Just picked up a new toy off eBay (first time purchase of a bike on eBay, transaction went well and got it for a steal). Being in Illinois the state of shitty taxes and corruption, I have only a few places to go for some nice single track. Kettle Moraine (WI) is an hours drive north and about the best, Palos Park (Southwest Chicago Burbs) is about 1.5 hours and just as good, just not kept up as well.
Would be interested in seeing some other bikes and rack setups.
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Here’s the hard tail 29er, put it through a tough weekend, needs a good cleaning:
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Beautiful bike. Looks like it should rip.
I’ve been mountain biking for over 25 years. The last couple of years, I’ve been out very rarely due to a growing family and a never-ending home renovation. These days, Im more likely to jump on the bike path, since I can get on it one minute from my house, and it goes all the way down to Lake Ontario, and then across to the other side of Toronto.
This is my current XC rig. I built up a carbon ebay 29er frame with all high end parts. I loved the bike so much, I found myself leaving my full-suspension bike at home all the time.
http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb8667362/p4pb8667362.jpg
http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb8667367/p4pb8667367.jpg
This was an All Mountain Titus El Guapo with I9 wheels I built up a couple years ago. I just parted it out, and sold the frame last week
http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb9229776/p4pb9229776.jpg
http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb9229775/p4pb9229775.jpg
Last winter I purchased my first fatbike, a Surly Moonlander. Hope to get more time on it this year.
http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb10704222/p4pb10704222.jpg
This was my downhill bike. I just sold it two days ago, as I am giving up DH MTB.
http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb7089946/p4pb7089946.jpg
This is the result of my last DH MTB session. Had a serious crash at Blue Mountain about two months ago that required emergency surgery and put me in the hospital for a week. Broke my arm, some ribs, my collarbone, and shattered my shoulder, among other things. And I was wearing full body armor and a full face helmet at the time.
http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb11387737/p4pb11387737.jpg
http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb11387691/p4pb11387691.jpg
The recovery will be pretty long. Just started physio last week, to try and get some strength and mobility back in my arm. Good thing the last car I bought is not a manual 
I want to be you, injuries and all. Wish we had some DH places here, very nice bikes!
Hahaha
Yeah, it is not bad here I guess. We have some of the best mountain biking in the world in British Columbia, so we are always wishing for something better too. Although, I guess we should be happy with what we have.
Ive got an old school kona manomano circa 1997 or so with full xtr and recently my buddy sold me his ventana. Got it dirt cheap. Flagstaff is full of mtb, dh, cross country, technical, single track, etc…then sedona is just a half hour south. Lots of options.
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Those big wheel/tire snow bikes? I’m confused. Usually (for cars) taller narrower tires are better for snow. Why so fat? Studded tires? They look fun as hell though.
Damn, v8a6, speedy recovery man. Those are some serious injuries.
Nice buy! My friend has been raving about that trail in Palos. Going to have to give it a try sometime.
They still have toboggan runs open down there?
Also, there is quite a few conservation areas out in McHenry county. Decent. Nothing crazy, but fun nonetheless. Look into it. Been to km many times as a youngster. Good memories.
Favorite go to bike is my 3 spd coaster brake cruiser though. Simplicity ftw! Love it.
Also building a 1x9 for my gf. Simple again. Its a kona unit ss currently.
if I were guessing, it’s because they have different concerns
cars have boatloads of power…bikers don’t
so cars have no trouble getting the tires moving, no matter how deep the snow…but a mountain bike needs some help staying above the snow and spreading the grip out a bit.
Cars’ biggest concern with wide snow tires is hydroplaning (or whatever the snowy equivalent is) because you develop so much speed and the big wide tires make you a bit floaty. The mountain bike in the snow is more concerned with keeping going…
the other big huge concern on a mountain bike is slipping (sideways). It’s really stable on a car…but when you’re on a 2 wheeler with skinny ass tires, staying upright is very tough. Staying upright on a fat tire bike is sooooo easy.
Makes sense
Is that near McHenry, the city? I thought that was all lake county? I’m in Wauconda so it could be close…
Yep still there, cops set speed traps at that entrance all the time
Let me know, sync up and go
Exactly. It is all about maximum floatation on a fat tire bike. Your goal is to stay on top of the snow (or sand) instead of sinking down into it. Think of a horseshoe… it is the same premise.
The more floatation and grip you want, the bigger tires you go. And the less hard packed the snow is, the less air you put in the tires, so that it spreads out flatter on top of the snow.
One of the cool things about biking in the winter is that the same bike path that used to be generally all one material (hard, flat, pavement) is now something new all the time. One day it is fresh powder. Another day it is hard packed. Next day it is half water, and melting with icy spots. Even in a single ride, you have to continually adjust to the varying terrain.
I am just getting into it, but it is great to get outside more often during the long winter in Canada.
I found this cool documentary on fatbikes. If you skip to the 10:00 min mark, he is riding on some fresh powder.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqX0vZ9VALI
My first ride was on hard pack and melting ice last year. I was flying. My next ride was right after a fresh snowfall with tons of powder (when that pic was taken). I was shocked to find how much slower you go on the powder, than on the hardpack that I had been flying along the day before. LOL In the video you can see he is just creeping along, and that is how it actually is.
Really kind of same concept as skiing I guess. Fat skis to float on top/pocket of powder. Def need to keep speed up as the deep powder can rob momentum. Thinner for hard pack and flying down the mtn.
Really kind of same concept as skiing I guess. Fat skis to float on top/pocket of powder. Def need to keep speed up as the deep powder can rob momentum. Thinner for hard pack and flying down the mtn.
Indeed. Northwest burbs like Cary, Crystal Lake, McHenry, Woodstock, etc…not far from you at all.
Too funny, my folks live in Crystal Lake. I grew up in Cary.
Indeed. Northwest burbs like Cary, Crystal Lake, McHenry, Woodstock, etc…not far from you at all.
Too funny, my folks live in Crystal Lake. I grew up in Cary.