What size mountain bike?

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Originally Posted by Irulan

Where are you located? You just might find a skills camp near you.

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I'm in NC. Not sure if there are camps near me. That sounds fun, but I really like saving my valuable and oh-so-inadequate amount of vacation time to go places with my husband. He's retired and claims not to see enough of me as it is! :p

Appreciate the suggestions, tho. I have a Barnes and Noble gift card to use so will look for Ned's book and/or video!

Emily

P.S. Agree about the mileage too - just don't want to hurt myself not having a clue what I am doing on the trail! :D

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

Agree about the mileage too - just don't want to hurt myself not having a clue what I am doing on the trail! :D

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MTB riding is all about shifting, braking and balance (or body position)--how and when to do these things in what situations. When I started out I borrowed every book I could from the local library. There are also some good sites on the internet if you do a search. Take a look at mtbr.com. I've found some helpful things on that discussion board. And ride with as many people as you can. Everyone can teach you something. The more you ride, the more you can ask specific questions and get specific answers. And trust me that technique is very, very important. I have a friend who started out on a road bike, loves speed, and spent the first year of her mountain biking life beat up from falling so much. She learned the hard way that it's a totally different game from the road. Speed will come as you learn, but focus on technique now. Some of the best beginning advice I received: NEVER do something until you are ready to do it. You'll know when you're ready to push and challenge yourself at the level needed to attempt a certain obstacle. There is no harm nor shame in walking a section that makes you uncomfortable. Second best advice: the bike will go over just about anything, RELAX and let it do it's job. Momentum is your friend. Most of all--HAVE FUN!

Great tips, dirt girl, thanks!

One more newbie question: should I get a water bottle cage or is it best to use a Camelbak (I have several) when riding a mtb? I normally use water bottles on my road bikes but am not sure if mountain bikers tend to use them or not since they might get muddy or come flying out if you hit an obstacle (just a guess!)

Thanks!
Emily

I use both. Water in the hydration pack and Cytomax cocktail in the bottle. Hydration bladders are extremely hard to keep gunk free (store the hose in the freezer between rides).

I use a nalgene bottle with a cover on my bike that has the bottle cage so conveniently located under the down tube or if the frame allows it (said bottle is available at REI and a very, very few LBS). My xsmall Titus frame only takes a small old-fashioned bottle so that's what I use on it. I just inspect it before using or wipe it off with my "clean" glove. :o

most folks use a camelbak. One thing is that a frame mount bottle can get all sorts of mud and dirt on it, plus they can bounce loose and then they are gone. IIRC Tinker gor giardia from a muddy water bottle.

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

One more newbie question: should I get a water bottle cage or is it best to use a Camelbak (I have several) when riding a mtb?

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I usually just use the Camelbak but add a bottle (of Cytomax, like SadieKate) for longer/harder rides. Bonus for using the Camelbak: you can add ice to your water and it stays cold for hours. Nothing like a really cold sip when it's very hot out. We rinse out our Camelbak bladders with super hot water and run some through the tube, rub off the "slimy" stuff on the bite valve, drain well and store the entire thing in the fridge. This keeps it clean and slim free between more serious cleanings (which don't happen all that often in our house).

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Originally Posted by SadieKate

My xsmall Titus frame ...

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Ooooo, I'm so jealous! Sweet bike...and just my size. ;) Have you posted a photo of it on this forum?

Sorry, I don't really have any good photos of my RacerX. This is the best I can do. (Red) Sonja The bike hanging from the frame is a freeride bike for a guy about 6'4". If you scroll through the album you'll see a picture of him standing behind me. His saddle barely fits under my armpit!

The RacerX is an incredible bike for anyone who wants a light, fast handling XC bike. She loves to climb. Point her uphill and she goes with you or without you. Superb handling on tight, picky singletrack like that in central Oregon (my favorite place to ride). My only complaint is that only small water bottles with the small diameter lids will fit. Small price to pay for a superb handling bike in an XS size.

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Originally Posted by SadieKate

Sorry, I don't really have any good photos of my RacerX. The bike hanging from the frame is a freeride bike for a guy about 6'4". If you scroll through the album you'll see a picture of him standing behind me. His saddle barely fits under my armpit!

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If you ever take a close up, let me know. I'd love to droll. No local Titus dealers around here at the time I bought the Santa Cruz, and we wanted to buy local. Though I can't complain too much. I love my pretty blue Juliana. I don't have an updated photo yet, but she's now sporting new tires, a new wheelset and disc brakes. As hubby (who is 6'2"--so I know what you mean about bikes that I'd need a ladder to climb on) puts it, Santa "pimped my ride" for Christmas.

What are your favorite places in Central Oregon? I live in Eastern Washington and have not ridden in Oregon yet.

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Originally Posted by Dirt Girl

If you ever take a close up, let me know.

What are your favorite places in Central Oregon? I live in Eastern Washington and have not ridden in Oregon yet.

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Well, I have a close up of the bottom bracket caked with MacKenzie River mud.

As far as favorite trails in central Oregon, start in Bend and ride whatever direction takes your fancy (and the weather allows) that day. The list goes on and on. The mtbike community in Bend works very hard with the Forest Service and has a wonderful network of trails. COTA , the Central Oregon Trail Alliance, gets a check from us every year since we take advantage of all their hardwork many times a year. The entire central third of the state has incredible trails including the Mt. Hood area. I haven't ridden west of the Cascades but will some day. We're retiring up there (no poison oak :D ).