Mountain Bike Fit Musings
For the past 5 or so years I have been a 29er (and 650b) lover. Normally my mountain bike is a single speed, full rigid rig. Sometimes an 80mm hard tail, or something of the variety. Lately I’ve been spending more and more time on my Salsa Spearfish 29er. 100mm in the front, 80mm in the rear. The bike is a real treat to ride, and as I adventure more and more around the southeast I do believe it is the perfect bike for 90% of the trails.
Here’s Where I Am Struggling
One thing I am working on this spring is going up. Learning how to climb for longer periods. Learning to sit and spin up steeper terrain than I have been able to in the past. Normally I stand and mash on my hardtail, but I am working on learning how to position my body better and use stabilizer muscles.
The issue I have been running into has multiple layers, but the basics is that I am trying to figure out how to ride a 100mm front end up steeper terrain. I believe it is either a fit with stem change problem, or maybe I need to practice more problem.
Here’s what I am experiencing while climbing
- Harder time keeping the front end down, even when I have a decent amount of weight on the front
- I can’t steer too well when climbing. If it is straight, I am fine, but switchbacks I’m completely lost on body position. (Is this just practice?)
- The front end wants to flop under slow and steep. I know this has partially to do with the 29er front wheel, more slack geometry and 100mm fork than my normal hardtail 29ers.
My Mountain Climbing Friends – Give me advice
A good part of it is riding more up hill. Learning the balance of my bike. But do you have specific suggestions, maybe with bike fit or technique?
On Twitter? You Could Win Something
As of 8:30am this morning I am 75 people away from hitting the 6,000 follower mark. It is just a number, but for a girl simply trying to get more folks (women) on bikes – it is pretty cool that people have found a liking in the cause.
Recently Klout.com sent me a Klout Perk and I’m paying that forward.
The 6,000 follower on Twitter will be awarded this:
I was given a free product or sample because I’m a Klout influencer. I was under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company. http://klout.com/perks/disclosure
Recently Spotted: Fox Racing Women’s Reflex Gel Gloves
There are a couple very important parts of your bike that you shouldn’t skimp on, these are your “touch points”. Saddle, shoes/pedals, and grips/handlebars/gloves.
Recently Quality Bike started stocking some women’s Fox Racing gloves with gel that I am looking to pick up. What’s unique is there is a short finger mountain bike version.
Fox Racing Women’s Reflex Gel Full Finger Glove $32.99
Fox Racing Women’s Reflex Gel Short Finger Glove $29.99
Almost every bike shop in America will be able to get this through my employer, QBP.
Oh yes, I wasn’t paid or bribed, and I may make money off of these if you buy them through your bike shop who buys them through my employer, and that shop is in the southeast. That’s my disclaimers. Thank you for listening.
Preview: Levi’s 511 Commuter Clothing Series
It isn’t breaking news. Levi’s have been doing their Commuter line for a few months now. I’m featuring this because the 511 is a guys line, but fit pretty thin. I have hopes for such a power house in the denim department to do cycling wear. It’s thoughtful, I do feel like some of the garments (jackets/hoodies) are too dark and not thought out enough, but it is a good place to start.
This is a photo heavy post, please click through the jump to see all!
Motivational Monday with Karly Coleman
What’s your name and location?
Karly Coleman, Edmonton, Alberta Canada
What type of cycling do you enjoy?
commuting, touring, winter cycling
What is your first cycling memory?
Learning to ride by using a vegetable canner as a mounting block. I would ride around and around our yard, fall off, run back to get the canner, take it back to the bike… it was only years later as an adult I realized it would have been easier to take the bike to the canner!
Who inspires you to ride, and better yet WHY?
The way I feel when I ride inspires me, because it is so glorious and I can get so many places
What has been your best moment on the bike so far this year?
zooming around, staying upright and off the ice, and bicycle traffic reporting
Tell us all about your bikes
My everyday ride is a Mountain Equipment Coop Hold Steady. I also have a Brompton folder, a Pashley Princess Sovereign, an Electra, a Kuwahara Super Tour, a unicycle, and a mountain bike of some indeterminate age. My beloved and I also have a Belinky Viewpoint tandem.
Motivational Monday, a Monday tradition at Bike Shop Girl, my goal to keep you motivated and to be striving on the bike even during a hard week or long hours at work. Are you a woman that bicycles? Let us know and I would love to interview you!
Where’s My Thoughts?
7 days on the road
Countless new roads driven
Southern Cross wind domination
Successful Southeast Bike Expo
Foundry launch parties
Lazer Magneto selling hot
Happiness on two wheels
Chicopee Trail Mountain Biking
Bull Mountain climbing
Blankets Creek nose wheelies
New friends
Meeting of many great shops in Georgia
Home..finally.
Foundry Cycles Launch in Charlotte
Foundry Cycles… If you believe in Carhartt’s, buying a car to last, and that a bike is a TOOL NOT A TROPHY.
Please come out to
Bicycle Sport for our launch party in Charlotte!March 1st,
4:00pm to close
4:00pm to close
Ben the new owner of Bicycle Sport has also transformed the inside of that shop completely over the past month! Worth the trip. Plus free beer and food!
Recently Spotted: Outdoor Research Sensor Dry Pocket for Smartphone
I always have my Otterbox housed iPhone with me on rides. I constantly am pulling it out to take photos, or something. The idea of a case that could hook on to my Camelbak back straps, have a port for my music, and possible take photos through it is GENIUS I say.
Outdoor Research Sensor Dry Pocket for Smartphone MSRP $25
Almost every bike shop in America will be able to get this through my employer, QBP. Tell them part number OW8460.
Oh yes, I wasn’t paid or bribed, and I may make money off of these if you buy them through your bike shop who buys them through my employer, and that shop is in the southeast. That’s my disclaimers. Thank you for listening.
Problem Solvers Tech Tuesday: Video Quick-Release Nut Light Mount
Chris Duerkop shows nightriders a better way to illuminate the road with Problem Solvers’ Quick-Release Nut Light Mount.
Foundry Cycles Launch Party: Woodstock, GA
Woodstock, GA
3pm-close (or when they kick us out)
12:30pm, will be at Blanket’s Creek to ride mountain bikes!
What is Foundry Cycles?
As I’m touring all over Georgia and the Southeast the next week with Foundry Cycles (and Lazer) I wanted a quick intro of who or WHAT the brand is. In due time I’ll put this in my own words, but it is 10:30pm and I’m sitting in a hotel room exhausted!