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Search: Posts Made By: Akak
Showing results 1 to 50 of 239
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Forum: Mountain Biking
06-19-05, 08:04 AM
Replies: 42
Views: 1,599
Posted By Akak

Here's my bit of advice: Ride your bike...

Here's my bit of advice:

Ride your bike around your house/apartment/neighborhood slowly and hop up and off every curb you find.

The thing you're probably not getting the hang of is body...
Forum: Mountain Biking
06-02-05, 06:55 AM
Replies: 58
Views: 3,118
Posted By Akak

I would also avoid Cannondale bikes like the...

I would also avoid Cannondale bikes like the plague.

Even the simple rigid bike I bought 10 years ago was difficult to upgrade due to Cannondale using an off-sized head tube. That Lefty and...
Forum: Mountain Biking
06-01-05, 07:49 AM
Replies: 19
Views: 864
Posted By Akak

As far as shifting preference, I've ridden both...

As far as shifting preference, I've ridden both twist-shift and rapidfire and greatly prefer rapidfire. The ability to shift without moving you hand position is nice when standing or braking...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-31-05, 07:13 AM
Replies: 27
Views: 1,111
Posted By Akak

I've always pulled that plastic disk off as soon...

I've always pulled that plastic disk off as soon as I got a new bike. However, there were a few occasions, on long, steep climbs in Southern California when it's 105 deg out and 2% humidity, that I...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-31-05, 07:08 AM
Replies: 27
Views: 1,820
Posted By Akak

Looks like a good one to me. I'm not sure what...

Looks like a good one to me. I'm not sure what you mean by "full XTR" though since the cranks are obviously not XTR. That would make me want to look a bit deeper.

I'd check some of the parts...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-27-05, 07:03 AM
Replies: 8
Views: 461
Posted By Akak

Amazing, true internet/MTB story

Last night I was mountain biking on a sprawling trail network with a friend of mine. We rode for about 2 and a half hours and stopped at dusk.

As we were packing our bikes in our cars, he says...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-24-05, 06:49 AM
Replies: 88
Views: 3,734
Posted By Akak

Thanks for reminding me about my first car. ...

Thanks for reminding me about my first car.

My first car out of college was a Jeep Cherokee Sport. I sold it with 110,000 miles on it and it didn't spend a day in the shop. I changed the oil...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-23-05, 06:54 PM
Replies: 88
Views: 3,734
Posted By Akak

I drive a Ford Explorer but am buying either a...

I drive a Ford Explorer but am buying either a Nissan Pathfinder or Toyota 4Runner soon. My advice to anyone is NEVER EVER buy a Ford. As much as I hate to say it, I will never buy an American car...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-23-05, 11:47 AM
Replies: 9
Views: 465
Posted By Akak

I've always wondered why it was my responsibility...

I've always wondered why it was my responsibility to try and not spook horses instead of it being the horse owners responsibility to train the horses properly.

I've only ridden a horse a few...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-20-05, 02:54 PM
Replies: 25
Views: 1,419
Posted By Akak

Spend any spare time you have riding tiny circles...

Spend any spare time you have riding tiny circles around your yard/apartment/block, etc. Ride over every curb, stick, or any obstacle as often as you can.

Even if you just have one small curb...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-20-05, 08:17 AM
Replies: 13
Views: 1,132
Posted By Akak

I adore my Eggbeater SS's. I have Speedplay...

I adore my Eggbeater SS's.

I have Speedplay lollipops on my road bike and can't say enough good things about them. I don't know if the Frogs perform similarly but if they do I'd say you can't go...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-20-05, 07:26 AM
Replies: 11
Views: 11,546
Posted By Akak

I definitely wouldn't upgrade just to have a...

I definitely wouldn't upgrade just to have a Thompson unless your current seatpost is inadequate. Seatposts really don't do much so unless it's not holding your saddle well enough or (like you...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-20-05, 07:20 AM
Replies: 25
Views: 1,613
Posted By Akak

I bought a bottle of Zep citrus degreaser with a...

I bought a bottle of Zep citrus degreaser with a spray trigger. I rotate the chain slowly backwards while spraying the Zep directly onto the chain where it rolls over the cogs. The force of the Zep...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-18-05, 05:03 PM
Replies: 19
Views: 852
Posted By Akak

I shaved my legs the day before my first sport...

I shaved my legs the day before my first sport class NORBA race about 10 years ago. I told people the same reasons every other cyclist recites: It makes cuts heal faster if you fall. It makes it...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-18-05, 02:41 PM
Replies: 19
Views: 873
Posted By Akak

Very cool calculator. Even though it didn't...

Very cool calculator.

Even though it didn't allow me to put in my true tire size (the largest it allows is 1.75 knobbies), it did show a 1 mph difference between it and a bike with medium width...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-18-05, 06:42 AM
Replies: 19
Views: 873
Posted By Akak

Thanks guys; that quantifies it nicely. For...

Thanks guys; that quantifies it nicely.

For the record, it wasn't a race, per se. We had the rare day when I was home early from work, the kids were in school, and she wasn't working so we hit...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-18-05, 06:36 AM
Replies: 28
Views: 1,298
Posted By Akak

It's pretty simple. If you ride on the roads...

It's pretty simple.

If you ride on the roads at night you need SOME way to ensure cars will see you. You have several options:

Lights (front and rear)
Reflectors
Reflective tape

You...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-17-05, 03:49 PM
Replies: 19
Views: 873
Posted By Akak

road bike advantage percent over an MTB

What would be the speed advantage of the same rider on the same flat, paved course, on a road bike verses a mountain bike? Assume the MTB never spins out the gears.

I'm talking a standard, 20 lb....
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-17-05, 07:49 AM
Replies: 83
Views: 4,519
Posted By Akak

Note that Tomac's bike also had cantilever...

Note that Tomac's bike also had cantilever brakes.

Just because they worked for him doesn't mean it's a better option today. Anyone out there interested in swapping out their V's or Disks for...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-16-05, 04:58 PM
Replies: 12
Views: 1,849
Posted By Akak

I put Avid Mechs on my new bike and absolutely...

I put Avid Mechs on my new bike and absolutely love them. I've never ridden hydraulics so I have little to compare them to but I can rave about the performance and durability if you'd like.

In 6...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-13-05, 07:35 AM
Replies: 31
Views: 1,564
Posted By Akak

I was racing a triathlon about 10 years ago on my...

I was racing a triathlon about 10 years ago on my MTB. It was modified with high pressure slicks and an aero bar but it was still an MTB.

After the race (I took 5th in my age group :)) I was...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-11-05, 03:17 PM
Replies: 4
Views: 988
Posted By Akak

The only reason I stay as far away from...

The only reason I stay as far away from Cannondale as humanly possible is because of the proprietary, one-off crap they put on their bikes. The Lefty is the perfect example. How many parts on that...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-10-05, 04:09 PM
Replies: 18
Views: 12,008
Posted By Akak

I like this one!

I like this one!
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-10-05, 11:59 AM
Replies: 5
Views: 341
Posted By Akak

Bike and rider are fine. I snapped the visor...

Bike and rider are fine. I snapped the visor off my helmet but it was designed to pop on and off so I just snapped it back on and it's as good as new.

The fall was at a super-slow speed. The...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-10-05, 11:50 AM
Replies: 18
Views: 12,008
Posted By Akak

I posted these tongue-in-cheek definitions a...

I posted these tongue-in-cheek definitions a while ago but can't seem to find the post using the search function. Here's how I define the different disciplines of mountain biking:

XC: Riding a...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-10-05, 09:47 AM
Replies: 215
Views: 19,534
Posted By Akak

Do the search yourself. Don't trust me, don't...

Do the search yourself. Don't trust me, don't trust Wal-mart, and don't trust anyone else who posted here.

Trust the independent research company who deemed the bikes unsafe to ride under any...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-10-05, 07:46 AM
Replies: 5
Views: 341
Posted By Akak

Visualization works both ways

I should have known better. As a pretty serious mogul skier when I lived in California, I knew that visualization is the key to a good bump run. Whether it was for fun or competition, visualizing...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-10-05, 07:34 AM
Replies: 7
Views: 442
Posted By Akak

Here's the bitter pill... Until you get your...

Here's the bitter pill...

Until you get your fitness back, you may want to avoid trails with hills that can push your heartrate into the red zone.

I was a good 50 lbs. overweight when I got...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-10-05, 07:30 AM
Replies: 215
Views: 19,534
Posted By Akak

I think many folks in this thread are missing the...

I think many folks in this thread are missing the point. It's not about buying a bike that you can afford. It's about completely unsafe bikes being sold by Walmart, K-Mart, and Target.

I don't...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-08-05, 06:45 PM
Replies: 12
Views: 543
Posted By Akak

I've always used a standard Bell with foam pads...

I've always used a standard Bell with foam pads inside to adjust the fit. You put thicker pads in for a smaller helmet and thinner ones to make it bigger.

I recently bought one with an adjustable...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-07-05, 09:37 AM
Replies: 215
Views: 19,534
Posted By Akak

While we're on the subject of X-mart, let me tell...

While we're on the subject of X-mart, let me tell you another story about them.

I work for a consumer products company and Wal-Mart accounts for 40% of our sales. Being in control of such a large...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-06-05, 01:54 PM
Replies: 215
Views: 19,534
Posted By Akak

I remember a Consumer Reports article on Wal-Mart...

I remember a Consumer Reports article on Wal-Mart mountain bikes many, many years ago.

The bottom line was that the bikes were suitable for light riding on pavement after being completely...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-06-05, 06:27 AM
Replies: 35
Views: 2,713
Posted By Akak

I like Nashbar, Performance, and Cambria. ...

I like Nashbar, Performance, and Cambria. Supergo just turns me off for some reason; no idea why.

As to supporting LBS's, I try, but it's getting harder and harder to do. I needed new shoes...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-06-05, 06:19 AM
Replies: 32
Views: 1,338
Posted By Akak

Inspirational stuff! I used to live in...

Inspirational stuff!

I used to live in Colorado and skied at Winter Park a lot. Winter Park is the home to the US Disabled Ski team and you see a lot of blind skiers with their guides. They both...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-05-05, 07:29 AM
Replies: 3
Views: 381
Posted By Akak

I used to live in Topanga and rode all over that...

I used to live in Topanga and rode all over that area. I haven't been there in 10 years but some good, close places to look:

Topanga State Park (go down the 1 and head up Topanga Canyon Blvd.)...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-04-05, 09:16 AM
Replies: 36
Views: 1,236
Posted By Akak

Exactly 5 days a week. My wife works 2 days a...

Exactly 5 days a week. My wife works 2 days a week and I can't ride those days but I get on the bike, even if it's only for a half hour, every day she's not working.

Not sure if it's doing me...
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-04-05, 06:30 AM
Replies: 31
Views: 2,346
Posted By Akak

:beer: Bingo.

:beer:

Bingo.
Forum: Mountain Biking
05-03-05, 08:08 AM
Replies: 22
Views: 1,181
Posted By Akak

I read a stat a few years ago that said that if...

I read a stat a few years ago that said that if all riders were honest about where they ride and how they use their bikes, 80% would be on hybrids.

A hybrid is a great way to start riding. If...
Forum: Mountain Biking
04-30-05, 12:38 PM
Replies: 15
Views: 563
Posted By Akak

I've used White Lightning on all my bikes since...

I've used White Lightning on all my bikes since the day I got a free sample of it at a race a LOOOONG time ago.

From 105deg dry, dusty days in Topanga State Park to tire-eating red clay mudholes...
Forum: Mountain Biking
04-29-05, 01:37 PM
Replies: 8
Views: 3,290
Posted By Akak

They must have changed it for 2005 then. When I...

They must have changed it for 2005 then. When I was looking at the 2004, I'm pretty sure they didn't have a remote lockout feature. Again, though, I stopped considering the ETA before I dug too...
Forum: Mountain Biking
04-29-05, 11:01 AM
Replies: 8
Views: 3,290
Posted By Akak

I think that's it. In fact, you can convert each...

I think that's it. In fact, you can convert each of the three (Coil, Air, and ETA) back and forth with the right parts.

Buy an Air, add springs (and spacers) and it's a Coil.
Buy a Coil, remove...
Forum: Mountain Biking
04-29-05, 10:50 AM
Replies: 8
Views: 3,290
Posted By Akak

The forks are externally identical. They have...

The forks are externally identical. They have the same sliders, steerer, and stanchion tubes. As you correctly said, the ETA has a coil on one side and air+ETA on the other. The ETA limits travel...
Forum: Mountain Biking
04-29-05, 07:28 AM
Replies: 27
Views: 1,530
Posted By Akak

I used them...then I didn't...then I did...

I used them...then I didn't...then I did again...now I don't.

When I rode in California, where 5-10 mile continuous climbs were the norm, they were indespensible. I moved to Georgia several...
Forum: Mountain Biking
04-27-05, 07:14 AM
Replies: 32
Views: 1,842
Posted By Akak

It's not as intimidating as you would think,...

It's not as intimidating as you would think, especially with the help of folks on this board. The way I did it was to copy a similarly priced Trek and then swap out parts with what I wanted. The...
Forum: Mountain Biking
04-26-05, 04:39 PM
Replies: 32
Views: 1,842
Posted By Akak

I'm going to sound like a broken record but...

I'm going to sound like a broken record but anytime someone wants to spend $1500 + on a mountain bike, I always recommend the same thing: BUILD IT YOURSELF!

Hand picking every piece, from the...
Forum: Mountain Biking
04-26-05, 12:39 PM
Replies: 3
Views: 420
Posted By Akak

I think $1299 for that bike is a great deal. ...

I think $1299 for that bike is a great deal.

I custom built my bike with the same brakes, better drivetrain, and better control parts but an inferior frame and fork and paid about $1600 when it...
Forum: Mountain Biking
04-26-05, 08:40 AM
Replies: 3
Views: 386
Posted By Akak

I second the recommendation to check out...

I second the recommendation to check out Performance. Their Performance branded clothing is very durable, comfortable, and inexpensive. I have a pair of Performance knee-length (knicker) shorts...
Forum: Mountain Biking
04-25-05, 06:47 AM
Replies: 9
Views: 984
Posted By Akak

For what it's worth, I have a pair of size 39...

For what it's worth, I have a pair of size 39 Sidis that are a bit smaller than my size 40 Shimanos. I wear a men's 6.5 and the 39 Sidis fit perfectly.
Forum: Mountain Biking
04-25-05, 06:44 AM
Replies: 29
Views: 2,203
Posted By Akak

My scariest fall was a full Over-the-Bars on a...

My scariest fall was a full Over-the-Bars on a steep single track trail at night in the rain. Once I went over, I was in complete darkness and had no clue where I was or where the ground was. I...
Forum: Mountain Biking
04-22-05, 07:03 AM
Replies: 109
Views: 11,211
Posted By Akak

It's a three step process for me: 1. ...

It's a three step process for me:

1. Compression: Quickly bend your legs and elbows to compress your tires and suspension. This loads up the potential energy in those springs.
2. Extend the...
Showing results 1 to 50 of 239
 
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