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Spencer Astra
เข้าร่วมเมื่อ 20 ก.ย. 2023
EP13 // 20+ YEARS OF MOUNTAIN BIKING IN 39 MINUTES
Long one today. I'm taking you on one of my favorite in town XC back country(ish) rides. I talk about the most important things I've learned riding my mountain bike for the past 20+ years.
This is basically a podcast...
00:00 Intro
1:47 Slow Rear Rebound for Scary Jumps
3:00 Be aware of Group Think
5:37 You're advocating for the sport in all of your interactions
6:58 Overcome burnout/poor weather days by fixing trails
8:40 Experiment with going a gear HARDER on tough climbs
9:34 Oversell the exertion and danger to less experienced riders
10:42 Don't just Huck and Pray
14:25 Define your personal goals so you don't get distracted by other riders
17:17 Thinking of your Brakes as a Speed Vs. Grip Lever
22:20 Rolling off the front Brake into corners
28:36 If you think somethings wrong with your bike...there probably is
29:43 It's all in the hips
32:42 Outside foot down in tough corners
34:54 Load the suspension for grip
35:57 Find Doubles in the trail
This is basically a podcast...
00:00 Intro
1:47 Slow Rear Rebound for Scary Jumps
3:00 Be aware of Group Think
5:37 You're advocating for the sport in all of your interactions
6:58 Overcome burnout/poor weather days by fixing trails
8:40 Experiment with going a gear HARDER on tough climbs
9:34 Oversell the exertion and danger to less experienced riders
10:42 Don't just Huck and Pray
14:25 Define your personal goals so you don't get distracted by other riders
17:17 Thinking of your Brakes as a Speed Vs. Grip Lever
22:20 Rolling off the front Brake into corners
28:36 If you think somethings wrong with your bike...there probably is
29:43 It's all in the hips
32:42 Outside foot down in tough corners
34:54 Load the suspension for grip
35:57 Find Doubles in the trail
มุมมอง: 481
วีดีโอ
EP12 // TIGER MOUNTAIN 🤤
มุมมอง 78421 วันที่ผ่านมา
I made it down to Tiger Mountain in the Issaquah area. One of my favorites! Recorded on the Karma Chest Gimbal w/Hero 7
EP11 // 🤔 SRAM CODE STEALTH ULTIMATES 👈🏻
มุมมอง 1.2K28 วันที่ผ่านมา
I received a second review bike with some Sram Code Ultimates. They were so impressive compared to the last generation that I figured I'd discuss my thoughts. It's a brief, but hopefully helpful review. 🔥 Has anyone else tried these? Recorded on GoPro Hero 12 w/Chin mount
EP 5 // EVIL LOOPHOLES WHEELSET REVIEW
มุมมอง 5897 หลายเดือนก่อน
EP 5 // EVIL LOOPHOLES WHEELSET REVIEW
EP 1 // LONG-TERM PIVOT FIREBIRD REVIEW
มุมมอง 3.3K8 หลายเดือนก่อน
EP 1 // LONG-TERM PIVOT FIREBIRD REVIEW
how can you speak so calm but shred so hard? its kinda magical
Great vid 👍
Question?Where is this?
"hips [....] are a good enough proxy" ❤ Such an engineer's quote! :) Absolutely a great video! Working on catching up with the other "episodes"... Two things come to mind: 1) why so underrated?; and 2) where's "episode" 9? :) I'm really up there with you with the riding to ride more, for fitness, yet challenging yourself without distrusting your gut/avoid social pressure. Learned the hard way, yet, two of the most worthwhile lessons! Keep posting! :D
Want to add: loved the format, it's actually differentiating. One thing to add to the weight shifting/control advice: what's been game changing to me is shifting that weight forward when cornering, despite everything in me wanting to lean back. Keep that COG centered!
My Dude what a climb that was. That's what I call earning your decent. That mountain looks so awesome. Love your advice no lies. I've been riding for awhile now and it is always nice to hear other riders'experiences. Ride on my dude. 🤘🏻
Being a 20 year rider that wrecked plenty of times, i agree with all of your wise words of advise. Hope you continue making vids here and with freehub. Great work!
How did I only just find this channel now! Your bike reviews on free hub magazine are awesome!
What’s your GoPro settings? Great ride!
Pro tune, flat color, low sharpness, 24 fps, high bitrate h.265 compression. I'll try to do a video when I hit 1000 subs
You're so relatable, aloso your videos are amazing!
Hey Spencer, I liked the video. I relate on the mindset stuff. Just turned 39 and one of my goals has become maximizing time on the trails because I just see that it is finite and I don't want to sit out injured because I didn't listen to my gut about a feature or whatever. Good riding as always.
The older I get the more that’s my goal 🙌🏼
Great footage, amazing advice!
I've been interested in getting out on the ridge trail for a while. Looks like a solid little XC adventure.
It is! Great option when you don’t know what else to ride.
How do you think these would go on a short travel aggressive trail bike (5010 v5 MX)? Still got some good zip to them for the climbs?
They discontinued them…they are a tad on the heavy side
@@SpencerAstraPOV I’d be looking at the Forge and Bond ones, but notes on the weight.
@@jonthesailorman I do think these would be killer on a smaller bike since they seem to take so much energy out of bumpy trails
Agreed. I also put a heavy emphasis on touch points. It takes time and experimentation to get dialed in there, but worth it if you’re sensitive to ergonomics. Oh, do you have a Schwalbe recommendation that would be equivalent to a Spech Butcher T9/Eliminator T7 combo?
I’m about to order a purple magic Mary for the front and an orange tacky Chan for the rear
@@SpencerAstraPOV sweet. Bet that’d be a great combo
hey Spencer! Im looking at a merida 160 and it has very similar geo to the firebird, I was just wondering if you have ridden one before and if it was a similar-ish bike?
I haven't ridden one, sorry!
@@SpencerAstraPOV all good 😄
Spencer! Hydra hubs have a designed flex in the axle to help engage more pawls when you pedal. If you start to wear out the hub bearings this can lead to more flex and possibly snapping your axle and could be why you are getting creaking. I would recommend popping the freehub body off and inspecting all the bearings. I9 now has a new axle that comes with a washer to help with wearing out the drive side of the axle. If you let me know the exact specs of your hub I can get you a part# for a bearing kit and a new axle
Hey Spencer! Love your videos. We've got a small discord group of PNW mtb TH-camrs if you're interested I can shoot you a link. Cheers!
Sure, please do!
@@SpencerAstraPOV I just sent you a link via instagram 🤙
@@SpencerAstraPOV I sent you a link on instagram messages. Cheers!
My message is prob in your requests along with people asking you to become affiliates selling their jewelry and nic nacs lol
What rotors are you using? Just got my A4s and am using SRAM HS2s. Good so far. Great review!!
These were the OEM Hayes rotors
Literally the only review out there that’s not just some fluff piece on these brakes. Thank you man
Is there that much of a difference between Code RSC and Code Stealth? I swapped my XTs to Code Silver Stealth, and think they’re incredible compared to XT. I dont understand the SRAM hate after using the Stealths. I was thinking about trading the XT with some Codes (probably just Code R or RS if lucky) to put on another bike replacing M6100s, to keep maintenance the same. I was thinking they’d still be good after using the Stealths
I think there is a pretty significant difference between the old Codes and new, yes.
What trail was this?
wow, you sound a lot like the guy from FreeHub Magazine
Those trails look like a blast! What's your favorite all around tire combo on the Firebird? Thanks for the videos!
Purple rubber compound Magic Mary’s were really good. I’m also loving the simple Specialized Butcher/Eliminator right now.
Have them on both my bikes. Huge power with little effort. MTX pads work well for mad power!
Whats your handlebar height and width?
35mm rise and 800mm width
Gopro7 is the best camera they ever made imo
Nice
😏
Sweet riding!!
Hey, what gimbal are you using?
The GoPro karma gimbal
I get what you’re talking about
We need an updated bike check please! No lights on that bad boy. Curious about your ape index and stem length in particular!
I’ve never seen or heard of anyone consistently clearing those doubles on predator… I for sure haven’t been able to. I can get the first if I really focus up but the second is a hard no lol
The hub sound could be a damaged drivering..
Is it me, or did you film in a different size? I don't like this size.
This was the classic format with the chest gimbal. I’ve been running a chin mount the past few videos. What are you seeing that you don’t like as much?
@@SpencerAstraPOVI think he's referring to the squarish aspect ratio! The chesty mount that we see in the Freehub reviews is classic and real good and dynamic.
@@AORNova Thanks for the input!
Where would you draw the line between code ultimates and the mavens
I haven’t tried the Mavens yet!
I'm 100% on board with you nursing the injury so that it doesn't take a lot more time to have to heal again. What's funny is you're still riding pretty rambunctious tracks but probably not pushing as hard as you would normally
I know that feeling so badly
are you the guy from FREEHUB magazine? LOL
Yep!
Don't know, wouldn't do it. Have fun. Be safe. Sheesh!
Ooooooook. I’ll order a set with MTX pads for my next trail bike. Still going Maven on next long travel/Enduro.
I really search a long time for a Video with the sram code ult. stealth. Thank you so much for your experiences. It's good to hear that these breaks are crisp. Kind regards from Germany 🤘
I love watching you ride. That’s the kinda skill and style I aspire to. Brakes…. Check out Cascade’s North Forks caliper. They are absolutely outstanding. Prefer them to my Hayes T4. Secondly, if you are buying a bike today for your typical ride, Hightower or Firebird or something else? I can’t discount how highly you praised the Hightower but see you riding the Flamingchicken… I can’t afford more than 1.
Thanks buddy! You're running that caliper with the last gen Code RSC brakes? Both bikes are phenomenal. I think the Hightower is a stellar bike if you want more stable geometry. The Firebird has a bit more personality and feels more short and whiny. I'd love a Hightower. That bike is so well done. Both bikes are an amazing choice.
@@SpencerAstraPOV Yes Sir, last gen Code RSC levers with all black Ti bolts from Better Bolts, North Fork calipers, HS2 rotors and Red MTX pads…and for the feel, Maxima DOT 4 Race fluid. It’s IMO a better feel than all the the 5.1s and a higher boiling point than most Prefer that to my Dominion T4 on HS2 with MTX red pads and Hayes fluid. This setup is a lot cheaper though. TY on the bike advice. Much appreciated. Will probably go Hightower since they are on sale and try the Code Stealth Ultimates and wait for next gen Firebird, do the Mavens there.
@@SpencerAstraPOV Thought I should add, above brakes are on Stumpjumper Evo Alloy, I bought the identical model you reviewed based on your review and ended up customizing the entire thing frame up. Side note, I then bought a T429 Enduro based on your review and customized the entire thing again. Currently switching Ohlins out. Now looking between Firebird/Hightower based on your reviews as well. Bad deal for my wallet.
@@justinfournier1285 someone’s gotta keep the bike industry alive! Good work! 🔥
@@SpencerAstraPOV True. I’m thinking Firebird complements the SJ Evo and T429 more than a Hightower so I’ll probably buy one shortly, though I can’t help but think I should wait for the next gen probably next year along with all the new parts that will be released along the way like the MY2025 Fox stuff and new Rockshox due in June. Keep the reviews and videos coming!
Bro that shits sick keep it up man love you
Pasue
Never tried a 28, usually on a 30. I’ll give the 28 a go though……
I love going to the forest after rain. Where abouts you at?
Altitude >/= Firebird?
Better for plowing, I'll keep my bird for being an all arounder!
@@SpencerAstraPOV Gotcha! So I went and sat on a M Firebird at 5’ 11.5” as that’s my size according to Pivot’s size chart, it felt small. Went home and sat on my S4 Stumpy Evo and damned if the FB isn’t smaller, geo charts confirm. It’s only about 23mm bigger than my T429! Going to look at a Hightower V3 tonight. Ain’t no way the M firebird is too big for PNW tight techy trails though. Hmmmmm. Hightower V3 in L or Firebird in M…..
THATS FUN still going with shimano 😂
Hell yeah brother 🤜🏼
@@SpencerAstraPOV 🤛
Where in the pnw is this?
In Whatcom County
@@SpencerAstraPOV ah cool cool, I’ve been to Bellingham a couple times
My bike came with a 34, when that wore out I put on a 32 oval and now Iam at 36 oval. I always start my rides from home, so having the large ring is nice for the road.