Topic: New Member

[4x4TampaTaco]

 Hi guys, just joined Swamp. Looking forward to some good riding.  I've been riding the Bruce B Downs enterance loop and trails off it for the past year when I get time.  I see everyone is riding the Morris bridge entranace trails, which I haven't done yet.  But since I'm a noob, some Q's for ya guys before I get back out.

- Helmets. I have a cheesy $10 wal-mart helmet, just because. Where and what kind of helmet is decent? Not looking to break the bank. I was used to wearing a full blown MotoX helmet whe I BMX'd years ago.

- Pickup truck bike rack. Really need some tips in this dept. Have a Tacoma and need to carry 2 MTB's. Don't like the hitch receiver rack. I've seen some folks make them out of PVC, kind of like that idea along with strapping them in.

[Garry]

Hi guys, just joined Swamp. Looking forward to some good riding.  I've been riding the Bruce B Downs enterance loop and trails off it for the past year when I get time.  I see everyone is riding the Morris bridge entranace trails, which I haven't done yet.  But since I'm a noob, some Q's for ya guys before I get back out.

- Helmets. I have a cheesy $10 wal-mart helmet, just because. Where and what kind of helmet is decent? Not looking to break the bank. I was used to wearing a full blown MotoX helmet whe I BMX'd years ago.

- Pickup truck bike rack. Really need some tips in this dept. Have a Tacoma and need to carry 2 MTB's. Don't like the hitch receiver rack. I've seen some folks make them out of PVC, kind of like that idea along with strapping them in.

Welcome. 
For a variety and choice in look and design (all helmets must pass safety standards) Bell probably gives more price range and style choices.  Giro probably comes in close second for assortment in style and price.  More holes = higher price, but cooler both in looks and to wear.  But truth be told ANYTHING is cooler than brain damage from a crash or collision with low hanging limb or tree. Start around $40/$50 for a good helmet. You can easily find "cool looking" ones for $100/$150 that also have different strapping features, pads, etc.

You can pick up a couple of tie down ratchet straps from Home Depot or your local hardware store and put one hook (each) in the tie down loops of the truck bed, and wrap the other ends around the handlebar and ratchet tight so they stand up in the truck bed.  Probably the cheapest/easiest way to go.  Might want to secure the rear wheel too in case of emergency stop or fast swerve so your bike doesn't get tossed around.

[Тгірlе Т]

Garry gives sound advice for your helmet choices.  As far as racks are concerned, you can also choose something like this:

On a side note, I'm surprised this thread hasn't been hijacked yet. 

[KRUNNCHERO]

Garry gives sound advice for your helmet choices.  As far as racks are concerned, you can also choose something like this:

On a side note, I'm surprised this thread hasn't been hijacked yet. 

 
Who said Tacos?

[Garry]

Garry gives sound advice for your helmet choices.  As far as racks are concerned, you can also choose something like this:

On a side note, I'm surprised this thread hasn't been hijacked yet. 

That is a great simple rack for the bed of the truck.  Be sure to measure for wheel base of the bike in the bed of the truck.

[catman]

I wear a Giro Hex cause it has large air scoops on top and as you know it is hot as hell here in Fl. Cost me like $89.99 and was well worth it.Was a little cheaper since I  used my Swamp discount. Saved me once already from brain damage........I think, wait a second what were we talkng about? I think it is a mid level helmet.
 
I bought Yakima Blockheads with locking skewers and have attached them to the uni-track system in the bed of my truck (like $45 each) so that way I didn't have to drill any holes. Removing the wheel is kind of a pain but it may have the nice side affect of discouraging thief if you keep the front wheel inside the truck.Not sure, but I think you may cause problems by ratchet strapping your bike down and thus keeping the fork compressed for long periods of time. This is a no no for dirtbike forks.

[catman]

Garry gives sound advice for your helmet choices.  As far as racks are concerned, you can also choose something like this:

On a side note, I'm surprised this thread hasn't been hijacked yet. 

That is a great simple rack for the bed of the truck.  Be sure to measure for wheel base of the bike in the bed of the truck.

 
I have a four door Frontier and this set up wouldn't work for me. I have to leave the tailgate down even with front wheel removed and fork mounted just behind the cab.

[Тгірlе Т]

Who said Tacos?

You did

[bugman]

I drive a '99 Tacoma with a cap on the bed. I bought 2 fork mounts ( $9.98 ea on price point)and mounted them to a 2X6 that runs the width of the bed. stagger the mounts so the handle bars clear. I can get 2 MTB's in no problem.
 
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/14572-255_SETHC6-2-Accessories-38-Racks/Storage/Sette-Hitch-It-Bike-Mount.htm

[4x4TampaTaco]

Thanks for the help guys.  This weekend I'm busy so I won't be able to make it to croom.  When should I come out for the first time? just show up for the ride?  I'm going to straighten out the helmet and bike rack issues this weekend hopefully so I'm ready to go. 


  Oh, one other thing guys... might be a stupid question, but when I BMX'd I had a full blown uniform, so I don't know really what to wear when going out on a MTB. I have the stock Aluminum Platform pedals that came on my Giant. Without going to buy spandex and a uniform, what should I wear? As for shoes I'm thinking a pair of tennis shoes?

[Тгірlе Т]

what should I wear?

Something like this. 

[ProEdgeBiker]

- Pickup truck bike rack. Really need some tips in this dept. Have a Tacoma and need to carry 2 MTB's. Don't like the hitch receiver rack. I've seen some folks make them out of PVC, kind of like that idea along with strapping them in.

Buy yourself 2 Fork Mounts, get a 2x4 and cut it so it fits snug on the slots in the bed of your truck then bolt the fork mounts on with a slight angle so the handlebars dont hit each other.

[KRUNNCHERO]

what should I wear?

Something like this. 

 
Suck that stomach in and thrust that manly chest out!

[4x4TampaTaco]

Dude... I'm not sure I can do the spandex pants.  Option B for an outfit?

[catman]

You can bolt two mounts on top of the 2x4 towards the ends and then screw a center one on the side of the 2x4 so that it sits back a few inches and that way the handlebars won't be an issue.
 
Oh course, don't leave the bikes hooked to this contraption and dash into Wal-Mart without at least having a cable lock run through one of the tie downs.

[catman]

Baggy shorts with built in chamios liner (butt padding). You can pick up some Fox Mid-Rangers for $40 online if you catch a good sale or MSRP is $64.99. I think Fox makes one more entry level short and then a few more expensive models. You can find closeout Fox Base jerseys for $19.99 on sale or they are $40
 
Or just grab a few Wal-Mart sport jerseys that are vented.
 
Get some skateboarding type shoes with flat soles. Vans work great and sometimes Ross has them super cheap.

[4x4TampaTaco]

10-4 guys. thanks for the help.

[SandPine]

Did someone say.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8sZ1DWsAHE

TACO NAZO 4'Life!

[ProEdgeBiker]

Baggy shorts with built in chamios liner (butt padding). You can pick up some Fox Mid-Rangers for $40 online if you catch a good sale or MSRP is $64.99. I think Fox makes one more entry level short and then a few more expensive models. You can find closeout Fox Base jerseys for $19.99 on sale or they are $40
 
Or just grab a few Wal-Mart sport jerseys that are vented.
 
Get some skateboarding type shoes with flat soles. Vans work great and sometimes Ross has them super cheap.

TJ Max & Marshalls have $10 Nike Dry Fit jerseys L or S sleeve also..

[4x4TampaTaco]

That is good to know....

[mm]

You can bolt two mounts on top of the 2x4 towards the ends and then screw a center one on the side of the 2x4 so that it sits back a few inches and that way the handlebars won't be an issue.
 
Oh course, don't leave the bikes hooked to this contraption and dash into Wal-Mart without at least having a cable lock run through one of the tie downs.

hey take that sock out

[Stumpjumper]

Garry gives sound advice for your helmet choices.  As far as racks are concerned, you can also choose something like this:

On a side note, I'm surprised this thread hasn't been hijacked yet. 

 
I have 2 of these racks in my truck.  I mounted them to a piece of steel in the front of the bed and leave the tailgate down.  I didn't want to take the front wheel of the bike to transport it.  Heard plenty of horror stories about leaving the front wheel at home or in the parking lot.

[4x4TampaTaco]

dude, you just gave me a great idea....   

[steve]

Dude... I'm not sure I can do the spandex pants.  Option B for an outfit?

Yeah that picture is kind of scary

[Darrinw2001]

you can buy the padded liners to wear under regular shorts or buy baggy bike shorts. Bikenashbar usually has them cheap.