This Bike is a Game Changer

[@beerenmusli8220]

sick bike dude, anyone who shreds trails this gnarly on a full rigid is a real shredder in my world. we need people like you truely enjoying biking, not people enjoying the bikes only on the condition that they feature expensive technology

[@TimFitzwater]

Thanks! I get bored of all the latest and greatest vids - bikes are about fun!

[@oreocarlton3343]

Altbar rigid bikes are the trend of the century everyone needs a neutral but fun bike

[@TimFitzwater]

Finally a trend that makes sense!

[@rockeastwood]

Everyone is a “expert” on what bike is right & wrong. Who cares, right? Ride whatever you want to ride. I think you know yourself best. Certainly cool bars. Would love to try sometime. Rad information, as always. Thanks.

[@TimFitzwater]

Yup - just gotta make yourself happy. Being exposed to so many opinion is....interesting to say the least. There was a while where I didn't think I would want anything but drops - but I really do dig sweep bars now. Cheers!

[@trevgrooves]

I agree, if it has wheels and you can pedal it forward, it works.

[@levismith38]

Picked up an older Surly 1x1 and put my jones bars on it and that thing has been a blast to ride! I feel like I can ride anywhere in absolute comfort.

[@mickcook9277]

Tim, surly Ghost Grappler 2 years ago followed by a Krampus that I put a Jones loop bar on a year ago. Totally changed how and where I ride.

[@TimFitzwater]

Nice! I've got to try both of those bikes a little bit and they are great!

[@CloudsOnTheSun]

I had a Schwinn Sidewinder for years and LOVED it. Obviously this was over 40 years ago. Man! I miss that bike!

[@hoser7706]

The bike looks cool. Unique. Love that you like the bike because YOU like the bike. And it seems to have worked for you

[@TimFitzwater]

Thanks!

[@martinaxe6390]

All hail the all terrain bike. I have a 1987 Miyata Valley Runner that I take on just about every surface imaginable. Its setup is very similar to this, but with v brakes. Pavement, gravel, light singletrack; it does it all.

[@TimFitzwater]

Nice - sounds about perfect! I'm someone who doesn't mind rim brakes either.

[@robertgraves3215]

Being mostly roadie, my CL score this year is an Austro Daimler 58CM "Pathfinder" that was $100.00, a junk cleaner guy found it in a barn . It's so minty that the original Austrian Semperit gumwalls are still just fine. Amazing. The bike was probably ridden 12 times . I sank a few bucks into it, wider bars, barcons, lighter, shorter seatpost, screaming deal on a new Gel Selle Italia saddle. Fenders. The frame is Magnalloy , like peugeot's HLE. It's stable , I can ride no hands, and it's the best looking of my misfit midrange fleet. These AD-Puchs are somewhat rare here. CT is a freaking gold mine for bike scrounging. I always feel a tinge of guilt when I take in a new one that I fall in love with. I hear muffled crying and whimpering from the others, that are covered in blankets.

[@TimFitzwater]

Ha! Nice. I had a Puch AD for a while. It had a beautiful paint job and Shimano 600 - full group and wheels. I did the cables, tape and tires but just didn't need another downtube shifting vintage bike so I sold it to a friend for my cost. I paid 100 bucks for it too.

[@rogerhart612]

My fixie. I love hopping on it for a quick ride around town.

[@jackcarter233]

I love bikes. My game changer was in 2013 when I got my first 29er with disc brakes. Mind blown! So now I have a Dragon one, a Kona Unit, a Vassago Jabberwocky, and a Surly KM. All rigid single speeds, but each with a different purpose via tires, cockpit, geometry, and gearing. I love all bikes, but these are my personal favorites. Great vid!

[@TimFitzwater]

Heck yeah - sounds like a great collection! Thanks!

[@philipcaldwell3187]

Right bike for the task !!!

[@reeceholmes8546]

lovely bike, thanks Tim

[@markday1714]

great content, really well-miked. the commentary flowed like it had been scripted. thanks

[@TimFitzwater]

Thanks! Wireless mic under my bandana. I did make some notes for this one - but scripting doesn't work for me - makes me too stiff. Cheers!

[@jacksonhill1813]

Ditto. Very professional. well mixed, yet still as intimate as having a beer in a mate’s bike shed.

[@christophersmith7703]

I got a Surly Bridge Club and that was a total game changer for me. If I use public transit at some point on my trip, I'll use my single speed bike or my Surly Pack Rat, these bikes are easier to bring with me on the train or bus.

[@TimFitzwater]

Nice! My friend Brad bought one right before our trip to Michigan and he digs it too. I notice it is mostly what he rides now. We don't have good enough public transit for us to worry about it - I would definitely own something convenient for it if we did.

[@paullydca]

I've got a bridge club too. I adore it. It's my everything bike. I"m setup with 27.5 x 2.6 tires.

[@johndef5075]

I just rebuilt my 91 Raleigh Peak. My first real mtb. Fully rigid. Quite the contrast when I put it next to my Sworks Epic. Amazing how far we've come in 30+ years.

[@TimFitzwater]

There were a few people who mentioned the 26 inch wheel mountain bikes. I have a number of them - they are very different bikes! I love them - but the geometry of modern bikes is soooo much better. No, gravel bikes are not just 90s mountain bikes. Cheers!

[@trevgrooves]

I have a Surly Bridge club that fills the ATB role well for me. Love your bike, ride on, good sir!

[@TimFitzwater]

A number of people have mentioned the Bridge Club and one of my good friends bought one for our trips this year. Thanks!

[@jasonkotoch3868]

Love your videos. I built up a dump bike that used to be a blue Raleigh M60 (I think). Stripped it to the bare aluminum, added some Riv Tosco bars and now I have a trail bike and farm road grinder for my off (paved) road rides in Western Massachusetts.

[@TimFitzwater]

Rad - love it!

[@ArtSchierhoff-e2w]

My Trek 750 purchased at a local bike co op has been my go to bike. I upgraded to Gravel King tires, and now it's great for everything from rough city streets to light gravel and dirt.

[@TimFitzwater]

Nice! That was the first bike I ever bought with my own money. I had the purple to green fade one. Unfortunately it got stolen.

[@Mr2fiveone]

Awesome bike!! Thanks for sharing!

[@TimFitzwater]

Thanks you - cheers!

[@robbiedevine8518]

that bike is more mountain than the orig mountain bikes from 1990. totally fine for everything you showed. the only limiting factor is speed for rigid on rocks etc, but unless you are racing who cares. love that you just love riding. your setup reminds me of Path Less Pedaled. That guy and you should ride together

[@TimFitzwater]

100% Far more capable than any of my 26 inch wheel MTBs. Definitely not enough rocks on these trails to warrant suspension IMO. Russ from PLP lives in Spain now.

[@daniellarson3068]

Did I get a new bike? You bet - I got a 1994 hybrid steel bike with butterfly bars that I paid about $25 for. Your fine video reminds me that it is time to tear it down and clean it.

[@TimFitzwater]

Nice! My other new bike this year was a 1989 Stumpjumper that someone gave me! I built it up fairly original but with new Velo Orange riser bars.

[@SvenLokkenson]

I picked up a Surly LHT frameset last summer and built it up with drop bars and 700x50c gravel kings to ride easy mountain bike trails and gravel rail trails with my 9 year old son. It just wasn't comfortable after a while because I had to be in the drops most of the time to get enough braking power on the mountain bike downhill portions. I converted it an ATB this summer with Velo Orange tourist bars and it was like a totally different bike. All of a sudden that hole in my stable that I didn't realize I had was filled. So fun, upright, and cruisey....

[@TimFitzwater]

Awesome! I totally believe that knowing the difference the bars made for me. Cheers!

[@fuller312]

Hey just fyi Your channel is awesome, really inspiring when it comes to riding bikes, keep it up and never stop. A subscriber from cbus.

[@TimFitzwater]

Thanks so much!

[@furleyforever]

Going from full suspended monster enduros to full rigid ATB was it for me. A good time isn't always about the best line.

[@TimFitzwater]

Nice

[@ian_pedalz]

Sanitas cycles Titanium all road. It’s my rando bike, fits 40mm tires, rides like a dream, doesn’t have any proprietary nonsense, has a straight head tube, external bearings, t47 bottom bracket, super easy to service, ahhh and i got for a steaalllll

[@TimFitzwater]

Awesome - sounds rad. I definitely dig the simpler things.

[@jonathanbenn2241]

Been riding a Surly Ogre with Jones bars for nearly 10 years. It's a blast.

[@TimFitzwater]

Nice! OG ATB!

[@bikingviking6688]

Agreed 100%!! I too have a 2013 Ogre in tannish grey. It's been through numerous iterations; single speed, drop bar, flat bar, Jones bar, rigid, Reba, touring, bikepacking, road, gravel, etc... Not my fastest or lightest but definitely my most ridden and funnest. Ogre rocks!🤜🤛

[@fittonbikes]

Great clean up video! I need to get mine sorted, they need a deep clean and grease up because this year in South East UK has been very wet. In answer to the question on bike builds, I did add carbon forks to a 14 year old steel frame bike. It’s a Genesis Alfine sealed hub “adventure commute” from 2009 (rear drop out). It has never been right and was a 1st gen of this kind of steel bike with disc brakes. The problem was that using any pressure on the front brake and the forks would bounce and flex so hard as to be a bit worrying. So I bought a new Genesis (UK Steel bike company) carbon fork, so great to be able to stay on brand. I learnt how to cut a fork, bought the tools and cut it down and fitted a new hope headset. Inspired by your videos, I decided to learn how to fit the headset and forks myself. The result was great and I also had some Velo Orange crazy bars that I fixed on it. Last interesting ingredient was a redshift suspension stem which had a steep angle which is what I wanted for a more upright position. So lots of fun in the workshop learning stuff. For the last year I also ran wolf-tooth grips but they were really hard, so recently switched to Rev grips. You can see the bike in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/npmaZXR_bKx9aacsi=yVHxvbEGNmOf7mQ9

[@TimFitzwater]

Awesome - sounds rad. I just bookmarked the vid and will check it out!

[@MLRomo]

That gunner is a sweet ride! I currently ride a 90s Specialized. I want to keep riding it and earn my stripes to a nicer bike. that I can honestly say I worked up too! 🍻

[@TimFitzwater]

Nice. I rode my early 00s Trek MTB for years before I ever thought about getting anything else. I actually will probably bust it out tomorrow in the snow!

[@TheSaguache]

Thanks Tim, My forever bike is a 2017 Surly LHT 700c in black and I like to tinker with it about as much as you like that Gunner. I've gone swept bars too, but mine are Jones H-bars which helps a lot more on the single and double track because it gives me leverage. I need to get the studded snow tires on it pronto.

[@TimFitzwater]

Very nice. I was out in the snow today - but I use an old MTB. It gets the job done but snow tires on the Gunnar would be cool. Maybe a next year purchase.

[@stephenbunn2907]

Bought a Tumbleweed Stargazer frameset this year and built it with SRAM 1x12 (Ratio kit on SRAM Force levers) with a 11-52 rear cassette. It’s not much more work than my gravel bike on gravel, nearly the same speed as my hardtail on flowy trails. Ikon 29 x 2.2 tires sometimes scare people on bike paths with how loud they sound at full speed :) It’s my “does a little bit of everything” bike now.

[@TimFitzwater]

Heck yeah - sounds about perfect.

[@getpoked101]

Red stem cap, green post clamp...... SANTA BIKE I really sometimes debate a bigger tire rigid bike. I'm not a many bike haver. I have my old brompton and then my hard tail. I'll take the hard tail on the road and destroy the bromptons wheels on gravel. If I had to have just one i bet it would look a lot like your gunnar. Keep enjoying it. Nice chill vibe on this video with the cleaning. Have a good one!

[@TimFitzwater]

Its a Christmas miracle! Yeah - I could get by with just this if I had to. But for years all I had was a early 00s and I still had tons of fun! Thanks - cheers!

[@Leo_SilverSunn]

That bike is super cool. KInd of juvenile looks with extra capability. I rode a steel 90´s sunn with sweep bars over trails and roads for a few hundred miles and the bars with long stem and some widish 26" w tires gave a lot of built in suspension.

[@TimFitzwater]

Thanks. I wasn’t familiar with Sunn - just looked them up - very cool.

[@asbjrnkristiansen429]

Hey Tim, new guy to the channel here. That thing is a warrior 🤜🏼💥 🤛🏼 Funny thing is, my wife's fathers name is Gunnar, which is actually an old Norse name that means just that - warrior :-)

[@TimFitzwater]

Interesting. I believe Waterford named the brand after the shop dog.

[@snafu0o0o]

Love this Gunner of yours. I got a State All Road in the very first release in 2020. It was the way to escape all the craziest parts of the pandemic for a lil bit. It’s so scratched up, there’s chunks of paint bashed off, and I’ve swapped almost every single component as I broke things or just wanted to change direction. I’ve committed it to a setup sort of like your Gunner for the last 6 months maybe with VO Seine bars and think it’s perfect now and maybe a forever bike.

[@TimFitzwater]

Heck yeah - sounds awesome! I mean - the chipped paint is battle scars of a well ridden bike(I do try to keep them clean but...) Thanks - cheers!

[@Quevallyn]

Love my Surly Bridge Club with On One Geoff bars (Jones loop copies). Currently running 40mm Pirelli Cinturatos but will probably go up to 45mm when they need swapping out. Don’t remember the last time I rode my drop bar gravel bike.

[@TimFitzwater]

Very cool. I’d definitely step a Bridge Club to 45s. Cheers!

[@Mr2fiveone]

My Scott Speedster Gravel 40 is my go to, have fun most anywhere bike. I've been thinking of changing my bars on my Poseidon Gravel bike. Those sweet handlebars looks so comfortable!

[@TimFitzwater]

Nice. You should try them - truly a lot of fun and comfort!

[@PudgyPedalPusher]

I need to mail you my Shimano Sora flatbar levers if your GroTec’s are road pull. They feel great as far as mech road levers go.

[@mattdesmondwashere]

Nice video! I also love to ride to trails and then ride them. We have 4+ different singletrack trails within striking distance of Minneapolis here. Hoping to do a ton more of that this year with the Bridge Club I'm building for that purpose.

[@TimFitzwater]

Nice! My riding buddy built a Bridge Club for that and bike packing too. Great bikes! Thanks - cheers!

[@johnp9650]

Rivendell Appaloosa w/ Ritchey Venture Max bars! Dream bike!

[@TimFitzwater]

Heck yeah! Love it.

[@watertankhikes]

I love the "Generalized" sticker. I've been calling the "Big S" that for over 30 years. Because that's what they are- Generalized. I'm ordering some for my three do-it-all ATB's (2 Jones LWB's and a Tanglefoot Hardtack- all with Jones H-Bars).

[@TimFitzwater]

I love that you were already saying that! I need to try those Jones bars - never have. Cheers - happy holidays!

[@chazpattillo9116]

Sad that Gunnar/ Waterford has closed up shop. I have a Roadie and a Streetdog. But my Adventure bike is a Breezer Radar. Also have two Kona Units and a few other bikes.

[@TimFitzwater]

Yeah - an affordable American frame shop - real bummer. Awesome you have a rad collection though!

[@johnnydoe66]

It's not new, but new to me....I built up a "neo-retro" road bike from my friend's 1986 Specialized Allez he bought new right after college. I cold worked the rear stays to allow a 10spd wheel to fit because I am using 2012 Tiagra/Sora groupset salvaged from another bike. I have a plus hardtail for trail rides and my occasional exploratory, try to get lost rides. My current interest is my "Franken gravel" build that's quite the experiment. It has parts from a 1986 Jamis mtn bike, a 1995 Marin Muir Woods, a set of Paul Components Cross Stop brakes (precursor to V-brakes) on the rear, front brakes are Shimano cantilevers from the Jamis along with the brake levers, a 1998 Barracuda XC URT frame (I rode it off road for 10 yrs before hanging up) and a few new parts to finish the build. It's a 1 x 7 drivetrain consisting of a 7 spd derailleur, cassette, and chain, with a 30t 12 spd crankset, and shifting it is a 6 spd thumb shifter converted to friction mode. It's essentially a 26" wheeled, softtail gravel bike because I installed a rigid fork, but everything works perfectly. I am waiting for a set of Taiwanese copies of the Origin8 Strongbow bars that I am going to use ESI silicone bar tape on instead of actual mtb grips. It may look funky, but who cares, I know I don't. Sorry this was long.....

[@TimFitzwater]

Heck yeah - they sound like rad bikes! Are you in our discord? Would love to see photos of them. If you are interested it is a message board thing where we share bike pics and chat all things cycling(and beyond) discord.gg/jx6rdZPD

[@johnnydoe66]

@TimFitzwater I will look into it. BTW I am a former Ohio Buckeye, but from the SW corner. Love seeing cycling content from the home state. I've been living in Oklahoma for the last 28+ yrs.

[@johnnydoe66]

@TimFitzwater I just joined your discord page and posted the pics of two of the bikes. The 26" gravel build is a work in progress.

[@glennpettersson9002]

I find as I get older I look at bikes as an assortment of components, as long as the frame sizing is within a bandwidth for you you can change contact components to get a good fit. Bars, stem, seat and post, cranks. I think tires make a bike ride well and that's down to what the frame allows.

[@TimFitzwater]

I agree 100%. Some frames may get a little wonky if you go to far into what they weren't made for - but in general there is a lot of leeway!

[@CharlieEsparza]

Picked up a Fairdale Weekender MX - game changer in my bike riding (this is from someone who rode single speeds exclusively)

[@TimFitzwater]

Those are great solid bicycles. I have a lot of friends who bought those and some have slowly upgraded the components over time.

[@hamsterecology]

I bought an electric bike. I get to go places I couldn’t and I choose how hard I work. It took me years to commit but I love it and I’m already thinking of an upgrade…. Surprisingly I’m looking for less assistance and lighter now I know how these things work

[@TimFitzwater]

I get that totally. I wish mine actually had a lower assist mode even though it isn’t a crazy powerful one. Looking to make a vid about that soon.

[@SurpriseMeJT]

I've owned 3 Gunnars and still have 2 of them I ride regularly. This video makes me wish I ordered a Rock Tour before Gunnar closed its doors. However, I have a Ritchey Ascent (2016) with alt-bars and I'm a total convert! My next bike will be an ATB with alt-bars - it's totally a progression of where my cycling adventure all started - steel, full rigid mountain bikes of the '90's. The new Ritchey Ascent is totally on my radar if I had the space for n+1.

[@TimFitzwater]

Nice! I bet the Ritchey is rad - I think they look so cool and know a few people who have them(and watched all the reviews). I started on a 90s steel hybrid that I thought was an MTB. 😸

[@nathanpieper4634]

I picked up a used marin bobcat trail with an upgraded dropper post for $180! Enty level aluminum 29er hardtail, but really versutile honestly. Put on a reynolds steel 9er rigid fork someone had given me a year prior (which roadified the ht/st angle a smidge), also resulting in a somewhat similar fat guy in tight paints look, but not terrible. 16degree backsweep sq labs handlebars. Big fat surly extra terrestrial tire up front for suspension, smaller terrevail sparwood light and suppole rear tire. Its my kid hauler right now but I really look forward to all the kid gear coming off, the thing is FUN. Its 1x now but ideally id get it running 2x for ultimate versatility I think. Im 6'4" 29ers are great for me, this bike was such a steal, and I'll runn loose ball hubs any day, so servicable, my little tub of lubriplate will last me a lifetime. Those brakes look great, I need to keep those in mind, the bobcat trail came with hydros which aren't my jam. For levers I love pauls love levers, they pull the chrapo avid bb7s on my Ragley Big AL beautifuly.

[@TimFitzwater]

Wow - that really sounds like a rad build!

[@dontipton4570]

Purchased a Surly ECR in the spring. Rode it more than all my other bikes combined.

[@TimFitzwater]

Nice.

[@dontipton4570]

Love the content. Nice work

[@tonydean2541]

I ride a Thorn Sherpa as an all rounder, its a British bike that not many people seem to have heard of but it really is a bombproof, top end ride. For general running around and for commuting to work i use a 98 Rockhopper thats equally as nice to ride. i really do love both bikes. Both steel too. Steel is real.

[@TimFitzwater]

Steel is real! I'll have to look up the first one. Cheers!

[@tmayberry7559]

I pop in just because it's you Tim😊

[@TimFitzwater]

😻

[@Alex_564]

Pink accents would look great on that bike. Have you though about a seat actuated dropper, like the Jumpseat from TransX?

[@TimFitzwater]

The bike is routed for a dropper - so I would get a regular one.

[@Alex_564]

@@TimFitzwaterYes, but the vibes of this bike says that type of dropper. I also for thought it was 27.5x2.2 tires until I saw it say Fleecer Ridge.

[@Epicureaneman]

TA are much easier to thread if you put the chain on the smallest cog. Also has the advantage of not messing with your rotor which can happen if you put the chain on the wrong cog and are fighting derailleur tension

[@TimFitzwater]

Oh yeah - definitely should have done that. It applies to any wheel change. Thanks!

[@sir_lander]

I made pretty similar changes to my Kona sutra (the bars are not the same Satori noirette)

[@TimFitzwater]

Nice.

[@bootsauce47]

I don’t love my 2021 Giant Revolt Advanced 2. Spent a bit of money on it and I like (like) that bike now. It has its moments… I purchased a Bombtrack Hook EXT and what can I say. It’s goofy fun! It’s on the chunky side 25 lb+. I just purchased the fancy Bearclaw TI (Iet’s see how that works out). I also have a Bombtrack Beyond+ I ADORE and my go nowhere fast VO Neutrino. If I had to pick one I would pick both my Bomtracks. As usual great video Tim!

[@TimFitzwater]

Thanks! I rented a Revolt in Florida a couple years ago and it was not my favorite bike I have to say. I’ve always been super interested in Bombtracks - they have such a cool line up and this bikes look great. One of my good friends uses the Bearclaw as his main gravel bike - so rad! Enjoy!

[@roesch1111]

I picked up an Tanglefoot Moonshiner, don't have much miles on it yet but looking to do some bike packing next year up inVT

[@TimFitzwater]

I bet that will be a great bike! Haven't seen one in person yet but have watched some videos about them.

[@roesch1111]

It's a very different concept as you ride in the drops as they set it up high. Mine is set up with 27.5 and 3" tires so well capable for single track. I first tried it last year at the Cold Rolled event in Pine Hill Rutland VT and fell in love right away. Going to give it the works next year. Next time you get to VT and close to Poultney VT pay them a visit, you'll love the bike shop they have.

[@TimFitzwater]

Nice. I've done something similar to a couple bikes with the Velo Orange Happy Stem but since they weren't built for it the handling can be a bit strange. I will keep that in mind as I would love to get out and ride in VT!

[@robertgraves3215]

What is that seam about 3" from your green rag at 3:13. Toward the head tube. At first I thought it was a crack. But it looks like some sort of aluminum lug or something.

[@TimFitzwater]

I assume you are talking about the shim. Its reinforcement. You'll see it on some MTBS and bike-packing bikes. I've seen a number of bikes break at that very spot so.....

[@solarwind907]

The best bike is the one that’s reliable transportation for you. It’s the one that you know how to fix and can get parts for. If you have one, and your health is good enough that you’re able to ride it, you’re a very lucky person.

[@TimFitzwater]

I definitely agree with the last sentence - that is very true. The first part might be true for some people. There are plenty of bikes and rides that have nothing to do with reliable transportation and there are plenty of people who have no interest in fixing their own bikes. Nothing wrong with either way of doing things - gotta ride your rides.

[@johnmclean8643]

Definitely get a dropper..It maintains the perfect height for the road and when you drop it the bike feels quicker on tight single track when stand up pedaling..Not to mention steep rollers. I can’t imagine life before droppers..You can save money 💰 on a cheaper thumb lever..

[@TimFitzwater]

Yeah - it sounds like one of those thing that once you have it you don't want to go without. I have definitely been in steep situations where the saddle on this bike is in the way.

[@tatarhead]

First time watching and noticed the ratcheting triple allen set. Never seen one… Which is this ? Thanks

[@TimFitzwater]

It is the Soma Fabrications Y Wrench. Has a 4, 5 & 6mm

[@philhunt1442]

what are the head and seat tube angles on that thang?

[@TimFitzwater]

Oh man - I have no idea off the top of my head. My friend that gave it to me on a trade handed me the info sheet on the build a while back - I can dig that out and share them when I remember too.

[@davetbassbos]

Does anyone else think those sleek steel 90s hardtails like Bontragers and Konas, (with v-brake, threadless headsets and no more than a 3 X7 drivetrain) were the ultimate do it all bikes?

[@TimFitzwater]

I think they are great bikes and I have a number of 26 inch wheel MTBs - that being said they don't really hold a candle to this better geometry and bigger wheel size. I'll ride my vintage MTBs here and there as long as I ride bikes but when I want to really get into the rough stuff I'm taking this.

[@davetbassbos]

@@TimFitzwater I haven't actually tried a 29" just the old 26" and 700cc road with 25mm slicks, I guess these ATB are somewhere in the middle, great channel, cheers!

[@SurpriseMeJT]

I have a '95 GaryFisher Hoo Koo E Koo setup as an urban commuter and I think it's amazing for all-purpose riding.

[@ronwhite8503]

Yup. Loving my '95 Cinder Cone with North Road bars and a Flexstem. I know, sounds weird, but it rides great.

[@TimFitzwater]

@@ronwhite8503 Yeah - I'm about to head out on my old 2001 Trek 26 inch wheel bike today. It still rides great too - but there are certain situations where modern geometry is just soooooo much better.

[@hershcreative9367]

Recently got my first new bike in 10yrs so also my first through axle bike and must say it feels like a step backwards from QR's? Now I need a tool, harder to align etc? I'm sure I'll get use to it as I go and there are probably benefits when it comes to torsional stiffness etc, but nothing noticeable to the non-racer?

[@TimFitzwater]

Yeah - people talk about the strength and all that but the actual only benefit I see is that it keeps the wheels more aligned - which matters with disc breaks.

[@hershcreative9367]

@@TimFitzwater I can see that being a benefit if you're moving fast now that I think about it... but that said I've never had much of a problem keeping my mechanical disc brakes on my QR disc bikes aligned for the past 10-15yrs? If they're a little off you know it right away and stop to adjust...

[@TimFitzwater]

100%

[@johndef5075]

I have 2 mtbs. One thruaxle one qr. I ride pretty aggressively and honestly dont notice any difference.

[@hotrodjoey50jo]

Love those straight blade forks with thru axle. What are they?

[@TimFitzwater]

Its the Gunnar fork.

[@stephenkohler3472]

What trail is that at 2:55? Looks amazing!

[@TimFitzwater]

That is East Rim in the Cuyahoga Valley

[@stephenkohler3472]

@@TimFitzwater That's awesome, thanks man! I'll have to add that to my list whenever I get out east to do some riding.

[@truthmatters4u]

Hey Tim. Have you taken a bike mechanic course or are you are just a natural with your hands.

[@TimFitzwater]

I actually taught myself how to work on vintage bikes from the school of KZbin. I've learned more about modernish bikes from my local bike shop friends and this KZbin channel. We've done builds on the livestreams where the chat is telling me what I need to know! I am a little bit mechanically inclined though. I worked on farms and at car washes - definitely learned a lot at those jobs.

[@truthmatters4u]

@@TimFitzwater As I sent out the message to you, I said to myself, dummy, don’t forget about KZbin university. 😂

[@hoser7706]

What were those brakes?

[@TimFitzwater]

Growtech Equals - they are sold by Velo Orange

[@jamesenloe2791]

Fellas like to focus on the 1% of what could happen than the 99% that will happen. You do you breh. I got a Trek Domane this year and it was a game changer. It is way more bike than what I need, but it makes me feel badass. It’s like a boomer buying a Corvette and only driving it to the Cars and Coffee meet doing only 55. I am concerned about how much lube and time spent putting on lube on that thru axle😂

[@TimFitzwater]

Nice! I always say that I don't think fancy bike are necessary - but if you have the money and it fits well than go for it! Yeah - trying to talk and put a bike together at the same time.... a lot of what I did in this video was kinda worthless... lol.

[@Traildude193]

I got a motiv 26 in and giant stance 2 29 full sus mtb.

[@TimFitzwater]

Nice!

[@Traildude193]

@@TimFitzwater yea currently fixing up the motiv

[@k0ba_]

What rims are those please on your bike

[@TimFitzwater]

Velocity Blunt 35s. I went with their wider rims with this bike having wider tires - I run their Ailerons on my gravel bike. The video that I put on the end screen goes through the whole build if you are interested - I meant to say that but forgot.

[@Cycling_Brian]

I am a recent convert to swept bars as well. They’re amazing for control and comfort over the rough stuff. I rode a drop bar bike to work due to the wind, and I realized that I hadn’t been missing the drop bars.

[@TimFitzwater]

Same. There are still some long solo rides where drops are appreciated but I really don't miss them too much when I don't have them.

[@RatherBeShredding]

My crust evasion got me feeling like I don’t need another bike

[@TimFitzwater]

Nice! My buddy bought one this year and loves it too. He is riding it in the rainy footage from Higher Ground Hundo.

[@DIY-DaddyO]

All hail the Gunner. You realise by having an ATB likes this you're debunking the theory of N+1 😂

[@TimFitzwater]

Ha! Except that I have the KZbin channel excuse! 😹

[@esromoski]

It’s the bike she told the other bikes not to worry about

[@TimFitzwater]

😎

[@bah5310]

1) do you own an actual mtb? B) what does "wrong bike" even mean? 4) is a Gunner in great shape be worth $1400?

[@TimFitzwater]

I do own "actual MTBs" - the thing is they are old and less capable then this is. "Wrong bike" pretty much means nothing! To be honest I don't know what Gunnars are going for second hand. If it is a complete bike so much would depend on the build. The way Otis had this before I owned it it probably had a couple thousand just in components! Mine version is far more affordable - that being said the wheelset was probably almost $800.

[@riskyrax]

From the aesthetics standpoint black wall tires would really tie the room together. That thing looks fun to rip regardless of the terrain. Building up a Fuji cross bike with a 50 in the front and 40 in the rear with ALT bars it’s gonna be a game changer

[@TimFitzwater]

Nah - I'm all about the tan walls - so glad companies are almost all making them again. The Fuji sounds great!

[@30bones]

The height of that front rack ruins that bike for me. Killer bike however

[@TimFitzwater]

The price of that front rack is why I used it (got it free) and it isn't even on there now. But I use it with low-riding panniers anyways.

[@difflocktwo]

man, bikes are so high maintenance. you gotta have a phd in mech eng to ride a bike.

[@TimFitzwater]

Nah

[@difflocktwo]

@@TimFitzwater you went on a little ride and had to tear the whole thing down...

[@TimFitzwater]

@difflocktwo little ride. lol.

[@difflocktwo]

@@TimFitzwater Well I assume you did not do that many thousands of miles. service and maintenance intervals should be at that scales, in the thousands or 10s of thousands of miles. Bicycles are very simple machines and are loaded very minimally. They should last forever with minimal maintenance.

[@TheRickurb]

Great vid you old wrench monkey! My cargo ebike is my latest game changer. Longer faster, further

[@TimFitzwater]

Thanks! Hell yeah. I just got asked last weekend again what I think about e-bikes. Why does everyonr think I'm going to dislike them? Weird.

[@TheRickurb]

@@TimFitzwater because it’s The Devil’s bike