tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062337474734435253.post6160518206650872259..comments2024-02-23T06:20:54.048-08:00Comments on Life's Little Adventures: Unholy Guacamole, or The Tale of Our New Mountain BikesJim and Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13982110996137470496noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062337474734435253.post-87605323184229852362014-01-16T16:50:00.508-08:002014-01-16T16:50:00.508-08:00I found a bike! Are dogs and bikes, not necessaril...I found a bike! Are dogs and bikes, not necessarily together, allowed on the Lost Dutchman trails?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11074314426501822755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062337474734435253.post-74341578212120928262014-01-16T16:48:09.165-08:002014-01-16T16:48:09.165-08:00I found a bike! Are dogs and bikes, not specifical...I found a bike! Are dogs and bikes, not specifically together, allowed on the Lost Dutchman trails?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11074314426501822755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062337474734435253.post-8357634720666230282013-12-08T08:22:51.834-08:002013-12-08T08:22:51.834-08:00Thanks Jim, your enthusiasm is contagious! I misse...Thanks Jim, your enthusiasm is contagious! I missed the year end sales this fall but the used idea sounds like the best way to go; your experiences have helped me refine my search. I heard about the Trek Lush; very popular reviews. What I got out of your detailed response is that FIT is the most important; I'm short and want clearance.<br /><br />I appreciate you taking the time to pass on your info!<br />SusanAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11074314426501822755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062337474734435253.post-4735388469967050712013-11-28T10:45:49.579-08:002013-11-28T10:45:49.579-08:00Hi Folks - thank you for commenting on my blog ab...Hi Folks - thank you for commenting on my blog about Gary's Multiple Myeloma. One of the things that he has had to give up is his beloved bicycling! His bones are akin to Swiss cheese, so falling would be a VERY BAD THING. But he is interested in your experiences with the recumbents. His hybrid TREK is currently languishing in our storage room, and feeling very neglected.judilynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13640947046484366376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062337474734435253.post-36800707441613192262013-11-24T19:20:14.148-08:002013-11-24T19:20:14.148-08:00Thanks, Jim, that's just what we needed to kno...Thanks, Jim, that's just what we needed to know. Sounds like a good buy for us come spring!John and Pam (ohtheplacestheygo.wordpress.com)https://www.blogger.com/profile/10853924678665624403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062337474734435253.post-80762745921885312052013-11-24T08:51:27.522-08:002013-11-24T08:51:27.522-08:00Our first criteria was that we had to be able to t...Our first criteria was that we had to be able to test ride these bikes. That mean't we had to either be able to buy used or buy new and locally. I had been looking for used as we have been traveling over the past few months and found very little and what little there was had a high price tag.<br /><br />What I also learned was that the entry level price for a full suspension 29'er is just under $2,000 and you can spend up to $10,000 and probably more.<br /><br />To have an enjoyable riding experience fit is critical and yet it often not very well researched by the rider including me. This time I intended to do a better job.<br /><br />This area has a large number of good to great bicycle shops. If you are interested in used they generally sell their rental fleet starting in October and these bikes are a year old. If you are willing to buy a used and abused bike be sure to inspect it closely and especially for cracks at the weld points. Also be sure to ask the shop to do that as well. The name brand bikes generally give the original owner a lifetime warranty on the frame which doesn't transfer.<br /><br />Why one Giant and one Specialized? Because that is what they had on hand and were willing to discount. Gayle and I both liked the Giant but I had virtually no clearance over the top tube and it was a large frame "women specific" bike. A medium or small may have worked but they had none to look at. The Specialized had a different frame design resulting in a more sloped top tube with plenty of stand over height for me. It is a medium size frame also "women specific".<br /><br />That is one of the issues regarding 29'er bikes it is harder to get a good fit for shorter people. While I am average height my leg and arm length are a bit on the short side which is what has made bike fit more problematic. In the end I have been very happy with the Specialized Rumor.<br /><br />Another bike in the same price range is the Trek Lush 29 which is also "women specific" and has a good component package. Didn't get to see one so don't know much about that.<br /><br />One final thought, like car salesmen you have to be careful when dealing with bike shop salesmen. They will do their best to sell you what they have and their information is not always correct. Take helmets for example. I was told by two different shop employees at two stores that helmets should be replaced routinely at either 5 or 2 years and one said that was even if they sat on a shelf unused which is simply not true.<br /><br />I am not an expert and hope this helps. Feel free to email direct if you have more questions.<br /><br />I have to say that we both found a new love for bicycling when we switched to recumbent road bikes and road several thousand miles a year on them for over a decade. I had forgotten how much fun a mountain bike can be and riding the trails here has been a blast. I hope to spend more time biking and less time hiking in the future.<br /><br />JimJim and Gaylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13982110996137470496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062337474734435253.post-34847132630326747332013-11-24T07:51:13.997-08:002013-11-24T07:51:13.997-08:00I have also been looking at a new mountain bike bu...I have also been looking at a new mountain bike but get overwhelmed with all the brands. Why one Giant and one Specialized? I am not a very experienced mountain biker and not a kid any more; which brand would you recommend? Thanks so much for sharing this info, you answered a lot of questions.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11074314426501822755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062337474734435253.post-41981359832613408572013-11-23T07:29:00.887-08:002013-11-23T07:29:00.887-08:00We have done some riding on paved roads with the n...We have done some riding on paved roads with the new mountain bikes and with the the 29" wheels they do surprisingly well.Very comfortable and fast. I like the fact that if you want to go off in the dirt or hit some gravel you don't risk the tires sliding out like on our road bikes. If you were going to be doing a lot of pavement riding you could always swap tires for something less knobby, but so far we are happy to have one bike that can do it all. Everything is a compromise when you carry all your worldly belongings everywhere you go!Jim and Gaylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13982110996137470496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062337474734435253.post-15495169788237547732013-11-23T07:14:43.667-08:002013-11-23T07:14:43.667-08:00Thanks for the bike info in detail! We have road ...Thanks for the bike info in detail! We have road bikes right now but may think about trading when we get back west. However, we really like having bikes for town/city riding. We try to ride everywhere we can like the grocery store, touring, etc. How are your bikes for road riding around town? I think we would do more road riding than mountain biking over time. We can't carry four bikes!<br /><br />Mark gave a great detailed description of your biking adventure!! Those guys are crazy! Hope Jim's hand is all right. Sounds like he is luck that's all he injured. At least you and Bonnie had your heads on straight:) I thought it sounded like a fun hike!<br /><br />Be safe out there:)John and Pam (ohtheplacestheygo.wordpress.com)https://www.blogger.com/profile/10853924678665624403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062337474734435253.post-90212801420799711642013-11-23T06:32:42.353-08:002013-11-23T06:32:42.353-08:00I like having mt bikes but am very careful when I ...I like having mt bikes but am very careful when I ride. It amazes me how much mt biking beats up your body...even with full suspension! When I was in my 30's I'd try to "keep up with" the guys I rode with...now I could care less! I'd much rather enjoy the ride and save my bones than keep up with Hans!Metamorphosis Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07637866156639686101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062337474734435253.post-20414824187735020182013-11-22T13:36:35.820-08:002013-11-22T13:36:35.820-08:00Not being sure where we would end up this winter, ...Not being sure where we would end up this winter, we didn't even bring our bikes. Paul would sort of like to have his now. Oh well. We have two legs to get us around.<br /><br />Good luck with your new purchases.where's weaverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06146465650359155960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062337474734435253.post-59282740581863109172013-11-22T11:13:01.450-08:002013-11-22T11:13:01.450-08:00We bought two hybrid treks when we started full ti...We bought two hybrid treks when we started full timing and they have been fine for most rails to trails but I can see how we will want something more when we hit the west. Thanks for this how to. Sorry about the falls. I think I'm too chicken to ever be an "advanced" anything. Too afraid of breaking something else after two ankles.Sherryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00328866430156879312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062337474734435253.post-85013471525208634202013-11-22T08:53:15.210-08:002013-11-22T08:53:15.210-08:00"I have always been unsatisfied with life as ..."I have always been unsatisfied with life as most people live it. Always I want to live more intensely and richly. Why muck and conceal one's true longings and loves, when by speaking of them one might find someone to understand them, and by acting on them one might discover oneself?"<br /><br />-- Everett Ruess via Box Canyon MarkBox Canyon Blog.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07032055509766739436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062337474734435253.post-79380447457061564372013-11-22T08:07:35.686-08:002013-11-22T08:07:35.686-08:00All I know about my bike is that it has two wheels...All I know about my bike is that it has two wheels and goes when I pedal. ;)Travels with Emmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com