Aliso- When a good ride goes bad story

[Mudman]

Sorry guys no photos on this one. I was by myself so its hard to take photos of yourself riding.

Today I decided to hit Aliso for a second time after riding it Friday evening with J_Sims. Having such a great time, it was hard to resist going back.

To start things off, it was a fantastic day to ride as the weather was Just perfect!

So my ride started out on the fire road to Dripping cave and had my first challenge as my lines kept ending up in soft dirt and slipping. But after a few minutes rethinking my route I made it up- afterwards was over Coyote run and up Cholla which I cleared the first time surprisingly. This part usually takes two tries to make it up, after my climb up Cholla I shot over to Lynx which was awsome... I actually find myself riding it faster everytime.

After Lynx, it was another stroll on over to Cholla which I made again for the second time without stopping (happy day) super tired and out of breath I took the travel to Meadows where during the Climbing I kept hearing a hissing sound... reaching the top getting ready for Meadows I look down and see that my shock is completely compressed. Further inspection- I realize the shock has leaked all the air out. luckily theres always a shock pump hanging around in my Camelbak. BUT wouldn't you know it! The pump apparently has a leak as well

So I hang around, its starting to get dark at this time. Sadly all the people that pass do not have a shock pump . After a while I decided to ride back on a shock with no air... Its getting dark... and paranoia is kicking in about Mountain lions so I put the pedal to the metal and jet back to the lot. The whole ride back I couldn't help but think I was breaking the shock somehow. Angry and tired I also couldn't help but feel proud of myself for cleaning Cholla two times in one day on the first try both times.

Moral of the story- make sure your bike doesn't decide to be non compliant near the end of a ride...

[foofighter]

always look back and remember the good stuff...cleaning cholla twice on the same ride is no small feat man...just have a good shock pump the next time kind of does suck that you couldnt enjoy meadows at maximum attack!

oh and i agree Lynx is my new found thrill ride. since the rain that rock garden has cleaned up nicely where you can pick the line...i usually hug the left (nearest the wall) but man it's fun

[Mudman]

Originally Posted by foofighter

always look back and remember the good stuff...cleaning cholla twice on the same ride is no small feat man...just have a good shock pump the next time kind of does suck that you couldnt enjoy meadows at maximum attack!

oh and i agree Lynx is my new found thrill ride. since the rain that rock garden has cleaned up nicely where you can pick the line...i usually hug the left (nearest the wall) but man it's fun

I actually had to head back down the climb to Meadows and down Cholla rolling oh so slow.. My shock literally had no air.

Lynx and Cholla are my favorite sections of Aliso. I agree- Lynx is fantastic right now. I went down the middle of Lynx before my shock went out... almost flew off a few times because I still havent learned to look far enough ahead.

I was really hoping to down Meadows and try Cholla for a third time and then down Rockit

[J_Sims]

Great job man..... Friday you got the rock steps up coyote and today finally Cholla let's see I think I hear a trip up Mathis next time we go

[Mudman]

Originally Posted by J_Sims

Great job man..... Friday you got the rock steps up coyote and today finally Cholla let's see I think I hear a trip up Mathis next time we go

Thanks!
lets do it. Although the loop may me a lot shorter afterwards... haha thats a big workout.

[TBlazen]

Hey, I don't carry a shock pump either and ride their all the time.... Also, I remember the first time i did Cholla It was pretty kewl.

Just keep setting those goals.... It's amazing what you will be able to do in a year or so.

I tried golf, but after a point, I kept getting worse...

Incidently, I've never seen a Mountain Lion, but have seen a few bob cats....

See ya around

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by Mudman

Its getting dark... and paranoia is kicking in about Mountain lions so I put the pedal to the metal and jet back to the lot.

No mountain lions at Aliso, the cameras there haven't recorded one. Bobcats, deer and even a badger, but no mountain lions. Now Whiting and O'Neill, that's another story

[PacMan]

So what ended up being wrong with the shock?? Anything that needs repair??

And what's up with shock pumps?? I own 3-4 and all but one of them is worthless. They all leak 10-20 psi when removed, no matter what I try.

Oh well. At least you made it back OK.

[Mudman]

Originally Posted by PacMan

So what ended up being wrong with the shock?? Anything that needs repair??

And what's up with shock pumps?? I own 3-4 and all but one of them is worthless. They all leak 10-20 psi when removed, no matter what I try.

Oh well. At least you made it back OK.

Not sure, I tightened the inner actual piston of the air valve like on a car tire. Borrowed a friend's pump and put 150psi in it. So far its okay, but I haven't ridden the bike yet. Hopefully the shock is fine, gonna get the bike checked out when I'm free. I think the bike may end up with a coil if I can force one in there.

As far as shock pumps, most of the ones I've seen in bike shops and online looks exactly the same 7 out of 10 times. And all of them are made in tawain. So assumptions lead me to believe they are all purchased and then a company has a name put on it. My pump (when it did work) was losing 10-20 psi when removed as well- thats why I always pump an additional 10-20.
Where are the good shock pumps at these days when technology is running wild...

the way back was scary for me, as I cannot see worth sh** at night. And it was getting very dark, so a bunny off in the distance could have looked like a bobcat, mountain lion, or a hungry deer to me. Kind of nerve wrecking riding on an air shock with no air in it, because you feel like you may break something if you hit a bump.

[slayer]

Originally Posted by PacMan

So what ended up being wrong with the shock?? Anything that needs repair??

And what's up with shock pumps?? I own 3-4 and all but one of them is worthless. They all leak 10-20 psi when removed, no matter what I try.

Oh well. At least you made it back OK.

i have the same thing with my shock pump. loses about 20 psi when i take it off. does anyone make a good one? ,or are they all crap?

[Mudman]

Originally Posted by slayer

i have the same thing with my shock pump. loses about 20 psi when i take it off. does anyone make a good one? ,or are they all crap?

All look to be crap. Although I've seen a few that were 50-70 bucks. It's pricey but still hit or miss to find out really if its another copy with a higher price. I've heard complaints even about the Fox ones as well..

[Evel Knievel]

First it starts getting easy. Then you start getting tired of mechaical failures. Next thing you know you are challenging the ups and downs on a SS HT.

Good luck avioding the call.

[Mudman]

I actually plan on getting a SS 29'er in early 08'

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by Mudman

I actually plan on getting a SS 29'er in early 08'

welcome to the addiction man

[RacinJason]

I had a shock pump fail at the dirt demo. Fox gave me a new one on the spot but that sucked I had a bunch of people waiting on me.
The shock can be replaced also. I will make you a sales invoice and hook it up. we can put a loner shock on while yours is out.
See you later. You are ripping it up on that Chumba. It climbs well and it sounds like you are killin it on the DH also. I ripped down rocket today on my EVO it was fun. I think you might need a coil spring on your XCL. Who said you cant run a rocko? Also if you put a CK Double barrel on that bike and change the front fort to the talas 36 you would have the ultimate machine. Thats Teds set up .
Because thr XCL uses its travel wisely it has the same effect as a longer travel bike. This allows you to put a 6 inch for on the XCL and still have a great feel.
With the talas 36 on the front at full extension you have a slacker steer tube angle this make the DH handling even more stable. Then when you are climbing you just lower the front end to the 5 inch and you are set. The CK dbl brl make the rear of the bike equal to the EVO. Call me if you have any questions.

[Hoosierdaddy]

Try this pump, I have one and it works fine. It has a special valve that allows you to remove it from the schrader valve without losing pressure.

http://www.extremevital.com/bikes/pr...60/language/en

[Mudman]

Originally Posted by Hoosierdaddy

Try this pump, I have one and it works fine. It has a special valve that allows you to remove it from the schrader valve without losing pressure.

http://www.extremevital.com/bikes/pr...60/language/en

haha thats the exact one I have that went out.

[Mudman]

Originally Posted by ChumbaJason

I had a shock pump fail at the dirt demo. Fox gave me a new one on the spot but that sucked I had a bunch of people waiting on me.
The shock can be replaced also. I will make you a sales invoice and hook it up. we can put a loner shock on while yours is out.
See you later. You are ripping it up on that Chumba. It climbs well and it sounds like you are killin it on the DH also. I ripped down rocket today on my EVO it was fun. I think you might need a coil spring on your XCL. Who said you cant run a rocko? Also if you put a CK Double barrel on that bike and change the front fort to the talas 36 you would have the ultimate machine. Thats Teds set up .
Because thr XCL uses its travel wisely it has the same effect as a longer travel bike. This allows you to put a 6 inch for on the XCL and still have a great feel.
With the talas 36 on the front at full extension you have a slacker steer tube angle this make the DH handling even more stable. Then when you are climbing you just lower the front end to the 5 inch and you are set. The CK dbl brl make the rear of the bike equal to the EVO. Call me if you have any questions.

Thanks Jason, I borrowed a pump and threw some air in the shock and pedaled around the neighborhood today and she seems okay. Although my situation at Aliso more than makes me question an air shock now..

Money is aiming at another bike right now. So I really dont need more travel on the XCL. But honestly that shock leaking air seems very odd- havent heard of anyone having this problem before. Too much of me crashing maybe? I will consider a coil now though..