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Sidbus
Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2011
Posts: 731
Location: Miami
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 Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 11:03 pm Post subject: |
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| babysnakes wrote: |
BUMP almost 2 years. I'm shopping for a new bike. Stuff ain't what it used to be. 29" rims, 2 chain rings, hydro brakes?  Back in the early 90s I had GT Zaskar with XT drivetrain,I put the components on a Raleigh John Tomac later on. I still have both frames... but they cannot be upgraded due to age and tech advances. It seems GT is not the brand it used to be. I have my eye on Trek or Specialized. I'm not going to race anymore, but I want "The last bike I'll ever buy" ( I'll be 50 this year). I'm looking at a cross country or single track bike due to Fla. conditions. Any insight? |
Check out Virginia Key Bike Club facebook page. There are some mtb demo events coming up at the park. Exit 1 off I95 so about 50 miles south of you. You can try 29er, 26er, full suspension, hardtail etc.
If you see a green bay Westy or dove blue panel splitty then i'm there.
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57 Panel http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=453943
62 so34 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=533160
76 Westy http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=520076 |
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babysnakes
Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2008
Posts: 7106
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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| I know the area, I grew up in Kendall. In the late 80s early 90s we rode Virginia Key behind the treatment plant. We called it the "Moon" 'cause that's what it looked like. I'll check it out, thanks for the heads up. |
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Sidbus
Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2011
Posts: 731
Location: Miami
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WestyMan1971
Samba Member
Joined: March 27, 2008
Posts: 682
Location: The Granite State
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Glenn A
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2006
Posts: 986
Location: NY
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 7:33 pm Post subject: |
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Me and the wife rented bikes and rode Alafia during Bullibrigade weekend. I wish I had more time to explore it, but what I saw of it was real nice.
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| mannys66 wrote: |
| In all my years, I have never given one thought about a blow up doll's feelings, until today......I feel sorry for it. |
60 Double cab
65 EzCamper
66 Double cab
62 Kombi
2017 Golf R |
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SteveVanB
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2008
Posts: 1645
Location: This side of Daytona
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 7:33 pm Post subject: |
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I need to dust off my old trusty steed....
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91 CARAT |
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Sidbus
Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2011
Posts: 731
Location: Miami
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70coupyel
Samba Member
Joined: September 06, 2006
Posts: 1657
Location: So.Cal
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 11:02 pm Post subject: |
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Post race picture a few seasons ago. It rained some after the first lap. 45-50 min. first lap, 1 hour 45 mins for the second lap. The mud would lock up both wheels from rolling and you had to stop find a stick and poke and rub the mug off your wheels so it would roll. Did that about 10 times. I placed 3rd for my age group that day. I'm a middle of the pack finisher most times.
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| TheAndante wrote: |
| Saying that specs are different than dimensions doesn't make sense. Porsche specs/VW specs/engineering specs are nothing but a series of dimensions,sizes,percentages,measurements, etc. |
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=338946&highlight=
70 KG Coup
83 Westy Waterboxer |
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nacradriver
Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2009
Posts: 760
Location: Ventura, CA
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| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2014 11:32 am Post subject: |
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Starting to look to replace my 1992 vintage Rock Hopper with something a little more modern...
Been cruising Craig's list and seeing all kinds kind of stuff, but having been out to the loop for as long as I have no idea what the quality brands and components are nowadays....
Any suggestions as to what is the good, the bad, and the ugly?
Thanks
P.S. Have been looking on Pink Bike too!
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Güdrun -1989 Westfalia - 2013 - 2018
Petra - 1985 Vanagon - 1985 to 1991
Zisa - 1974 VW Van "Bus" - 1974 to 1985 |
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offshores
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2012
Posts: 1085
Location: So Cal
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| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2014 12:12 pm Post subject: |
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| With all the options available and price points you'll need to let us know what type of riding you want to do and how much you want to spend. I recently picked up a Salsa Mamasita 29er on ebay and got a great deal. |
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nacradriver
Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2009
Posts: 760
Location: Ventura, CA
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| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2014 4:42 pm Post subject: |
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| offshores wrote: |
| With all the options available and price points you'll need to let us know what type of riding you want to do and how much you want to spend. I recently picked up a Salsa Mamasita 29er on ebay and got a great deal. |
For the spend, I am looking at about $500 to $750.... I have seen some nice new bikes for that price, but like most of the things I own, I have gotten some screaming deals with some top shelve used equipment...
As for my riding, mainly fire roads, steep hills, nothing too radical downhill wise. I have contemplating rear suspension, but the disc breaks are a must...
I came across a Giant Trance II the other day for $600... but the owner had second thoughts about selling it...then I see he re-posted it for $750.00 and today the ad is gone...
With that, I am a little confused about advantages and disadvantages of the 26, 27.5 and 29... wheels. I know that I am an XL frame.. at least that is what the bike shop told me...
Appreciate your help
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Güdrun -1989 Westfalia - 2013 - 2018
Petra - 1985 Vanagon - 1985 to 1991
Zisa - 1974 VW Van "Bus" - 1974 to 1985 |
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offshores
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2012
Posts: 1085
Location: So Cal
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| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2014 6:36 pm Post subject: |
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Personally, I wouldn’t touch a full suspension bike for the price you’re wanting to spend unless it was just the frame. I’m sure there are some deals out there, but you’ll find so much more in a used bike if you look for hardtails (ht). You should have no problem finding something with a decent front shock with SRAM X7 or X9 components. Shimano equivalents would be Deore, LX, XT stuff. Hydraulic disc brakes at that upper end of your price should be no problem either. Cable actuated discs are decent though.
I’m assuming you’re at least 6’ if a shop is recommending an XL frame??? If you are then don’t even consider anything but a 29er. I’m 6’3” and can’t believe the difference going from 26” to 29” wheels. The larger diameter wheels soak up the smaller bumps making 29er ht's way more plush than the smaller wheel ht’s. With a ht you’ll also be saving a ton of weight. Google” advantages and disadvantages of 26” and 29” wheels” and you’ll get a ton of info.
If you do go the full susp route make sure the shocks aren’t blown and all the linkage/pivot points are in good shape. Those repairs can add up fa$t and a squeaky pivots just suck on a trail. |
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nacradriver
Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2009
Posts: 760
Location: Ventura, CA
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 8:51 am Post subject: |
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| offshores wrote: |
Personally, I wouldn’t touch a full suspension bike for the price you’re wanting to spend unless it was just the frame. I’m sure there are some deals out there, but you’ll find so much more in a used bike if you look for hardtails (ht). You should have no problem finding something with a decent front shock with SRAM X7 or X9 components. Shimano equivalents would be Deore, LX, XT stuff. Hydraulic disc brakes at that upper end of your price should be no problem either. Cable actuated discs are decent though.
I’m assuming you’re at least 6’ if a shop is recommending an XL frame??? If you are then don’t even consider anything but a 29er. I’m 6’3” and can’t believe the difference going from 26” to 29” wheels. The larger diameter wheels soak up the smaller bumps making 29er ht's way more plush than the smaller wheel ht’s. With a ht you’ll also be saving a ton of weight. Google” advantages and disadvantages of 26” and 29” wheels” and you’ll get a ton of info.
If you do go the full susp route make sure the shocks aren’t blown and all the linkage/pivot points are in good shape. Those repairs can add up fa$t and a squeaky pivots just suck on a trail. |
Good stuff... thanks and I appreciate your time...
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Güdrun -1989 Westfalia - 2013 - 2018
Petra - 1985 Vanagon - 1985 to 1991
Zisa - 1974 VW Van "Bus" - 1974 to 1985 |
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bubblehead
Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2002
Posts: 523
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| Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2014 6:50 am Post subject: |
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Based on yor budget and described riding I'd say a used hardtail 29er w/100mm fork would serve you best. I'd also recommend a steel frame. Aluminum hardtails can be pretty harsh feeling on rough terrain. Salsa El Mariachi and Surly Karate Monkey come to mind. Both are both great bikes for the money but probably closer to $1000 used.
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| Lind wrote: |
| I think that buses attract weirdos that do weird things in weird places. |
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babysnakes
Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2008
Posts: 7106
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| Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2014 7:25 am Post subject: |
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| bubblehead wrote: |
| I'd also recommend a steel frame. Aluminum hardtails can be pretty harsh feeling on rough terrain. |
Yep, I bought a '93 GT Zaskar new all XT (aluminum). Great bike but the frame was unforgiving. After a year I swapped the components to a Raleigh John Tomac (aluminum front and chromoly rear), the frame absorbed much more of the shock than the Zaskar. |
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babysnakes
Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2008
Posts: 7106
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| Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2014 11:25 am Post subject: |
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| My turn for some help. I bought a new 29er hardtail with Elixer3 hydraulic brakes. First time with hydro's. I don't ride very often anymore. The bike was fine for the first 6 months, I parked it about a month ago and now the brakes are frozen front and back. The levers won't pull in. I don't have the bleed tools, looks like I have to take it to the shop. |
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bubblehead
Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2002
Posts: 523
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| Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2014 4:36 pm Post subject: |
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^that is strange. Are the pads stuck to the rotors? If you can get the pads out, spray some penetrating lube around the pistons and maybe free things up. I have Elixirs on a bike ( three years old now ) and no issues. It's been ridden a lot and sits through the winter. I actually have hydros on four bikes, including some ten year old XTRs, and they are less trouble than any cable brakes I've ever had.
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| Lind wrote: |
| I think that buses attract weirdos that do weird things in weird places. |
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sixfootdan
Samba Smartass
Joined: February 13, 2002
Posts: 4848
Location: \Lo*ca"tion\, n. 1. The act or process of locating.
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| Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 11:43 am Post subject: |
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I used to ride all the time but it's been 7 years. I just got my old rockhopper from storage last week. I'm kind of excited about some light riding again, Nothing crazy  Need to find a bike rack for the old bug though but I'm not seeing a whole lot out there.
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Schrodinger's cat walked into a bar and it didn't.
GO SEAHAWKS!!! |
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