The Silver Fox LJ Build

[JMT]

Skis for what, a baby? That's like a foot. My skis before I started boarding were 180-205cm and my snowboards are 164-169cm (which would be 1640-1690mm or roughly 64.6-67" for you followers of the crown)

Oh yeah, cm. I was only 10x off! I really hate the metric system, but I know, I know, it’s great if you’re doing calculations!

The crown, the crown. They still have a segment of society that is anti-metric! There’s hope!

 

[JMT]

Here’s the bracket I made that will hold my single ARB Compressor. A little platform with the compressor mount welded to it. Out of the way, just fits but not too snuggly, and I can still get to everything else in the area as well as remove it fairly easily.

 

[Woodrow]

Here’s the bracket I made that will hold my single ARB Compressor. A little platform with the compressor mount welded to it. Out of the way, just fits but not too snuggly, and I can still get to everything else in the area as well as remove it fairly easily.

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Tell me about the fully rigid Trek with the Surly fork. That’s a hard core trail bike. I love a hardtail but unless I’m on pavement (which I almost never am) I need a suspension fork!

 

[JMT]

My 20 year old son Kaleb works for a bike shop, so it’s always a project. LOL. He gets deals through Trek University. That Procaliber had an issue with the frame, but it’s still structurally sound, but Trek gave him a deal on a Supercaliber frame. He moved a lot of the components over from the Procaliber to the because, many of which were upgraded, but he didn’t have another suspension fork so he put the the Surly fork on to see how it rode. It’s something if an experiment and temporary holdover while he decides what to do with it.

Pic of the Supercaliber. Yum

 

[Woodrow]

My 20 year old son Kaleb works for a bike shop, so it’s always a project. LOL. He gets deals through Trek University. That Procaliber had an issue with the frame, but it’s still structurally sound, but Trek gave him a deal on a Supercaliber frame. He moved a lot of the components over from the Procaliber to the because, many of which were upgraded, but he didn’t have another suspension fork so he put the the Surly fork on to see how it rode. It’s something if an experiment and temporary holdover while he decides what to do with it.

Pic of the Supercaliber. Yum

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OK. That makes sense. I’ve got a buddy who mostly rides hardtails (and wins cat 1 enduro races on them occasionally ). He’s been trying a fully rigid MTB lately. I really enjoy my Honzo ESD (below in Bellingham a few weeks ago) if we aren’t hucking to flat too much, but no suspension at all?! Sheesh!

That trail is very fun when wet. Lots of roots

 

[JMT]

OK. That makes sense. I’ve got a buddy who mostly rides hardtails (and wins cat 1 enduro races on them occasionally ). He’s been trying a fully rigid MTB lately. I really enjoy my Honzo ESD (below in Bellingham a few weeks ago) if we aren’t hucking to flat too much, but no suspension at all?! Sheesh!
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That trail is very fun when wet. Lots of roots

Hard tails are fast! Just don’t want to see a lot of rock gardens, drops, or jumps. Some of these guys are chasing stuff and they do these things like ride hard tails or single speeds. I appreciate their dedication and riding skill. For me riding is for enjoyment. I don’t think hard tails are enjoyment, though I rode them for years in the 90’s and 2000’s. Nice Honzo! My favorite colors! I have been to Bellingham with my wife for a quick getaway. I learned then it’s a bike Mecca. That trail does look lovely. If I go back I’ll definitely bring my bike. My son wants to go for sure. He was in Canada racing five weeks ago. He did really well. Seven pros and he was fourth overall. The next morning he went out on his own for a ride. He lost it going about 25 mph and broke his right radius. He was only about a mile out. Hiked back to the car with his bike and drove home from Canada. LOL. Ended up having a titanium plate and six screws. They left it in because he’s fully grown. Problem now is he can’t move his distal phalanges on his right thumb and index finger. I’m concerned for a number of reasons but really don’t want to see him lose that dexterity. He has no numbness or pain, but can’t move them at all.

 

[Rickyd]

I’m concerned for a number of reasons but really don’t want to see him lose that dexterity. He has no numbness or pain, but can’t move them at all.

Damn,do they have any idea why?

Tendon or nerve damage?

 

[JMT]

Damn,do they have any idea why?

Tendon or nerve damage?

The doc said to wait and it should come back. We have an appointment Nov 4 or so. I’m getting anxious, and my guess is something nerve related, probably the median nerve, but I guess we will see. I’ve heard that plates can cause problems on occasion and removal results in function returning.

 

[Rickyd]

The doc said to wait and it should come back. We have an appointment Nov 4 or so. I’m getting anxious, and my guess is something nerve related, probably the median nerve, but I guess we will see. I’ve heard that plates can cause problems on occasion and removal results in function returning.

 

[Mike_H]

@Woodrow and @JMT if you really wanna learn to ride, get yourself a rigid single speed! You’ve got no choice then but to pick the best lines.

I built one a few years ago. It’s a fun change of pace. Very simple, and very quiet. No chain slapping. No suspension setting to worry about…only control you have is tire pressure. It takes about 1/2 a second to realize how spoiled you’ve become with your cushy 140mm trail bike and you hyper focus on line.

The other thing you’ll notice is that you will go WAY faster XC. The bikes are super light without the extra stuff (mine weighs in the neighborhood of 20 lbs) . And…uphill, you gotta pedal! Stand up or sit down, that bike ain’t getting to the top unless you pedal. You’ll typically go MUCH faster than all the geared bikes up hill.

When you get back on the Cush bike, all that line selection stuff stays with you, so it will typically make you faster there as well.

 

[S/C-HD2002]

The doc said to wait and it should come back. We have an appointment Nov 4 or so. I’m getting anxious, and my guess is something nerve related, probably the median nerve, but I guess we will see. I’ve heard that plates can cause problems on occasion and removal results in function returning.

I truly hope you guys get that sorted. That is much to young to be dealing with nerve issues. Do you have the option of having the injury looked at by a Neuro (assuming the current doc is an Orthopedic)?

Thoughts and prayers to a speedy recovery!

 

[JMT]

I truly hope you guys get that sorted. That is much to young to be dealing with nerve issues. Do you have the option of having the injury looked at by a Neuro (assuming the current doc is an Orthopedic)?

Thoughts and prayers to a speedy recovery!

We have an appointment with the ortho on Nov 4 or so. If that isn’t productive I’ll be taking steps to get this dealt with. Thanks for prayers.

 

[gasiorv]

OK. That makes sense. I’ve got a buddy who mostly rides hardtails (and wins cat 1 enduro races on them occasionally ). He’s been trying a fully rigid MTB lately. I really enjoy my Honzo ESD (below in Bellingham a few weeks ago) if we aren’t hucking to flat too much, but no suspension at all?! Sheesh!
View attachment 651157
That trail is very fun when wet. Lots of roots

A few pics from my Bellingham ride on a SS hardtail. Afterwards I had to go into town to visit the "safe space" at Western so I could cry tears of joy without feeling bullied.

I don't normally stop to take pics but this trail sign was worth the stop

The view on the way back down was worth a stop to take a look.

 

[Woodrow]

A few pics from my Bellingham ride on a SS hardtail. Afterwards I had to go into town to visit the "safe space" at Western so I could cry tears of joy without feeling bullied.

I don't normally stop to take pics but this trail sign was worth the stop
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The view on the way back down was worth a stop to take a look.
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Is that the north side of Galbraith? SST or Air Chair maybe?

 

[Woodrow]

@Woodrow and @JMT if you really wanna learn to ride, get yourself a rigid single speed! You’ve got no choice then but to pick the best lines.

I built one a few years ago. It’s a fun change of pace. Very simple, and very quiet. No chain slapping. No suspension setting to worry about…only control you have is tire pressure. It takes about 1/2 a second to realize how spoiled you’ve become with your cushy 140mm trail bike and you hyper focus on line.

The other thing you’ll notice is that you will go WAY faster XC. The bikes are super light without the extra stuff (mine weighs in the neighborhood of 20 lbs) . And…uphill, you gotta pedal! Stand up or sit down, that bike ain’t getting to the top unless you pedal. You’ll typically go MUCH faster than all the geared bikes up hill.

When you get back on the Cush bike, all that line selection stuff stays with you, so it will typically make you faster there as well.

A few pics from my Bellingham ride on a SS hardtail. Afterwards I had to go into town to visit the "safe space" at Western so I could cry tears of joy without feeling bullied.

I don't normally stop to take pics but this trail sign was worth the stop
View attachment 651211

The view on the way back down was worth a stop to take a look.
View attachment 651212

100%, Mike. Ok, maybe 90%. I need a suspension fork. I have a single speed hardtail (no dropper) I built about 14 years ago specifically for XC. Interestingly, the old MTB geometry is very similar to a modern cyclocross bike. It has a carbon bar but is otherwise all metal and weighs 21#. All your points are correct. Simple, quiet, demanding of good technique, line choice and fitness. Love that thing and plan to ride it forever. Here it is with one of my favorite riding buddies on the trail it was built for.

 

[gasiorv]

Is that the north side of Galbraith? SST or Air Chair maybe?

I think it was Golden Spike in the clearing section but it may have been SST. I think I rode a combo of those trails back down. It was a fun day but there was so many trails that it was hard to find a good route to link them all together. I remember having a lot of fun on a few trails and not so much fun on others. There was a great mix of old school hand cut and flow, with some cool offshoot features thrown in all over the place.

 

[Woodrow]

I think it was Golden Spike in the clearing section but it may have been SST. I think I rode a combo of those trails back down. It was a fun day but there was so many trails that it was hard to find a good route to link them all together. I remember having a lot of fun on a few trails and not so much fun on others. There was a great mix of old school hand cut and flow, with some cool offshoot features thrown in all over the place.

Its a maze. If you run SST all the the way down, its pretty entertaining. There's a fun rock roll near the top. In general, the north side is my favorite although the south side has a few good ones like U-line, Irish Death and Radical Dragon.

 

[Lou]

Here’s another one I’m working on.

 

[JMT]

Here’s another one I’m working on.

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That’s my plan. Following your lead. Looks so clean. Nice angle. Helps me see and get some ideas. I’m moving the PCM today. Then I can focus on the battery box and clear out more room. Love the chair leg pad to protect from the hood!

 

[JMT]

Got very little done today. Mostly just looking at things and thinking about them. PCM is mounted higher and closer to the firewall. Missing in this pic. Forgot to take one, but I used nutserts

ARB Compressor mounted. Fits in the space perfect. Glad I put it here. Now to focus on the working. It’s a mess. I look at it and my brain scrambles. Going to watch BFH video and read the install manual and then get to plotting next moves.

Halfway done!!! in honor of @jjvw.