Go the other way? Pick yourself up a less capable bike, and ride that on rides with your girl. 

I've done this quite a bit, worked out really well.

This is the greatest idea in the history of mtb.

9, taping rocks. ★★★★★

Wow, stoked to see the "One Dolla" guy from Hawaii in Matt's Murrica video! I wonder how they connected?

For as many years as I've been riding I've irrationally lusted after what ever model of bike Wade Simmons is on…and here we go again. The smoothness just goes right into my brain!

Posted by: pedalhound

The more I ride with the Diety Knuckledusters the most I like 'em. I would also love to try the ODI Elite Pro and the DMR Death Grip.

Those'll be the next two grips I try too. Or ODI Flow? (Same grip, but padding only on one side).

ESIs feel great, but if you're a hacker and put it down often it becomes an expensive habit. After I weaned myself off of ESIs, I went Race Face Half Nelson for a couple rounds. Very nice feel and padded, but bare hands wet were slippery.

I'm using Macaskills now. Somewhat similar to my previous 50 pairs of now dead Ruffians, but softer . Work well enough. Bought them because yellow.

Posted by: Brocklanders

Posted by: Hepcat

Done. Mentioned the bridge.

But mostly filled it out to encourage them to give the finger to E-bikes.

Glad they included a section on them, shows they're prepping.

Yes but these two choices are missing a third option:

Accept them as inevitable, treat them as mountain bikes, and embrace the additional opportunities they offer.

Accept them as inevitable but treat them as distinct user group

I was taken aback by that too. 

Where's the "cast their wheels in cement and dump them all into Howe Sound" option.

Done. Mentioned the bridge.

But mostly filled it out to encourage them to give the finger to E-bikes.

Glad they included a section on them, shows they're prepping.

I9 gave us a deal when we (LBS) called them directly. Never know.

I was going to add, as long as your rim isn't made of cheese, your spoke tension will likely be more important than the rest of your choices above (given that you use brass ProLock nipples).

Now you got me thinking about building up a lightweight alloy wheel...

Posted by: Ouch

I always try to support local bike shops. Is there significant savings from Colorado cyclists or stores in Germany? If so, how much?

🍻. I order everything from the LBS in my neighborhood these days. Gets there at approximately the same speed, price difference is usually negligible and the they install the part for me. While I drink their beer. 

The only reason I ever order something online is when the LBS can't get it. 

And get an I9 Ouch, live your best life.

How'd they get in to the garage? 

I've gotten a few stolen bikes back. Thieves will have to expose themselves to sell the bike, stay vigilant keep looking it's out there. I recovered one of my stolen bikes from a homeless camp, couple others were on Craigslist.

Make sure to make a police report. You'll need it for leverage to get the bike back. 

When confronted thieves will say "didn't know it was stolen" to avoid arrest. If you've got the burglary report with the bike listed you can quickly skip over this excuse and go straight to informing them it was stolen and then getting them arrested.

Call perps on a Friday after payday and keep the topic on giving them cash. Meet in a safe place, and call the cops on the way to the meeting.

No need to threaten them, pay anything, or any other excitement. Just be polite, keep them talking till the cops show.

Posted by: pedalhound

Posted by: Hepcat

Only downside is if you run Exo, Specialized doesn't have an equivalent light casing.

I gave Specialized a go for a while, Grid casings just don't cut it. Similarly thin to Schwalbe Snake Skin. World's better than WTB light casing, but that's a pretty low bar. 

I'm back to solely Maxxis for light casing tires. In a league of their own in this category.

I dunno about that Hep, I find the Conti sidewalls to be tough....since I started running them I can't think of one time I have had issues with ripping a knob out, or ripping a sidewall...and I run pretty low pressure for a big boy. After multiple issues with Specialized grid casing tires I moved to Trail Kings and have not looked back. Too bad as I like their tires and the new one looks pretty great.

Ah, of course Conti. Have never run one. Thanks for the cognizance my man. 

Chalk up casings along with compounds as another thing Conti's doing right then.

New Exo+ looks interesting

https://enduro-mtb.com/en/maxxis-exo-plus/

Posted by: Bull_Dozer

Do any of you guys have a Transition Sentinel? I assumed they would be pretty brutal @ climbing so I never seriously considered one but based on what I've been reading people say they climb totally fine. And obviously it would be a beast on the downhill. Interested to hear some local impressions. 

Also, anyone know if any local shops have a demo bike available (NSBS, Dunbar, etc.)?

Could always drive down to headquarters, hour and change. Friendly chaps.

Very cool. Nicolai and Pole are all by themselves out there eh

Only downside is if you run Exo, Specialized doesn't have an equivalent light casing.

I gave Specialized a go for a while, Grid casings just don't cut it. Similarly thin to Schwalbe Snake Skin. World's better than WTB light casing, but that's a pretty low bar. 

I'm back to solely Maxxis for light casing tires. In a league of their own in this category.