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Help me choose a bike for Galbraith

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3.3K views 21 replies 13 participants last post by  ebxtreme  
#1 ·
Looks like a group of us are going up to Galbraith this weekend for a little fun in the woods. Personally, I haven't been to Galbraith in at least 4 to 5 years! Man, I can't believe it's been so long.

I've been told that there are new trails as well as well as a host of stunts. My unsertainty is deciding which bike to bring. Some people are briining their big hit/freeride bikes, while others are brining their XC bikes. I think it would be fun to bring the big hit bike, but I'm honestly not in the mood to push a 45+pnd bike up to the towers. At the same time, I don't want to rob my self of the fun of riding down stunts with out my freeride bike. The positive with the XC bike is that I can climb some/most of the way up. It will also make the fast switchback'e desents fun; but it would take out riding any stunts. :confused: :confused: :confused:

So I come here seeking the advise of those who have riden Galbraith allot lately. Pictured below are my two steeds. Your imput would be greatly appreciated.
 

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#2 ·
MY, you could ride either - seriously.

Ok, I know I'm not going to help here, but you can ride either bike up at Galby and have just as much fun on them. If you brought the XC rig, you could cover more ground and still have fun on the skinnies, etc. If you brought the big bike, you could hit more of the steeps and jump with more air/speed. It depends on what you want to do.....there's lots of intermediate sized drops, jumps and stunts that are fun and can be ridden on an XC rig.

Actually, I think the perfect bike for Galby is a burly 5-6" bike - something like a Heckler, etc.

EB
 
R
#4 ·
Just about ANY 6x6 Allmountain Lightfreeride bike is kick ass at Galby. A 6x6 is able to do 99% of the jumps and drops out there, while still able to go uphill.

I would HIGHLY recommend getting an Iron Horse MKlll Expert with the Pike fork from supergo. It's a high end bike worth over $2700, on sale for $1700.

Many people are claiming it to be the best bike in it's class. I couldn't imagine a better bike for Galby.

Supergo in Seattle has them right now, at least give it a pedal around the store. Simplu incredible bikes for uphill able abusive riding.
 
#5 ·
No need for new steeds...

Robot Chicken said:
I would HIGHLY recommend getting an Iron Horse MKlll Expert with the Pike fork from supergo. It's a high end bike worth over $2700, on sale for $1700.

Many people are claiming it to be the best bike in it's class. I couldn't imagine a better bike for Galby.

Supergo in Seattle has them right now, at least give it a pedal around the store. Simplu incredible bikes for uphill able abusive riding.
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See my two pictured above. Even if I could aford it, I couldn't excuse it.
 
#6 ·
Yeah, I don't think the folks at work would love you riding an Iron Horse!!

MY,

If you're waffling, take the XC bike with you for the first ride so you can cover more ground and get a better feel for the place. That'll leave you with enough energy to make several passes up and down the place. The vast majority of Galbraith is XC and it has intermittent FR stuff on it sprinkled throughout the trails.....which is, personally, my type of place.

You'll be able to ride every trail with the XC bike, but you just may need to ride around some of the bigger stuff on it.....but who cares. For the first pass, it'll be plenty. BTW, when are you going up there to ride? I might be up for showing you around depending on the day.....

Cheers,
EB
 
S
#7 ·
Mellow Yellow said:
See my two pictured above. Even if I could aford it, I couldn't excuse it.
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i bought a Boxxer Ride for my Bullit and it enables me to trail ride it for stuff like Galbraith. It has variable travel, so does the Rock Shox Pike, so you can lower your front end for the climbs. i think a Pike would work great for your D-back.
i know someone who's had issues with Ironhorse, from what i understand they got some kinks to work out with that linkage, which is probably why StupidBlow is blowing them out.

And again i gotta agree fully with ebxtreme and his comments.
 
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#9 ·
Good idea...

airwreck said:
put the big bike wheels on the xc bike!

:eek: (sorry, never ridden galbraith...)
but it's still a good idea!
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I thought about putting the XC wheels on the big hit bike since they are Rhyno Lites. I would have to just change the rotors since the Freeride bike is running Hayes and the XC bike is runing Avid.
 
S
#10 ·
Go with DH wheels on the XC bike

Mellow Yellow said:
I thought about putting the XC wheels on the big hit bike since they are Rhyno Lites. I would have to just change the rotors since the Freeride bike is running Hayes and the XC bike is runing Avid.
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I ride Galby a couple times a week on a XC hardtail set up with DH wheels and tires. It's all one really needs there, especially if you want to achieve any decent speed--if that's your thing, too.

I would recommend that you decide with the group you're travelling with what type of bikes to bring, and that they all be of the same capabilities--assuming rider skills to be similar. Otherwise, there will be difficulty hanging together. Galbraith has a 3+ mile fireroad climb to the top, a few big drop stunts, and lots of rough, twisty XC singletrack involving regular periods of climbing.

Or, you could give the stronger pedallers the big bikes and the weaker ones the XC rigs to haul the uphill sections, then switch off for the downs; then everyone can keep up.
 
B
#11 ·
MY, as a "one bike guy" I've been running the 2 wheel setup on the Superlight for the past 3 years. Definately the way to go. I have an 80-100 Black on the front and it's nice to crank it down for the climb up Keystone-Nellie-Wonderland instead of the boring road climb to the towers. And, you can still sky off the log ride on Evolution on the XC bike and do virtually all the TTFs up there too. Nothing's really too big for a 3.5-4" bike if you got some skills. (Which you do.)
Take the XC bike with your FR wheels and you'll be set. Have fun! :)
EB, we gotta get some Galby closer to home. Might have to do something about that this winter...
 
#12 ·
Borneo said:
EB, we gotta get some Galby closer to home. Might have to do something about that this winter...
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Borneo,

Let's talk offline.

I'm already planning to build a relatively short, but flowy connector on one of the systems in your neck of the woods. The plan is to create exactly the type of stuff you're referring to and allow for ridearounds on this section. I'm hoping that having something like that local will get other trail builders thinking about the possibilites elsewhere. Of course, the trail would also be especially narrow at the entrance/exit to discourage equestrian use since that area sees so much horse traffic.

I've only walked a stretch of the area, but it has many possibilities for fun stuff along with some fun and fast flow. I hope to get out there in the next couple of weeks. If you're interested, I'd love to show you what I'm thinking and gather some thoughts on this particular stretch of trail.

Cheers,
EB
 
#13 ·
Borneo said:
EB, we gotta get some Galby closer to home. Might have to do something about that this winter...
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Count me in as well.

(I just wrote a long email about this...) I would like to do some building on the old hucker/dirt-jump trail at tapeworm. The trail goes downhill, has good flow potential, and already has a few nice berms and jumps. All it needs are some new berms, a few new small jumps ans drops, and alternate lines for those that don't want to hit the DJ's in the middle. I'm thinking like the easier lines at Seatac.

Frankly I'm addicted to technical XC riding, and the local XC trails aren't getting any more technical.

It looks as though doing building (for me at least) may means skipping rides with guys that would rather just ride- thats a tough call when I can't rally anybody to help build.

Who's in for weeknight build parties, maybe wednesday nights? any other day? If some other folks are down to help, I'll meet you guys and work with you. Lets make it happen!
 
T
#15 ·
I say definitely take the XC bike you'll have way more fun. I ride up there at least once a week and my trailbike is perfect for all but some of the biggest stunts/drops. I've ridden my Demo8 up there a bit and honestly its kind of boring: it's not a fun climb on a big bike, the bike makes almost everything seem way to easy/uncommitting, and the majority of the trails have flat spots/climbs so the bike feels really slow on the trail. Besides with the XC bike the small/medium stuff is really fun and easily doable if you have some skill.
 
S
#16 ·
What is the travel of your xc bike?

Leave the xc wheels on. If that bike has 4" of travel you will be fine. Most people I ride with ride single speeds up there and almost everything has been ridden on a single. Whether it is a rigid single or full suspension A. There are a few big drops that you will not be able to do but like someone else said you can cover more ground and ride more stuff with the xc bike. We ride Galbraith about three to four times a week. You will be able to ride all the bridges and ladders on your xc bike, take all of the jumps just miss some of the bigger drops but everything else is a go. Have fun. Hope you have a ride leader who knows the mountain. A lot more fun when someone knows where they are going up there.
 
#17 ·
ebxtreme said:
Ok, I know I'm not going to help here, but you can ride either bike up at Galby and have just as much fun on them. If you brought the XC rig, you could cover more ground and still have fun on the skinnies, etc. If you brought the big bike, you could hit more of the steeps and jump with more air/speed. It depends on what you want to do.....there's lots of intermediate sized drops, jumps and stunts that are fun and can be ridden on an XC rig.

Actually, I think the perfect bike for Galby is a burly 5-6" bike - something like a Heckler, etc.

EB
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He-llo, did anyone say... HECKLER ? :cool:

Yo EBX, you sandbagger, you done remodeling ? Let's hit it soon bro'...

What's crackin' fellas... my ears were itching, so let me tell you...
I've hit Galbraith on a hardtail before, and sure, it can be done with drops and all. But the fact of the matter is that full suspension was made for a reason. It allows you to take care of your body and enjoy ther ride more. The youngins in their 20's will understand eventually, trust me ;)
Onto my XC bike... EBX, Pinchflat and a few o yus out there can vouch for the love affair I have with my Heckler Dominatrix. That bike is a monster... so, 37lbs, but don't be swayed by that cos she's lean, mean and always got a trick up her skirt. I can't think of anything at Whistler the bike hasn't been through... and that same bike can also pull a ~60mile mountain ride if you've got the gumption.
Acutally, yes, I remember now that bike has not gone down "The Manager" at the Bike Park"... my excuse is that it was closed (which it was, most times) and I'm stikin' to that.

Oh, and my Heckler and I at Galbraith is like PacMan on crack... light enough to pedal, nimble enough to shred and burly enough for the big toys. You know what I mean, right ? We're not racing here, so who cares if your bro' gets to the top 30ft before you do... plus, it's a single crown... hello Xups !!!

Once, a friend forgot his passport at home on a quick trip to the Shore and instead of driving back we hit Galbraith on our BigBikes. I was on my Dare and we still carried on riding our usual loop(s). Although I didn't feel like it slowed me down too terribly on the climbs, a rig that size was total overkill. Almost like going swimming with your clothes/shoes on. I mean, you can do it... but it's ridiculous, no ?

Bottom line, everyone knows their skill set, or will soon find out... pick the best tool for the application and get to work...
 
#18 ·
I'm in the same situation, all though I have 3 bikes to choose from, as does my wife.

See broke the swingarm on her XC bike last weekend, so is down to a RockHopper HT, or a Bullit.

My choices are a Cove Hummer HT, Blur, or Bullit.

I'll probably end up riding the equivalent bike to my wife's choice to keep the speed similar.
 
#19 ·
And the winner is...

The XC bike. Taking a piece of what TtotheJ said, there are more XC trails up there than Freeride/stunts. It would be different if I was making the extra hour drive north to the Canadian wilderness to ride the North Shore. Besides that, I'm feeling to lazy to transfer wheel sets over from wone bike to another along with making sure the drive trains work OK. (one wheel set is Presta, the other is Schrader).

While others are playing on the stunts I'll be the official photographer. I like that role anyway. Besides, I'll be able to go faster through the single track than they will on their bikes :D Pictures on Sunday or Monday!
 

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