mammal profile

I can't explain the debacle any better for you, but I'll add in another aspect of "WTF?".   

It's not surprising that the UCI decided to try and deflect any blame, and released a statement right after the injury report saying they were following all protocols, blah blah.  But they never once reached out to Brook after the crash or during his recovery. Not even a conversation to see how he's doing, or even capture any information regarding the incident. Mind boggling.

This comment section is a bit stale (understandably), but I just pulled the trigger on the NX build, and should have some impressions in a week or two if the snow keeps melting like it is. Let me know if you have any questions.

So far, it looks like a hell of a deal. At $4200 CAD all-in from a LBS, nothing else at the price point has performance suspension, and combined with fairly progressive geo, those were my crucial factors. Pleasant surprises include: Removed the Down/Seat Tube Gusset (not required, looks cleaner now), Dropper is a 170 Lev instead of the advertised 150, Raw color is actually silver paint, but looks REALLY good in person. 

It's my first all-new bike in 13 years, and I've never ridden a 29er, so I'm many different levels of excited about the new whip.

AJ, I'm sold on trying some Boeshield. What's your cleaning regime before application?

Also, just a quick update on a previous Pistons and Pivots conversation: That  Dodge Cummins based Chevy C10 in Squamish. It's a single cab long box, white, and owned by the guy who owns Munster (Custom Snowmobile Parts). Often hauling a big white trailer. Keep an eye out, it's such a nice combo of trucks.

I also use Slickoleum in my Hope free hub, but mostly because I have it on hand, and the viscosity is about right. Some definitely leaks past the seal after a fresh clean/re-lube, but enough stays inside to keep things going until the next time (usually about once every 6 months). 

WRT to the chain lube, It sounds from these responses like T-9 wax or Dumonde Tech lube is the way to go. I'm in the Triflow club, but I've known it's a pretty sub-par club for quite a while now.

I love slickoleum for all the reasons you mention. Bel-Ray water proof grease is what I swear by for headsets and suspension bearings (and anywhere else you don't want water). I assume it's probably similar to the Chris King product, and I think it's very similar to Maxima water proof as well. 

One thing I'd love recommendation on is chain lube. I prefer to use something that's appropriate for all conditions, but I've always just used Tri-flow. I'm sure there are better things to use, because even when I try to go heavy on cleaning and light on lube re-application, it still ends up building up crap when riding in the dry. Any advice on that?

I'm an Island transplant in North Van, cut my teeth mountain biking around Victoria/Duncan/Sooke. But I've also got roots in rural Alberta, enjoyed summers on a farm with my Grandparents, and then worked in rural Alberta and Saskatchewan in my 20's. This conflict has a whole lot to do in general with the hustle and bustle of large metro centers. 

The more sparse the population in a given space, the more people gravitate toward each other. The fewer people you encounter, the more you see others as an extension of yourself. On the flip side, the more you wade through people/traffic/competition on a daily basis, the more your subconscious is just looking to avoid others. Rural farming communities, you're obligated to make sure your neighbour is doing OK, even if you don't like them much. It's part of life to stop and say Hi, touch base, even if you don't know that person. I think the stereotype of Canadians being really nice, largely comes form the fact that most of us are only 1-3 generations removed from fairly rural living.

Cam's point about adrenaline, and the associated selective focus is a good one, and that plays a big part  with mountain biking specifically. But I think the issue is a lot worse in areas where people are conditioned to exist within their "bubble" to keep from stressing out. I was shocked when I came over to North Van how few mountain bikers acknowledge each other (let alone other types of users), even while climbing up a fire road in parallel. Bigger city mentality. These days I just try to shoot smiles/nods at everyone I pass. On the trails, neighbourhood streets, pretty much everywhere. Try to compensate.

This is great. Really looking forward to NSMB podcasts!

I got the impression that Owen left Norco largely because they didn't want to commit to that platform throughout the lineup. Could just be my interpretation, but it came from the 2018 PB interview: 

"Of course, the bottom line counts no matter how big or small a company is, but Forbidden Bike Company's size means that Pemberton doesn't have to compromise as much as he would have if his new creation was joining fifty-plus other bikes in a thick catalog: ''When you're looking to appeal to as wide a range of people as possible, which is what a larger brand always has to be looking to do, then some things just don't make the cut that you might want to do.''

''It could be because it's just going to be a bit different, or because it'll make people question why or what's going on, then it can be too risky to go down that route. That's when we were thinking, 'We can do that now; we're in a position where we can take those risks.''

Wow. Shockingly pricey.

Thanks Cam, for the heads up on the genius star nut method, and the Moodyville pump track! Looks like I'll need to tee up the old Balfa Minute Man for two explore missions now.

Full Nelson hard tail beer laps for me and my crew last weekend. Sunny and warm-ish. The weekend may have been book-ended by weeks of downpour, but the residual smile still remains.

For the record, I'm not sure I've ever made 40 minutes, but sometimes I have days where I think it's appropriate to try. I think my record is probably 42-43, but I don't strava, so who the hell really knows. I certainly get accustomed  to not getting passed (ebikes aside), but every now and then I get smoked by somebody... There are some absolute beasts out there, both humbling and inspiring.

I also have a great appreciation for the climbing route, as it stands now. I respect the challenge that organizers and builders faced with piecing together a route that 1) allows a much different ride flow than was available before, and 2) allows as large a % of riders as possible to be able to use it. The landscape and existing trail network certainly limits the available routes to the top, and every one of the possiblilities would be a compromise.

I think that the recent efforts to fill in some of the tech sections were mainly intended to make the challenge more appropriate for a wider swath of Fromme riders. Even in this thread, we've got everyone from "It's not challenging enough" to "Man, I can't imagine wanting this more challenging". Yet, pretty much everyone here uses that route (and probably enjoys it, to some extent). This just speaks to how effective their route choice is. I can clean the trail, but if I'm knackered it pays to go a bit slower, and if I need a bigger challenge, I try to make it sub-40min. 

The one thing I would gripe about is the addition of soil in areas that are clearly heavy drainage areas. It was mentioned previously, but even in the summer there were soul-sucking mud pits that remained weeks after it rained. I don't think anyone has any fun with that, but even this type of complaint comes with a caveat that it's a learning process. Hopefully those areas can receive some alternate choices for drainage or a different choice for fill, in the future.

Is that sarcasm? Because the bits of tape could still lift when levering a tire, and you need to cut/apply 32 little pieces of tape?

Posted by: andy-eunson

Posted by: syncro

Posted by: BeesIntheTr

For sure ease of access makes a difference, but who knows how much more often it will happen? That's where I think culture plays a big part. 

I agree that LOTS will probably see more ebikes, especially with Norona telling everyone they can legally go up there.

It is my understanding that the Ministry of Forests Land And Natural Resources has said no ebikes there.

I know that, at the very least, WORCA has taken that stance with their latest program (despite opening up a lot of their system to ebikes). I'd be interested to know if that was based on fundamental agreements or guidance from the Ministry.

Even last year when WORCA released their survey to user groups, trying to get a stance on how people felt on the matter... Lots of people's reactions were way over the top. A whole lot of "I'll ride my ebike all over Sproatt, there's nothing you can do to stop me".  I've heard they're considering a maintenance hut of sorts up there. Perhaps they'll use it for some tip-of-the-iceberg enforcement purposes.

Posted by: Kieran

I won't be buying one for a very long time but...

What if I buy an ebike and commute to my riding destination and never use my truck again for travel or as a shuttle option?

Does that entitle me to shred where I want? Is this a possibility in the future for a big number of riders in the Van area? Fewer vehicles on the road would be a good thing, right?

Well it certainly wouldn't address maintenance, conflict or access/permission issues... So no entitlement from where I stand.

Posted by: FLATCH

By your own statement trail organizations don’t seem to have much say as most areas are crown land.

What they wish and what is reality are two different things. I don’t see any grey areas.

You misunderstood me then, and saying most areas are on crown land is just another broad statement that doesn't capture the scope of the issue. Allowing the Orgs to act in accordance to their organization's best interests, and in accordance to agreements with Land Owner/Managers is the basis of what's allowed the amazing trail centers we now have, to grow and flourish. To me these relationships have been absolutely key in allowing growth in areas where there riding zones are in private land or mixed (private and crown, like KCTS).

If you're ( the royal You're) keen on short-circiuting this relationship by pointing to a preliminary legislation (which will be adjusted after the trial period), then that's "your" prerogative. I think it's harmful to the sport to turn a blind eye to the details of current legislation or down-play the established system of advocacy and maintenance. Assuming that "since they've sold 1000's of the things, it's reality" doesn't do justice to the issue, or give proper respect to the the Orgs that are only trying to manage their resources and agreements.

Trail Orgs, who act on the basis of their agreements with the Land Owners/Manager, have made bans. The closest examples are KCTS and UROC. Sure, KCTS is a bit handcuffed by the government regs, as some of their routes are partially on gov land and partially on private land, so it's sticky but ebikes are still currently banned from their system. UROC is a part owner of their land, and co-manage with the forestry company, who agreed to non-motorized use. You could also throw in WORCA and the Sproatt area.

Again, if you're expecting Land Owners to ban ebikes, it's not going to come in that form. If they can't manage this issue through the acting trail orgs (with whom they already have non-motorized agreements), they'll just ban all forms of bike access.

Posted by: Ouch

My understanding is it's been monitored, so a bit premature to say they're here to stay. Certain trail system have banned them and other have the legal right to implement bans as well.

That is correct. And I'll add that the worst justification, from my perspective, is the "Too bad, deal with it" line. That's been the company line all the way from the manufacturers, down to the dealers/renters, and trickled right down to many of the riders.

Posted by: FLATCH

But they are not self propelled. No input no forward progress. But I guess we've been over that.

Whether a throttle triggers a motor or pedal input, they're motorized. I don't care to argue this point further if it's unclear to you, but motorized/non-motorized is a very important distinction and not really debatable. And yes, that's been covered.