Mountain Biking

[AbuStar]

Hi! New to this forum and don't known if it was asked and answered already but does anyone have the layout or a map of the circuit trials in chag. Went down there this morning for the first time in a while and I must say the trail are make nicely but there are parts that are not marked so I got off the trial at some point and went Into some harder trails that was not expected. So again I asked if anyone has it. It will be greatly appreciated.

[bgh]

Go back a few pages and there are some maps posted.

Also you can attempt this.

[VK-Sportsman]

Does anyone own or have an opinion on Diamondback Mountain Bikes. Would love to get feedback on this brand.

What model you're looking at? IIRC, Diamondback and Raleigh are owned by the same company.

[cacasplat3]

diamondback makes cheap bikes and expensive bikes, and everything in-between.....
really depends on the model, but i'd assume they hold up to some wear and tear since a few prominent online bike shops carry them.

[AbuStar]

Thanks dude. Will check it out

[bootmee]

I was thinking about the 29ER Overdrive Sport

[VK-Sportsman]

@bootmee, the Overdrive Sport going for $450us on amazon (medium size). Not bad for an entry level 29'er with basic hydraulic brakes.

[cacasplat3]

not to piss on anyone's party, but 29 is pretty much out the window with 27.5/650b as the new "in" with most manufacturers....
i'll stick to my 26 bike and i'm pretty sure in 5 years it will still be around...

[trinibajan34]

Actually 29ers are mainly used in the cross country races. I have seen only one guy use a 26er. Downhill and free ride use 26 and 27.5 from the races I have watched.

[cacasplat3]

while that is true....a bigger wheel wont suddenly make you a pro rider like some adverts will lead you to believe...
there are benefits to 29 and 27.5,
but will i notice them? yes.
do i NEED it? certainly not.
is the added weight an issue? thats subjective, but i don't want it.
is 26 more fun? definitely.

[trinibajan34]

when i was searching to buy a bike , i was told by the sales rep of a popular bike store on the ave that 29ers are now in thing. i went with the 26 instead .Never regretted it but if i have to buy a new bike or build one it would be a 27.5/650 b, cant see myself on a 29ers.

[bgh]

So who going?

[bgh]

Or attempted the four kings downhill...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfMu1oRARaY

[cacasplat3]

where is that? i wanna see how my bike handles that.....

[bgh]

All down hill from the tracking station... exit looks like samman park..

[trinibajan34]

i have watched these videos of men trying this downhill run and nobody has on protective gear like knee and elbow pads nor a full face helmet. Call me over cautious but i not taken any chances. If you look ant any of the mountain bike videos you would see all the riders who down hill runs wear proper protective gear. But that's my opinion.

[Zorak]

Just looking to get back into biking and got a Mongoose Seek'r, 27.5"
Think it's a good budget bike to really put in some time on the trails.
What do you guys think?

[bgh]

Nice...
Go back a few pages and look for "how to setup your cockpit". Your brake leavers need adjustment downward....

[Zorak]

Nice...
Go back a few pages and look for "how to setup your cockpit". Your brake leavers need adjustment downward....

Will do! Thanks. Still gotta setup properly for sure. I just couldn't wait and mounted it up before I headed out to work.
Gonna read the thread front to back now!

[cacasplat3]

i have watched these videos of men trying this downhill run and nobody has on protective gear like knee and elbow pads nor a full face helmet. Call me over cautious but i not taken any chances. If you look ant any of the mountain bike videos you would see all the riders who down hill runs wear proper protective gear. But that's my opinion.

true....but the guy in the vid is wearing a helmet, and gloves (fingerless, but still gloves) the bike the guy is riding looks like a hardtail.....now i'm not saying its bad, but its not ideal for something like that, which makes it more dangerous.....
i know i wouldn't even think about running that on my hardtail even though i'm sure i could manage, but i'd be one the brakes a lot.....that said....anybody up for that run?

[trinibajan34]

I should of said full protective gear but you understand where I'm coming from. I would hate to hear someone crash into a tree or something.

[bgh]

Yeah but I need a lift to the top if the barrier was open. Riding to the top of the tracking station is no easy task.

I made it once with some guys. I can make the first half with some ease but the other half is the killer.
Well that was a few months ago. Have not ridden for about 6 weeks maybe more.
Sun sets to early to head chaguramas after work these days and on the weekend I really have the time.

January I will attempt it for sure...

[metalgear2095]

What's the tracking station? That spherical thing on the mountain?

[trinibajan34]

nope thats the ball, the tracking station is going up through bamboo cathedral

[metalgear2095]

I rode to the ball already. It was hard for me as I had not ridden in years. Coming back down was great though. I ran/ walked up the tracking station as well. I'd imagine it would be a grueling ride up though.

[AbuStar]

Don't know if it was discussed before but I have a Raleigh hard tail 26" and need my fork serviced. I bought it from Corky's in maraval a few years ago but its kinda hard to carry the bike down there ever time it needs servicing. Does bike inn service other brand bike or only the bike they sell.

[Zorak]

Is the ride to the tracking station difficult? I just took a rough estimate of the length of what I assume is the trail to the station from google earth and it seems to be about 2.5km from the road at bamboo cathedral. I'm usually at chaguaramas around 6am during the week and have about 2 hrs to get a ride in. Is it safe to ride to the station by myself?

[metalgear2095]

It's very steep most of the way up. Probably not the best place to ride alone imo.

[bgh]

Its about 2km I think. The second half is very steep and it would be best if you do it with company so you can motivate each other.

If riding by yourself there, do so in the afternoon when there are other people around, just in case.

[Zorak]

Thanks for the info guys. Maybe from next year I could link with you guys on a weekend for a ride. Weekends for the rest of this year mostly booked up.

I gotta sort my accessories still. Thinking I'll look into a full face helmet and some gloves. What shoes do you guys use? I've got the normal platform pedals so will most likely use football trainers. I've been spinning for a couple years and have a pair of specialized shoes with the cleats, but I don't think they would hold up for mountain biking (If I change pedals). I actually think I prefer to have my feet free to step off easily...or bail, lol!

I used to ride from Balmain to Freeport regularly and hit the caneroads in Indian Trail. Actually broke my clavicle up that side and had to walk all the way back home.