[Call_me_Clyde]

OK, this is the official "I defied all MTB common sense and logic and I'm still alive to talk about it" thread. Tell us what you've done which everyone has warned you not to do, and yet the dire consequences that everyone swore would happen never did rear their ugly head to bite you in your defiant arse. Here's a few of mine to get started.

1) I've washed my bike at the car wash with a high pressure hose (numerous times, mind you) and my bottom bracket didn't desintigrate as a result.

2) I've purchased a bike/frame without a test ride, and the bike actually fit me and performed to my expectations......three times going on four so far. (I probably just jinxed myself here)

3) I purchased from Icycles USA and I got a tracking number, and my goods arrived complete and quickly....twice

4) I've poached and didn't get busted and my bike confiscated. (I'm NOT advocating this, BTW!)

5) I've put bar ends on riser bars.

6) I bought a full suspension bike for less than $500 and it was actually a pretty fun bike. (OK, this one was a stretch...)

Please feel free to fess up to your own logic defying acts of defiance.

Bob

 

[Offtime3123]

1) I got a pinch flat and rode a mile down to the bottum of the trail, and my rim stayed fairly true.

 

[Full Mountain]

1)I ride with less than 20 psi in my tires and have yet to get a pinch flat on my current wheel/tire combo

2)Lost all my air in my rear tire and rode it home rim is still true

DMR

 

[womble]

I've taken my precious bike onto planes without expensive hardshell cases (yeah, I like living on the edge) and never had any damage besides scratched paint.

I didn't upgrade to King or Hadley hubs and rode around quite happily on a set of LXs for over five years, and my wheels didn't disintegrate.

 

[John_Michael]

When I was in high school, and not yet into serious biking, I took my all-rigid Murray (think Wal-Mart special) to a small ski resort and survived a day of DH riding.

 

[ZoSoSwiM]

I Learned to ride clipless on Eggbeaters.

 

[Killroy]

I Learned to ride clipless on Eggbeaters.

What is wrong with eggbeaters? They always seemed easy to me.

 

[womble]

What is wrong with eggbeaters? They always seemed easy to me.

Nothing wrong with them... advice to beginners is usually to start with clipless + some kind of platform, or the half flat and half clipless pedals.

 

[steiny]

I went from a big $$$ boutique FS bike that's handmade in the USA to a production hardtail that's made in Taiwan and cost 1/4 price. I like the hardtail so much, the FS is going up for sale on ebay. I also went from a Fox Float fork to a $65 rigid fork and the Fox will also be going on ebay. My wrists, back, and teeth feel just fine and I'm loving my trails more than ever now.

 

[Crusty Oldman]

I traded my 'Zokeys for a pair of Judys, 'cause the stickers looked so cool!

 

[billee]

I did not remove my spoke protector and I did not become impotent.

 

[bauerb]

ok...

1) I rode an 8 speed, 42lb DH racer on XC trails for a full season, and loved the cushy ride. kind of like riding a couch

2) my first bike race(I was 12) I wore a football helmet because I read the rules the night before and realized it was the only helmet I owned

 

[.Danno.]

- I've swapped all my stems to 50mm or less and climb better than ever.

- I started freeriding at age 46 and dirt jumping at 50.

 

[jeffscott]

I ride my XC bike in a skate park, and kids don't laugh at me.

 

[Reposado Man]

Not to your face, anyway...

 

[Stupendous Man]

I routinely clean/lube my chain with WD40

Its been 7 years, 3 chains, and haven't had one break on me yet.

 

[40hills]

I buy ALL SORTS of expensive things for my bike and my wife doesn't mind!

 

[FRAYZ99]

I had $120 hydraulic disc brakes that I hated because I could never get them adjusted properly, so they always made a "sick,sick,sick,sick" noise, I pitched them and recently purchased $64 mechanical disc brakes that work flawlessly!

 

[Beermaker]

I still have flat bars on my bikes despite the knowledge that it will make me so uncool.
Other kids laugh at me on the trails but I just kick them in the groin and ride off.

 

[SHIVER ME TIMBERS]

i actually pedaled up a hill and didn't die....felt like it but only puked