Jacob Hyde aka Cob - Bike Check
No Dig, No Ride is a term taken seriously in the Aptos area. Simply put if you don't want to put in the time to build, don't bother coming to ride. Jacob Hyde's house is a perfect example of this term. Regardless of if you're showing up to ride, chill, film, or take photos you are expected to pickup a shovel when shovel time is present. This method assures that no riders are riding, when it is time to be digging, and vice versa. Everyone digs, regardless of stature, or riding skill.
Cob had a dialed back yard, and a dialed bike. Here's some information on his rig...Jacob Hyde aka Cob is a local shredder from the Aptos area. With his bike riding skills honed around being smooth, going high, and having fun Cob is a very stylish, and smooth rider. Residing in Scotts Valley, a mere 10 minute drive from the Post Office jump area Cob's yard is ridden on a daily basis. Cob's house is a more advanced version, and downhill version of the Post Office jumps, meaning when times get boring at the post, the fun moves to Cobs!
![photo]()
photo by: Iggz
Rolling in from the driveway I was hard pressed to find a rider that would, or could take a pedal stroke between these jumps. The whole idea of Cob's yard is to be able to roll in, and ride till the end. The starting point was just off to the right of Cob's mom's garden, and ending at the back fence by the tool shed. Tight berms, steep gaps, and one big sender make up the yard.
![photo]()
photo by: BryBry
Style plays such a large part in Aptos. It's been said before that "any dirt jumper out there can jump 3 straight gaps. It takes skill to ride trails, and jumps that are off angle. It also takes even more skill to trick and style these jumps out". With style comes control, and the ability to predict your bike. Cob is a great example of style when he rides. He simply twists his bike and body in the direction he wants it to flow, and it works itself out.
![photo]()
photo by: J-Brantley
Cob's bike is one solid rig. Constructed around being light and strong Cob has the renowned Blk Mrkt Mob frame, with a 21.5 inch top tube. The Mob is one of the most ridden bikes in Aptos due to its light weight, dialed geo, and its top tube lengths. Designed to be light and strong, the Mob frame is a perfect starting point for a dirt jump bike.
![photo]()
![photo]()
Aside from the chrome frame Cob's Mob isn't anything out of the ordinary for the Aptos area. One brake, a light lowered fork, reliable and stiff wheels, and a set of tires that work. Simplicity works best here.
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
On the non drive side Cob has a self constructed crank stop. It consists of 4 zap straps wrapping a piece of tube around his crank. This setup provides friction to the cranks, meaning they won't spin when your feet are not on them.
All in all Cob, erm, Jacob Hyde kills it on a bike. He is easily one of the smoothest, stylish riders I have seen to date, and with the mind set and drive that Jacob has he can do anything he wants, on and off his bike. If you ever see Cob killing it out there on his chrome mob make sure you take a moment to watch flow in motion!
![photo]()
photo by: J-Brantley
If you're ever in the Aptos area stop in by the local Post Office and hang around. You're bound to see some awesome riding, and hey, you may even run into Jacob and get a chance to check his jumps out!
Cob had a dialed back yard, and a dialed bike. Here's some information on his rig...Jacob Hyde aka Cob is a local shredder from the Aptos area. With his bike riding skills honed around being smooth, going high, and having fun Cob is a very stylish, and smooth rider. Residing in Scotts Valley, a mere 10 minute drive from the Post Office jump area Cob's yard is ridden on a daily basis. Cob's house is a more advanced version, and downhill version of the Post Office jumps, meaning when times get boring at the post, the fun moves to Cobs!
Rolling in from the driveway I was hard pressed to find a rider that would, or could take a pedal stroke between these jumps. The whole idea of Cob's yard is to be able to roll in, and ride till the end. The starting point was just off to the right of Cob's mom's garden, and ending at the back fence by the tool shed. Tight berms, steep gaps, and one big sender make up the yard.
Style in his yard
Style plays such a large part in Aptos. It's been said before that "any dirt jumper out there can jump 3 straight gaps. It takes skill to ride trails, and jumps that are off angle. It also takes even more skill to trick and style these jumps out". With style comes control, and the ability to predict your bike. Cob is a great example of style when he rides. He simply twists his bike and body in the direction he wants it to flow, and it works itself out.
Style in his yard
Cob's bike is one solid rig. Constructed around being light and strong Cob has the renowned Blk Mrkt Mob frame, with a 21.5 inch top tube. The Mob is one of the most ridden bikes in Aptos due to its light weight, dialed geo, and its top tube lengths. Designed to be light and strong, the Mob frame is a perfect starting point for a dirt jump bike.
Aside from the chrome frame Cob's Mob isn't anything out of the ordinary for the Aptos area. One brake, a light lowered fork, reliable and stiff wheels, and a set of tires that work. Simplicity works best here.
On the non drive side Cob has a self constructed crank stop. It consists of 4 zap straps wrapping a piece of tube around his crank. This setup provides friction to the cranks, meaning they won't spin when your feet are not on them.
| Frame and size | 2009 Chrome Black Market MOB 21.5 Top Tube |
| Fork | 36 Fox Float |
| Headset | Cane Creek XC flush |
| Crankarms | FSA Gravity |
| Bottom Bracket | FSA Gravity |
| Pedals | Sunline V1 |
| Chain | SRAM single speed |
| Handlebar | Race Face Evolve |
| Stem | FSA Gravity Gap |
| Grips | Black Market Adam Hauck |
| Brakes | Avid Juicy 7 Rotor: Avid 160mm r |
| Front Wheel | Mavic 321 with DT swiss 240 hubs |
| Rear Wheel | Mavic 321 with DT swiss 240 hubs |
| Tires | Front - Larsen TT super tacky, Rear - Intense Micro Knobbie |
| Tubes | Specialized XC |
| Saddle | WTB Jackson V |
| Seatpost | Thomson Elite |
All in all Cob, erm, Jacob Hyde kills it on a bike. He is easily one of the smoothest, stylish riders I have seen to date, and with the mind set and drive that Jacob has he can do anything he wants, on and off his bike. If you ever see Cob killing it out there on his chrome mob make sure you take a moment to watch flow in motion!
If you're ever in the Aptos area stop in by the local Post Office and hang around. You're bound to see some awesome riding, and hey, you may even run into Jacob and get a chance to check his jumps out!
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Member since Mar 20, 2000
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man thats cold saying canada is all about tricks and no style..
isn't that a stepup trick jump.. with a sand landing in your very last pic cob?
c'mon man that aint right.
1. It's all for fun, w.e. is fun for you should be a-ok, bit dumb to be jealous of kids throwing down tricks you can't do even though they can't ride a set for crap (why even bother mentioning it) and hey if they hurt themselves, lesson learned.
2. Fogel had the right idea when he made the movie LOCations, because that is what it's all about, the riding spots you are lucky enough to have in cali. Few people can ride all year long, have chocalate brownie mix for dirt, and are allowed to tear up their back yard for dirt jumps.
3. Scene dissing in general is just retarted, specially coming from cali, you guys are blessed with one of the best scenes, and best riding anywhere in the world, you have nothing to be insecure about. Relax enjoy what you have, and keep that jabs amongst yourselves.
Maybe tomorrow instead of waiting for the snow to leave so i can get my trail steeze on, im gonna go out and build a jump in the snow and huck tricks... for fun.
The bottom line is keep doing what you're doing Cob and don't stop because of some whining little kids.....-Bud-
love the article Jordan!