Incoming!!! MTB content
- james80
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Incoming!!! MTB content
Last year I tried to get back on my bike (2010 Scott Spark full suspension with 26" wheels) and do something about my size. I'd managed to creep back up to 230lbs over the last five years or so and was starting to feel very uncomfortable. The last time I was properly riding I had managed to get down to 201 and for a reason I can't remember just stopped. I went semi regularly for a few road rides and a couple of trail rides but didn't really commit and then in May 2018 I broke the bike. I spent the next five months procrastinating about a new one and eventually ordered a 2019 Giant Trance 3 and got it last October. I rode it once and it sat in the storeroom for another three months.
On January 3rd I decided that was it and went for a ride, fast forward to the end of July and apart from the six weeks off for surgery I've ridden trails three to four times a week for a total of 980 miles and a loss of 25lbs. The feeling is quite life changing, I happier, in a much better mental state and physically so much better. A lot of my watch related time went into riding and my interest in watches or at least getting new watches has waned. For the last few months I rotated between my Datejust and Pelagos and didn't open the boxes to look at the others, save for pulling out the SKX recently to do something dirty.
In the last seven months I've become a much better and faster rider but found I was on the wrong bike, it's a great trail bike but it's heavy at 32lbs and has more travel than I need so the browsing and dreaming started. Long story short something had to go to get a new bike, sold the Pelagos and I just ordered a Scott Spark RC Pro, at 23lbs it should amazing, I'm like a kid at Christmas and the next ten days are going to be hard.
My feelings about watches will never go away but they have changed. I'm pretty sure if I added an Explorer at some point I'd be good. I'm happy with my collection although I do feel there is a hole where the UX then the Pelagos sat but it's a hole I can live with for now.
On January 3rd I decided that was it and went for a ride, fast forward to the end of July and apart from the six weeks off for surgery I've ridden trails three to four times a week for a total of 980 miles and a loss of 25lbs. The feeling is quite life changing, I happier, in a much better mental state and physically so much better. A lot of my watch related time went into riding and my interest in watches or at least getting new watches has waned. For the last few months I rotated between my Datejust and Pelagos and didn't open the boxes to look at the others, save for pulling out the SKX recently to do something dirty.
In the last seven months I've become a much better and faster rider but found I was on the wrong bike, it's a great trail bike but it's heavy at 32lbs and has more travel than I need so the browsing and dreaming started. Long story short something had to go to get a new bike, sold the Pelagos and I just ordered a Scott Spark RC Pro, at 23lbs it should amazing, I'm like a kid at Christmas and the next ten days are going to be hard.
My feelings about watches will never go away but they have changed. I'm pretty sure if I added an Explorer at some point I'd be good. I'm happy with my collection although I do feel there is a hole where the UX then the Pelagos sat but it's a hole I can live with for now.
Last edited by james80 on Fri Aug 02, 2019 7:36 am, edited 3 times in total.
- JP Chestnut
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Re: Incoming!!! MTB content
A 23lb mtb will be a pleasure to ride. Good health is priceless.
- mattcantwin
- mattcreatestonsofwatchrelateddrama
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Re: Incoming!!! MTB content
Great life-changing choice!
Re: Incoming!!! MTB content
I like everything about this thread.
Re: Incoming!!! MTB content
Congrats on the weight loss and better health. I really enjoy riding, but I'm a road biker/spin class guy. Great exercise, and low impact when compared to running. Really nice this time of year for me, because I can get outside more.
- JP Chestnut
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Re: Incoming!!! MTB content
Nice. I really was looking for MTB recently but never pulled the trigger. I still ride my stationary bike but have discovered swimming in the past few weeks. My MIL has a community pool that is not crowded in the summer. I have been doing increasing laps on my days off.
Lost a few pounds so far and the new knee is liking the work.
Lost a few pounds so far and the new knee is liking the work.
https://watchidiotsavants3.godaddysites.com/
instagram @watchidiotsavants
Chase after the dream, don't chase after the money
instagram @watchidiotsavants
Chase after the dream, don't chase after the money
Re: Incoming!!! MTB content
They're awesome. I have no interest in biking outside during the winter. People who do that are crazy.
- james80
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Re: Incoming!!! MTB content
Oops, quoted instead of edited.
Last edited by james80 on Fri Aug 02, 2019 7:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
- JP Chestnut
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Re: Incoming!!! MTB content
Have you tried a fluid trainer at home? Then you can ride your own bike.JBZ wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 7:29 amThey're awesome. I have no interest in biking outside during the winter. People who do that are crazy.
Re: Incoming!!! MTB content
I've thought about it, and I have a stationary bike that I sometimes use, which I know isn't the same thing. But I honestly enjoy the community aspect of the classes (and some of the women are pretty attractive, which helps). Plus, the workouts are more structured, so it's harder for me to dog it. I've also thought about Peleton, but the cost keeps me away.JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 7:35 amHave you tried a fluid trainer at home? Then you can ride your own bike.JBZ wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 7:29 amThey're awesome. I have no interest in biking outside during the winter. People who do that are crazy.
- JP Chestnut
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Re: Incoming!!! MTB content
This nice thing about a fluid trainer is it works all your little stabilizing muscles as you balance on the bike. Maybe spin classes do to.
Are you the only dude in class?
Are you the only dude in class?
Re: Incoming!!! MTB content
No, but there are definitely more women than men. Probably a 2:1 ratio. With spinning, I've found I need to actively engage my core more than on a real bike because the bike itself doesn't move.JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 7:41 amThis nice thing about a fluid trainer is it works all your little stabilizing muscles as you balance on the bike. Maybe spin classes do to.
Are you the only dude in class?
Sorry for the thread-jack James.
- james80
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Re: Incoming!!! MTB content
No problem at all. I’d actually be interested in getting a riding / training thread going.JBZ wrote:No, but there are definitely more women than men. Probably a 2:1 ratio. With spinning, I've found I need to actively engage my core more than on a real bike because the bike itself doesn't move.JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 7:41 amThis nice thing about a fluid trainer is it works all your little stabilizing muscles as you balance on the bike. Maybe spin classes do to.
Are you the only dude in class?
Sorry for the thread-jack James.
I’ve been looking at fluid and smart trainers as well, although they aren’t very good with MTB tyres and I don’t have a spare wheel (yet). The idea of uploading a trail I actually ride to a smart trainer is very appealing.
Re: Incoming!!! MTB content
You say that like it's a bad thing...JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 7:41 amThis nice thing about a fluid trainer is it works all your little stabilizing muscles as you balance on the bike. Maybe spin classes do to.
Are you the only dude in class?
- JP Chestnut
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Re: Incoming!!! MTB content
It's all about perceptivematt.wu wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 9:41 amYou say that like it's a bad thing...JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 7:41 amThis nice thing about a fluid trainer is it works all your little stabilizing muscles as you balance on the bike. Maybe spin classes do to.
Are you the only dude in class?
Re: Incoming!!! MTB content
That'll be a sweat bike! Congrats!
I gave up my full suspension and built a hard tail
I gave up my full suspension and built a hard tail
- james80
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Re: Incoming!!! MTB content
Nice build. I been looking at the Meta HT and would love one or something like it at some point.apnk wrote:That'll be a sweat bike! Congrats!
I gave up my full suspension and built a hard tail
What size tyres are you on, why steel and how are you liking it?
What type of FS did you come off?
Re: Incoming!!! MTB content
The Meta looks like a sweet bike!
I use 2.35 tires 27.5 wheel. I never had a steel frame so it’s something I always wanted to try. Steel is a more compliant and gives a more comfortable ride especially in hard tails. I parted out the components from a Diamondback Release 3 full sus. So far I love it, ride is not as harsh as you would expect, simpler to maintain, geometry is more aggressive than my Diamondback, and it was a neat experience building your own bike.
Re: Incoming!!! MTB content
+1 on the 1x drivetrains - Bulletproof. Plus it frees up the left side for cleaner access to the dropper post lever.
- james80
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Re: Incoming!!! MTB content
I agree on the 1x but recently I’ve had a few chain drops on fast bumpy downhills not sure why, could be chain stretch?
Did a little hill training this morning. Five miles straight up.
Did a little hill training this morning. Five miles straight up.
- james80
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Re: Incoming!!! MTB content
Anyone on Strava?
- james80
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Re: Incoming!!! MTB content
It’s new bike day! But tapacrap won’t let me upload pics.
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