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Northborough RAL (ride at lunch)

wa-loaf

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Finally got out and found some trails and tested out Jeffs bike.

The trail is called the Stirrup Brook Trail and starts in the HS parking lot that's a 2 minute ride from my house. Nice twisty single track, nothing really technical, but has a decent flow with lots of up and downs, a few hairpin turns, and rock walls. It doesn't get much use as the trail was covered in pine needles and pine cones. I kept my speed down because it was pretty slippery and well I'm out of shape. I've been doing a lot of running lately, but it's just not the same.

The bike. Really my first ride on a FS. The frame feels pretty good to me. I might slide the seat back a little. A couple things I had trouble with. Maybe it's the disc brakes, but I felt I got a little too forward on the front tire in a few spots. See if I can stiffen up the front fork and get the seat back. I hit the cranks a little more than usual, I think I just need to get used to the rear suspension and when it rebounds. The bottom bracket has an inch more of clearance and the cranks are the same length. More riding is needed, but I felt pretty comfortable on it fit wise.

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The HS has a pretty cool obstacle course. Rope ladders, zip lines, tire swings, balance boards, and other random stuff to climb over and through:
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Some randomness:
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You can see all the pine cones on the trail here. the trail actually runs to the right of the tree and then cuts left over to the rock wall.
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Hope to do some more exploring at least once a week from here on out.
 

bvibert

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Nice!

Did you set the correct sag on the front and rear before heading out? Having it dialed in will make a big difference in how it performs.
 

wa-loaf

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Nice!

Did you set the correct sag on the front and rear before heading out? Having it dialed in will make a big difference in how it performs.

Yeah, I have no idea how to do that. Jeff didn't give me any manuals ..:p

I'll have to see if I can download them.
 

o3jeff

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I just added a few more psi to the fork and shock since he is a few lbs heavier than me, I think. I have all the manuels and set up guide for it. You'll need to get a shock pump since I only have one
 

wa-loaf

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I'll get a shock pump, anything in particular I should look for?

Also, can I use different shifters with the sram derailleurs? Those are poorly designed IMHO.
 

bvibert

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You're stuck with the sram shifters unless you change out the rear derailleur too. Sram rear derailleurs are not compatible with Shimano shifters (the only other choice in trigger shifters). You could switch to sram grip shifts, which some people swear by, if you wanted to.
 

wa-loaf

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You're stuck with the sram shifters unless you change out the rear derailleur too. Sram rear derailleurs are not compatible with Shimano shifters (the only other choice in trigger shifters). You could switch to sram grip shifts, which some people swear by, if you wanted to.

Grip shifters are worse. I'll just get used to these.
 

bvibert

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You could potentially use the derailleur from your old bike and get some new shifters... If the derailleur is still in good shape that is. I really dislike the sram shifters too, so I feel your pain.
 

wa-loaf

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I'm going to keep the old bike intact. I may still want to ride HT at times and it will be good for riding around with the kids.
 

bvibert

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I'm going to keep the old bike intact. I may still want to ride HT at times and it will be good for riding around with the kids.

That's what I figured, but I wanted to throw it out there. I may have a Shimano rear derailleur I could give you, I'd have to look though...

Does the bike seem to fit you well?
 

wa-loaf

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Ordered the shock pump, will be here tomorrow. I also downloaded the manual and my weight puts me at the top end for the psi. I'll check where Jeff set it and pump it up more if needed. I guess I also need to play with the rebound as well.
 

o3jeff

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Also, check the tire pressure, might be more than your use to in there too. I tend to run them high since I hate changing tubes on the trail due to pinch flats.
 

wa-loaf

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BTW I was reading some of the pump reviews on Amazon and there are some real morons out there. "really nice pump, but it took forever to pump up my tires" :smash:
 

o3jeff

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I was running the fork at 125(they say you can goto about 225psi) and the rear shock around 160 for my weight(185). Just bring the shock pump with you on the ride so you can play around.
 

wa-loaf

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I was running the fork at 125(they say you can goto about 225psi) and the rear shock around 160 for my weight(185). Just bring the shock pump with you on the ride so you can play around.

Pumped up the rear to 185 and the front 170! Tires were a little low too. Taking it out tomorrow.
 
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