types of bike riding

[slowSSer]

Tani: great post. makes us all think a little about why we do what we do.

i, like padre, have recently simplified things down to three bikes.

1- litespeed arenberg roadie. likely one of the earliest road bikes bought from The Path in late 1999, it was meant to be fast, light and not wicked expensive, hence the ultegra gruppo. the bike was meant as just a road bike for 25-50 mile rides, but it has gotten to be so much more- it's been a training and racing bike for triathlons and now serves use as a daily commuter, in nearly all original trim. the year 2000 vinatage (ha!) ultegra gruppo is still going strong. this bike also recieved one of the earliest set of velomax wheels that The Path also sold.

*Carl and I made an observation about this bike that has applied to everything else i've done thru The Path- it shouldnt say "built at the path" but more "gathered at the path". it still proudly sports "built at..." stickers.

2- Titus HCR SingleSpeed: a rare bird. Titus didn't make many SS-only hcr's with horizontal dropouts. this bike was made to be light, fast and durable. it got me through the counting coup with out a noise, and it will be the choice for when i campaign the vision quest.

*hell, this bike gets mad at me when i stop riding it wasnt happy that the cc was over. this is still the bike that gets chosen when just heading out for a ride.

3- Seven Duo: the concept: build a semi-lightweight full suspension XC 29er built right the first time. this bike was meant to be for XC and trail riding with a go-anywhere-do-anything mentality. it's done even more than that. thanks to Mondo, Brian, Tani and Carl for making this one more than it truly is. Sadly, I don't have enough time on it- a 7 month old and a hurt back made sure of that.

-wait- is this thread turning out to be a Path love fest?

[brownlandshark]

I have gone from having many bikes to just two. My Curtlo mountain bike and my standard BMX bike. Curtlos gonna pull double duty with slicks if I get the need to road ride again. I like long rides in the San gabriels and road tripping to the Sierras and Downieville. I also have many off road atvs (mostly honda 3 wheelers) and just got a new harley which is commuter from Rancho Cucamonga to Irvine. Wish I could ride the bicycle to work but that would be about a century round trip.

[jschwart73]

Today, I'm riding an 05 Stumpjumper FSR Expert (bought from Allison) that I've thrown a bunch of new parts on to (cuz that's what I do): RP23 shock, 08 XT Groupo, Carbon Bars, Crossmax SL wheels... I typically do XC style trail riding, or I put my slick rear wheel/tire on and put it on the trainer. I run the Talas fork a little short, around 100mm, so the bike climbs a little better and steers quicker..

Along with the weekly trail ride, I started racing about 8 weeks ago, doing some beginner class XC races.

On the way is a Voodoo Canzo 29er that I'm building up with X0 RD, homebuilt wheels w/ CK hubs, Arches, Wheelsmith spokes and nips, Manipoo fork, etc...

I'll turn the Stumpy into my 5" AMish bike, run the fork longer and put bigger tires on it once I have the Canzo.

[1FG rider]

I'm mainly a XC rider. Prefer long fire road climbs and decents over gnarly, technical stuff. Really down to 2 bikes now since the FS bike rarely sees any action.

1. 1978 Schwinn Cruiser SS that gets the most use. Nothing fancy, 1990's Araya rims, v-brakes, Brooks saddle, rigid fork. Can honestly say I've ridden that thing a lot farther and over more trails than I ever imagined myself doing. Entered a few races with it just to see if I could hang with the other racers.

2. Niner SIR 9 SS. My bling bike that gets used on the longer rides and when I want to keep up with the faster crowd.

3. Santa Cruz Blur. The backup bike. Unless I'm really beat or the other bikes are on the repair stand, this one is the last resort.

[chauvinist_youth]

Baiscally I just ride two bikes.

I have my 07 chumba evo for my all around bike which with its slacker geometry is great for dh.
Then I have my Bianchi fixie that I use for commuting.

I really want a street/4x bike for riding around town though too. Hopefully I'll find something cheap around next october.

[Bryguy17]

i've got 3 bikes right now:

my 08 trek fuel EX9
a ruddy little specialized hardrock sport
and 12 year old GT mach one BMXer.

the trek gets its use as my trailbike, XC racer, DH racer, and general mobbage of any mountain. fun stuff. It has made me appreciate how much fun going downhill can be, especially when I'm able to climb just as well.

my hardrock was my first real bike. i got it for 300 bucks from some bike shop new, and then just rode the hell out of it. not many people would willingly race a 36 lb hardtail, but who cares, it was a fun experience. now shes being changed over to a DJ/park bike. I also try and throw in some trials here and there, but i usually just end up watching the people who can actually rude trials.

the GT is also a very fun bike. it only gets used for commuting right now, but its still great. getting to school gives me 5-minute sprint practice, cranking my 36/16 gear ratio up a big hill. the ride down is even better. the world becomes my bike park, and every ledge, curb, speed bump, and driveway kicker gets its chance to make me smile.

i may get into road biking later, but i'm not sure at this point. most of the fun i have mountain biking is because i get to go down after going up.

[DBD]

Let me see ... I was born a poor black child ... oh wait, that was Steve Martin.

When I first started riding MTB's it was all, what we call now, all-mountain or "trail riding" on a Bianchi full ridged.
Raced a few XC and DH races with it and then in 1993 i bought a Giant MCM with a suspension fork. Used that for a few XC races with it as well as some jumping and "freeriding" with some smallish drops, 3 to 4 footers.

In 1999 I purchased a Kona Stinky because it was the ugliest bike I could find and got a good deal on it. Started to race DH on it but it was also used as my XC /trail/roadie while the Giant sat in the garage until I took her out and the carbon finally had enough and the seat tube split. Giant sent me a brand new MCM Team Edition frame. Sold the frame.

In 2003 I had a Kona Stinky Primo (Kona warrantied my original Stinky with an upgrade), a Stab Primo, A Giant OCR, A Bianchi 928/Veloce 120th Anniversary Edition and my wifes Bear. This was also when I started playing ball again and only doing shuttle runs. Living on the Simi/Chatsworth border I had/have some sweet trails to ride just out my front door, although these days I am mainly riding more up hills then descending and a small loop I have to help shrink my large arse some.

2003 was also when our daughter was born so the racing was cut way back because of time restraints. In 2005 the lil' guy was born which took some more time from riding so racing was out for the time being. In 2006 we bought our new house and that was a pain in the arse until recently since i have finished some of the work I needed to get done... still more to do but nothing as major.

I am ramblin' ...
I am a closet xc/roadie who love to go fast, jump a little and ride tech stuff, rock gardens and such. I was never a big hucker or jumper, I just did enough to get me down the race course smoothly. I do like to jump and drop smaller drops but nothing compared to what is being done these days.

These days I have a Stinky that is under construction, a Ransom hiding somewhere , and will be getting a Gambler frame to build up and start racing again along with another Bianchi to hit the roads as well.

[Pugz]

This thread is awesome and really making me wanna ride more trails so I can try out some of these great sounding routes everybody mentions.


Only have my Chumba XCL right now for trail riding, I would like a couple other bikes but for now this will have to do.

[Geronimo]

I sold my 5 spot and Transition Dirtbag and bought an 06 RFX. I use it for XC,FR, and DH. I don't think I could find a better "one" bike. I started riding 2 years ago after taking a 13 year break from biking. Now I'm a full blown addict. I feel like a kid again every time i get out and ride. I'm looking forward to building a Superco DJ/4X bike, hopefully I can get back some of my BMX skills from my youth.

[autoduel]

Looks like this turned into a bikes thread rather than a riding thread so I'll contribute to the jacking.
Everyone of my bikes have been built up piece by piece, parts transferred from other bikes when it's time for a different frame. Wheels rebuilt with DT rev's and alu nips, chainring bolts replaced with aluminum, the aluminum binder bolt on the front derailleur. Each bike is unique but retains some character from the bike before.
2 are currently in the stable.

A mid 90's Rhygin I picked up 5 years back.
1" steer tube XC racer with nice steep angles. It seeks out the fastest, smoothest lines, but isn't hesitant to challenge itself. Recently converted to SS and even more recently, cantilevers for vintage racing, but I feel like it's trying to be something it's not. I think it's happier with V's. It has never let me down as a SS. In it's geared days, it served double duty as a bike path locomotive with 1" slicks.

Then there's my 4" all-mountain Intense.
A fun bike that likes to take on anything I'd care to throw at it. It's the bike that likes to scout the trails and explore every line. Uphill and down.

An upcoming addition will be an old trek 8700.
It will be geared 1x9 for vintage racing, but will not be restored. It will instead will be a retro ride, with vintage touches here and there. An old hotrod of sorts. A little bling, a little "that doesn't seem right".

Each ride strikes others in different ways.
The Rhygin stands out with the rasta colors and the retro parts.
The Intense, well it's just a "nice" bike (by name?)

As far as riding, weekend trails are all I do. But I like all kinds of trails. Even ones that get me in over my head. My favorite trails are those I've never ridden before. Riding? yes. Training? no.

[RacinJason]

I really like to trail ride and explore new places . As far as my bikes. I have been down sizing. I am now at only 4 bikes and hope to be at 3 bikes by next week. Here are the bikes I currently own.

Salsa Juan Solo - My Single speed
Intense Socom - DH Race bike
Intense Uzzi VPX -AM/FR/DH
Chumba F4 - DH Race bike for sale
I need a XC only bike. I am thinking Niner Rip 9er or an Intense spider 29

Now back to the riding thread .
I like to do Santiago Oak when i am short on time its close to home. I love the SJT but it and Chiquita> its a little far. but its always fun. Aliso woods is always blast. Big bear is one of my favorite places to ride. El moro is nor to far away. Fully lop is a fun night ride with friends. Its more of a social gathering.
Chino can be fun and its close to home. Del cero was a great place to ride its been a while.
I hear it's having problems. Whiting was always fun till it burned down. Holy Jim is a blast to come down and a nice climb. The Fontana race course is always fun to play on. The DH race course or the 4X and XC race course. My plans for this year are to hit some out of town rides. I hope I can make that happen.


The Salsa Juan Solo I wanted to build up a bike to make the fully loop more of a challenge and maybe get a little stronger. It turns out I like the bike more than I thought. I have been riding it everywhere. I think it will make me stronger.
The bike I was using for my all mountain bike was the chumba EVO it worked well but. I wanted the Intense Uzzi VPX so I picked up lee's bike to replace the EVO.
I haven't rode it yet so we will see if its my new favorite bike for AM riding.
Im all about the reward after the climb but I think that its about having the right bike to do both the climb and the DH. The Uzzi is 36lbs I need to bring it down to 30-31 lbs so I have some work to do.

So I guess I would have to say my favorite type of riding would be AM / Free ride it allows me to do a little XC riding and a little DH/free riding.

That is perfect for training for DH. You gain strength and skill.

My bike that I use for racing is My SOCOM I love that bike!!!
I really love DH racing I'm not fast but I have a great time doing it.
My biggest problem is I do not have enough strength to pedal fast when racing DH Like when I hit the wall at Fontana. The old school DH had more high speed sections a little less peddling.
If only Big Bear would open back up. Isn't there another place that has ski lifts that we can set up for mtn biking? That is the most fun ever. Not every run has to be a DH race run you can take different trails for more XC riding.

I like XC riding a lot i just have to work on being more consistent.
Sometimes I have a lot of energy and do a medium to long ride and I am still ready to go. Other times I do the same ride and I can hardly make it.
When I don't eat well and I don't drink enough water it it messes me up good and I do that all the time.
This year I am going to work on my XC endurance with Willie. She rocks!
I may be faster but she is way more consistent.

[RacinJason]

Gota love road trippin. I went on a road trip/tour for a bike company and it was the most beautiful trip I have ever done. I was by myself and that part sucked. Sharing the experience is what makes it special.

[Rockinthecasbah]

Well i think most people on here no me and have seen pics etc but here it goes ......
I like to ride my bike ..alot


ok ok ill list them

Iron Horse 7 point 5, my Freeriding/Dh weapon, you can find me on this bike at oaks, fontucky, del cerro (rip), chiquito and randomly dropping things on thew side of the road.

Blakc Market riot, X fusion fork etc... my 4x cross and Dj friend. spends alot of time at Orange Y bmx, Fontucky and the skatepark also flips pretty well in to the foam pit in perris.

Zion 737, Reba race etc. My 1x9 pain machine usally seen lurking around CHSP, The loop, and anywhere I dont need the squish.


not shown
Random BMX bikes,
crf250,
and my budlight special crf70

[ODB]

It's all about trail riding for me, though i've recently gotten into XC racing and hope to maybe dabble in team events like 12- and 24-hour races. Have also been through a wannabe DHer/hucker phase, but am much more careful about the risks i take these days. I actually got my start as a commuter, though.

As a dumb college student back in 1990, i got myself popped for DUI and lost my license . So I had a choice: risk getting into even more trouble for driving with no license, or find another way to get to school and work. It just so happened two of my roomates had mountain bikes, so i started pedaling from our house in La Habra to Cal State Fullerton for classes during the day, then from campus to the bar and restaurant in Anaheim i worked at, then back home--probably 25-30 miles per day. It sucked having to take sink baths at school and work (i'm a big sweater), but on my commutes i started getting back in touch with my inner BMXer, launching off curbs and little bumps and rises wherever i could find them. Plus, I was getting in reallly good shape, with the beer gut disappearing. One of my classmates on the student newspaper was a mountain biker, and she soon introduced me to Chino Hills State Park, followed by the Fully Loop, El Moro and Whiting Ranch. I soon set aside my roommates' bikes for my own brand-new GT Tequesta, and once i got my license back, I started riding with an old friend of mine who had moved to L.A., hitting Rocky Peak, Chesebro and Mt. Lowe. I was totally hooked, and have been ever since.

Now I have essentially two trail bikes: an '08 Specialized Pitch that I ride 95% of the time, and an '04 Iron Horse Hollowpoint. The Hollowpoint will be going on a diet soon to make it a bit more XC race-friendly, though at a current weight of 32 lbs., it'll never be a true racer. Still, I really have no need for another bike at this point, as these two meet all of my needs.

[Wrecker]

I just love riding, in general, and because of that, I have too many bikes. Since training for the VQ, I haven't been giving them all the love they deserve, but each on is special; it would be difficult to part with any.

My main riding love is XC, as I'm not much of a DHer. Right now, my main bike is the Titus RacerX....but, I just got a Niner Air9 that I'm really looking forward to breaking in. And, one is a hardtail, one's FS...so each would suit a different ride.

I have a Niner One9, that I LOVE, but am a weakling when it comes to riding SS and tend to spin more than mash. So, I don't get on this bike as much as I want to, especially with my last riding goals (VQ in less time).

My road bike is the Scott RC1--great, light little bike. This bike has seen more action that I intended when I purchased it. It's just that the road is an easy way to rack up miles, get out for hours, and (with a tail wind) get a bit of speed in. I prefer riding the River Trail during the week--not too many "tourists" out and VERY FEW cars.

I rode at the Velodrome once, and fell in love with yet another type of riding....leading to my Bianchi PistaConcept. With a fixie, no brakes, and track tires, I wouldn't dare take this bike anywhere else. However, they no longer do the open track sessions mid-afternoon and I'm not confident enough to ride with the large session groups. I did try and enjoy the ladies only session, so maybe I'll get out there more. Right now though, I've been slacking.

The love of the fixie and track led me to get the fixie/free-hub Specialized Langster (set up fixed). With full brakes, I love this bike on the road. Unfortunately, I don't do well when riding it the longer distances that I have needed recently.

Since I'd gladly just hop on any of the bikes to spin or mash anywhere, but downhill, I had to get an Ironhorse 6Point at one of the Path sales. Still need to take that out on a more technical ride to appreciate the squish, absolutely no desire to race it, though. I just wanted something that I could try snazzier trails on.

Loving the feeling of giving it all I have led to trying out the CC, then VQ, 8Hr ride (some called it a race, I didn't really ride it that way), and XC racing. A few times, I've riden alongside Maxwell during/before a race--so, I'm about as fast as him (see above post). But, I love pushing myself. As long as I don't arrive at the finish line hours after it's been torn down, I'll still head out to try it. Have to hold my penultimate title, after all

I have a problem, I know....just give me another fix....what else is there? Trials? Do you need some sort of coordination or balance for that? If not, maybe I'll do it!

[mtnbikerfred]

I grew up riding and racing BMX. I had a 24" CW cruiser that I rode 20-50mi a day in the summer. In the late 80's my best friend and I got our first mountain bikes. I think (failing memory disclaimer) mine was a Schwinn High Sierra, with 18 Speeds, Bio-pace chain rings, roller-cam brakes and 2.25 "Farmer-Johns". We rode these all over, and enjoyed the gears, but they were not as much fun as our big BMX bikes. In fact jumping them all was just plain scary. The geometry was more of what we'd call cross country today, but we did it anyway. I think I traded it for a pimped out GT Pro Series 20". Later, I rode a Klein Rascal with a Mag-21 (my first suspension). It was a friends bike and too small. I should have bought it anyway, but the timing was bad.

Fast forward a few years. I had sold off all of the BMX bikes I owned. I hadn't ridden anything with two wheels and no motor in a decade, and I felt the itch again.

When I went looking at bikes, I was primarily interested in "downward sloping geometry". I wanted a bike that felt more like a BMX bike, but actually fit me. I found that the only people who rode bikes like this were these crazy downhill speed freaks doing the Kamikaze at mammoth and stuff. So I knew my next bike was to be a "full-squish". I sold my motorcycle, and started serious shopping. I put allot of miles on bikes riding around parking lots, jumping planters etc. At that time, one name stuck out from the crowd: Gary Fisher. They had just been bought by Trek, and seemed to have poured their resources into development. I was looking at "Y-Bikes" and this new fangled "Genesis Geometry" was I rode a Level Betty. It was like putting on old shoes. the thing just fit and felt good. The old man at Rainbow Cycles freaked out a little when I jumped off their back porch then turned around and bunny hopped half way up the stairs. The guy that was helping me wisely suggested I buy the top model with better forks, front and rear discs, etc. I'm glad I did, because even though I blew up those forks and quickly upgraded them (and a couple of wheels), most of the other components held up to almost ten years of abuse.

I showed up at a LBS where two of my friends from the BMX days worked with my shiny new bike and just about got laughed at.



They invited me on their little shop ride, and fully expected me to quit before I got to the top of the first climb, a hill called "be happy". I pedaled, push and dragged my bike, but I made it. My friend Bryan offered some water and Gu, and we were off again. They waited until I just arrived at the top of every climb, then took off yelling back at me to lower my seat, sit on my back tire and don't lock up the brakes!! I cut my teeth on some of the best single track in OC, and I learned allot. By the next year, I was making fun of the RADZ, and going on some bigger rides in the SA's. My personal best was 4485ft on Thanksgiving morning one year. I ran out of water on Holy Jim, but I had a blast. I came home, ate turkey and slept for 2 days.

I don't Remember when I first heard about the North Shore of B.C., and the structures and stunts people were riding, but shortly after we started seeing these bikes with 5" then 6" then 7" of travel (but those were only good for descending). I remember the dream bikes to have were from Outland, Ellsworth, and Kona. I think I rode a Stinky in 2002 and though I'd never need a 5" travel bike. Two years later I rode a 5" Coiler, gently kissed my "Betty" and told her "sorry sweetie, when you die, I will re-marry".

I'm an "All Mountain" kind of guy. I enjoy a good climb, especially if I'm rewarded some sick, skinny, overgrown, deer track/ exposed water feature descent to get back down, but I equally enjoy a nice mellow fire road, rolling single track, or groomed trails.