JKW_LA-74

July 13, 2018 jeffkendallweed Leave a comment

Jeff Kendall-Weed nose wheelies a granite slab on his Ibis Ripmo.

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How can we grow mountain biking in Santa Cruz???

I am in NO WAY affiliated with the http://mbosc.org/! That said, I encourage you to JOIN THE MBOSC HERE: http://mbosc.org/membership

https://www.memberleap.com/members/newmem/registration.php?orgcode=MBSC

I was born and raised adjacent to the Soquel State Demonstration Forest, which today is the premiere mountain bike riding destination for the entire San Francisco Bay Area.

All through the 70s and 80s the forest was an OHV haven, with amazing motorcycle trails throughout the lush redwood and madrone trees. I don’t recall the exact history, but I do remember visiting the forest a few times in 1995 and 1996 with some friends who were involved in re-opening the forest for recreation. A timber company owned rights to a lot of the land, and recreational usage had been halted. While the OHV usage was terminated with the reopening, and all dirt bikers were told to GTFO, mountain biking was luckily allowed.

By late 1996, I used my life savings to purchase a Motiv hardtail at our local Costco (in San Jose at that time!) and began riding demo forest with one of my best friends and his father. By late 1997 I was riding enough that it made sense to buy a close-out Bontrager Privateer Comp, and within a few months, I was doing massive solo rides through Demo forest, all at just 13 years old.

Fast forwards to today, and I’m living in one of the most progressive mountain bike communities in the world here in the Pacific North West. Mountain biking is so strong here that it is considered a mainstream activity, and riding opportunities are expanding daily. Heading back to Santa Cruz, to visit my parents and attend our friends’ wedding, was also the first time I’d returned to Santa Cruz after a couple years of living here in the PNW. With our family unit as strong as ever, this provided a new lens to view my old stomping grounds: as a parent, as a visitor, and as someone who would love to see the sport grow.

Seeing the forest through this new light, and the lack of new, legal riding opportunities, made me realize that we desperately need to grow the mountain biking community in the bay area. Demo forest is great, but more trails are needed, and the best way to do that is through supporting the mountain biker voice through the MBOSC.

Even if you can’t make any trail days, or can’t donate, or barely ride in the bay, please consider joining MBOSC. Every additional member they have makes them that much more of a contended when it comes to growing riding opportunities.

Sylvain and Kalima: http://worldfoodorama.com/en/blog-2/

Wanna learn to ride like me? Check out my riding tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/jeffkendallweed

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Jeff KW rides an Ibis Mojo 3: http://bit.ly/2Oodh2X
Jeff KW wears a Camelbak Kudo: https://bit.ly/2tHs5ku
Jeff KW wears the Kitsbow Trials Jacket, Ride Tee, and Origin short: https://bit.ly/2N2SeTY
Jeff KW is protected by the Kali Maya helmet: https://bit.ly/2KmcCgJ
Jeff KW runs the PNW Components Bachelor 170 post: https://bit.ly/2IvG0zA
Can you ride it? We couldn't!!!

There’s a section of trail here that’s QUITE technical! It’s along a Ridge, and often has 100’+ shear drops on the rider’s right, and to the left, there are beautiful views of Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands. It’s a magical place, and that trail, to me, is extremely magical. It embodies much that I love about mountain biking: beautiful spots in the woods, aspirational views, and technical trails that require a second (or third, or fourth, or heck, tenth!) attempt to actually complete.

When the Cascadia Cup ran an enduro down this trail, they turned off and bypassed the technical section of trail that we were attempting. Heck, this section of trail is so tough that I don’t really know of anyone else who enjoys riding it!

When my good buddy Nate Lewis was in town, I really wanted to show this section to him. Nate is an absolute boss on the bike, and his hoppy style is super fun to watch. With almost 15 years experiencing riding bikes together, we have a bit of history as well. Join as us we attempt to conquer the Ridge!

https://www.trailforks.com/trails/ridge-trail-18760/

Wanna learn to ride like me? Check out my riding tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/jeffkendallweed

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Subscribe to my newsletter for a monthly update of my newest videos! http://eepurl.com/cXsdZz

Follow me! www.jeffkendallweed.com
https://www.instagram.com/jeffkendallweed/
https://www.facebook.com/jeffkendallweedMTB/
https://www.patreon.com/jeffkendallweed

Jeff KW rides an Ibis Mojo 3: http://bit.ly/2Oodh2X
Jeff KW wears a Camelbak Kudo: https://bit.ly/2tHs5ku
Jeff KW wears the Kitsbow Trials Jacket, Ride Tee, and Origin short: https://bit.ly/2N2SeTY
Jeff KW is protected by the Kali Maya helmet: https://bit.ly/2KmcCgJ
Jeff KW runs the PNW Components Bachelor 170 post: https://bit.ly/2IvG0zA
HOT off the press! NEW Mojo 3!!!

Check out the new Mojo 3 over at Jenson USA here: http://bit.ly/2Oodh2X
Also check out those Shimano M8020 brakes: http://bit.ly/2Q3AXLd
PNW Bachelor 150 seatpost: http://bit.ly/2ql3yQR
WTB Silverado Team saddle: http://bit.ly/2yEgOoA

The NEW Mojo 3 update is out! It’s two sweet new colors! I’m rocking Shark Bite, while the other color is a swanky black. The bike remains relatively unchanged. Ibis is using the same molds, so the new update is the same exact bike as the prior, just with Bold. New. Graphics. (BNGs).

The Mojo 3 is a cool bike (and yes, I’m sponsored by Ibis!) It’s a short travel trail bike that is super stiff and has a really nimble feel. It can fit up to 27.5 x 2.6 tires, and it has space for a DPX2 shock and a 150mm dropper. I really like the light feel, and with the Fox 36 up front combined with a short chainstay, the bike has a super playful feel on tight singletrack. Me gusta!

Join me as I get the bike built up and take it for a ride on some local trails here in Washington.

Wanna learn to ride like me? Check out my riding tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/jeffkendallweed

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Subscribe to my newsletter for a monthly update of my newest videos! http://eepurl.com/cXsdZz

Follow me! www.jeffkendallweed.com
https://www.instagram.com/jeffkendallweed/
https://www.facebook.com/jeffkendallweedMTB/
https://www.patreon.com/jeffkendallweed

Jeff KW rides an Ibis Mojo 3: http://bit.ly/2Oodh2X
Jeff KW wears a Camelbak Kudo: https://bit.ly/2tHs5ku
Jeff KW wears the Kitsbow Trials Jacket, Ride Tee, and Origin short: https://bit.ly/2N2SeTY
Jeff KW is protected by the Kali Maya helmet: https://bit.ly/2KmcCgJ
Jeff KW runs the PNW Components Bachelor 170 post: https://bit.ly/2IvG0zA
What pedals do I use?

SMALL MISTAKE: I use "single release" cleats, NOT multi as I say on camera!
Check out the following items at Jenson USA- and any purchases from these links will directly help support my channel as well!

Shimano M8020 pedals: http://bit.ly/2OQOhkY
Shimano AM9 shoes: http://bit.ly/2zb30lo
Shimano ME7 shoes: http://bit.ly/2qMoReu
Shimano SH-51 single release cleats: http://bit.ly/2OOa78q

I have been riding clipless pedals since 1996, so I am very comfortable with them! My riding style has evolved around clipless, and whether or not that is “proper”, it sure works for me! At the beginning of a season change, when the dirt is different from what I’ve been riding most recently, I’ll often end up going back to flat pedals since I can still dab in a corner a little bit better, and that will give me the confidence I need to learn how to corner in those new conditions.

Wanna learn to ride like me? Check out my riding tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/jeffkendallweed

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Subscribe to my newsletter for a monthly update of my newest videos! http://eepurl.com/cXsdZz

Follow me! www.jeffkendallweed.com
https://www.instagram.com/jeffkendallweed/
https://www.facebook.com/jeffkendallweedMTB/
https://www.patreon.com/jeffkendallweed

Jeff KW rides an Ibis Mojo 3: http://bit.ly/2Oodh2X
Jeff KW wears a Camelbak Kudo: https://bit.ly/2tHs5ku
Jeff KW wears the Kitsbow Trials Jacket, Ride Tee, and Origin short: https://bit.ly/2N2SeTY
Jeff KW is protected by the Kali Maya helmet: https://bit.ly/2KmcCgJ
Jeff KW runs the PNW Components Bachelor 170 post: https://bit.ly/2IvG0zA
BIG tires VS little bike: new shoes on Mojo3!!!

Now that I’ve got the geometry and suspension more dialed in on the little Mojo 3, it’s time to get into some of the finer details, and set this bike up to shred!

I had been rocking a simple WTB Frequency i25 wheelset (only $240 here at Jenson USA: http://bit.ly/2J4MGXn) and it was working just fine. For the price, the performance of the Frequency series of rims is really, really good! Back when I was racing I LOVED these because they weren’t too heavy and could take a really big hit without issue. But it’s time to get this bike really riding how I want. While the WTB rims are just fine, the Ibis wide rims, at an inner width of 35mm, mean I can have more tire support and run lower pressures, all with far less burping. Since I’m not racing, I’m not riding at the speeds that will more likely result in flat tires or broken rims.

I went ahead and swapped some Ibis 742 wheels on the bike (check these out at Jenson USA here: http://bit.ly/2EsZTuw) and the improvement in stability and stiffness was noticeable on the first ride. Before going to try the 2.6 tires, I got a few rides in with my long time favorite tire combo, a WTB Vigilante 2.3 Tough High Grip front with a WTB Trailboss 2.4 Tough Fast Rolling rear. This set up rocks!!! So fast and nimble, and man, the way that Trailboss breaks loose is SO predictable! Not to mention, super fast rolling. I was actually quite tempted to leave this tires on and call it good.

On to the tires. With 2.6 tires being all the rage, I figured this was the perfect bike to use for a trial. The bike only has 130mm of travel, so the extra squish from the big meats would be really helpful to sort of make the bike feel as though it’s bigger and more bomber. Now, this ties into the whole idea of “build the bike to accentuate its strengths or hide its weaknesses” idea that we discussed on our Kendall Vs Kendall podcast (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/kendall-vs-kendall/id1386409671?mt=2). I was hesitant to really run plus size tires on such a nimble, little bike. But the 2.6 size was much more manageable than a true plus size rubber. That said, I noticed the biggest benefits when riding out in Colorado on the dry and rocky terrain. Here in the PNW, I had moments where I liked the 2.6, and plenty of moments where I honestly would like less squish for better pumping and predictability.

Perhaps on the next update I try a 2.5 front and a 2.4 rear?

Here’s a full list of the stuff I went through on this episode:

WTB Frequency i25 wheelset (only $240!): http://bit.ly/2J4MGXn
Ibis 742 wheelset: http://bit.ly/2EsZTuw
Orange Seal sealant: http://bit.ly/2Exoi21
WTB Vigilante 2.6 front tire: http://bit.ly/2x670C8
WTB Trailboss 2.6 rear tire: http://bit.ly/2x5cGwX

Wanna learn to ride like me? Check out my riding tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/jeffkendallweed

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Subscribe to my newsletter for a monthly update of my newest videos! http://eepurl.com/cXsdZz

Follow me! www.jeffkendallweed.com
https://www.instagram.com/jeffkendallweed/
https://www.facebook.com/jeffkendallweedMTB/
https://www.patreon.com/jeffkendallweed

Jeff KW rides an Ibis Mojo 3: http://bit.ly/2Oodh2X
Jeff KW wears a Camelbak Kudo: https://bit.ly/2tHs5ku
Jeff KW wears the Kitsbow Trials Jacket, Ride Tee, and Origin short: https://bit.ly/2N2SeTY
Jeff KW is protected by the Kali Maya helmet: https://bit.ly/2KmcCgJ
Jeff KW runs the PNW Components Bachelor 170 post: https://bit.ly/2IvG0zA

Music by Chillhop: http://chillhop.com/listen
Idealism: https://soundcloud.com/idealismus
FantomPower: https://soundcloud.com/fantompower/inanewspace
https://soundcloud.com/yungmiddleschool/middle-school-taro-at-this-point-feat-mitchel-forman
Stan Forebee: https://soundcloud.com/stan-forebee/drawing-dunes-chillhop-essentials-fall-2018
Listen on Spotify: http://bit.ly/ChillhopSpotify
Meet the man behind PNW Components!

Use code podcast15 for 15% off at https://www.pnwcomponents.com/

This is a rough video cut of the Jenson USA "Kendall Vs Kendall" podcast.
LISTEN to the podcast at the below links for MUCH better audio:

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/kendall-vs-kendall/id1386409671?mt=2
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jensonusa/kvk-episode-7-pnw-components

Meet Aaron Kerson, cofounder and co-owner of PNW Components! Aaron has a TON of industry experience, including both Specialized and Marin Bikes. I sit down with Aaron in my studio, and Seth joins us remotely, to learn a little about a strong new brand straight from Seattle, WA.

Wanna learn to ride like me? Check out my riding tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/jeffkendallweed

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Subscribe to my newsletter for a monthly update of my newest videos! http://eepurl.com/cXsdZz

Follow me! www.jeffkendallweed.com
https://www.instagram.com/jeffkendallweed/
https://www.facebook.com/jeffkendallweedMTB/
https://www.patreon.com/jeffkendallweed

Jeff KW rides an Ibis Mojo 3: http://bit.ly/2Oodh2X
Jeff KW wears a Camelbak Kudo: https://bit.ly/2tHs5ku
Jeff KW wears the Kitsbow Trials Jacket, Ride Tee, and Origin short: https://bit.ly/2N2SeTY
Jeff KW is protected by the Kali Maya helmet: https://bit.ly/2KmcCgJ
Jeff KW runs the PNW Components Bachelor 170 post: https://bit.ly/2IvG0zA

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