heterographic-homophone

My beautiful wife and I are signing up for a Texas XC race in a few weeks and thinking about which category is right for us. We are 55 years old, but the categories are essentially determined solely by the race distance. Cat 1 is three laps, Cat 2 is two laps, and Cat 3 is just one lap of the 8 mile course. Back in our days of racing in Colorado, 30-40 years ago, we had to win races to move up in category, which no longer seems to be the case. This brings me to the point of this post, my first on this forum. Should we be too concerned about upsetting the regular racers or organizer if we sign up for Cat 1 to get the 24 miles in, even though we might not be as fast as the other Cat 1 racers? Our typical weekend rides with a group of competitive riders, some of whom are half our age, are usually 20-25 miles long. For example, we did 24+ yesterday in under two hours over terrain similar to the race course. We are both fast enough that it is unlikely we will get lapped by the leaders, but not impossible.

Slackerdude

[Quote="chacou"]Appreciate the insight, kinda what I thought. Variable conditions. On the front range in CO mid-March it can be great riding in Golden, but complete crap in Evergreen (or further west) on the same day due to temperature variability from elevation and pitch, aspect. It also can tend to be the start of our wet season: March and April snow, May and June monsoon rain. If you're looking to ski in Colorado, March and April are your months. I have time, just excited as my buddy let me know earlier today he was able to secure dates/spots at the lodge in Alaska.[/Quote] Never know what you're gonna get weather wise anymore... January is my favorite time for boarding , snow is low moister content "Powder" March , spring break is when all the gapers come out , snow can be plentiful but sometimes heavy and I'm usually riding a lot by then... but I like to leave my options open.. I got 22 awesome snow days in since January 5th, mostly week days with no crowds or lift lines so pretty happy with that ,

chacou

Appreciate the insight, kinda what I thought. Variable conditions. On the front range in CO mid-March it can be great riding in Golden, but complete crap in Evergreen (or further west) on the same day due to temperature variability from elevation and pitch, aspect. It also can tend to be the start of our wet season: March and April snow, May and June monsoon rain. If you're looking to ski in Colorado, March and April are your months. I have time, just excited as my buddy let me know earlier today he was able to secure dates/spots at the lodge in Alaska.

BenLow2019

[Quote="TyBronder"]Hey guys, I’m looking into getting a bike custom painted and I was curious if any of you guys knew of how to paint a carbon bike. I’m looking at doing it DIY but I was curious if there was any place that I might be able to get it painted. I live on the Front Range in Colorado and would prefer to get it painted somewhat locally. Also, if I do it DIY, what paints and primers would be ok?[/Quote] This subject has been up before, but here's a [L=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQlocf6Vu0o]video[/L] about it if you want to try yourself. As for shops - don't know in your location, but you can look up [L=https://www.element6.us/]Element 6.[/L] They do repairs and custom paint jobs - probably very expensive. Good luck.

TyBronder

Hey guys, I’m looking into getting a bike custom painted and I was curious if any of you guys knew of how to paint a carbon bike. I’m looking at doing it DIY but I was curious if there was any place that I might be able to get it painted. I live on the Front Range in Colorado and would prefer to get it painted somewhat locally. Also, if I do it DIY, what paints and primers would be ok?

Slackerdude

There is snow ice and wet on most the trails around here but sun has been out for a few days so was able to get a mixed condition ride in today... more snow coming tomorrow , Its not something we complain about in Colorado , would be nice to put a dent in the long term drought conditions , best winter I can remember in a long time for snowfall but they say it would take decades of these kinds of winters to start replenishing the big ponds down stream in other states. Conditions change rapidly here , the photo with my bike had a foot of snow in that spot a few days ago ,

Slackerdude

Gold camp road , Colorado Springs. is what I thought.

kiranseligman

[Quote="hugosbike"]Hi everybody, My name's Hugo, I'm 37 years old and leave for now in France where I have worked in mountain bike field since 2000. I have founded and owned 2 bikeparks (1 big pumptrack/bmx race tracks and bike school and 1 tiny mountain bikepark with a lift). Since Covid period, I stopped bikeparks and I have created a beautiful bikeshop. You can visit it by drone on my Youtube channel just here : https://youtu.be/VW5FIOlLV5M In 2023, with my wife, we want to run new challenges and have decided to come to live in the USA. My bikeshop is for sale and I'm looking to buy a store in the USA. My targeted states are north Carolina and nearby states, Oregon and nearby states, Colorado and nearby states. I'm also open to other states. My budget will be between 150 and 200 000$. I'm looking for a small store to develop or a store to straighten up. Maybe someone know a bikeshop for sale. There are not so many bike shops on bizbuysell.com I welcome any information or advice. Thank you in advance and I'm looking forward to ride in the USA :-)[/Quote] Just saw this on Facebook marketplace and though of your post. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/562398335387478/?mibextid=6ojiHh

stokedrightnow

[Quote="trocksmooth"][Quote="OGslideways"]I am running a 2022 rockshox coil 230x65 and the only issue was to trim the lockout knob. Riding a 2022 slash 7 medium 350lb coil and really like it. Since its dumping here in Colorado it’s on the stand since I scored a great deal on a Zebb ultimate to put on the front.[/Quote] How much do you weigh ready to ride and how much sag are you getting with a 350lbs spring? I am waiting on some of the hardware to mount my Fox DHX2 (pin to trunnion mounts) to my slash but haven’t ordered a spring yet and I’m curious as to what people out there are running as per their weight and spring rate. Initial feedback for my kitted up weight of 190lbs from spring calculations, other coil slash riders and tech people (Fox and Trek), is between 450lbs and 550lbs for the spring.[/Quote] I’m riding a 475lb spring at 180ish. I would say go for a 500.

iliveonnitro

[Quote="trocksmooth"][Quote="OGslideways"]I am running a 2022 rockshox coil 230x65 and the only issue was to trim the lockout knob. Riding a 2022 slash 7 medium 350lb coil and really like it. Since its dumping here in Colorado its on the stand since I scored a great deal on a Zebb ultimate to put on the front.[/Quote] How much do you weigh ready to ride and how much sag are you getting with a 350lbs spring? I am waiting on some of the hardware to mount my Fox DHX2 (pin to trunnion mounts) to my slash but haven’t ordered a spring yet and I’m curious as to what people out there are running as per their weight and spring rate. Initial feedback for my kitted up weight of 190lbs from spring calculations, other coil slash riders and tech people (Fox and Trek), is between 450lbs and 550lbs for the spring.[/Quote] Depends a bit on how hard you ride and how rocky your terrain is. I found 450-500 perfect at 175lbs kitted.

trocksmooth

[Quote="OGslideways"]I am running a 2022 rockshox coil 230x65 and the only issue was to trim the lockout knob. Riding a 2022 slash 7 medium 350lb coil and really like it. Since its dumping here in Colorado its on the stand since I scored a great deal on a Zebb ultimate to put on the front.[/Quote] How much do you weigh ready to ride and how much sag are you getting with a 350lbs spring? I am waiting on some of the hardware to mount my Fox DHX2 (pin to trunnion mounts) to my slash but haven’t ordered a spring yet and I’m curious as to what people out there are running as per their weight and spring rate. Initial feedback for my kitted up weight of 190lbs from spring calculations, other coil slash riders and tech people (Fox and Trek), is between 450lbs and 550lbs for the spring.

OGslideways

I am running a 2022 rockshox coil 230x65 and the only issue was to trim the lockout knob. Riding a 2022 slash 7 medium 350lb coil and really like it. Since its dumping here in Colorado its on the stand since I scored a great deal on a Zebb ultimate to put on the front.

BenLow2019

Check out[L=https://lizardheadcyclingguides.com/] these[/L] guys in Colorado. They offer tours in other states besides Colorado as well. In your searches try typing "(state name) bike guides" and see what you can find for a region of your interest.

Danzzz88

[Quote="chrisclifford"][Quote="Danzzz88"][Quote="chrisclifford"]I've had 11.6s on 3 different bikes. Just got an EXT Storia. Best shock I've ever ridden hands down. In my opinion the EXT is the better shock.[/Quote] What do you prefer about the EXT...I have heard the 11.6 offers more of a magic carpet feel whilst the EXT offers a more damped feel, maybe a bit more poppy with more trail feedback. Is this the 11.6R or original 11.6 and which model of EXT?[/Quote] I think the EXT is poppier (for lack of a better word) while still being every bit as compliant as the 11.6. The Storia doesn't seem to make any performance compromises to the 11.6.. The last PUSH I had was a 2018 model so I haven't ridden their most recent stuff. Both shocks are incredible. Veneto is cooler than Colorado if you need a tiebreaker.[/Quote] Well to be fair I don't think it all the shock itself that makes the difference here but also the tune..I went from the 11.6SS similar to what you had to the new 11.6R cos I wasn't happy with the performance of the previous shock...Darren created a completely custom tune specifically for based on what I told him I didn't like about the previous shock and I have to say it is night and day better...feels like a completely different shock with the same spring rate and I'm sure the same applies to may other shocks. It really is worth knowing thoroughly what you want out of the shock and understanding how it behaves on the trail, then talking to tuner to give it a custom tune for you because it can make a massive difference. Meanwhile I am also running the FAST SC4 damper in my fork and that thing impressed me straight away, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a FAST Fenix shock...and if again I wasn't by chance too keen on the damping characteristics I'm sure I could get it returned too.

chrisclifford

[Quote="Danzzz88"][Quote="chrisclifford"]I've had 11.6s on 3 different bikes. Just got an EXT Storia. Best shock I've ever ridden hands down. In my opinion the EXT is the better shock.[/Quote] What do you prefer about the EXT...I have heard the 11.6 offers more of a magic carpet feel whilst the EXT offers a more damped feel, maybe a bit more poppy with more trail feedback. Is this the 11.6R or original 11.6 and which model of EXT?[/Quote] I think the EXT is poppier (for lack of a better word) while still being every bit as compliant as the 11.6. The Storia doesn't seem to make any performance compromises to the 11.6.. The last PUSH I had was a 2018 model so I haven't ridden their most recent stuff. Both shocks are incredible. Veneto is cooler than Colorado if you need a tiebreaker.