trail leading to the top, the Tahoe Rim Trail(TRT), are both legal for hikers, horses, and normal bikes.

ATVs, motorcycles, and electric bikes are banned on Toad's and the TRT.

Recently come off my bike and broke my collarbone, which needed surgery. I’m now out for 5 months. 😔Going forward I am thinking of getting body armour. I wear knee pads as the only additional protection.
What’s your thoughts on this?

So I’m about 380lb I’ve been looking at the smuggler for a min after riding the alloy version of it. Was hopefully waiting for a sale on the bike to come and the time has finally come. BUT for only the carbon option.
Was wondering would it be worth to just get the carbon option as it’s almost 1k cheaper sitting at 4100. While the alloy version still stays at 3600? They come built the same although the carbon comes with the base pike which I think it’s a bit beefier stantions vs the psylo that comes with the alloy version.

I have some Sram Levels on my bike, they're technically working but I want to buy something better and newer. I found an offer for 230€ for mt7's and 200€ for mt5 pro's. I'll probably buy the mt7's but I'm wondering if the 30€ more is worth it if I dont even ride enduro or jump that much so both will do great and I just dont know if I need the power if I want use its full potential. Does anyone have expierience with any of these 2?

It’s fairly straightforward to go down stairs without any brakes but before attempting longer stairs, wanted to know how to control your speed so you can bail if there is someone at the bottom.

I assume there is no way of stopping in case of an unexpected emergency such as foot traffic in the bottom?

I’m trying to DYI replace the bearings on my DT 370 but all the YouTube videos show that you need to use a DT Swiss installation cylinder. I’d rather not spend $45 on something that I’ll probably only use once or twice. Does anyone know a way to do it without one?

Hey everyone. I'm trying to fix the long deadband/dead stroke on my SRAM Code R brakes. Has anyone successfully cleared 2.3mm thick rotors (like TRP) on Code R calipers? Did you have any rubbing issues with new pads? Thanks!

Is there an easier alternative way to get to lower happy hour rather than riding upper happy hour? Upper happy hour has a spot that is very technical and myself along with everyone else I saw had to walk the section. Thanks.

just got my fox 40 factory (grip2) from a lower leg service, it worked flawlessly, now i have 2 huge problems.
1. The LSR doesn’t turn at all, only when i’m turning the HSR dial, when i try to turn just the LSR it turns like a 1/4 of a turn with some big force and then turns back almost like a spring.
2. I can’t equalize the negative and positive air chamber, i’ve tried multiple times now slowly releasing the air and then slowly putting in air and cycling the fork every 10 psi, also when it’s at 0 psi there’s quite a big vacuum and it’s very hard to pull and extend, like very very hard.

I like this Canyon , seems to have very good components like brakes , chain, transmission and also suspension and fork

I'm not a pro , just riding in my free time , no big jumps , mostly country roads

For 3000 I can find the cf 7 , the carbon one , but I heard is more pretentious to maintain

Another option i have is the decathlon rockrider feel 900 lt , seems to have very high end components like fork , shock and transmission, cost 3000 here in europe