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WTB newer 27.5" Size Small - Full Suspension
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Author:  J.A.M. [ Mon Jul 08, 2019 9:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: WTB newer 27.5" Size Small - Full Suspension

Sweet bike. How about a status update? First rides go well?

Author:  avidtest [ Mon Jul 08, 2019 10:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: WTB newer 27.5" Size Small - Full Suspension

You bet; here's the update:

So after cleaning 'er up (the bike that is) and slapping it together, I took it to Fluid Focus for a little deferred maintenance and to dial it in. Still needs a little work on the fork, but nothing too major and my wife's skills will never notice the difference, so that will be postponed. Bike cleaned up nicely and seems to be money well spent.

She likes it! I really did not know if she would or not. However, after taking her out for the easiest ride imaginable (flat coastal road and sidewalk ride), it became apparent that she did not grow up with a bike as a kid. I'd just assumed all people had bikes when they were kids. Nope. So the learning curve is going to be extremely steep. My hope is to just get her skills and confidence up enough to ride Hodges one day. It's a whole lot of bike for Hodges, but what the heck; the extra capability should only help confidence. Right now though, as she is figuring out hand brakes (first time ever not using a coaster brake), remote seat post, and shifting (thankfully a single ring up front), it's akin to rubbing your belly and patting your head at the same time. It's going to be a while before any muscle memory starts to kick in.

I'd forgotten about all the gear that would be required, so once it was clear that the bike was going to be permanently adopted, all the peripherals were purchased and have been arriving in drips and drabs.

I can tell she's stoked because she's listening to my suggestions. :lol: In fact, when I was explaining some cornering skills, I pulled out my auto-racing instruction book, turned to the section on cornering and said, "if you read this, even though it's geared for cars, it will help". She said "Oh cool. I'll read that tomorrow!".

All in all, I think it will be worth it. :bang:

Author:  OldDogDan [ Mon Jul 08, 2019 12:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: WTB newer 27.5" Size Small - Full Suspension

People learn best in different ways — if she likes reading, I recommend the book Mastering Mountain Bike Skills by Brian Lopes & Lee (Likes Bikes) MacCormack.

There are tons of video series, often with conflicting advice. Nowadays I see women’s bike clinics offered locally pretty often. She might enjoy that.

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