Hunting Bike?

[sdonx]

I mountain biked when I was in my twenties. Thought I could just hop on my new toy and conquer the trails...not so much.
You would think it's "just like riding a bike"...lol
There's a definite mountain bike shape you need. Anyway I say this because I was a no helmet guy's guy. Flying thru the trails at the speeds I could get up to was crazy, hitting small trees, getting poked in the eyes...yikes
I now always were a helmet and goggles.

 

[Gator]

Now let's talk about components. The beginning was easy, components get complicated and they are hard to compare and start really jacking up the prices....I have bikes in my basement that range from $1k - $5k.
Nah for what you are talking about, any steel bike will work, no need for carbon bike with great components...

 

[Nutterbuster]

@EricS good points. I do plan on adding an electric kit at some point. Possibly, anyways. Seems like one more thing to go wrong and add weight, and you know how I feel about that...

Is there anything I need to know if an e-kit might be in my future? Can any decent (modular, made to work on and replace components) bike be converted to electric?

 

[EricS]

@EricS good points. I do plan on adding an electric kit at some point. Possibly, anyways. Seems like one more thing to go wrong and add weight, and you know how I feel about that...

Is there anything I need to know if an e-kit might be in my future? Can any decent (modular, made to work on and replace components) bike be converted to electric?

That changes a lot. Mid drive or hub drive?

 

[flinginairos]

@EricS good points. I do plan on adding an electric kit at some point. Possibly, anyways. Seems like one more thing to go wrong and add weight, and you know how I feel about that...

Is there anything I need to know if an e-kit might be in my future? Can any decent (modular, made to work on and replace components) bike be converted to electric?

If you plan on adding a motor at some point I’d stick with the bafang mid drive from Luna cycle. It’s very easy to install and you can put it on just about any bike. It doesn’t have to be a fat bike. I will say tho you want strong driveline components with that kit because it makes a lot of power. My e bike started as your basic fat bike with mid range components and I upgraded pretty much everything over the course of a couple months. It worked just fine without the motor. So you can start with just about anything really. It’s fun to mess with and required me to learn a lot of stuff I hadn’t messed with before. That bike is so much dang fun!


Tethrd-Ginger Ninja/Fire Crotch Fiddler

 

[EricS]

From my research the mid drives are pretty good. About the only downside is increased potential to break a chain. Then you are pushing back to the truck. I just wish our public land allowed them. They are only allowed on the roads I can drive on. Also on most of our public land it’s rare to be a mile off a road open to vehicle traffic. They will close some off from time to time.

 

[Nutterbuster]

That changes a lot. Mid drive or hub drive?

Consensus seems to be mid drive is preferred. So I guess that?

 

[flinginairos]

From my research the mid drives are pretty good. About the only downside is increased potential to break a chain. Then you are pushing back to the truck. I just wish our public land allowed them. They are only allowed on the roads I can drive on. Also on most of our public land it’s rare to be a mile off a road open to vehicle traffic. They will close some off from time to time.

I have an upgraded chain on mine built to handle the abuse. I also carry a few extra links and a chain tool just in case. I ain't pushing it anywhere. Haha. A tool kit is essential that's for sure.

 

[Lacky]

My personal opinion is you are young and in shape. There is no reason at all you need to electrify the the thing. Leave that for when your in your 50's and everything hurts.

Wear a helmet at least the first year. You will fall a few times having never done it. Bike helmets weight nothing.

 

[Andrew]

Interesting thread as I have been researching this recently. What’s everyone’s thoughts on front fork suspension? Is it necessary for a pedal power bike or E-bike?

 

[Gamover06]

I have an upgraded chain on mine built to handle the abuse. I also carry a few extra links and a chain tool just in case. I ain't pushing it anywhere. Haha. A tool kit is essential that's for sure.

I always have a tool kit and extra tubes. Got a flat once with out a tube and that will never happen again. To me its like knowing how to fix your bow or build arrows. If you have a general rule about how to fix things a weekend hunt wont be ruined because of a misshape. I have had 2 close calls on my road bike that a helmet for me is always a must. One misshape a 2 inch tree saved me from falling down a 80 foot rock hill into a stream.

Fat tire seems like it could be a little to much for most rides but if a rain comes and prevents you from going to a spot that a fat tire could have gotten you it would have been worth it. I always say plan for the worst hope for the best.

 

[Gamover06]

Interesting thread as I have been researching this recently. What’s everyone’s thoughts on front fork suspension? Is it necessary for an e-bike build?

More of a comfort thing then a necessity. Your upper body will get a better work out without one. Its like having a seat that has suspension, not needed but could make the ride nicer. When its rough I just stand up a little and roll with the terrain.

 

[KYHunter]

I don't know where everyone hunts but I know in Kentucky and Indiana public land you can't use bikes its foot traffic only which sucks cuz I bought a bike and later found out I can't use it on public land.

I’m in KY and don’t wanna argue but I’m not sure that’s 100% accurate, could you point me in the direction where you found that information?

 

[Nutterbuster]

My personal opinion is you are young and in shape. There is no reason at all you need to electrify the the thing. Leave that for when your in your 50's and everything hurts.

Wear a helmet at least the first year. You will fall a few times having never done it. Bike helmets weight nothing.

Yeah, I haven't really gone electric with my canoes or kayaks either. Combo of too expensive, too complicated, and too wussified for my tastes. But it seems like it shouldn't be a problem if I go that route down the road.

I'll get a helmet. I'm scatter-brained enough as is. Last thing I need is more busted neurons.

 

[flinginairos]

Interesting thread as I have been researching this recently. What’s everyone’s thoughts on front fork suspension? Is it necessary for a pedal power bike or E-bike?

In the terrain I ride, yeah pretty much. I bought an aftermarket air fork and it made a huge difference. The BIGGEST difference was getting a Suntour suspension seat post for it. Night and day difference in rough terrain. I think I paid $80 for it. Worth every penny. If I had to choose between the two I’d get the seat post suspension.


Tethrd-Ginger Ninja/Fire Crotch Fiddler

 

[flinginairos]

I always have a tool kit and extra tubes. Got a flat once with out a tube and that will never happen again. To me its like knowing how to fix your bow or build arrows. If you have a general rule about how to fix things a weekend hunt wont be ruined because of a misshape. I have had 2 close calls on my road bike that a helmet for me is always a must. One misshape a 2 inch tree saved me from falling down a 80 foot rock hill into a stream.

Fat tire seems like it could be a little to much for most rides but if a rain comes and prevents you from going to a spot that a fat tire could have gotten you it would have been worth it. I always say plan for the worst hope for the best.

Like this? Haha. Luckily I had a spare tube and all the tools! I was almost five miles from home.

Tethrd-Ginger Ninja/Fire Crotch Fiddler

 

[Lacky]

The front suspension is a good thing. The main reason mine doesn't have it is in case I decide to do a bike tour the mountain bike is also going to be my tour bike.

Rear suspension is more weight and inefficient peddling than the gain most will ever get out of it just riding back country roads.

 

[Andrew]

If you plan on adding a motor at some point I’d stick with the bafang mid drive from Luna cycle. It’s very easy to install and you can put it on just about any bike. It doesn’t have to be a fat bike. I will say tho you want strong driveline components with that kit because it makes a lot of power. My e bike started as your basic fat bike with mid range components and I upgraded pretty much everything over the course of a couple months. It worked just fine without the motor. So you can start with just about anything really. It’s fun to mess with and required me to learn a lot of stuff I hadn’t messed with before. That bike is so much dang fun!


Tethrd-Ginger Ninja/Fire Crotch Fiddler

@flinginairos What bike did you start with for your build?

 

[flinginairos]

@flinginairos What bike did you start with for your build?

Framed Minnesota 1.0

 

[Williiamtell]

I’m in KY and don’t wanna argue but I’m not sure that’s 100% accurate, could you point me in the direction where you found that information?

Western Kentucky