Worst products...

So you guys that liked the Switchblade - did any of you or your buddies ever actually use it as a regular helmet? That is, did you take advantage of the "switch" part? I ask because everyone I knew that had one treated it like a light DH helmet - they already had XC lids and only used it when they thought they needed a full face but didn't want the weight (some guys for full-on DH). That kind of false security is what I found really scary. Saw many break but luckily nobody got impaled.

Anyway my list is very long, but it starts with Rapid Rise.

CrabJoe StretchPants said:

Compared to kidwoo.....we all are.

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Totally. Woo could outride me in his sleep! When I was a young 'un I was inspired by his pictures on emptybr, and I think he usually comes across as a pretty funny and reasonable guy. If we go fast or big or small or blow a corner etc., however, is--as far as I understand the workings of the world--not determined by relative standing to kidwoo's skill. Imagine if it was and instead the scale was set by someone like Vouilloz...

I never had a pair, but I can't remember hearing anything good from anyone who had the spinergy rev-x type of wheels for mountain bikes (the ones with the few carbon "spokes.")
Also paired spoke wheels--how can we make a wheel weaker and more difficult to true?


Edit: reply to OG:
Nobody I knew ever used the Switch part. Well, I used it once, when I first got the helmet, so I could have something to wear on a road ride.

It would have been better if the face piece had been a non-removable part of the helmet. It was ridiculous to strap the chin piece to a backpack and then spend a bunch of time fiddling around to put it on at the top of a hill, plus when undone the chin piece felt like it needed to be looked after. You had two long ends with a bunch of leverage.

The little screws that bolted it to the helmet got locktited in place and checked every few rides. Used them in situations where would otherwise an XC lid would be used. Most rides in the area are long climbs followed by long descents in dry conditions composed largely of loose sharp rock. We did all 2 hour to day rides in them. If doing a shuttle runs or walk to the top for DH, the regular DH helmets came out. The box the switchblade came in had conspicuous NOT FOR DH markings all over it, DH crossed out, XC not crossed out, a booklet that explained it, etc. Even the description in the CBO catalog made it clear what it was for and what it was not for.

Hey CrabJoe, Just as busy over there as you were here I see!

crabbyboss said:

Hey CrabJoe, Just as busy over there as you were here I see!

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I knew it was only a matter of time before you made an appearance.


Only difference really is that I have 5 days a week to post on here instead of 4.

are you able to get 4 days work done in 5?

If I work a few extra hours here and there and get in before 10:30am.

Under the chainstay U Brakes such as the ones on my 85 Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo.. pack up and lock up your rear wheel with mud in seconds

eric strt6 said:

Under the chainstay U Brakes such as the ones on my 85 Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo.. pack up and lock up your rear wheel with mud in seconds

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Suntour Cyclone groupo. Never drank that koolaid.

CrabJoe StretchPants said:

Compared to kidwoo.....we all are.

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I'm the hardest head in the GAME!

When you try me with a sorry helmet like the switchblade, that's the result you gonna get!

Don't you EVER talk to me about the switchblade!





reference

BikeMike said:

Clearly I am a terrible rider with no idea.

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That wasn't was I was getting at.
I think more the case is that I just have a longstanding visceral reaction to those things because it was one of the most gnarly "friend taking buddy to the ER" escort trips I've ever hosted. "No it's cool your face is still attached it just hangs different right now"


eesh

Sandwich said:

I feel like people nowadays have way more talent in general.

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I don't know man you look at some of those erector sets from 20 years ago and it took some skillz to make those things go fast

I think this and most sports evolve largely due to equipment settling teething arguments. They just work better so there's less in question on how to approach things.

And on that note all you fvckers who used to make fun of us for saying we wanted trail bikes with slacker head angles and lower bottom brackets.......BOOM! In your face!!

Sandwich said:

Although there was a relatively recent post about a guy who was riding whistler in one of the faux full faces and took his face off when he wrecked.

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Bigmike! You okay man? Talk to me!!

kidwoo said:

And on that note all you fvckers who used to make fun of us for saying we wanted trail bikes with slacker head angles and lower bottom brackets.......BOOM! In your face!!

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I searched for many months to find a 2008 Kona Dawg for that very reason, and rode the Hell out of I until I got my Spitty. Which, by the way, looks really funny siting next to a 29'r since it has a 50mm stem and sets all low and raked out. One dufus actually asked me if it was still considered a mountain bike.

gripshift

gonefirefightin said:

gripshift

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Original non 1:1, oh yeah.

Also, these derailleurs:
"carbon" (appeared to just be a carbon painted pattern, just plastic underneath) knuckle would eventually break. Had it happen to multiple 9.0s.

Sram then demonstrated how easy it was to make it out of "faux wood" rather than "faux carbon":

Jm_ said:

Original non 1:1, oh yeah.

Also, these derailleurs:

"carbon" (appeared to just be a carbon painted pattern, just plastic underneath) knuckle would eventually break. Had it happen to multiple 9.0s.

Sram then demonstrated how easy it was to make it out of "faux wood" rather than "faux carbon":

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We called them LimpShift after Limp Biskit at the shop I worked at....

Fox CTD; because they know better.

non bike related, but the keytar is coming back:

http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/23/5339576/korg-announces-rk-100s-keytar

I will say one thing I did appreciate about the Switchblade was the 'truth in advertising' aspect. Like numerous malt liquor brandnames, it's helpful for the consumer to easily understand some violent sh!t may go down upon use of said product.