I wanna do this

[Aggie_Ama]

Just try is all you have left to do. I am a roadie at heart but really love playing in the dirt. My mountain bike is just a Scott Hardtail and it is farily low end for one but for the beginner to intermediate trails hardtail is just find. Half the time DH wishes he didn't have the weight of the full suspension on the easier trails. I am fortunate to have a willing tutor in DH but you can learn without one. Just try it out. A lot of the fire roads (jeep trails) are easy but riding over gravel and rocks challenge you on your first rides. You may even see if you have a local club that holds clinics, we have one that does a women's only clinic and will really be nice to the newbies who have no clue like me! You may have to wait for spring to really find that although here we do ride year round there aren't organized clinics in the winter months. Come on over to the dirty side!

BTW- I took a few tumbles and figured out you probably won't break anything by being a clumsy fool. In fact yesterday I ate it with an audience, I just turned and waved.

[Irulan]

Your bike sounds fine. Disc brakes are all the thing now, but you really only NEED them if you ride in consistently wet conditions.

The general philosophy that most folks I know go by is, "it aint the bike it's the rider". Sounds like you have a good set of bike handling skills. For some ideas on mountain bike specific skills, I've got a good list on my website,
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/pen...g/ridetips.asp

Probably the biggest difference in getting on the trail is how much more time you spend OUT of the saddle, using your whole body.

Now go have some fun.

[Irulan]

Also, if you check the IMBA site, you should be able to find a local mountain bike club in the state listings

www.imba.com

http://www.imba.com/contacts/near_yo..._virginia.html

[GraysonKelly]

Your bike sounds fine. Disc brakes are all the thing now, but you really only NEED them if you ride in consistently wet conditions.

The general philosophy that most folks I know go by is, "it aint the bike it's the rider". Sounds like you have a good set of bike handling skills. For some ideas on mountain bike specific skills, I've got a good list on my website,
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/pen...g/ridetips.asp

Probably the biggest difference in getting on the trail is how much more time you spend OUT of the saddle, using your whole body.

Now go have some fun.

Thanks! I'll go check out your website here in a just a few. This is a list of components on my bike. http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...2874&Type=bike I don't know what any of it means though. As far as if I need something or not. It's from bike pedia and my bike has all of the factory components except for the pedals which are the shimano ones that are regular pedals on one side and clipless on the other. I know I need different tires just because mine are kind of worn. I was actually wondering about the rear cassette. Should I change it? And the brakes. Anyway, if you or anyone else could look at this and give me some advice I'd appreciate it. I'm mainly going to be road riding but I thought maybe MTB in the winter if it's not too wet would be a good time to kind of practice. On some less technical trails of course.
Thanks again,
Gray

[Aggie_Ama]

That should be enough bike to get started, I see people riding Walmart bikes on the trail. Maybe get a tune up if needed but you are just trying it. You will likely want to upgrade if you get into it but you have somewhere to start.

[GraysonKelly]

That should be enough bike to get started, I see people riding Walmart bikes on the trail. Maybe get a tune up if needed but you are just trying it. You will likely want to upgrade if you get into it but you have somewhere to start.

Thanks Aggie! (Is it ok to call you that?)
Anyway, what kind of upgrades? I'm a little OCD. I like to know a lot about a subject, at least enough to have a conversation or to plan ahead when I start something. (eg I researched my watch for 3 months before I bought it!) Anyway, what kind of upgrades are we talking about? I'm planning on doing MTB and Road Biking pretty much equally in the summer.

Irulan, I did find a clinic that I can attend in the spring and another one in Sept. Your website is awesome. I do have a question though...Should the bike fit be done with me in "neutral" position? Does that make a difference?
Thanks again, Ladies!
Gray

[Irulan]

bike fit would be done sitting in the saddle, not out of the saddle.

I'm with Aggie, don't worry about upgrades. Just go ride the heck out of the dam thing until you break something.

A $360 bike is not worth upgrading. Ride it like you stole it and save your $$ for an upgrade bike.

[GraysonKelly]

bike fit would be done sitting in the saddle, not out of the saddle.

I'm with Aggie, don't worry about upgrades. Just go ride the heck out of the dam thing until you break something.

A $360 bike is not worth upgrading. Ride it like you stole it and save your $$ for an upgrade bike.

Okay, I can do that. Thanks again. I think I'll go play a little. Have a great day.
Gray