44 Bikes

[fortyfour]

[mmoore]

@44bikes.... on your instagram account I see mention of a "Marauder" which wheelset is pictured above.

How does this new model compare to your current website offerings? It looks gorgeous.

[fortyfour]

@44bikes.... on your instagram account I see mention of a "Marauder" which wheelset is pictured above.

How does this new model compare to your current website offerings? It looks gorgeous.

The Marauder is my take on a traditional Diamond Hardtail. More specifically, my take on an East Coast / New England hardtail in your choice of 29 or 27.5" wheels. The result of over 25 years of riding single track and tuned to how I prefer a hardtail to ride. Honestly, I like the challenge of the swoops, etc. of some of my bikes, but there is just nothing that gives me pause more than just a really sweet, well executed, diamond hardtail. So low slung top tube, short rear end (as short as 16" with room for a 2.4" tire on a wide rim - my personal choice is typically 16.5" for all day comfort but still have that playfulness in a 29" hardtail), BB height not too high but not too low, you're built in the bike and your weight is balanced between the wheels. Simply a sweet hardtail with modern touches. IMO: If you are going to own one mountain bike, this is the one. And of course: Made to Shred.

Here's another I just finished up: Back in Black. Flat black with gold decals and Ti Nitrided badges to match the decals and Fox Kashima Coat. I'll be posting this in FNL 326 next week. Gotta space them all out. You reading this Aimar??

[fortyfour]

[rmplum]

Wow - that's hot. All you need and nothing you don't.

[mmoore]

Wow - that's hot. All you need and nothing you don't.

Very inspiring. It makes me excited, and Im not even on a list for one!

Amazing work dude, sounds like a riot to build and even more to ride.

[fortyfour]

Wow - that's hot. All you need and nothing you don't.

Thanks - I had someone ask me on Instagram or rather comment if I can make a version that was like a BMX bike. The Marauder IS that bike. Actually all of my mountain bikes are basically just that: A big BMX bike. That's one thing I really attempted to do right from the start is basically take my BMX roots to the trails.

Very inspiring. It makes me excited, and Im not even on a list for one!

Amazing work dude, sounds like a riot to build and even more to ride.

Thanks - that's what it's all about. Getting inspired and then going out for a ride. I call it a "job done" if that happens!

Here's another angle:

[mmoore]

Do you or your customers spec the suspension fork to be used?

[fortyfour]

Do you or your customers spec the suspension fork to be used?

I have a conversation with the client asking what they ride, how they ride and detailed intel on their preferred terrain. I then pick and spec the fork accordingly based on those factors and design / build the bike around that spec. Fox is always spec'd unless the client has a very specific request.

[fortyfour]

I have a conversation with the client asking what they ride, how they ride and detailed intel on their preferred terrain. I then pick and spec the fork accordingly based on those factors and design / build the bike around that spec. Fox is always spec'd unless the client has a very specific request.

This is also the same for Road or Fat. In the case of Road bikes, I'm spec'ing ENVE (Taper + Disc unless again, the client is very certain otherwise regarding preference or need for say Canti's for example) and for Fat I'm most likely building the fork to my spec's unless it's a R.S. Bluto or a carbon fat bike fork. But the conversation and questions for Mountain, Road and Fat are all the same: What are you riding? How are you riding? How will you use this bicycle? Etc. The fork is never an after thought. The questions are asked, the fork is chosen, and the bike is designed & built around that fork.

[fortyfour]

A few years ago, outside of Pisgah, N.C. I want to say this was in Dupont State Forest for a little warm up ride after the 16hr. car ride down. On the grainy side due to the sun going down, but somehow captures the fun of having a dog and the shared ride.

[Amaro Bikes]

Dog pacing training!

[fortyfour]

Dog pacing training!

She's most likely the only critter I know that is on the same level of excitement as myself when it's time for a bicycle ride. She gets so excited when it's time for a ride. One thing that is funny though that she'll pull is mid ride every once in a blue moon she'll put on the brakes and get behind you and refuse to go any further. Like she picked up some scent and is like "Nope, not going. No way." So much so sometimes I have to ride back to the car with her. Put her in the car, drive her to another trailhead and then all is fine. I've figured ways to snap her out of it on trail now, but when it first happened a few times, it was the only way to get her head back in to the ride. She doesn't see so well in low light, and most times it's happened at the end of the day while riding, so I think what happens some times is because she can't see all that well, she relies more heavily on her other senses and won't budge. You'd never tell though - she goes full tilt up and over logs and all kinds of trail obstacles. This was definitely a "Nope, not going till you do..." moment:

[fortyfour]

Little write-up on the 44HQ Blog about some recently acquired WTB Trail Boss tires.

[the bottle ride]

Nice write up- I did not know that there tcs standard did not work with Stans rims.

[fortyfour]

Nice write up- I did not know that there tcs standard did not work with Stans rims.

From what I understand, the two do not play nice together as the two achieve tubeless with opposing methods. However, I have seen some WTB tires on Stan's rims, (in the example link, these are WTB TCS Tough versions - mine are the Light version) and having tried them myself, I cannot imagine how they got them on unless the testers some how received "not to spec" tires?

Any-who... here's my personal sled all ready for shred.

[ParagonMachineWorks]

From what I understand, the two do not play nice together as the two achieve tubeless with opposing methods. However, I have seen some WTB tires on Stan's rims, (in the example link, these are WTB TCS Tough versions - mine are the Light version) and having tried them myself, I cannot imagine how they got them on unless the testers some how received "not to spec" tires?

Any-who... here's my personal sled all ready for shred.

Are those Blunt SS rims? I've been having some troubles getting my new tires to stay on my Blunt SS rims.

[dgaddis]

Nice write up- I did not know that there tcs standard did not work with Stans rims.

Like Kris mentioned, generally, they don't work. Except sometimes they do. One friend of mine broke a few tire levers trying to get some onto an Arch EX. I built some Arch EX rims up for a local guy, then saw him out on the trail one day with a set of TCS tires and asked about them, he said it was the easiest tire setup he's ever had.

[fortyfour]

Are those Blunt SS rims? I've been having some troubles getting my new tires to stay on my Blunt SS rims.

Having trouble staying seated? I will say I've had some tubeless tires in the past require more than the recommended sealant and having to nurse them over the course of a few days as they seal up and seat properly. What I found helps the most with keeping them seated long term is once you have them mounted, sealant added and aired up, to actually OVER inflate the tires. Basically pump them up to their max PSI. Give them the shake, a few bounces, etc. and leave them like that overnight. That seems to work for me with tires that won't stay seated.

Rims are not Velocity Blunt SS rims for the record. PM Sent.

[fortyfour]

44 X WTB Vigilante 2.3" TCS Light Initial Thoughts up on the 44HQ Blog...