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ssorgs

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Posts posted by ssorgs

    What is the next skill...

    in Mountain Biking Discussion

    Posted

    On 10/7/2021 at 9:28 AM, mack_turtle said:

    I usually lower my seat before punching up a ledge. if I don't the seat hits me in the taint. maybe that's bad technique, but I approach like like a bunnyhop. a good hop usually means tucking the bike high enough that the seat could get in the way. I've stabbed myself in the sternum with the nose of my seat, so dropping the seat with the flick of a switch changed the game for me.

    Idk, but saddle to sternum contact going *up* just shouldn't happen.  Seems like to you're way too compressed.  Ledges are power (and finesse) and most of us need more, not less, leg extension to generate power and increase maneuverability (of our bodies, not nec the bike). Color me contrarian, but I think the saddle is only an *obstacle* going down or in the air; otherwise it's a critical fulcrum that focuses your riding position and enables leverage.

    On 10/7/2021 at 9:29 AM, ATXZJ said:

    For me it's more crank position and timing than anything to do with seat position. Like you, the seat is usually dropped unless I'm just pedaling along. In my experience, if you're having trouble using the "punch" or "boost" method it's because you're waiting too long to compress the suspension for the pop after you get the front tire up on the ledge. 

    A lot of this stuff reminds me how hard it was to learn ollies on my skateboard. Seemed like the impossible at the time and yet 30+ years later I can still do them with my eyes closed. Just takes time 

    I'll offer that bunny hops are not a good model for ledges, imo. You need more run-up distance and more time to provide for compressing/rebounding your suspension, which makes the coordination of the complete move trickier. I think there are also too many limits to that approach - tall ledges, consecutive ledges, dips before ledges, etc - where the technique isn't just harder, it's counterproductive.  I also find that compressing shifts my weight forward precisely when I need it backwards. 

    Using your torso as a lever to raise your front wheel can be quicker, more predictable, and more forgiving than compressing.  More forgiving because bad timing on the compression can lead to an endo (up!), for instance, whereas if you lever your font wheel up but not enough, you can still roll it because your weight isn't working against you.

    • Like 2

    Need Shimano 4-piston pads N04C or D02S

    in Mountain Biking Discussion

    Posted

    Yeah, the link you shared @ATXZJ was enough for me! Ordered 3 pair to go with 1 shimano no-fin I could find (Trek Research).  Ill put that on the front and eek a little more from my back until the Truckers come this week. 

    Thanks again for the offer of your park bike's pads - if we weren't so far apart (while both still in Austin!), i woulda gone for it.

    FWIW, Mellow Johnny's has the fins (and some other M0s) but too pricey and I'm going fin-free...

    • Like 1

    Need Shimano 4-piston pads N04C or D02S

    in Mountain Biking Discussion

    Posted

    Despite having prepared for this moment by buying 2 spare pad sets (J02A) over a year ago, I just realized they're not compatible with my BL-M8100s.  Not optimistic I can find either of these in a LBS today (but I'll try!).

    Looking for metallics but would take resin at this point too. Fins or not.

    I can buy them from you today or replace them later in the week.

    Thanks!

    Shimano D02S Brake Pads-metal.jpg

    Shimano N04C Brake Pads-metal.jpg

    Let's talk helmets

    in Mountain Biking Discussion

    Posted

    3 minutes ago, Tree Magnet said:


    The biggest potential difference (not a skier) is that I really need my helmet to breathe. I ride all year.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    That's about my top priority and Smith does very well with that, except for the Koroyd ones. The Engage I'm using now has a little more coverage and the internal channels may be a little smaller, but it's on par with the Venture.

    Let's talk helmets

    in Mountain Biking Discussion

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, pjs32000 said:

    As someone considering a Smith lid that's encouraging.  What was the reason for them making an exception and giving you a larger credit?  Because they didn't respond timely?

    None given, but no ask.  I may have been a little sensitive to the timing, but it is my only helmet and didn't want too many rides on the busted one...

    If I had to guess, the fact that it separated and that the helmet's only two months old could have been factors.  If was older and/or 'just' a divot or something, seems more likely the 30% route.

    Will say I do really like the helmet. Has an adjustable visor, which allows me to keep it in middle position for most trail rides so I have better visibility and am less likely to smack my bucket (esp at night).  Then I can lower when on road during full sun beatdown.  I often removed the visor on my previous Smith Venture because even occasional smacks sucked...

    Let's talk helmets

    in Mountain Biking Discussion

    Posted

    Smith helmets have worked well for me: fit, ventilation, weight...and now warranty.  Had a wreck last week and didn't even think I hit my head and only noticed a day later. hard to tell but inside of strap frame separated, too.

    I submitted my crash replacement claim online and called a day later bc I hadn't heard back. I was told they typically offer 30% msrp from their site, but they ended up sending a $150 voucher to use on their site for a replacement helmet.  This Engage has a $110 msrp, though was on sale.  Cost me about $11 for shipping and tax.

    Not bad.

    IMG_5312-sm.JPG

    IMG_5313-sm.JPG

    • Like 2

    Oval Chain Rings

    in Mountain Biking Discussion

    Posted

    On 5/19/2021 at 12:46 PM, ssorgs said:

    Sold me.  Just order AB 30t.

    Whoa, this shit's for real! 1st ride yesterday afternoon and I was blown away! 

    Rode road to TC and flats were a little awkward, with a weird dead/gap spot at the top of my pedal stroke.  Really only went away if I was pushing my cadence or going up hills - though it was smooth climbing seated or standing (standing so long as was in big enough gear). Sounds like that's pretty common and I should adapt in short order. Though I did feel it some on way back.

    Trail was phenomenal!  While still some of the gappy sensation on flat stuff, it made a huge difference climbing and let me cruise through rocky/loose stuff. I could climb really well seated, which is my preference for traction, and I just didn't stall out on ledges.  When needed, I could stand and power up and over far more consistently than the before times. I could keep my weight back, which is something I have to work on as I sometimes find myself leaning far enough forward that I lose traction and while making it more trouble getting the front end up (great combo ;-). Another great 'use case' was through baby head-type sections, especially at the top of tricky climbs, where you can really lose momentum trying to crawl over them, I could just keep pedaling.

    My legs really felt less tired too, especially quads. I kept same tooth count as my round, though I did feel like I was often riding in a higher gear because...I could.

    Basically, every bit of absoluteBlack's 'Why  Oval...' was true for me!

    Fuck alll y'all for not getting me on it sooner!

    • Like 4
    • Haha 1
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