Very first trail ride...

[jessmarimba]

You're going to have a blast at the clinic!

Now you've got me all freaked, I've always used shimano and can't even fathom using anything else. It took long enough to remember what way those go, and I even had indicators on my last bike!

[Catrin]

This is my first bike with no gear indicators of any kind... Am trying to just adjust. I probably don't want to spend a lot of time looking at my shifters anyway.

[jessmarimba]

And actually (this is absurd!!) I can't remember what way the front shifter goes on my CURRENT bike. Seriously. I should just set the thing up as a 1x9 so I don't have to think about it

[Miranda]

I have Shimano on all my bikes. My little trick I made up to remember on the mtb was "big easy". Once was a movie called that. So, the big lever makes it easier to pedal. Comes in handy when you need to shift in a hurry or bite it lol.

I love my little Trek mtb for technical trails. It's a totally different challenge from road. And in ways will make you a stronger road rider. It's nice when you don't feel like dealing with Mother Nature's wind, head to the woods. Trees are your friend. Well, in terms of wind and shade. Biting it on a tree is not such a friendly feeling lol.

My cross bike I love for the type of ride you did today. With the 700c size tires though, I don't see myself doing very well on technical single track. Smaller is better to manuver.

Glad you had a good ride. The clinic will surely help. Some things are the best when you re-ride the obstacle yourself alone until you nail it. That's when whoops of joy can be heard echo-ing thru the woods.

[Catrin]

And actually (this is absurd!!) I can't remember what way the front shifter goes on my CURRENT bike. Seriously. I should just set the thing up as a 1x9 so I don't have to think about it

LOL, that would indeed take care of the problem I have a 3x10, and the more I think about it I do wonder how often I will use that biggest chain for mountain biking - but I am sure I will be thankful for it when I need it!

The Shimano triggers on my LHT won't allow me to shift the rear more than 2 gears at a time, and of course my SRAM shifters on the Jamis allows me to shift as many gears as I want - this is going to require me to learn more finesse in shifting as well so I don't accidentally shift 5 gears at a time again unless I mean it

I must note that the Shimano triggers on my LHT are "special" triggers and are not one of their common groups like XT or whatever.

[laura*]

I must note that the Shimano triggers on my LHT are "special" triggers and are not one of their common groups like XT or whatever.

They're the "Flat Bar" shifters? Those are just a mild variation on Deore LX and Deore XT shifters.

[Catrin]

They're the "Flat Bar" shifters? Those are just a mild variation on Deore LX and Deore XT shifters.

Yes, I am not very impressed with them but they get the job done. I am amazed at how much smoother the SRAM triggers work - guess I am just a sold SRAM woman, at least for now.

[jessmarimba]

The Shimano triggers on my LHT won't allow me to shift the rear more than 2 gears at a time, and of course my SRAM shifters on the Jamis allows me to shift as many gears as I want - this is going to require me to learn more finesse in shifting as well so I don't accidentally shift 5 gears at a time again unless I mean it

I tell ya what, I LOVE being able to just shift all the gears on my bike with the bar-end shifters It's so nice to get to the top of a climb, slap my hand down, and instantly be in the gear I need for the downhill. It can be pretty startling to accidentally miss one on the way back to easy though. Tough to shift delicately when you're on a trail full of rocks. I guess every system has its trade-offs.