[tahopp]

Hi all. Been reading the forum for a few weeks now and quite enjoy it. Anyhow, took my shiny new Trek 3900 out on singletrack for the first time today. (Had the bike for 2 weeks but have only been pavement riding.) This was my first time ever trail riding on anything. We did 9.2 miles took me 'bout 1-1/2 hours. Went over the bars once, destroyed a toe clip and spilled a time or 2 more but was laughing the whole time. What a blast!! I hope that this will become a sport that I stick with. I started riding because Im 5' 6" and about 250. My paved road best to date is 7 miles in 30 min. And after a few weeks I can already feel a difference in my body and self. (Eating better too and cut out all pop and sweets). Anyway just had to kinda spout Im just happy!! Have a great night all!
Tim

 

[mtbman1127]

Awesome man glad to hear you had a great time...and get rid of the toe clips and get some clip in pedals and shoes..you will enjoy it more and they are much safer believe it or not...keep with it!

 

[fred3]

Congrats! Keep it up as it only gets better and better. Might want to lose the toe clips though and stick with just flats. Less likely to crash with flats as catching those toe clips on ground based obstacles while trying to get the other foot engaged is a common reason for mishaps.

 

[CHUM]

Awesome Dude :thumbsup: Sounds like you're hooked

 

[JimC.]

What he said!

Lose the toe clips, they are a bad design and do very little unless you race or climb steep hills; at that point look for clipless instead. Just ride the flat pedals and smile more crash less.

Just my .02, Jim

 

[dawgs1850]

Nice! I've been riding consistently for about 3 months now and love it. You should be able to build your stamina/endurance pretty quick, and then the riding just becomes more fun. Sorry to repeat the other posters, but I would highly recommend getting rid of the toe clips and picking up a decent set of clipless pedals and shoes. I know it probably sounds like overkill this early into the sport, but that's what I did and it's great. I had toe clips on the bike I bought and didn't want to waste the extra money on new pedals/shoes. After reading countless reviews on this website I decided to bite the bullet. After switching, the difference is amazing. I am able to put a lot more power into the pedals, and I have much more control over the bike. It's up to you, and the main thing is to keep riding. Good luck!

 

[kylejohn4543]

I'm just gonna skip what they all said and say congrats and welcome to the sport. Good stuff

 

[normdzn]

Well, I too am new to the sport and would like to ask a couple of questions.

First, I have seen people set their seats really high and some really low. Is there a reason for this. I know that you are supposed to set the seat high enough for you to extend your leg at the bottome of the pedal but what I was curious about is that—Do they adjust the seat up on uphill so they could pedal smoother and set it low going downhill so the could stand and move better?

 

[MtBkrJoe]

First, I have seen people set their seats really high and some really low. Is there a reason for this. I know that you are supposed to set the seat high enough for you to extend your leg at the bottome of the pedal but what I was curious about is that-Do they adjust the seat up on uphill so they could pedal smoother and set it low going downhill so the could stand and move better?

Some people might move their seat up and down, but I just leave mine alone most of the time. I ride xc and dont really need to lower my seat very often. The reason people have their seats high or low is due to the type of riding they do. Higher is usually more for xc and lower would be for freeriding, dirt jumping, etc...

 

[oldskoolbiker]

Well, I too am new to the sport and would like to ask a couple of questions.

First, I have seen people set their seats really high and some really low. Is there a reason for this. I know that you are supposed to set the seat high enough for you to extend your leg at the bottome of the pedal but what I was curious about is that-Do they adjust the seat up on uphill so they could pedal smoother and set it low going downhill so the could stand and move better?

Well here is how I see it. A high seat is great for pedaling efficiency, a low seat is great for handling and maneuverability. For XC riding you would typically have the seat all the way up for maximum efficiency. For All Mountain riding you may keep the seat a little lower or have it high on the climbs and lower it for the decents. There is even a seat post available that has a quick release type lever and is "spring" loaded so that you can adjust height on the fly while riding. For Freeriding and Urban/DJ you will want the seat very low since maneuverability is most important here. For Down Hill it depends on how technical the course is, but my seat is never all the way up.

Then also you may see people, mostly beginners or recreational riders, who refuse to have their seat high because they are afraid of crashing. They want to be able touch the ground with their feet.

 

[tahopp]

thanks!!!

Well, thanks all for the advice,support and replies!!!! It's appreciated. Yeah, Im trashing out the toe clips. Like I said one is destroyed anyway :devil: . I liked the toe clips for pavement but for trail use they were hell to deal with. Im getting a set of clipless from a friend and then gonna buy some shoes. Thanks again all!!!
Tim

:band:

 

[normdzn]

Great job Tahopp, I just got a Trek 3700 and would like to get an update on how you are doing on the trails and how you like your 3900!!

 

[tahopp]

Great job Tahopp, I just got a Trek 3700 and would like to get an update on how you are doing on the trails and how you like your 3900!!

Thanks!!! Ok on my first trail ride my cousin that I went with told me "oh this is the easy trail". I found out later that it is the more "technical" of the 2 at that park. LOL! Anyway, in one outing I broke:
Front brake-now drags on right side-probably can be adjusted out.
toe clip- went over the bars and ripped it off the pedal clean LOL!!!!
dust cover on reaer hub came loose- no biggie.
and now in some of the higher gears the chain is riding on something making noise.
BUT I did go over the bars once fairly hard and that accident I believe caused all of this and it was somewhat self inflicted. Never get anywhere near the front brake going down a hill HA!!! Couldnt help but laugh at myself! Otherwise I think the bike performed great.
Tim

 

[normdzn]

Now I hear that word a lot, what exaclty does 'technical' mean in bike jargon. Is there a thread with all the bike lingo for newbies. How about switchbacks, are those hairpins?

 

[normdzn]

duplicate

 

[ChrisJ]

Congrats Bro. I've been riding for about 8 years and this is my first year racing. Its an addictive sport and racing wow its great.

 

[tahopp]

Now I hear that word a lot, what exaclty does 'technical' mean in bike jargon. Is there a thread with all the bike lingo for newbies. How about switchbacks, are those hairpins?

Im not sure what exactly "technical" means. I just kinda translate it to "difficult" hehehehe.....

 

[perttime]

Im not sure what exactly "technical" means. I just kinda translate it to "difficult" hehehehe.....

Close enough, I guess. Where I live, it mainly seems to mean more rocks and roots. Short and steep climbs that you have to really "attack" to get up might also count, and descents that are so steep that brakes are useless.

 

[tahopp]

Congrats Bro. I've been riding for about 8 years and this is my first year racing. Its an addictive sport and racing wow its great.

Thanks man!! Well last night I set out with the mindset of "If I can do 9 miles on a trail I can do 10 miles on paved bike path". Well, I came home with a new personal best of 10.595 miles with an average speed of 14.1 mph a max speed of 22.7 mph and did it in 45.14 minutes. Lots of fun, but still cant wait to hit the trails again!!!
Tim

 

[Dirt Bringer]

My first real bike was a trek 4300, and I still have it. Its worn, dirty and in need of a fork{had to take its cus mine was sucking crap faster that anything that I have ever seen} but it will get it back soon. It served me well, and now my dad rides it sometimes. You have a good bike, and it sounds like youre enjoying yourself. It only gets better.