New Monkey

[fnaqzna]

After two months, my next-door neighbor finally talked me into taking the plunge and buying a MTB.

We're in a small town... two local bike shops. One deals in Specialized and Giant. The other deals in Trek.

Being a 40+ year-old noob, I was pretty much set on the Trek 4500 and then the dealer pointed out an FS bike, the KHS XC104. I bought it. :D

I've went riding twice on it so far... and I am so totally hooked.

[Ridemonkey]

Welcome :)

[MG6]

welcome to RM

[McGRP01]

Welcome to the :monkey: ! :)

[MMcG]

welcome to the Monkey - enjoy the new bike! :thumb:

[TreeSaw]

Welcome to our crazy little corner of the world ;)

[fnaqzna]

Got my first biff today!

I wasn't paying attention... trail was largely straight and level and I drove past a fork... I started to slow with the rear brake as I looked left at the other trail, and then I tapped the front break a bit too firmly... and I went over the top.

Couple of skinned knees and a bent up rear derailer. Off to the shop tomorrow.

Gawdamn, I'm having fun though.

[RhinofromWA]

Got my first biff today!

I wasn't paying attention... trail was largely straight and level and I drove past a fork... I started to slow with the rear brake as I looked left at the other trail, and then I tapped the front break a bit too firmly... and I went over the top.

Couple of skinned knees and a bent up rear derailer. Off to the shop tomorrow.

Gawdamn, I'm having fun though.:D

We have all been there....trust us. :o: I taught myself to use 1 finger on the front brake and 2 on the rear....for modulating purposes. You can grab a handfull of rear without much immediate trouble, but as you have found...the front will bite you. :)

Anyways the 1 finger front/2 rear brake system seems to work for me....you can always grab more when needed but it helps in those "moments of distraction" we all get. :thumb:

[ALEXIS_DH]

:D

We have all been there....trust us. :o: I taught myself to use 1 finger on the front brake and 2 on the rear....for modulating purposes. You can grab a handfull of rear without much immediate trouble, but as you have found...the front will bite you. :)

Anyways the 1 finger front/2 rear brake system seems to work for me....you can always grab more when needed but it helps in those "moments of distraction" we all get. :thumb:


i have a weird finger setup on the handlebars.

I use the pinky, ring and middle finger over the brake lever, and the index and thumb around the handlebar. it gives me a lot of confidence going over rocky and uneven stuff.

i feel very uncomfortable taking off my index off the handlebar.

[RhinofromWA]

i have a weird finger setup on the handlebars.

I use the pinky, ring and middle finger over the brake lever, and the index and thumb around the handlebar. it gives me a lot of confidence going over rocky and uneven stuff.

i feel very uncomfortable taking off my index off the handlebar.Try ALEXIS_DH set up too. Try and find what is comfortable and works for you. ALEXIS_DH style gives him confidence and that is the most important thing when you ride. Be comfortable and confident in your riding so you can worry about the trail....and not wich brake is the front one.

[ioscope]

If you don't ride real DH, you can get away with never having your hands on the brakes.

Naysayers will appear, but you really don't need brakes very often at xc.

Plus it will make you faster.

[Darkreaper]

Or in more pain... or deader...

[Skookum]

Naysayers will appear, but you really don't need brakes very often at xc.

.......
let's put you on some old cantilevers on a rainy day out at Capitol Forest and THEN hear you say that.......

[ChrisRobin]

After two months, my next-door neighbor finally talked me into taking the plunge and buying a MTB.

We're in a small town... two local bike shops. One deals in Specialized and Giant. The other deals in Trek.

Being a 40+ year-old noob, I was pretty much set on the Trek 4500 and then the dealer pointed out an FS bike, the KHS XC104. I bought it. :D

I've went riding twice on it so far... and I am so totally hooked.

Awesome! It's too bad Trek's bikes are expensive when they come to full suspension. Trek has a wicked warranty policy...also I'm just biased because I used to work in a shop had held Trek and they took care of us. Anyways, as long as your bike works for you, that's all that counts!!

My braking setup has been the same for XC or DH. Hands sorta loose on the grips and the middle fingers on the brakes.

[fnaqzna]

Awesome! It's too bad Trek's bikes are expensive when they come to full suspension. Trek has a wicked warranty policy...also I'm just biased because I used to work in a shop had held Trek and they took care of us. Anyways, as long as your bike works for you, that's all that counts!!

My braking setup has been the same for XC or DH. Hands sorta loose on the grips and the middle fingers on the brakes.

Well... my wife decided that she wanted a bike also, so I gave her the KHS and I got a great deal on a 2004 Trek Fuel 70. :)

[yonton228]

Congrats on the bikes, hope you like the Monkey, 99.99% of the people here are good people. Have fun on your bike and enjoy.... I cant wait till I get a bike.

[extreme2]

Welcome.....Now that your hooked, theres no turning back!

[fnaqzna]

I'm just wondering... How many of these I have to get before the noob wears off. :D

http://dotdoubledot.com/img/photos/justoutstanding/rash.jpg

[yonton228]

NICE, it has a lets say, a post modern composition.

[Bicyclist]

10000

[***MTB***]

Welcome to Ride monkey. Mountain biking is a great sport. Keep on doing it.

[caputo1989]

Welcome to Ride monkey. Mountain biking is a great sport. Keep on doing it.

.............nevermind