Ozark Trail Gravel bike - 300 mile update - would I recommend?

[@EXOcontralto]

Nice to see you still exploring!!!

[@dingoboexplore]

@@EXOcontralto I'm happy to still see you're uploading dude!! Definitely been getting the itch to do a little bit of audio stuff but man has this stuff come a long way in the last 14 years.....hope all is good with you homie!

[@helidude3502]

Flip the stem to raise the bars. Experiment with the rotation up or down with the bars. First 6 miles were horrible for me. When I flipped the stem and tweaked the hoods up a little, it turned into a bike that I love riding. I swapped to an aluminum seat post that only requires an Allen wrench, and mounted a Shwinn Commute seat from Target. It’s a bit squishier than the Commute from Walmart. Other than that, mine is stock. It was also dialed in really good with brakes and shifting off the rack. Got lucky with that I guess. I might try a shorter stem, but I’m not planning to change anything else unless it wears out or breaks. I purchased mine with the intention of adding flat bars, but once I found the happy position, decided they will stay. I really like mine and would recommend it with the caveat that it gets a good going over before the first ride, just like any box store bike.

[@dingoboexplore]

@@helidude3502 flipping the stem is a phenomenal idea!!! Running outside to do that this very second

[@abovereality_]

I picked up a Roscoe last week and its been incredible. Ive been on a gravel bike for awhile and the trail ride is night and day

[@dingoboexplore]

@@abovereality_ ughhh soo jealous! I went Roscoe 7 to the specialized Stumpjumper, then to this. The whole time. I've missed the Roscoe. Hands down my favorite bike ever.

[@abovereality_]

@@dingoboexplore well thats good to know because i have the 7. Only thing ive needed was studded pedals and a chain guide (had chain pop off on me yesterday lol)

[@dingoboexplore]

@@abovereality_ they're tanks. I beat the dog crap out of mine and it took everything. I've got older videos on here of it. Welcome to another expensive hobby

[@abovereality_]

@@dingoboexplore ill check them out now, and ya down another rabbit hole i go. If youre up for it, we ride Creekside a few times a week

[@dingoboexplore]

@@abovereality_ depends the time since I'm an hour away & on a wonky schedule

[@Brad-cb2dt]

If you’re wrists are bothering you, you might have too much weight on your hands. Setting your saddle back a bit will shift that weight off you hands to you pelvis. If that doesn’t work, you might tilting you saddle back or maybe try a different saddle altogether. Saddles with lots of cushion can sometimes shift your weight forward, causing hand numbness, as well as wrist and shoulder pain. Bike fitting can be a bit tedious with drop bars.

[@dingoboexplore]

@@Brad-cb2dt you're a godsend. Seriously thank you. I am going to try all of those. It's mainly in the inside wrist above my thumb. If that pinpoints anything? I'm going to make all of these adjustments

[@Brad-cb2dt]

@@dingoboexplore yeah, no prob! Discomfort on the bike can be so frustrating. If you’re still having issues dialing it in, check out the videos from Road Cycling Academy. Nothing quite like a professional bike fitter explaining anatomy and the proper adjustments to look at.

[@Brad-cb2dt]

@@dingoboexplore yeah, definitely check out the Cam Nicholls video on Numb Hands. Same guy from that other channel on there. Very good explanation of the cause of weight on the hands. 1. Saddle height and set back 2. position of your feet on the pedals 3. Handlebar reach and rise… and 4. On rare occasions, the position of the hoods.

[@genernator]

LOL! You lost me at "First thing you do is leave the bike outside for a month to see where the problem areas are" Do you do that with steel to "pre-rust" it? No offense intended - just a little rib.

[@dingoboexplore]

@@genernator considering I'm not riding a piece of steel to determine where the cheap hardware is. No, I do not do it with steel. I've done it this way for the last 20 years, it's never failed me. Replace the cheap hardware and the bike is golden. I'm aware it would be a a downvote for somebody if they were trying to purchase the bike from me, but I don't see myself selling it to be honest. Especially at the entry cost you know? This also gives me a reason to change out stuff and make it more personal LOL

[@You-sw7tm]

What bike seat did you buy?

[@dingoboexplore]

@@You-sw7tm bontrager commuter paired with a Walmart seat cushion. It's the lazy boy of combos