So I found out today why I've been having some weird noises and goofy suspension action on my bike. Turns out there was a snapped piece inside my fork and Manitou hasn't made that fork in four years. AND they only backstock parts for 3. So I have to either replace the fork or replace the bike. Since I just got my 20% off action on a new bike from REI I'm thinking of getting a Novara Ponderosa HT. It's got all the stuff I wish my Marin had, including a working fork! XT rear derailleur, avid disc brakes, Judy J2 fork (with lockout) and it says "race" right there on the bike We'll see if Josey goes for it

 

I thought you wanted FS?

 

I did..

But then I rode one and I didn't like it. It was most likely that the rear shock wasn't pumped enough to handle my weight but I don't know. It completely turned me off of the Prophet.

The REAL problem for me with FS is that to get the level of bike I want, I either go pretty much top of the line HT or real entry level FS. I'd rather go top of HT.

 

nice bike matt. i was there on saturday for the garage sale...
they had a lot of nice bikes there...i was eyeing the Scott Nitrous for a DH bike...

man that garage sale was trouble...
ended up spending over $200 on stuff i did NOT plan on getting, but wanted.

it was sorta crazy. when youcame in,you pulled a letter out of the bag, then they calledgroups.
i was group "E" so i was the fifth group in...they gave each group 20 mins then kicked everyone out for the next group.

it was kinda chaotic and people were in a frenzy, but i went for the high dollar electronics and scored some good stuff!!!

a list of the loot:
a $500 NiteRider Cyclone HID/LED headlight for under $140
a Garmin Forerunner GPS unit for $30
a Cateye cyclocomputer for $7
and a Thule fairing formy roof rack for $10

 

Nice score, dude

 

I'm outta here in about 10 to go get that bike

 

sweet!

did you check out the Method 1.0?
its an air rear shock, which can be tuned to your weight.

for XC you really wanna stick w/ air shocks.
coil spring shocks are heavier and normally have poor platform damping, making pedaling less efficient.


*edit: oops, guess you're already gone...the Ponderosa HT is a sweet ride though holmes! should be plenty of bike for where we ride.

 

:wiggle:



Got some Shimano shoes too for the clipless pedals. That's going to take some getting used to

 

I looked at the FS stuff, but the Method is more than I can afford. Plus the components are lower than the Ponderosa HT - LX rear and Alivio front derailleur.

 

that thing's BAD!
you'll get used to clipmless fast.
just set them to the loosest setting when you first start riding, then tighten them up as you get used to them...mine are still pretty loose, but i've popped out of them under hard pedalling or tech stuff a couple times, so i think its time to tighten them up a bit.

they had your size in stock?
Folsom sucked! they only had 14" or 15" frames on the floor and would have to order anything larger...the 20%off sale must have done well for them.

hey, your old bike, was it a 9spd or 8 spd?
if its a 9spd, let me know, i'd like to see if you'd part w/ the cassette.
also, are you selling the whole thing?
i have a freind who really wants to start riding but is on a budget.
he's about your same build, so it should fit him.
does it just need a front fork?

let me know.

 

Yeah, the bike shop at the REI here in Sac is awesome. The techs always have time to talk and help me with my stupid questions and the sales people are always super helpful (sometimes overly so). They put the cleats on my shoes and set the tension on my pedals to "noob" for me. I'm glad too - I would have eaten some good asphault a bit ago if the pedals had been tighter. The last three times I've been in and we were buying a bike - Joseys, Daves and Mine, they've always had our size. They had a 15", a 17" (the one I got) and a 19". The 15" was on display and the others in their stock area. They always seem to have multiple sizes of each bike on display. I was even surprised they had my shoe size

As for my Marin -

I'm looking to sell it whole. I think the casette is 8spd but I'd have to go outside to check that (and I just took my shoes off). As for it's condition, it's in awesome condition - brakes are good, derailleurs are good (front needs an adjustment), frame and wheels are true. It's just the fork that needs replacement, and at the moment it is NOT safe at all to ride with the fork as it is. I've got an idea on what I'd like to get for the bike, I'll pm you

 

The trails will be all muddy and ****ty this weekend (and I think the Olmstead race was last weekend so that trail will likely be owned).

Wanna ride American River trial maybe on Saturday, Mike? I can only ride to Safeway so many times before I get bored out of my friggin mind.

 

Saturday morning is fine with me. Terri has to go to a baby shower just after noon, so I need to be home by then.

I have no problem with mud if you want to hit Quarry/Clementine/FDLT. But I'll ride American River too.

 

Eh, I don't feel like catching horse **** in my mouth and eyes this weekend What time should I be over Saturday morning?

 

what's AmRiver like? isn't that the paved trail?
if so, i don't think i'll try to make it down.
i've got a paved bike trail right across the street from my house...and i ride til the pavement ends and it turns to dirt for 4.5 miles more.

paved trails suck on mt bikes.


speaking of riding this weekend...i need to run and go grab a new front brake cable so i can!