ihartmybike

I feel like printing "carbon" on the carbon handle bar is a little obnoxious.. lol

Where in the world did you hear that helmets don't help jclnv? I've had helmets save my life at least 3 times, I destroyed a Remedy CF, and I'm here to talk about it and functioning just as good as before, minus the frequent headaches. You CANNOT tell me that I would be fine if I wasn't wearing that helmet right now. Honestly I cannot believe you said that lol

My XC bike is still a 26" hardtail, why? because I have the most fun riding it. And with the right set of race wheels and a heavy set of training wheels, I'm winning cat 2 races.. I have fun riding my 26 and don't see myself going with bigger wheels anytime soon. There's just no need for me. What I'm so unhappy about is that a good 26" race hardtail is now a niche market...

Dartmoor Stimulus.

Well, only 2900 other names to compete with lol might as well give it a go! Dartmoor Endorphin. If that doesn't correspond with the harmoniousness relationship of rider and bike in nature then I don't know what does.

Working at a Trek store, I have a dozen of the torque wrenches laying around the house and in my various tool boxes, even in my truck. I just always seem to be collecting them. Between the shop and my own bikes, I use one of those wrenches several times a day and haven't had a single problem or a single stem/bar/whatever come loose. Must have item.

What about the contract Gwin JUST SIGNED with Trek?!

3 speed internal geared hub, with Dura Ace 9000 11 speed on the rear, and a gearbox up front. WHAT NOW MIKE.

Working at a bike shop, I have plenty of demo bikes I can choose from to play with. I own an EX 8, and for cross country I ride a Trek 6000 with XT. Yes, I race XC on a 26" hardtail, why? Because I hate the way the 29ers I ride handle. I like to have fun even when I'm racing, I use technical handling skills to keep up with the guys on the 29ers because they lack those skills, and I'm still remaining competitive around here. 29er may be more efficient when climbing and pedaling, but it sure as hell isn't fun to ride over the rough stuff, you feel like you just roll over everything, not nimbly darting through the obstacles. Just ride what you want to ride to have fun! Don't listen to what the market is saying, you don't need to have the latest wheel size and the latest drivetrain to go out and shred, this sport is about fun, isn't it?

Do you even climb?