[canadmos]

I only listen to Miley Cyrus when on the trails. It really gets people out of the way.

On a less or more serious note, I listen to music on some rides. But only if the parking lot is empty at the trail head. I stick my phone on random and put it in my overlanding backpack for when I'm enduring up the hillz. I keep it on low...

How about those 'tards with earphones on, in the middle of the woods? I'm pretty sure that I've made a few people spontaneously poop coming up behind them.

 

[jonKranked]

I only listen to Miley Cyrus when on the trails. It really gets people out of the way.

On a less or more serious note, I listen to music on some rides. But only if the parking lot is empty at the trail head. I stick my phone on random and put it in my overlanding backpack for when I'm enduring up the hillz. I keep it on low...

How about those 'tards with earphones on, in the middle of the woods? I'm pretty sure that I've made a few people spontaneously poop coming up behind them.

1 earbud in. volume under 50% (generally around 30%) so that i can still hear what's going on around me, and still enjoy some music in the background.

 

[troy]

Steel is real!

QFT

 

[dump]

XT is already 11spd, good 26" tires are getting fewer and fewer. I suspect good 26" rims are next.

Maxxis will continue to make the DHF for many more years and they just released a SS. Fear not. Just in case, the closest stockpile is full.

 

[jonKranked]

Maxxis will continue to make the DHF for many more years and they just released a SS. Fear not. Just in case, the closest stockpile is full.

new offerings from maxxis might be less prevalent from maxxis; the Minion SS was not released in 26" with a DH casing, just trail.

but in general its mostly OEM 26" that's going away. Still plenty of aftermarket stuff to be had.

 

[manhattanprjkt83]

Maxxis will continue to make the DHF for many more years and they just released a SS. Fear not. Just in case, the closest stockpile is full.

While we are on that topic, the SS is the baddest general use summer tire ever, loving that thing.

 

[profro]

The DHF SS is my next rear tire for sure!

 

[dump]

new offerings from maxxis might be less prevalent from maxxis; the Minion SS was not released in 26" with a DH casing, just trail.

but in general its mostly OEM 26" that's going away. Still plenty of aftermarket stuff to be had.

SS imo is best for trailish stuff actually. Prefer having treads on the DH bike. Speed is never an issue there. Guess if you're a competitive racer 0.5 seconds off the podium or whatever.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

Fuck music or other distractions while riding. Eyes, ears, body, trail, one.

 

[StiHacka]

How can you hear your tires moan in corners if you speaker on trails?

 

[rideit]

The only time I bring music in the woods is trailbuilding. Because if someone doesn't like it, they can take over with the Pulaski.

 

[cecil]

got to have ear buds in with background music I keep it low enough I can hear people come up behind me hold conversations group riding

the phone is in my pocket it takes a second or two to press on outside of pocket to turn volume up or down

when neil sedaka glen cambell or captain and tenille come on it gives me that extra boots to push up a steep climb

 

[Jm_]

I can't even listen to Miley Cyrus when I ride like you guys cuz I gotta worry about fucking bears. There were 4 of them on my ride just now.

 

[AngryMetalsmith]

Fuck music or other distractions while riding. Eyes, ears, body, trail, one.

As a metalsmith my hearing sucks. I love the sound of tires on dirt and want to hear it as long as I can.

In early Spring if I sit still long enough, sometimes I can hear gras grow. Ok maybe not exactly, but the shoots do push the leaves up and they crinkle. I was able to hear it this Spring but I fear that I won't be able to in a few years.

So no ear buds for me. I feel more connected if I'm not plugged in.

 

[Nick]

Jm_ ... Bear Whisperer

 

[slimshady]

Well, given the bsd shape I'm porting into this southern hemysphere winter, I cannot afford to listen to any music. The mere sound of my lungs thriving for fresh air and the blood pumping at the top of my head would demand me to wear some friggin PA system strapped to my helmet to be able to hear anything.

 

[Jm_]

Jm_ ... Bear Whisperer

Little bit of advice, do not put "fucking bears" into google search and then go to images.

 

[troy]

Little bit of advice, do not put "fucking bears" into google search and then go to images.

What has been seen, cannot be unseen.

 

[spoke80]

The DHF SS is my next rear tire for sure!

I've got an extra if you want one.

 

[SinatorJ]

save it for me, will pick up in person in Sept...

 

[SylentK]

One thread, three topics.

You couldn't pay me to ride a hard tail on my trails. I like my bikes plush. I'm too old and beat up for any hardtail shinanigans. That includes road.

No need for bluetooth speaker or headphones. I just play my cellphone in my pocket. "Is that freedom rock, man? Then turn it up!" I usually ride super early in the morning. I find the music helps wake me up and pedal a little harder than without.

I've found the minion ss does not do well in gravely or sandy trails. Which is like 80% of the trails I ride. I will say it is kinda fun to have it drift around behind you on the downs. But the lack of grip on the ups in the above terrain kinda sucks.

 

[spoke80]

save it for me, will pick up in person in Sept...

Werd

 

[jackalope]

I can't even listen to Miley Cyrus when I ride like you guys cuz I gotta worry about fucking bears. There were 4 of them on my ride just now.

I've been told that Miley Cyrus is an exceptionally effective bear repellent and makes even fucking bears stop what they're doing and GTFO. Maybe give it a shot and report back. #therevenant

As for the original point (I think), I've been riding my donated (thanks Suboptimus!) Bromag Stylus off & on since the winter, and its been a revelation for me. Recently went with a shorter bar [gasp] and have found it to be a superbly precise shred sled, which has made a few boring trails fun again. It rewards you like no other when you're gapping over stuff and squaring off corners, and I think it helps keep what little skills I have sharp. That said, this is how I would summarize my bike "fleet" -

Bromag - funnest bike I have (to use a tired cliche)

Megajizz - most useful bike I have

TR450 - best bike I have

Sadly for me tho, they are all rolling on little bitch wheels, so let me rephrase that list -


Bromag - sucks

Megajizz - really sucks

TR450 - my teeth are falling out because I refuse to give dentists any more money

 

[Sandwich]

I like to blast show tunes on my speaker when I show up to group rides. The look on all my fatbike group riders faces when I blast down the lift assisted flow trail is hilarious. These 5" surly buds really shred the berms.

 

[jackalope]

Regarding the ear buds thing, I just put this sound track on loop when I ride.

http://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/member/Schladming-RAW-with-Adam-Brayton,22922/joebo,1905

Really amps up my greenway cruises.

 

[canadmos]

As a metalsmith my hearing sucks. I love the sound of tires on dirt and want to hear it as long as I can.

Personally, I think the sound of tires ripping through an inch of pine needles sounds even better than rolling on dirt.

The lack of grip, though, is always a little alarming.

 

[mrgto]

Riding Haw Ridge on a Giant Sedona with a RS quadra was fun at the time but I'll never do it again if I don't have to. My balls can't take the beating anymore.

I'll keep my slow 26" dual shock absorberz bike.

 

[kazlx]

I rode a Chromag for five years prior to buying my Spitfire. I really only sold it because the frame was too small. Awesome bike though and makes you work. Running 1x9 with a 32/34 makes you hate life when you're out of shape too.

I just wear a pack every ride I go on. It's the same pack because all my shit is in there and I don't care about 'ride specific' packing. Short ride, fill with a little water. Long ride, fill it up, throw a gatorade and some granola bars in there.

On a side note, I have a new 27.5 Spitfire and it's nice. After years of riding a hard tail, there are days when it sucks and you just want a little give. On the flip side, it's fun as hell and I'm sure I'll buy another.

 

[Kanye West]

I typically show up on an E-Bike, which powers some loud BlueTooth speakers, blaring "Dancing Queen" as I roll past people uphill without pedaling.

U H8N.

 

[Jm_]

I typically show up on an E-Bike, which powers some loud BlueTooth speakers, blaring "Dancing Queen" as I roll past people uphill without pedaling.

U H8N.

For the KOM.

 

[Kanye West]

For the KOM.

I've been Strava-terrorizing MTB trails on my 450 a bunch lately. It's good fun to get the XC kooks all riled up about it. Mostly, it's fun when I KOM the downhills. Then they really don't have room to bitch.