Niner vs Nomad

[andy aka rut]

I normally ride a Niner singlespeed, but yesterday I had the itch to hop on a full boinger and do some DH type riding. Yesterday I was graced by our Mayor's presence as we rode through The Gab's. I asked him to keep the group small so we could keep the flow going. I was on my Nomad. We total'ed out with 6 of us.

I had such a great time on that bike!! Who would have known??! We, ahem, shuttled up to the "top" (I really have no idea where we rode) and started descending. I was on the "skinny" 2.3 tires but absolutely LOVED it. I had to get used to the headtube angle and the fact that the rear triangle would drop out from under me if I got any "air." Other than that I have nothing to say but Yeeeeehaw!!! Of course I did not do any climbing really. Oh I can't wait for Downieville.

So will I become a shuttle monkey??? No I don't think so, but it sure was fun to try it out. Will I continue to ride the Nomad? As CC would say, "OH, HELLS YEAH!" I love my Niner and will continue to use it as my primary bike. Could I have ridden my Niner on these trails? Without a doubt. I guess this ride taught me a lesson. There is a bike for every application.

Looking back, it looks like I found my passion again! Bring on the techy stuff!!!

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by andy aka rut

I normally ride a Niner singlespeed, but yesterday I had the itch to hop on a full boinger and do some DH type riding. Yesterday I was graced by our Mayor's presence as we rode through The Gab's. I asked him to keep the group small so we could keep the flow going. I was on my Nomad. We total'ed out with 6 of us.

I had such a great time on that bike!! Who would have known??! We, ahem, shuttled up to the "top" (I really have no idea where we rode) and started descending. I was on the "skinny" 2.3 tires but absolutely LOVED it. I had to get used to the headtube angle and the fact that the rear triangle would drop out from under me if I got any "air." Other than that I have nothing to say but Yeeeeehaw!!! Of course I did not do any climbing really. Oh I can't wait for Downieville.

So will I become a shuttle monkey??? No I don't think so, but it sure was fun to try it out. Will I continue to ride the Nomad? As CC would say, "OH, HELLS YEAH!" I love my Niner and will continue to use it as my primary bike. Could I have ridden my Niner on these trails? Without a doubt. I guess this ride taught me a lesson. There is a bike for every application.

Looking back, it looks like I found my passion again! Bring on the techy stuff!!!

best of both worlds.......Full sus and big hoops

[2wheel_lee]

Welcome to the other dark side! I knew you had it in ya!

You have a Nomad, and you don't already do that kind of riding? Or was it a loner Nomad?

I know what you mean about getting used to the head angle. I have a very hard time adjusting between my SS and my DH bikes. It's actually kind of comical, because I know that I need to adjust the point where I initiate turns, but sometimes my timing is so far off, I end up initiating a turn up to three times on the DH bike just for one turn.

[andy aka rut]

Thanks Lee
But I have to tell you I have been on the dark side for years. I have been singlespeeding since the mid 90's and doing the "illegal" trails in Aliso (before they were considered illegal) before that. I am an angel of light in a dark tunnel!

Last week I acquired the Nomad. It is the same bike just officially mine now. Well until they ask for it. :-)

It took me a bit of time to start getting used to riding the bike. I'm still learning its characteristics; timing the turns, sitting while climbing and bouncing around just for starters. Climbing stairs and doing little drops sure seems easier though!

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Welcome to the other dark side! I knew you had it in ya!

You have a Nomad, and you don't already do that kind of riding? Or was it a loner Nomad?

I know what you mean about getting used to the head angle. I have a very hard time adjusting between my SS and my DH bikes. It's actually kind of comical, because I know that I need to adjust the point where I initiate turns, but sometimes my timing is so far off, I end up initiating a turn up to three times on the DH bike just for one turn.

[Dino Brown]

1) The Nomad is Andy's!
2) I am still in shock that "My Hero" offered to do a ride that did not begin with the words "Suffer-fest."
3) Wish "you" could have seen his face. He really did find his passion again. Technical riding!
4) The other members of our group marveled at how fast Andy was able to change a tire- without the use of levers.
5) We all know how exceptionally skilled a rider Andy is! I'll admit it, he toys with us! What I did not know is the fact his abilities extended BEYOND that of XC racing!
6) I may be going out on a limb: If Andy entered a DH race, (with some practice) I believe he would podium! I was that impressed!
7) While putting together the ride: The only concern Andy had was that he wanted to stay "somewhat" close to the ground. No mega hucks. No launching. No ridng that required full body armor. Whatever! After 15 minutes, he was seeking out EVERY rock, berm, drop and ledge he could find! Each and every time he "got air" he threw in a TAIL WHIP just to piss me off (I can't do them).
He had ridden the Gab's plenty of times before. On a full-squish it may as well been his first ride. I used to ride the Gab's on a hardtail. Truly a different experience riding the SAME TRAIL on a different bike.

A few pics. We spent most of time RIDING!

Andy looking forward to fun ride ahead of him

Epicriderat asking me if I knew how impressed he was with my 5" DH bike

Andy having a little fun

XC Racer... Freerider.... DH Racer... And All-Around Great Guy

The GREATEST bike in all the land...


For the 1,000th time- I LOVE The San Gabriel's! Glad I could share them with such a cherished friend!

[thephat]

Originally Posted by andy aka rut

I normally ride a Niner singlespeed, but yesterday I had the itch to hop on a full boinger and do some DH type riding. Yesterday I was graced by our Mayor's presence as we rode through The Gab's. I asked him to keep the group small so we could keep the flow going. I was on my Nomad. We total'ed out with 6 of us.

I had such a great time on that bike!! Who would have known??! We, ahem, shuttled up to the "top" (I really have no idea where we rode) and started descending. I was on the "skinny" 2.3 tires but absolutely LOVED it. I had to get used to the headtube angle and the fact that the rear triangle would drop out from under me if I got any "air." Other than that I have nothing to say but Yeeeeehaw!!! Of course I did not do any climbing really. Oh I can't wait for Downieville.

So will I become a shuttle monkey??? No I don't think so, but it sure was fun to try it out. Will I continue to ride the Nomad? As CC would say, "OH, HELLS YEAH!" I love my Niner and will continue to use it as my primary bike. Could I have ridden my Niner on these trails? Without a doubt. I guess this ride taught me a lesson. There is a bike for every application.

Looking back, it looks like I found my passion again! Bring on the techy stuff!!!

That is fun stuff.

You need to try the Troy Lee shuttles.

That rear triangle dropping from under you sensation is from the way the suspension rate progresses. It feels real plush as long as you don't push it too hard, but a guy like you (agressive rider) is going to blow through travel on big hits. Some suspension linkages ramp up much more.

Just wait till you really start to trust those slack angles and that travel. This is just the befinning.

[andy aka rut]

Thanks guys.
Dino and I had smiles crossing the entire mountain range. I think I'll be needing wider tires soon.
Three cheers to The Mayor! Thanks again bro!


Tani,
You are right as always.
Troy Lee shuttles??? I'll talk with you about that tonight!

[tkblazer]

andy, i have a 2.5 blue groove you can have if you want it.. i can give it to you tomorrow

[andy aka rut]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

andy, i have a 2.5 blue groove you can have if you want it.. i can give it to you tomorrow

I'm in Nam!! Thanks
I still have to talk with Tumbleweed (Heather) about me going on the ride! Ouch

[COLEKO]

Looks like you had a great time Andy. After watching you go down the brea dam on your niner there was no doubt in my mind that you would kick ass on a full squish.

[cjwally]

Nice work Andy.....Looks like fun!

[mottmcfly]

Originally Posted by andy aka rut

I normally ride a Niner singlespeed, but yesterday I had the itch to hop on a full boinger and do some DH type riding. Yesterday I was graced by our Mayor's presence as we rode through The Gab's. I asked him to keep the group small so we could keep the flow going. I was on my Nomad. We total'ed out with 6 of us.

I had such a great time on that bike!! Who would have known??! We, ahem, shuttled up to the "top" (I really have no idea where we rode) and started descending. I was on the "skinny" 2.3 tires but absolutely LOVED it. I had to get used to the headtube angle and the fact that the rear triangle would drop out from under me if I got any "air." Other than that I have nothing to say but Yeeeeehaw!!! Of course I did not do any climbing really. Oh I can't wait for Downieville.

So will I become a shuttle monkey??? No I don't think so, but it sure was fun to try it out. Will I continue to ride the Nomad? As CC would say, "OH, HELLS YEAH!" I love my Niner and will continue to use it as my primary bike. Could I have ridden my Niner on these trails? Without a doubt. I guess this ride taught me a lesson. There is a bike for every application.

Looking back, it looks like I found my passion again! Bring on the techy stuff!!!

We were all really surprised how fast you acclimated to the Nomad. As fast as you're hitting the trails up there, I think the next addition to your arsenal should be a cow bell.

It's nice to ride with someone so fast but completely lacking the ego. Thanks again for such a great day.

Mott

[RacinJason]

I would love to go. It is great to see Andy on full squish.
Perfect timing when I am getting into Rigid SS he is going to be doing some DH. I'm down for cross training.

Andy is the KING. Dino rocks for taking him to the other dark side.
I was really looking forward riding SS with Hugh and Andy and Neil and the rest of the guys. I will have to bring a tow rope maybe but it will be fun.
I think it will help me in many ways.

Originally Posted by andy aka rut

Thanks guys.
Dino and I had smiles crossing the entire mountain range. I think I'll be needing wider tires soon.
Three cheers to The Mayor! Thanks again bro!


Tani,
You are right as always.
Troy Lee shuttles??? I'll talk with you about that tonight!

[Dino Brown]

This Just In!!!

Andy Rut was photographed shopping for his BIG BIKE!!!


I think I'm going to cry!

[allison]

Originally Posted by Dino Brown

This Just In!!!

Andy Rut was photographed shopping for his BIG BIKE!!!


I think I'm going to cry!

That was like SOO a few months ago

Way to keep makin' it happen for you, Dino (and I'm not talking about pimping IH).

[PacMan]

Nice. So there's a SS Darkside, a 29er Darkside and now a big bike Darkside. Gotcha!!

I'd still like to get out to that trail one of these days.

[CalEpic]

Armor?

I heard one can get kicked out of the SS mafia for wearing armor.

C