New Hardtail...now the fun begins!

[Red Rock]

I was fortunate to come across this bike on Cragslist over the last week. Spoke to the owner, took a test ride. As a result of the test ride and looking at posted pics, was immediately in bike love. I have been researching, riding, more research and a few more rides later still lusting after a FS Giant but its price tag is a bit to much for me right now.

This was a screaming deal that I could not pass up. It only got better after I took the test ride. The magic of barter.:). It has one upgrade now being the clipless pedals. I NEED new brake pads for this before I do too much more riding. I also have to have the stem shortened. Other than that, I think it is preety much road ready. I think it could use a bath of sorts and some grease. Grease always makes things better.;)

Now I have the ability to go off road and ride on the city streets without killing myself with super small tires trying to go into driveways and things like that. It will also give me a diversity of riding that I have never had. That is nice, so I will never become "board" of riding.

Enjoy..

[solobiker]

Awesome!!! Congrats to you. What is it's name?

[Red Rock]

Solo-thankyou for the kind words.:) I was so happy on Sat. when I got this bike. I had to be scrapped off the celing I was so excited. Not only that, I rode basically all day, or as much daylight as there was. I put some serious miles on the bike.

Names? I have never named a bike I have owned. I realize the pic was not the greatest either. I was breathing to much for my cellphone. But I took the pic because I know how much everyone here lives for any and all pics of anything intresting.:) I guess "grey" since it has grey on it, I think that is better than "blacky". Come to mind, I do believe I have known some horses by those names-either real or fictional. I can't remember which.

My most excellent road bike is red. I guess that could work for a name too.

[solobiker]

I think Grey would be a great name. Have fun!!! Don't you just love Colorado

[Red Rock]

Solo-I wish I was in Colorado!! What a great place to be and ride. I am actually in Southwestern Utah. A desert rat/bicyclist.

[solobiker]

I have not been there yet...Sounds like a great place too. Send some pics of Grey's maiden voyage

[Red Rock]

I'll do my best. My DH is not to much into riding. I am the enoprphine nut in this house. To stay in shape with this terrible weather, I am doing biggest loser/jillian workouts. Riding the bike is so much better! But it is an allaround good workout. My rides might actually be better as a result? We will have to see.

Red Rock

[surgtech1956]

Red, enjoy the bike, I have a Giant Rincon and Giant OCR 3W - love Giants. I am with you, with the mountain bike, the rides are definitely 'limitless'. Here in Michigan, missing my 'bike' rides. Enjoy 'grey'. BTW, what is 'biggest loser/jillian workouts'????

[Red Rock]

surgtech1956- The biggest loser is a weight loss show that has been airing for probably somewhere between 2-3 years now. It is a reality TV show that takes contestants through various "challenges" that require exercise. The winner of the challenge can end up with a variey of things such as weight added to someone at the final weigh in, notes/video from home or whatever the producers determine. At the end of each show, the contestants have to vote someone off. (There was a discussion on TV shows a awhile back. There were some that liked this show.)

Jillian Michales is one of the trainers that has been with the show from its beginning. She is really tough and pushes everyone to their limits. She has also made a set of exercise DVDs too. I have one of them and that is what I have been using.

I hope this helps.

Red Rock

[sbctwin]

Congrats on the new bike. It sounds like you are already have lots of fun with it.

[Red Rock]

Yes, I will definately be able to get more miles on this bike just because of its versitiliy(sp? sorry). It gives me mental comfort to know I can go from the house to anywhere and feel safe about it. The riding will not be like the road bike but at least I will be exercising:)

We just need the temps to be a little bit warmer then I'm out of the house!

Red Rock

[sbctwin]

My DH and I thought about going to St. George for a few days at Christmas, but I am glad we decided against it. We would have brought our bikes to ride and with the weather the way it has been, it probably would not have been much fun. I have a trek 6500 hardtail that I commute to work on. It definitely takes more work than my road bike, but at least I am exercising. It is now parked until we get drier and warmer weather...

[surgtech1956]

RedRock thanks. I just checked out Jillian Michaels' DVDs - can you recommend one? Do you need additional equipment - weights, etc...?

[Red Rock]

sbctwin- I can understand on the temps thing. I had an errand to do. The sky was partly cloudy so I went for it, by way of the bike shop to get my stem and new brakes. I do not know about the rest of the week. I keep seeing that it bad or will be bad. My dad is coming from SLC and he wants to go hiking?! We might be in Nevada where it is a little warmer. I think that this is kind of my "commuter" now also. You are right on the exercise thing. At least your doing something. Good luck and Merry Christmas. Have a good one!

surgtech1956-I have been using the Jillan Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD. I think she might have some others but I am not sure. What is nice about the DVDs is that there are a series of 3 workouts and you can work for more difficulty. This is also true with any of the other Biggest Loser DVDs. All you need are seperate hand weights and a yoga mat or something equal if you are on a hard surface. It mentions this on the back of the DVD. I hope this helps. The first time I did this after not doing anything for so long, it kicked my butt. Then I spent all day on the bike the next day, took a day off, did it again and it was night and day difference. If you are in ok shape this should keep you there until the weather breaks and you can get on the bike. Or an option to Coach Troy. Good luck and Merry Christmas. Have a good one!

[Aggie_Ama]

If you actually start trying some singletrack you will likely get a better workout and than road riding. For me the road is not about hammering, I look around and enjoy the sites. Mountain biking engages the whole body and I find I burn as many calories on a one hour moutain ride as a two hour road ride. I am also sore in different places. I like the compliment of mountain with the road.

Congrats on the find, my hardtail Tess is a Craigslist steal. Other than the scratches on the frame it was like new and less than 1/3 the retail for the bike. We are good buddies now. By the way, I name all my bikes so we can talk like old friends. :p

[Red Rock]

Aggie-Yes, I am excited to get out there on the dirt. I totally understand what you mean by one hour on dirt is worth two on the road. That is what is nice about this type of riding. Maximum calorie burn with least amount of time. Plus it is a totally different ride. There is no comparison.

I am noticing oil drip from the front fork though. Any ideas on what I should do? Bike is standing upright is not upside down.

[Irulan]

Aggie-Yes, I am excited to get out there on the dirt. I totally understand what you mean by one hour on dirt is worth two on the road. That is what is nice about this type of riding. Maximum calorie burn with least amount of time. Plus it is a totally different ride. There is no comparison.

I am noticing oil drip from the front fork though. Any ideas on what I should do? Bike is standing upright is not upside down.

There's been calculations done as to how many trail miles equal how many road miles. The truth is that nothing beats road riding for building endurance and a good cardio base, but MTB will give you more of an all over work out, assuming you are being dynamic.

As for the oil, sounds like a seal leak. Get thee to a bike shop.

[Aggie_Ama]

Sounds like a seal leak. There are rebuild kits if needed for many forks, just take it to the LBS and have them look at it.