Me and the Moonlander!

[ywen]

Bummer on the paint! Just ride it and by next month you will have long forgotten about that blemish. How do you like the ride?

I took out on some single track this past weekend and it was fun as hell... the fat tires rolled over roots like it was nothing... It didn't feel that much slower than my normal MTB...

[Gear]

I took out on some single track this past weekend and it was fun as hell... the fat tires rolled over roots like it was nothing... It didn't feel that much slower than my normal MTB...

Cool! Now it's time for you to bust out the camera and document a ride or two.

[Gear]

The tread on the Moonlander was looking more like a slick then a mountain bike tire.


So I treated myself to two new tires for the Moonlander. Cost $99 a tire.


Here is the old rear tire with the new one for comparisons. On closer inspection I believe I could have easily ridden these for several hundred more miles. With that said I am going to enjoy the new traction and keep the older one as a spare.


Here's to the next 1500 miles.

[ywen]

Cool! Now it's time for you to bust out the camera and document a ride or two.

Ok I'll perform one act of thread hijacking and that'll be it!

[NotAMog]

Ok, it's all Justin's fault! He let me ride his Moonlander at OX12 and I immediately fell it love with it.

I drove 120 miles one way and spent most of the day at Topanga Creek Bicycles. They have a great rental program where you can take out some pretty esoteric mountain bikes for an extended test ride. The cost of up to 5 rentals can go toward the purchase of a bike. I took a Moonlander out on some of the roads and trails near the shop to make sure it was a bike I really wanted. There was lots of climbing but the bike and I did better than I expected considering I haven't been riding much for the last 5 years. If anyone in Southern California is thinking of getting a Moonlander and wants to try it out first this is probably the only bike shop that has one for test rides. Chris Kelley, the proprietor, is a really cool guy and he took the time to answer my questions despite the shop getting pretty busy at times. They have the widest array of Brooks saddles and bags I've ever seen along with a lot of other cool bike accessories you don't commonly see in other bike stores. The first time I got a Brooks saddle it took 2 years of searching bike shops before I found the model I was looking for (pre Internet days). He probably has at least one of every model from the Brooks catalog.

Needless to say, I ordered an 18" Moonlander when I got back to the shop. I couldn't resist the Brooks leather grips and wood bottle cages I found at the store to go with it. It should look very retro yet strangely modern when I get it. He doesn't floor new Moonlanders so you need to order them which only takes a week or two.

One thing I found is that riding a Moonlander is worse for getting attention than driving a Pinzgauer. I'm sure Justin can comment on this since he has a Pinzgauer as well. During my 10 mile or so ride I had people driving cars stop and ask about it, about half the cyclists I encountered asked about it, hikers asked about it and I even had one guy in a car pull along side as I was going down Topanga Canyon Road and roll his window down to ask about it while we were moving. From growing up with, and owning unusual old cars, recumbent bicycles, and a Pinzgauer I've learned that curiosity from people is to be expected but I didn't anticipate the level I found with the Moonlander. I can see that, as with the Pinzgauer, I won't want to use it for running common errands unless I'm willing to spend some time answering people's questions.

Now I'm waiting with anticipation to get the bike. I've already starting rescheduling my summer activities to include extra mountain biking time. It should be a great summer of riding and getting to know the capabilities of the Moonlander.

Bruce

[Gear]

Ok I'll perform one act of thread hijacking and that'll be it!

Love the Pug! Looks like you have been ridding a lot. How do you like the frame bag? Who makes it? I'd like to get my phone out of my pocket and possible lose the Camelbak.

Ok, it's all Justin's fault! He let me ride his Moonlander at OX12 and I immediately fell it love with it.

Hello Bruce,

Great news about the Moonlander. It looks like we will have a small Flotilla of Fatties at the next event. We will have to plan accordingly so we can get a ride in. Also Great advise about Topanga Creek Bicycle. It is definitely a challenge to find a bike to test ride. Let alone purchase. Post up when it is in hand. Your going to love it!

Oh and as far as getting noticed, it is worse then the Pinzgauer. Just get your lines/lyes ready now. I like to tell people that the little bag on the front rack is the motor. Gets them thinking!

[Gear]

Family and friends spent last week camping at Carlsbad State Beach. We had a blast chillin and grillin!


A shot looking out of the back of the Lazy Daze Motorhome. We refer to this as Surf TV!


I managed one really short ride on the bike. Basically I rode up thru the campground and back along the beach. About halfway back on the beach I detoured up one of the staircases do to time constraints.


Weather for the week was mostly overcast and windy! Are Arizona friends were pleased with this!


Campsite 209.

Distance 2.4 miles
Elevation 136 feet
Moving Average 6.7 mph

[ywen]

I use the Jandd Frame pack.. works really well. has two compartments.. I put tools and pump in one side and snacks in the other.. http://www.amazon.com/Jandd-Frame-Pa.../dp/B000FLWSV8

[Trout]

Ok, it's all Justin's fault! He let me ride his Moonlander at OX12 and I immediately fell it love with it.

I drove 120 miles one way and spent most of the day at Topanga Creek Bicycles. They have a great rental program where you can take out some pretty esoteric mountain bikes for an extended test ride. The cost of up to 5 rentals can go toward the purchase of a bike. I took a Moonlander out on some of the roads and trails near the shop to make sure it was a bike I really wanted. There was lots of climbing but the bike and I did better than I expected considering I haven't been riding much for the last 5 years. If anyone in Southern California is thinking of getting a Moonlander and wants to try it out first this is probably the only bike shop that has one for test rides. Chris Kelley, the proprietor, is a really cool guy and he took the time to answer my questions despite the shop getting pretty busy at times. They have the widest array of Brooks saddles and bags I've ever seen along with a lot of other cool bike accessories you don't commonly see in other bike stores. The first time I got a Brooks saddle it took 2 years of searching bike shops before I found the model I was looking for (pre Internet days). He probably has at least one of every model from the Brooks catalog.

Needless to say, I ordered an 18" Moonlander when I got back to the shop. I couldn't resist the Brooks leather grips and wood bottle cages I found at the store to go with it. It should look very retro yet strangely modern when I get it. He doesn't floor new Moonlanders so you need to order them which only takes a week or two.

One thing I found is that riding a Moonlander is worse for getting attention than driving a Pinzgauer. I'm sure Justin can comment on this since he has a Pinzgauer as well. During my 10 mile or so ride I had people driving cars stop and ask about it, about half the cyclists I encountered asked about it, hikers asked about it and I even had one guy in a car pull along side as I was going down Topanga Canyon Road and roll his window down to ask about it while we were moving. From growing up with, and owning unusual old cars, recumbent bicycles, and a Pinzgauer I've learned that curiosity from people is to be expected but I didn't anticipate the level I found with the Moonlander. I can see that, as with the Pinzgauer, I won't want to use it for running common errands unless I'm willing to spend some time answering people's questions.

Now I'm waiting with anticipation to get the bike. I've already starting rescheduling my summer activities to include extra mountain biking time. It should be a great summer of riding and getting to know the capabilities of the Moonlander.

Bruce

I drive by that shop at least once a week - thanks for the review - and warning - I'm sure if I went in my wallet would magically become lighter before I got back in my car.

[Sloan]

I love Topanga Creek Cycles, they also have a buy ten bikes and the next one is free. I know it's just a simple rewarding loyal customers plan but I took it as a dare.