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Cosmic Ray Fat Tire Trails and Tails

MSRP $ 9.95
# of Reviews 8
Average Rating 5/5
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Submitted by BRIAN a Cross Country Rider from PHOENIX,AZ,USA
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2003
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Purchased At:9.95
Strengths:FUNNY,EASY TO READ,PRETTY GOOD MAPS TOO.THE RATING SYTEM IS PRETTY GOOD DEPENDING ON YOUR LEVEL OF RIDING.I HAVE RIDEN ALOT IN NORTHERN AZ AND IT IS EASY TO GET LOST IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE AREAS,I HAVE CARRIED THE BOOK WITH ME TO SEE HOW ACCURATE HIS MAPS ARE AND THEY ARE PRETTY ACCURATE.
Weaknesses:HOPEFULLY HE WILL HAVE A THIRD BOOK OUT SOON
Similar Products Used:MEMORY.GPS,TOPO MAPS
Bike Setup:FOES FXR 2003,DBR V LINK 3.1 BUILT
Bottom Line:THE BEST BOOK OUT THERE ...........PERIOD!!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Mark a Cross Country Rider from Laguna Niguel, CA
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2003
Favorite Trail:San Juan
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $10.00
Purchased At:Sedona Bike n Bean
Strengths:Clear and well organized, this book allows the rider to find rides within a targeted area and assess the terrain and effort each possesses.
Weaknesses:I'm not sure about the "difficutly" ratings, though this is understandable do to the subjective nature of the task.
Similar Products Used:Southern California Mountain Biking Trails
Bike Setup:Schwinn Mesa GSX with Marzocchi Bomber, Mavic 517 rims and XT componentry except for the Avid brakes
Bottom Line:As an "out of towner," I can attest to the ease of use of this book. The map to the trails got me to the location, and the description and challenge rating prepared me for the ride ahead. The text and graphics make it easy to read and evaluate the ride (although nothing beats riding the trail itself). Bottom line, the product does what it is supposed to do.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Myles a Cross Country Rider from The Valley of the Sun
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2002
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $10.00
Purchased At:Bookmans
Strengths:The only guide that actually rocks! This is by far the best book to have when it comes to riding in AZ. All the big trails are in there and there is a realistic discription of each. Each ride can be quickly referenced and planned. I usually just decide if heading north to Prescott or Flag or doing the local scene. Grab the book and go. Read on the way for a more adventure. I Love the maps,lingo, ratings. Oh, by the way, when they ray says PRIMO you better believe is PRIMO. Hey Ray, if you read this review, will you please send a new copy my way? I must say that while Fat Tire is Y2K proof, it's not over used proof! Love it, live it, ride it!
Weaknesses:We are lucky to have this Fat Tire "Bible" Myles 4:20
Similar Products Used:Yea, about every guide out there! Some are nice to have if you can get them used or on sale! "Only Fat Tire is worth the buck!"
Bike Setup:frame,2 tires,2 rims,lots of spokes,two hubs, a disc here and there, compressed air, and a few other little thigs that make a bike setup. Just kidding, I ride a Seven Sola with componets from just about every one. I support the little guy; when i can!
Bottom Line:Go and buy this book if your at all interested in riding anywhere in Arizona
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Gordon Ghenter a Cross Country Rider from Flagstaff AZ
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2002
Favorite Trail:Lots of them
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $7.00
Purchased At:NAU Bookstore
Strengths:humor, trail profiles(altitude vs distance), trail ratings, maps
Weaknesses:a weeeee little bit of vulgarity/crudeness
Similar Products Used:usgs maps, usfs maps, maps from the LBS
Bike Setup:brand new frame with worn out components
Bottom Line:I have the New Mighty Millenium edition, which is the 14th edition. The maps are accurate enough to get you to the trail and to give you a real good idea of where they head (which is all you need), although they are not exact. The trail profiles show you how much climbing and stuff there is and when to expect it, and the distances are right on. The rating, effort, and skill information is a little less accurate but still quite good. I think the time estimates are pretty accurate too. My only complaint is that he put in a couple of crude things that I find offensive (although most people probably woudn't). Buy this book if you ride in Arizona (even if you already know lots of trails). Oh, most of the trails in the book are near Flagstaff, Sedona, Pheonix, or Tucson but most other areas have a trail or two in here as well.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by BB a Cross Country Rider from Scottsdale, AZ
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2000
Favorite Trail:McDowell Park
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $9.00
Strengths:humor, maps, trail selection
Weaknesses:none
Similar Products Used:guesswork, prayer, luck
Bike Setup:2000 Stumpy pro, time pedals, rapid rise rear der.
Bottom Line:A great book. Maps are on the money. Selection of trails is excellent. Worth every penny.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Cosmic Ray a Cross Country Rider from Flagstaff, AZ
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2000
Favorite Trail:Little Bear Loop, Flagstaff
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Strengths:Cartoony maps are adapted (traced) from topos,oriented north, to scale and up to date. Ratings include effort, skill, time, distance, puck-o-meter, contour profile and more. Arizona Mountain Bike Yellow Pages. Goofy glossary of terms.
Weaknesses:Hmmm. I guess I don't use a GPS. I carry a compass sometimes. The sun is in the south at noon. Water flows downhill. Hey, where ever you go, there you are. You always come out somewhere.
Similar Products Used:Topos, USFS maps, local guides and maps too numerous to list.
Bike Setup:Merlin XLM hardtail, Rock Shox, V-brakes, Hugi hubs, Mavic, XT & XTR. WTB tires. Sella Ti Flite saddle. Easton bars. Grip shift w/Gore cables. All shred ready.
Bottom Line:I have been working hard on this book through all 13 editions. There are over 100,000 in print. I ride these trails every day. Mountain Bike Action calls it "The best all time Arizona mountain bike guide." I try to maintain my sense of humor, even when riding with a broken thumb. I like to think it comes through in my work. Check out the website for free maps, photos, yellow pages, quirky links and more. www.MountainBikingArizona.com See more on Amazon.com Cheers, Ray
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by M. Howe a Cross-Country Rider from Canada
Date Reviewed: November 9, 1999
Duration Product Used:
more than 3 years
Strengths:
Excellent coverage of all trails/areas. Very funny and informative. Easy to follow directions and routes.
Bottom Line:Cosmic Ray puts together an excellent trail guide. He is a rider and knows what most riders want in a trail guide. He constantly updates the guide and adds new trails. This is definitely the guide for Arizona biking.
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by DrHog a Cross-Country Rider from Las Vegas
Date Reviewed: November 3, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Dry lake hills
Duration Product Used:
more than 3 years
Strengths:
Humor, descriptions
Weaknesses:
Maps are funny, but not always great for navigation
Bottom Line:Arizona is a killer state for mountain biking, and Cosmic Ray has been there from day 1. He includes all of the classic rides, and the descriptions are great (both funny and informative). I don't have the latest edition, but I hear that he has elevation profiles now. GPS waypoints would be another nice touch. Sit down, read the book, laugh your ass off, and go ride. Simple enough!
Overall Rating:5






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