hbelly13 profile

Hygienist-bikes...that's funny! I don't know. I am not flashy and prefer durability and simplicity. I would not describe myself as a miser, but I tend to always consider cost to benefit ratios when it comes to bigger ticket discretionary spending. I've ridden a number of bikes that go for more than $10k and could not for the life of me feel like I was getting that much more fun/performance out of them versus something for less. Lastly, I've long said that riders can find exactly what they are looking for significantly less if they are smart shoppers, flexible and patient. I live by the mantra that retail is for schmucks and Christmas shoppers.

I'm nowhere near you, but I have been a practicing general dentist for nearly thirty years and riding mountain bikes for over thirty-five years. My office is a title sponsor for our NICA team (now actually just called the Georgia League after it became too big for NICA, but whatever) and I was an assistant coach last year. All riders that become patients here get the two-wheel deal discount (15%) off all services. The bikes I ride are nice, but not what most would call "dentist bikes" (no electronics, I build/maintain them myself, still buy lots of used stuff). If you ever find yourself in the deep south (Atlanta metro) holla and we'll go for a ride on some of the killer trails around here including ones you'd need to know the secret handshake for. Hahaha! L'Chaim!

I used to think the human race was becoming collectively more stupid every year. This was a easy conclusion to reach with characters like Honey Boo Boo or Cash me outside girl flooding the media not to mention people eating Tide Pods. However, the truth is that simply the internet has provided a voice to the unsophisticated they never had so we hear and see them more than ever in human history. Battery acid...mmmmmmmmmmm!

Sucks. Been there. A few times. Heal up soon.

The only batteries I'm concerned with regarding any rides actually will never stop me from taking said ride. First is my cell phone which since I first began utilizing them in the mid-90's I have instinctively left it charging when I was situated anyplace so I generally good there. Second and newest are my wireless earbuds (EarFun Free, which BTW are waterproof, inexpensive, low profile and auto-default from stereo to mono if you only use one as I do) which again when I'm not using them are in their charger cradle and with a supposed 9+ hr battery life I never get close to burning up. Lastly, are my bar/helmet lights. My use of these is limited to maybe once a week or so on sub 2 hr rides and only if I can't scoot out work earlier enough to avoid the daylight savings darkness. That's really it and if all of those crapped out, I could still pedal around without issue. I'd miss hearing hardcore like Slant in my earhole, but whatever.

On a related note, one of the big ups for Speshy's latest electro wonder bikes is a very involved TCU that possesses a full color touch screen with a zillion options. On the contrary, the alloy versions of the Levo don't come with it instead using their older simple yet effective bar system and button control, but without any performance detriment. As I have zero desire to have basically an iPhone attached to my bars (with some of the bike computer offerings) I see no point to spending more for said TCU that I would likely leave on stealth mode.

I really don't know other than that the ring is centered dead in the middle of the built in upper chain guide the Wrecker comes stock with which Evil says is 56.5. As for running a smaller ring Evil says the smallest that will fly is a 30t round mainly due to the potential interference of the chain riding on the (huge) swing arm in the higher gears. I run a Raceface 32t oval ring currently. I tried running a 30t ring on my old Wreckoning and I did get some buzz in the highest gear combo. It was not enough of benefit at least with climbing efforts I encounter to make it worthwhile.

"Did you have to re-lace? I haven’t seen a Boost or Super Boost kit install where the wheel couldn’t be re-dished."

Yeah, as soon as my wheel builder began to attempt re-dish the wheel the machine built wheel's spokes began to snap. He got it rolling and then I ended up cracking the rim about 5 mos later.

Problem Solvers does make a conversion kit to go from 148 to 157. It does require obviously a re-dish, but realistically re-lacing. This is in fact what I did with an old 148 wheel I had.

I built my 2020 V3 Wreckoning up initially using my old X1 148 Boost crankset using a 0-offset ring as an initial bodge to get the bike rolling with crap I had lying around. It worked, but was a little noisy and the chain was really close to the swing arm along with some heel rub. Next I got legit and went with some Truvativ Descendent Super Boost cranks. These had a much better chainline, however SRAM's use of huge outboard spacers to get the correct set up always seemed iffy. My suspicions were confirmed when I'd have to pull the whole thing apart to re-grease and retighten it to keep it from creaking. I finally said eff-it and shelled out for a Raceface Atlas crankset, a Chris King bottom bracket and a Cane Creek compression ring. Since then, it has remained trouble free. As for other issues (shifting, heel rub, etc.) I have not really had any problems.   I certainly would have been fine sticking with any of the "standards" of the last ten years, however if Super Boost allows manufacturers to do things to improve frame design for strength, tire clearance, chainstay length or whatever so be it.

"They’re not as cheap as the Line Comp or Nukeproof, but also check out Crankbrothers’ Synthesis aluminum line with Industry Nine 1/1 hubs. Solid value."

I'm SOL on the Bontrager stuff as they don't have the big booty 157 spacing available and Nukeproof doesn't sell hubs alone. I found out that the Factor 157 Super Boost hubs are 5 degree from the guys there and those go for $300 USD. I understand that one can calculate the POE via dividing 360 by the number of teeth in the ratchet ring. So if I really want to know what is going on inside a Super Boost WTB hub I have lacking any other reference I'll need to pull it apart and do that calculation I suppose.

There are numerous stories/interviews out regarding Evil's past and how those days are behind them. My friend is a local dealer and they've been great to work with the past three years. We've seen exactly two bikes require warranty service (both of which were due to improper rider set up; improper torque, etc.). Evil took care of these promptly. 

As far as the bikes go, nothing rides like them. Go read the reviews. I've ridden all of them and my daily driver is the Wreckoning. The Insurgent is a fantastic bike and if you already have the parts and wheelset that will go on it (142 rear axle/27.5 wheels) then picking up the current frame at it's reduced price is a no brainer. Otherwise, pick one of the newer models that turns you one. If you want further specifics ask away.

• Banshee Rune V2 -An absolute all around rager. Could be lighter, but who gives AF when it rips like it does both up and down.
• Santa Cruz Butcher -Super fun bike that was dumb simple and just a blast. Too bad SC didn't bring this one into the new school geometry/27.5 wheel world.
• Evil Insurgent -The ONLY bike I've pedalled around (and I've demoed everything) that gives the aforementioned Banshee a run for it's money. Could be my next whip.
• Kona Honzo -The first 29'er I rode that didn't suck. The only other 29'ers since then that I've liked were the Ibis Ripley LS and Evil Wreckoning.
• Surly Instigator 1.0 -I had mine for 13 years(!!!). I rode it built up every way to Sunday and was bummed when it finally cracked last year. Ridiculously killer steel beast.

:devil:

I am sure there are other decent options, but the Ironcase is the most bombproof case I have ever seen or used. It has been around longer than anything else for a good reason. I have had mine for over 16 years and have never had ANY issues with a bike that I traveled with it. I would look for a used one as they are not cheap.

…Triple 8 wrist gaurds. I have used these for more than fifteen years. I go through about three sets a year +/-. I put my gloves on and then these over top of them. As my hands are my job, I wear them all the time off road. Sure, I know how to fall, but these have saved me countless times. They are inexpensive, easy to get used to, make you look like a Terminator, provide tons of support/protection and will always be cheaper than surgery. Believe me, I tried every guard/brace out there including custom orthotic numbers. These are WAY more durable, protective and economic. I do not ride without them. I have taken plenty of nasty falls, but zero wrist injuries. :devil:

I do not own a Darkside, but I have been aboard a Rune V2 for more than a year and half. The Darkside on paper appears to be a Rune on steroids. I would surmise that like the Rune the Darkside is going to be amazing pedaling bike, making it very fun and playful on messy trails or in a park. I agree with Porkchop in so much that if you are looking for a more DH mow-over-everything kind of rig that it's not likely going to suit you. "Freeduro" or "Superenduro" …that sounds about right. :evil:

Oh, hey alright, let's do this again! Note that I did not say "one more time" as that utterance always precedes a crash. Here you go…

1. What eyewear do you currently use when you ride (goggles, glasses) and for what kind of riding? I current employ a couple of pairs of Oakley glasses for both my mountain and cyclocross riding (mis)adventures. They both have pink lens with black frames. This provides me with nice contrast in the deep forests of my southern surroundings and a reminder of my New Wave/Punk roots.

2. Have you had any experience with Ryders eyewear? I have a ten plus year old pair of Ryders lurking in the bottom of my gear bag. They were inexpensive and worked fine when I bought them in a pinch upon forgetting my usual go to's. They make a nice spare for my occasional forgetful cohorts.

3. Are fogged up glasses a problem for you when riding? Is this a joke? I generally refer to myself as a schwettefatf*ck as I sweat like the proverbial pig. They don't call it "Hotlanta" for nothing. Most of the time, my glasses stay perched on my helmet save on exceptionally (rare) sunny rides or if it's a particularly nasty descent. Otherwise, it is very tricky to see through them. I could rant on about how one of the main reasons I like my Bell Super is how well it holds my glasses beneath the visor, but I will save that for another contest.

4. Where do you live and ride? I live in Alpharetta, Georgia a small city just north of Atlanta. I have a number of local trails I frequent including one I can pedal too. In addition, about once a month I hit trails up in N GA/W NC/E TN including my favorites up in Pisgah.

5. Most importantly: Provide an example of a 'gear shots' style review: **I considered providing a link to some of the dental articles I've penned, but I figured you can find more engaging sources for your boredom. Nevertheless, here is a schpeil I wrote about the Nomad 3 and an older piece NPR published of mine.

Party. Now to check my messages**…

Is bold the new all caps?

Good info. I've got to say, I'm kind of curious about these things. Do they help with clearance over obstacles too (when your pedals are at approx 3 and 9?

**I just happen to like the way bold looks.:|

Clearance? Maybe, but I am old school and still run a bash guard.** :devil:

**I run a Black by Absolute Black 32t driving my 10 speed cassette with a OneUp 42t hack. It works great as my legs are much less tired/sore after big climbs and it is easier to remain on the gas throughout any ride. I had a 30t round ring prior and I more comfortable climbing with the Black and it's higher tooth count.

I began mountain biking 28 years ago when the original Biopace came out. The modern ovals are completely different. I do not notice any pulsing effect or really anything weird while pedaling it. In fact everyone who has hopped on my bike had to look at it to notice that it was oval as you feel nothing out of the ordinary. Several of my friends picked them up too and love them. I ride clipped in, but my friend who rides flats said that it helps him stay glued to the pedals even more than ever on climbs. **:devil:

Is this happening? Are there any updates? Thanks.

I am pretty sure that the editors and/or DT Swiss found the responses so remedial and sub-Pulitzer, they decided this was not such a great idea. Perhaps this exercise was not unlike being a shopper at the Sunglasses Hut and thinking you are qualified to perform opthalmic surgery. Fun, however the results will be less than optimal. :devil:

OMG!!! Thank you all for this great honor!!! :devil: