No dropper post.

And I didn’t pay that price.

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Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb

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you suck! As a crappy swimmer and fastish MTB guy, Xterra was torture owing to the herd ahead that I needed to get by on singletrack. If I decide to race some more, that would be the one thing that motivate me to learn to swim.

ps. Glad you're on an MTB and enjoying the riding and racing.

   That's a big plunge, but I doubt you guys will regret it. Great workout for the all the non-glory muscles; triceps, lower back, lats, and as someone said, add a little speed and your entire being is pulled into the moment...just you and the trail.

I don't plan on telling anyone that I just got an R8

Or go pet your support monkey.

I'm still rehabbing from 2 fractures to my right fibula from an August 24th MTB mishap. Can't wait to get back at it. Enjoy!

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Lifeguard: "Do you need help?" Me: "No, that's just my butterfly."

You cannot leave us hanging like that my friend! To have a crash that results in 2 fibula fractures......that has to be an awesome story. Besides, I'm sick of all the politics floating around in here right now. Let's hear it bro!

I’m using these pedals...



http://bike.shimano.com/.../pedals/pd-m540.html

Are these ok or am I missing out on something?

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Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb

AS a reformed triathlete, you should be just fine. There is a big movement back to flats, and I can see their use for extreme terrain, but for most riding, I am sticking with clipless.

Well, I have found that if I need to re-start on a steep hill (almost all the trails around here are steep) I have a hard time clipping in.

I was considering a flats/clipless hybrid like these...

http://bike.shimano.com/...pedals/pd-m8020.html

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Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb

Those are fine. The ability to restart on a hill and clip in is something that can be taught (there are some subtle things to be aware of) and practiced. Make sure the releases aren't too tight...I set mine super loose on the MTB for better release and easier entry.

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http://bikeblather.blogspot.com/

Platform doesn't really help much. At least not that size. I actually find platforms reduce my ability to catch and release effectively. Tom has it right- set the release tension lower. It's why I prefer Time ATACs (even though they have fallen out of favor) perfect release and clip tension. But the technique if you miss you clip is to put the cleat in front of the catch mechanism, so it kinda jams. Clipping gets easier as your cleats get broken in.

They’re old pedals from my fixie. They’re plenty broken in.

Just have to work on technique. I’m a total Barney with a sick bike.

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Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb

The pedals are old, did you keep the same cleats? It just takes practice. I crashed more times than I care to admit, all because of not unclipping in time. One times I tore my left cheek off when I landed on what I THOUGHT was a lovely pile of leaves... but it had a huge limestone rock hidden under it.

Same pedals, shoes and cleats I used with the fixie.

Unclipping isn’t the issue. It’s clipping back in and going when on a steep climb that’s a problem.

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Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb

TLDR

You purchased a Trek Top Fuel 9.8SL?

Yes.

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Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb

Sweet.
I am so torn on picking up a procaliber (hardtail) and a top fuel.

Have you weighed the bike?
Can you feel pedal induced bob?
Doe the rear suspension truly work when you are braking?

Sounds like we need to hold a training session :-)

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http://bikeblather.blogspot.com/

Well if you read the whole thread you’d know that I bought my wife the pro caliber :)

That bike has an interesting frame/seat tube interface that acts sort of like rear suspension. I was skeptical about it so I rode it, then road a carbon hardtail (same wheels) and compared. You can definitely tell the difference.


No but there’s a guy online who weighed his. Little searching you should be able to find it.

The wife’s bike definitely feels lighter. It’s a smaller frame size, but lacks the carbon wheels, bars and stem that mine has.

My son has an even smaller Marlin 5 aluminum bike and it’s a fucking tank in comparison so there’s that.


It has a suspension lockout level so when riding on roads or climbing I have it locked.


It seems to. I have nothing to compare it too being this is my first full suspension bike (and first mountain bike since 1988).

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Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb

Friend of mine is a much more experienced rider (I’m almost certain you’d know him) and we’re planning a ride or two next week. He’ll be helpful but there’s no substitute for experience.

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Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.
The issue I am having is I live in a place where I can't even see these bikes, never mind ride them. So the more information I can gather the better.

Well let me put it this way...

I can’t see my riding ever being limited in any way because I don’t have a good enough bike.

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Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb

Clip in on one side. Start pedaling. Use the middle of your shoe on the non-clipped in side until you get enough momentum to clip in.

Alternatively - don't stop in the first place....

I have these on my ''play'' bike and XTR on my Scalpel. I find the little platform helps a touch with foot stability, but I also think its a little tougher to clip in really fast with them.
Shimano makes the best pedals period. I have a pair in my parts bin that were on my single speed for many years, they are cosmetically destroyed but the bearings are smooth and they still work great.
As far as a dropper post.......you spent to coin on an awesome bike, now go and put one on and realize what a game changer they are in technical and steep terrain. It's money well spent, and the taller you are the more you'll appreciate it.