Moab questions

[bagtagley]

My hardtail was my favorite bike I've owned. Fast, flickable and so fun to jump/drop/etc...funner than the Bullit. Having said that, I wouldn't go anywhere near Porc. with an HT. Yes, it can easily be done and Yes it'd be loads of fun, but Moab beats the shit out of you, even on a big bike. Lots of rock fins, stutter bumps and baby heads.

I also have nothing against going up, but you can do that on an FS just fine.

[Krash]

Avoid Porcupine on a hardtail. In fact, I'm not sure what you'd want to ride in Moab on a hardtail... Maybe Sovereign...but I haven't hit that one yet. Slickrock should be OK on a hardtail.

Nothing better than the "Rim" I did porcupine on a '94 Klein Attitude with a Rock Shox Judy XC (63mm travel) converted to a S.S. One word "Awesome" it is fun no matter what bike you have. But that said, don't like downhill? skip the rim.

[yentna]

You'd do just fine on Porcupine on a HT - like Ski Monkey said, I did it at least 3 times on my Marin Hawk Hill, a HT with shitty front suspension, grin. Granted, I do love my big squish bike and don't want to go back, but saying that, I loved Porc back in the day as much as I do now.

It definately makes you a better rider though - and not only does it do so, it does it FAST. Halfway through your first run on Porc you'll notice heaps of improvement in your riding, just to save your joints! Good luck, and don't listen to those steering you away from a HT. Just go ride it and you'll be glad you didn't miss it.

[Freebird]

You guys crack me up. Some things never change, (HT vs FS arguments)... sorta like Tele vs Rando. Anyway, I'll be sure to check out those trails and since they're short, won't be too bad if I find them too rough.

I know I definitely liked my hardtail as I rose over 2000 feet up livermore rd to Kancamagus Pass... Maybe there's not as much ups in Moab? I dunno... I don't like to go too fast on the downhills anyway, I usually keep it under 25.

Anyway, I'll be sure to check out those trails, and report back complete with pics and opinions! Then we'll all know what sort of rider I am. Thanks again for all your input!

[dawgprimo]

Hardtail will be fine in Moab but as those before me have said a full-suspension bike would be even better.
I was very happy I had a full suspension bike.

If I could add some additional info for ya, if you have plans on doing the Porcupine Trail. Might I suggest adding "The Upper Porcupine" (UPT) to the Porcupine trail or what they are calling the Lower Porcupine Trail (LPT).
Very nice addition to the LPT but it is a shuttle. I really enjoyed that Upper section and I didn't have to do any big climbs. ............Sorry to all those epic riders.

Have Fun.

[Particle]

Vegetarians suck! Vegans suck even worse!! Eat cow...

[Ski Monkey]

Vegetarians suck! Vegans suck even worse!! Eat cow...

Yes, and damn the man too.

[watersnowdirt]

mmmmmmmm.....Moab.......drool........

The first time I rode Porcupine Rim 5 years ago was on a hardtail and I had a blast. If you've ridden on FS and THEN go back to HT, sure it's miserable. But if you don't usually ride FS, you'll have nothing to compare it to you. You'll be happy and ignorant like I was.

Now that I ride it on a squishy bike, it's just easier and a little more fun.

Moab is the best. I love it there!

[Particle]

Moab season is just about here...drool...

...but I'll happily take the pow in the meantime

[jayfrizzo]

Bike riding is so last year.

That said, I'm gonna do UPS to Porcupine on Bluey this Spring.

[Arty50]

My VP-Free has started talking to me. It was quiet all winter, but everytime I walk in the door now it whispers, "Arty, don't forget about me. We will be having lots of fun together soon. You know that 8 footer on Amasa Back..."

[Ski Monkey]

Moab season is just about here...drool...

...but I'll happily take the pow in the meantime

Yeah baby. Tentatively starts April 7-9....

Sure did dig the pow yesterday though...still need more.

[Freebird]

Yeah baby. Tentatively starts April 7-9....

Sure did dig the pow yesterday though...still need more.

Shoot we always need more don't we? I demo'd some Kahua's today, and they were pretty damn sweet. I guess a Volkl rep will be around with tons of Volkls tomorrow, I'm totally stoaked. heh, demoing skis, I call it "shopping" while at work. Getting paid while I ski AND shop for skis...

[Particle]

Bike riding is so last year.

That said, I'm gonna do UPS to Porcupine on Bluey this Spring.

Oh snap! You're gonna get ownerized!!!!!

[Particle]

You know that 8 footer on Amasa Back..."

Yeah that thing has been talking to me for the past 4 years...I've seen so much blood spilled over that drop it's ridiculous (literally). It needs to go down. Soon.

[rideit]

You know that 8 footer on Amasa Back..."

Which one? The drop by the trees on riders right, or the step-up just after it?
(gratuitous dick wave...I hit the step up on an NRS!! felt rad at the time...a bunch of huckmonkeys were jostling eachother to hit it, and I came along, full spandex CC garb, nailed it, and kept riding. I felt like a retarded rockstar...)

[Ferniefreeheels]

Personally, and I know I will get flamed for this, most people use suspension as a crutch for skills. Mind you like eldo I rode Moab and North shore trails rigid so wdik. Again, personally, I like a 4x4 dual suspension for both Moab and Fruita - a RM Element in my case. I'm one of those guys who likes the fitness aspect of doing the entire Porc Rim loop without car shuttles so that's where Im coming from.

Lee I ride nothing but FS bikes now and not as a crutch for skills more like a crutch for my old back. I did my time riding single track on both a fully ridged Giant and hartails as well. Too many days on skis and bike trails have taken their toll.

The last 2 years I rode my old Stinky in Moab 5'' of travel. This year I'll be riding a Specialized Enduro Elite with 6" on both ends.

We're coming down the last week in April...If anyone would like to hook up for a ride that would be excellent!

[jayfrizzo]

Yeah that thing has been talking to me for the past 4 years...I've seen so much blood spilled over that drop it's ridiculous (literally). It needs to go down. Soon.

Dude, after you ownerized the Zeeride Freeride you should be able to do that thing in your sleep.

Not that I've seen it, but I've seen you shred.

[Arty50]

Which one? The drop by the trees on riders right, or the step-up just after it?
(gratuitous dick wave...I hit the step up on an NRS!! felt rad at the time...a bunch of huckmonkeys were jostling eachother to hit it, and I came along, full spandex CC garb, nailed it, and kept riding. I felt like a retarded rockstar...)

How do I explain this... When you're coming back down, there's a little bowl area with a ramp on the left hand wall and you end up making a 90 degree right or so to get out of it. Two years ago it was all air to get out, but this year the ramp was built up and rideable. Anyway, on the right hand side of the ramp there's an air next to a small tree if I recall. It was a bit too large for my 5-Spot; I only feel comfortable up to around 4-5 feet on that bike. My VP should take it.

[CS]

How do I explain this... When you're coming back down, there's a little bowl area with a ramp on the left hand wall and you end up making a 90 degree right or so to get out of it. Two years ago it was all air to get out, but this year the ramp was built up and rideable. Anyway, on the right hand side of the ramp there's an air next to a small tree if I recall. It was a bit too large for my 5-Spot; I only feel comfortable up to around 4-5 feet on that bike. My VP should take it.

You guys are talking about the same place. Last fall, the landing to the little rock drop was all washed out. Instead, to riders right of that and between some trees, is a little step down which gives you some speed to ride about a hundred feet to a pretty cool step-up.

Step down:




pedal, pedal, pedal, pedal, pedal.....

Step up:

[Particle]

I just haven't ridden Amassa in about 3-4 years...only reason I haven't gotten after that drop. It's that really rocky steep left-hand climbing turn all the jeeps have trouble with. Cut it rider's right and hit the drop. It's been so long for me though I don't remember any step up.

Jay I can't believe you made that your avatar...

[Arty50]

Last fall, the landing to the little rock drop was all washed out.

Yeah, I was bummed when I saw that last year. Two years ago the lz was perfection, but last year it was flat as hell. Who knows, a little rain and some trail use...

Step up, eh...stop giving me bad ideas...

[flowtron]

I just haven't ridden Amassa in about 3-4 years...only reason I haven't gotten after that drop. It's that really rocky steep left-hand climbing turn all the jeeps have trouble with. Cut it rider's right and hit the drop. It's been so long for me though I don't remember any step up.

Jay I can't believe you made that your avatar...

That'd be the one. We called that spot the Super 8. Before the drop by the tree existed we'd just session the variety of drop levels on the dh rders right of the main jeep route. 2 winters ago, the company that maintains the pipeline thats goes across to the Potash Plant did a bunch of trail sanitation/maintenance so they could get their trucks up there. The Super8 area was altered a bit, as was the Humbucker (techy area on the cliffside of Jackson's Hole) and some other spots. Fortunately, rain and riders and jeeps have done their part to rough it up a bit again. Even with those alterations, a good Amasa Back/Twin arches/Pothole arch/Rockstacker/AB ST/or out and back is hard to beat. Its definitely not just a boring out and back, so much variety to take advantage of.
h yeah, the step up is rather new.

[Arty50]

2 winters ago, the company that maintains the pipeline thats goes across to the Potash Plant did a bunch of trail sanitation/maintenance so they could get their trucks up there.

A local rider told me about that. He mentioned that it happens every so many years to the trail and that the weather and trail users would eventually fix it right up again. That made me happy in the pants.