The MTB thread

[Specialone]

My problem is the likes of me wouldn't benefit from a higher specced bike, my boardman is way more capable than I am, so 3 or 4 times that cost just wouldn't be worth it in my case, it certainly wouldn't make me a better rider or get me up the hills any quicker, so it would just be for show in my case.

I do regret not getting the full suspension boardman though, but I'm really happy with it overall.

[G]

The difference it makes is massively noticable, and the same difference between buying a chinese Hyosun 650 and a BMWS1000RR.

Ease of maintenance
Quality of parts
performance of the parts
parts to make life easier (reverb dropper post)
weight of parts
ease in which the bike will climb a hill, or drop down one
How long parts will last.

You can buy an £800 hardtail, and after 6 weeks of hard riding it can be completely knackered, I've been there :P and if you were to try running the new black route at cannock on a hardtail, you would probably brake your back or the bike dropping off 1m rocks onto another pointy rock.

[Drew Carey]

it certainly wouldn't make me a better rider or get me up the hills any quicker.

This is where most people go wrong, the main reason a lot of people buy higher spec mountain bikes is not about climbing a hill, but about it being able to survive some craazy trails whilst going downhill.

Its the reason I do mountain biking, because I can pedal down an off road trail at 30+mph. Having a bike that absorbs everything and survives the ride is why most people have the expenseive full sussers......

Otherwise we would all be riding hardtails, because for uphills they are better.

The difference it makes is massively noticable, and the same difference between buying a chinese Hyosun 650 and a BMWS1000RR.

Ease of maintenance
Quality of parts
performance of the parts
parts to make life easier (reverb dropper post)
weight of parts
ease in which the bike will climb a hill, or drop down one
How long parts will last.

You can buy an £800 hardtail, and after 6 weeks of hard riding it can be completely knackered, I've been there :P and if you were to try running the new black route at cannock on a hardtail, you would probably brake your back or the bike dropping off 1m rocks onto another pointy rock.

Totally agree with all above.

[Drew Carey]

See, I kinda struggle with that (a lot!) too. I even spent my youth working part time in a local bike shop and STILL can't get my head around how/why (some) bikes with no engines cost more than (some) bikes WITH engines.

Much as I completely get 'why' spending more on a mountain bike will get you better / lighter parts etc - I still struggle with the fact that I paid about £1200 for a 5 year old Husky dirt bike, which is just as well sprung etc as a good mountain bike, but yet also comes with an engine in it.

Maaaa'd!

One thing you are forgetting, is we don't have to buy fuel, parts are cheaper, we don't pay tax, don't have insurance etc.......

With the benefit of getting fitter, still going at crazy speeds and the enjoyment of being able to go anywhere. A lot of the technology in high end bikes is taken straight from motorbikes (in forks) and from car chassis etc for the frames.

I think costs wise, a high end mountain bike would cost an insignificant amount over say 5 years when compared to a Motorbike etc.

For me, I have been able to replace the buzz from a motorbike with that of pedal power - thus negating the need for me to buy a motorbike.

But its all personal preference anyway! :D

[Specialone]

Your both missing my point, if you do them trails regulary then fair enough it's your money, I don't and probably never will, so a grands worth of full suspension boardman is more than enough for me, which incidentally are regarded as being well specced for the money.

Motorcycling will always be my first priority so won't ever justify £4k of mtb cos it will in case be bling and won't get used to it's potential.


Not a very good analogy G btw, you can't compare a boardman range of bikes to a chinese motorcycle.
I get the differences in spec, but I wouldn't buy a cheap Chinese motorbike ever but we've all had sv's which are cheap compared to a RR BMW.

Horses for courses I guess, I won't be trading in my bikes anytime soon.

[G]

I didn't compare a boardman to a chinese bike, infact I didn't even specify MTB brands at all.

I specified bottom end, and top end of the motorbike range, then there's everything in between. They all perform differently, and use different quality parts... and it's the same for MTBing, that's the point I was getting across.

[G]

Anyway...

DMC and I are planning to go to Llandelga on Saturday if anyone fancies it.

http://www.coedllandegla.com/ (http://www.coedllandegla.com/)

Aiming to be there as 09:00 when the gates open, potentially aiming to get around the red with black additions twice, but may end up doing the full loop once with a bit of practice time on the skills area afterwards. We'll play it by ear.

Any takers? Everybody is more than welcome, it's not particularly difficult just fast and flowing and no one will be left behind.

Who's coming? :grin:

[JamesMio]

Oh, don't get me wrong - I completely 'get' the whole cycling thing - I've been on & off self-powered 2 wheels from about the age I could walk, and love it completely. I don't begrudge it, I don't say it's wrong, I just can't get my wee head around the cost of some of them, that's all.

If money were no object, I'd have a feather-lite road bike, and a top-spec full suss mtb at the drop of a hat.

It's just, well... HOW can something like this (just 1 example plucked very quickly):

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-edict-ltd-2012/

Under any way, shape, form or circumstance, cost £600 more than something like this:

http://www.ktm.com/gb/mx/250-sx.html

I get why it costs more than lesser spec mountain bikes, it's just that they just seem to have gone absolutely mental in the last few years!

[Drew Carey]

Oh, don't get me wrong - I completely 'get' the whole cycling thing - I've been on & off self-powered 2 wheels from about the age I could walk, and love it completely. I don't begrudge it, I don't say it's wrong, I just can't get my wee head around the cost of some of them, that's all.

If money were no object, I'd have a feather-lite road bike, and a top-spec full suss mtb at the drop of a hat.

It's just, well... HOW can something like this (just 1 example plucked very quickly):

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-edict-ltd-2012/

Under any way, shape, form or circumstance, cost £600 more than something like this:

http://www.ktm.com/gb/mx/250-sx.html

I get why it costs more than lesser spec mountain bikes, it's just that they just seem to have gone absolutely mental in the last few years!

From my understanding, it comes down to manufacturing costs, materials and costs etc......bikes at that level are a very niche market - unlike motorbikes etc which are more mass produced and most manufacturers are tied into larger companies. I would guess, that seeing as most MTB manufacturers are creating for a small niche market, that the costs are higher.

The only way to make cheap bicylces.....is mass production as with anything - hence why all the mass produced appollo etc are actually the best selling bikes on the market - becasue mostly kids use them.

I do agree though, I understand why specialist bikes are more, but like you I balk at the thought that they can go up to frankly ridiculous amounts.

Still, they seem to be able to still sell them (although it has been in decline recently).

[Drew Carey]

On this note, there was an interesting article recently in my MTB magazine with the owners of Hope. They stated that with the exception of setup costs, you could create a bike with decent profit margins at about 2k which would be of a spec with those retailing at 5k. They stated it was mainly down to shipping costs and suppliers increasing prices in the far east that increases prices.

However, the setup costs to compete with far eastern manufacturing would be asronomical and would devalue their core business - ie parts.

[maviczap]

Yes maybe thats where we're screwed now, most parts will come from the same surplier, no competition to keep prices realistic. In MTB you've only got 2 real choices Shimano or SRAM.

A lot of the frames will be made in the same factory saves on tooling costs, especially where carbon frames are made.

But even things like chains are mega expensive, a decent 9 speed chain is about £20. I can remember when I was running 7 & 8 speed set ups (I'm old) chains were about a £5 for a black one, £10 for a fancy gold one.

11 speed Campag road chains are £44!! They don't last long either

[G]

If any one fancies an 8 week old Cube Acid I have one for sale.

The bike is a 2011 spec, on a brand new 2012 frame. Cost new 8 weeks ago was £760, I'm looking for £500. As all the parts have built onto the 2012 the bike has essentially just had a £175 major service by the bike shop that built it.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/304079_10150366760484837_502519836_7922770_9530784 15_n.jpg

It's a very competent and quick bike.

[Mr Speirs]

Give you £20 and a packet of quavers for it....*warning: the packet of quavers might not be real*

[Specialone]

I might know somebody who would be interested in that, I'll ask him Tomoz.

[G]

Awesome day at Llandegla today... It was no where near as tricky as I remember it, still good fun. I managed to crashed so hard my stem twisted/turned round, I thought my forks broke at first the noise was so loud!!

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/388255_10150368831044837_502519836_7928540_2530118 05_n.jpg

I still keep hurting my ankle when landing, need to see a specialist. It's not sprained as there is no swelling or bruising, the pain is in a funny place around the top of my ankle joint!

[xXBADGERXx]

Come a bit further in and have a go on the Marin Trail in Gwydir then :)

[G]

I think that's what we're planning, I fancy heading across to coed y brenin, some tricky black trails by the looks of it, although part of the black rating I think is due to the distance and remoteness.

[xXBADGERXx]

CYB ain`t that hard

[northwind]

/unlurk.

Ello folks, I am here to spam you!

November 19th, if anyone fancies doing something daft and potentially painful, Innerleithen MTB Racing are doing another enduro event.£30 entry in advance for a full day's racing. It's a similiar format to the ones I raved about earlier in the year, they'll tape out timed stages so you ride between them in your own time then ride like mental down the descents. It's all proper hard technical riding- one of the routes is a purpose built enduro stage that runs almost the whole height of the hill, the other will probably be taped out down the innerleithen downhill trails.

So it's a sort of perfect crossbreed between XC racing and downhill racing- ideal for all these big daft 5/6 inch full sussers and hardcore hardtails that so many folks have but usually only go round red routes with ;) But folks do it on everything from racy 100mm hardtails to downhill bikes.

Why it's daft, is that this one is a day and night event- you do the 2 stages, then after dark you do them again :smt105

I've entered, not competitively but just for the hell of it, as these things are always fun... The format's great, much more sociable and relaxed than normal XC racing and you get a lot of riding for your money, but once the timer's running it's all flat out :smt084

[G]

I don't think my fitness is there yet, DMC and I were talking about entering some stuff for a laugh though.

I need way more practice first first. In terms of actual skill and fitness :p I tend to just fall off

[G]

Cannock chase in the morning if anyone fancies it.

Meeting DMC in the car park at 09:00.

[Drew Carey]

:-( Sorting my rear derraileur in the morning. Going out on Sunday up clent locally though maybe.

Should be up and running next weekend etc though.

[G]

Sweet, has it been off and soaking in something to get it clean?

[Drew Carey]

Sweet, has it been off and soaking in something to get it clean?

Nope, thats the job for tommorow. Lol

[dizzyblonde]

Don't laff everyone, but DB got a free cycle, off freecycle!

For the cost of some new brake pads and a rear quick release, shes ready to go :)

Shall now be orf for a wobble down the road to get rid of a bit o flab!

[maviczap]

Freecycles great, me got a frame to turn into a cyclocross bike.

Just got to get a few bits to complete this madcap project :D

No suspension neither :cool:

[dizzyblonde]

I love freecycle too, its where I got all the tables for the AR from :)
I got hold of an old Diamondback cherokee, must be from the 80s :lol:
Its actually not a bad bike, a tad untidy, and Badger will be thankful we removed the sidestand!!! All the gears work, which is surprising as its been sat in a shed for years, a nice seat and quite light.
No suspension on this either, but I've never been used to suspension on a MTB, the last one I rode was by brothers Orange, around 20 yrs ago!

[maviczap]

Thats ok then, Diamondback were ok then

Probably about the same era that my Dawes frame originated in. :p

Wish more folk would use Freecycle as there's far too much good stuff thrown away :(

Good job I don't work at our local recycling centre as I'd be forever going through the bins. :p

I even pick up a Dell PC tower from the side of the road the other week, HD was fubarred, but I had a spare HD, stuck it in and fired it up. works no problem.l So a garage media centre was created out of nowt.

[Drew Carey]

Well it turns out my derailleur really was fubar'd. Somehow, and i cant remember how or when i have taken a massive blow to it. Must have been at Sherwood / Dalby.

The main arm of the derailleur was cracked and the pin (screw) that rests against the stop was bent inside the derailleur itself.

So on that note, time to start scanning sites for a replacement.....may look at going a little upmarket and change my x7 for an x9 or x0.

On a plus note, for the first time i have stripped the bike back to the frame only - and put it back together with no issues. So its had a full service, all cables cleaned and lubed, headset lubed, wheels cleaned and spokes tightened a little. Brake pads checked and cleaned thoroughly (could maybe do with a bleeding, but will do that another day). Plus de- gunked the cassette and front mech back to new. So as soon as i get a new chain and rear mech will be happy days for a good winters riding.......touch wood!!!!!!

I really seem to be able to cack up my rear mechs.....two bikes.....tow messed up rear mechs!!!! Lol

[rob13]

Picked up a used on of these http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Genesis-Core-40-Mountain-Bike-2011-Hardtail-Race-MTB_38434.htm?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Product_Search&utm_campaign=Froogle02 today. Used for about 20 miles then garaged. Cant wait to get it out on the local trails. Guisborough on Sunday for its maiden (for me) journey

[northwind]

Some good stuff in the CRC clearance just now, worth taking a look. Just bought meself a new Last Herb downhill frame :cool: A mere £1400 discount.

Last one they had in stock though so hopefully it'll not turn out to be lost in the warehouse like last time...

[Drew Carey]

Howdy, anyone got a view on Funn's products?

Reason i ask is this looks like a cracking discount......or is it?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=38743

Also was thinking this might be a shout from raceface;

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=47593

Thoughts oh fellow orgers.

[xXBADGERXx]

FUNN gear is solid and dependable , the same can be said for RaceFace , for that kind of money it`s a steal .

[Drew Carey]

Unfortunately, my bike has 73mm cups, whereas the Funn stuff is the larger size. Am i right in saying that if you have 73mm you cant use 83mm. Presuming spacers wouldnt work?

[xXBADGERXx]

Spacers would work , you would have to unscrew your BB and fit the spacers in there , it`s something to do with your chainline . These chainsets are aimed at All Mountain which tend to be a bit on the Burly side , they fit the wider Bottom Bracket but offset them by coming back in on the spider and bringing the chainrings in closer . On a 73mm BB these can bring them dangerously close to the frame . I would aim for one that is designed for your BB size really , just to be on the safe side

[Drew Carey]

Probably will ignore the Sunn theN and look at the raceface which is 73 i believe.

[northwind]

You could space it out but it'll leave hardly any thread in the frame and mess up the chainline, so not a good idea...

[Drew Carey]

Cheers to you both. Looking at the raceface one linked above....i am presuming they are 73mm, as the 83mm is listed seperately.

I already have a double and bash, with chain guard. Its the cheap truvativ one it comes with as standard, so thought this would be a useful upgrade......plus the old one can be used on my singlespeed mtb as the deore drank on that is knackered.

[xXBADGERXx]

Never presume anything with bike parts , Ask them , I am sure there is an "ask me a question about this product" button somewhere

[northwind]

I had a set of old RIde XCs, they were fine... Seems a good price, Raceface bottom brackets are pish mind but Shimano ones fit once it wears out

[Drew Carey]

Wise words. Lol. Will call them tommorow. Also want to double check it comes withna bb. The other raceface cranks too.....but will check.

Hopefully will all be ok.

[xXBADGERXx]

Just sniffed elsewhere online and found this

Size: 165,170,175 68/73, 83mm BB SHELL

So it looks like it does come in 2 sizes of BB and 3 sizes of Arm length (BB is 68/73 with spacer and 83 on it`s own)

I can recommend Hollowtech II BB`s by Shimano as long as your BB is Chased and Faced as the BB comes in 2 halves . I have tried all sorts , some very expensive ones and they all seem to last a year before crapping out on me . The Hollowtech II one was about £35 and has even outperformed a Crank Brothers Cobalt BB at 3 times the cost .

[Drew Carey]

So on the basis that i have 73mm i presume i need the 68/73......would probably stick with the 175mm length as what i have now. Will use whatever bb it comes with for now, then upgrade to hII laters.

[xXBADGERXx]

Yes that is correct , I went for a 5mm smaller set on the Cotic running at 170mm crank arm length and noticed no difference in leverage as such , just improved my chances of getting less "Rock Strike" on landings and stuff , you`ll be fine with the 175`s and the 68/73 BB size

[Drew Carey]

You see, i have struck my pedals a few times, so if it makes little difference to leverage, might be worth dropping by 5mm......decisions decisions. Lol :-)

[northwind]

I've got some 170s and some 175s, not sure which are which but I've never noticed any difference really in use.

[xXBADGERXx]

You will be exerting more force through the shorter arm though , and dependant on how your frame and BB handles it , could affect BB life as well , personally , I just hammer the crap out of everything and buy a new one when it breaks

[Drew Carey]

Guess may as well go for 170 then as even 5mm would help occasionaly. Lol

[Drew Carey]

Woop.....cranks ordered. Apperently, with CRC's site - they will always marke non-standard sizes as such, but leave standard sizes without size details. Hence with the cranks, 83 is marked - but others are not.

[rob13]

Obligatory photo whoring
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/robchester/Genesis%20Mountain%20Bike/IMG_7074-15.jpg

[northwind]

Nice... just enough red

[Drew Carey]

In case you were not aware.....Chainreaction are doing 20% off vouchers at the moment for XMas. Granted it can't be spent till after Xmas.....but if like me, you have asked relatives to buy Cycle Vouchers - worth a shout as get more for your wonga.

[rob13]

Nice... just enough red

Yeah dont really want to overdo it. Think I'll stick with what there is for now, maybe get some red collars on the next set of grips and a red QR seat collar.

[pookie]

finally out in the daylight..here's my e120 cobbled together from frame up

http://sv650org.homeip.net/images/sv650/e120.jpg

Still a few more bits to add

[G]

In case you were not aware.....Chainreaction are doing 20% off vouchers at the moment for XMas. Granted it can't be spent till after Xmas.....but if like me, you have asked relatives to buy Cycle Vouchers - worth a shout as get more for your wonga.

There's a couple of discount codes for the checkout at the moment.

UK10% gets you 10% off any value until Tuesday.

UK25 gets you £25 of any spend over £100 at the moment.

Managed to get Evans Cycles to price match chain reaction including discount codes on a Garmin Edge 800 trail bundle today :D

[maviczap]

finally out in the daylight..here's my e120 cobbled together from frame up

http://sv650org.homeip.net/images/sv650/e120.jpg

Still a few more bits to add

Are you running those wheels as tubeless?

I've got some Ultegra road wheels which I could run as tubeless, but I'm worried about punctures and getting home.

But I like the idea of lighter rotating mass from the wheels.

Just the price & choice of tubeless tyres that puts me off as well

[pookie]

yep they are an old pair of wheels that were taken off a when new and equally old pair of tyres.
They are tuebless and i can honestly say the sealant does its job when you get a puncture. Ive taken out a few thorns. '

I'm also looking at fitting some tubes with sealant in to another set of wheels.

If your wheels are already setup up for tubeless then the cost really is the additional sealant plus tubeless tyres ( if you already have the tubeless kit of valves and strip)

[trail guru]

Saving weight on the tyres and rims is a good place to shave off the grammes but it's worth bearing in mind that the gain over saving on 'static' weight only arises when accelerating under power. Of course that could be key if you're in the elite race bracket or burn rubber at the traffic lights to get the jump on cars.

[Luckypants]

This looks a tad scary..... Nicked off Quedos' FB page...

TaNBuqSuNqk

Full link for Phil....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaNBuqSuNqk

[pookie]

great if you have the skills.. would love to have the balls to do something but I have a feeling darwin would probably intervene if I were to give it a go

[Venom]

I think I've managed to google my new MTB wallpaper. Been mentioned in a few magazines for the past several months. :love:

http://www.we-are-bikers.be/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/emily_batty_6.jpg

[G]

This looks a tad scary..... Nicked off Quedos' FB page...

TaNBuqSuNqk

Full link for Phil....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaNBuqSuNqk

It's not exactly technical, although you would struggle with wide bars I think. If you don't mind heights it would be fun.

[Specialone]

It's not exactly technical, although you would struggle with wide bars I think. If you don't mind heights it would be fun.

Not technical? Hardly room for any mistakes, so that makes it technical.
I just wouldn't do it, I'd be too focused on the drops.

[maviczap]

Them bloomin ramblers get everywhere :D

[JamesMio]

I go through chains like theyre made of butter. Typically, riding trails, how often are you guys snapping a chain? For me it's anything from once every 2/3 rides on a new chain/sprock/ring combo up to 3/4 times a ride (older setup) on say a 10 mile Red route.

I keep them clean and greased well, GT85 summer / Motorbike chain lube or chainsaw chain oil in winter.

I AM heavy, 15ish stone and having cycled and played a lot of rugby back in the day I've got quite powerful legs, but surely it's not normal to be destroying chains like this?!

[Specialone]

Theres something wrong there dude, I'm no mtb expert but I've had my bike 10 months and haven't put a chain on mine yet, I've only done 3 proper mtb centres but go off road in a local place regular.

I would check alignment of everything or take it to a shop and get it checked out, it's not right.

[maviczap]

Are you using the same make or different brands?

Yep, its not right

[JamesMio]

It's been all Shimano up until the last change, now running all Shim with a SRAM chain to see how that fairs. This latest setup was great for about 3/4 weeks then I popped this chain at Mabie. Rocks your confidence a bit when you're about to get your stomp on for a big climb if there's doubt in the mind about smashing your nads into the headstock (AGAIN!!)

[maviczap]

I resume its Shimano using their special black chain joining pins?

They shouldn't fail, but I seem to remember them being a pain to fit properly, unless you're using a quick link instead.

Where have they failed?

[1210tech]

It's not exactly technical, although you would struggle with wide bars I think. If you don't mind heights it would be fun.

I think that's too technical, no chance of getting any speed up, almost boring if it wasn't for the 50ft drop into the river

[Specialone]

Im not far off needing some new tyres on my boardman hard tail, what are peeps recommendations on good all round mtb tyres?

Im not a fast as i can go downhill superman type of rider so dont wanna spend stupid money as it will be wasted on me, the stock ones were ok on most surfaces but the blocks were quite far apart so wanted something with a few more blocks really.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

[xXBADGERXx]

My all round do it all tyre of choice are the Maxxis High Rollers , sticky compound (40a) for the Winter and Hard compound (60) for the Summer

[Specialone]

My all round do it all tyre of choice are the Maxxis High Rollers , sticky compound (40a) for the Winter and Hard compound (60) for the Summer


You swap them for different seasons? i cant be ar5ed doing that tbh hence a good all round tyre which will be fine for my very limited ability.

[xXBADGERXx]

Well the amount of slate around here , I prefer a Stickier compound for grip , had a few washouts on slabs and it can be almost fatal in some places

[Luckypants]

My all round do it all tyre of choice are the Maxxis High Rollers , sticky compound (40a) for the Winter and Hard compound (60) for the Summer

Maxxis brought out a new version of the High Roller for this winter, they are getting rave reviews. My daughter has them on her cross country wheels and they seem sweet. Go for a standard compound, they are very good.

[Drew Carey]

Ive just bought a maxxis minnion 60a single ply for the front and high roller 60a single ply for rear. Having read on bikeradar etc a lot, apparently its a good combination. Will see how it goes.

[JamesMio]

Had a lot of good recommendations about the Kenda Nevegals which I'm looking at next, anyone tried these?

[Luckypants]

Ive just bought a maxxis minnion 60a single ply for the front and high roller 60a single ply for rear. Having read on bikeradar etc a lot, apparently its a good combination. Will see how it goes.

I have a minion front and advantage rear on my bike, the difference in front end grip was amazing.

[1210tech]

Im not far off needing some new tyres on my boardman hard tail, what are peeps recommendations on good all round mtb tyres?

Im not a fast as i can go downhill superman type of rider so dont wanna spend stupid money as it will be wasted on me, the stock ones were ok on most surfaces but the blocks were quite far apart so wanted something with a few more blocks really.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

you won't go wrong with a set of these and nice and old school too, get the 2.1" width :)

Panaracer Fire XC (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=54053&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_name=UnitedKingdom)

[xXBADGERXx]

I had a terrible time with the Minion front tyre , ironically I had a bit of a mix up and fitted the rear to my front and it behaved better . It just depends what type of rider you are as well . I was also using with wider carcasses as well , I think I run 2.3`s

[xXBADGERXx]

Had a lot of good recommendations about the Kenda Nevegals which I'm looking at next, anyone tried these?

A good tyre mate , can be a tad soft so don`t expect exceptional life out of them but more than up to the job for British Trails

[JamesMio]

Well, kinda wish I'd got my finger out and bought those new tyres now! Had the front end wash out on me during a twisty bit at Winlatter yesterday, result = 1 bust knee, complete with stitches.

So, new tyres & some knee pads now on the shopping list!

[Drew Carey]

Well, kinda wish I'd got my finger out and bought those new tyres now! Had the front end wash out on me during a twisty bit at Winlatter yesterday, result = 1 bust knee, complete with stitches.

So, new tyres & some knee pads now on the shopping list!

Ouch....GWS mate.

Its the exact reason I have upgraded tyres with all my Xmas Chainreaction vouchers - and a set of these;

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=60808

Went for these as I use flats with 5:10 shoes and have bashed my shins too many times. Hopefully will give me a little more confidence so I am less focused on not bashing shins etc.

[maviczap]

Well, kinda wish I'd got my finger out and bought those new tyres now! Had the front end wash out on me during a twisty bit at Winlatter yesterday, result = 1 bust knee, complete with stitches.

So, new tyres & some knee pads now on the shopping list!

Ouch :smt009

[Drew Carey]

Anyone know if the Hope Hoops pro3 AM-4 (not the weight restricted hubs) on Stans Flows are worth the extra £50 more than the pro 2's on flows?

Will be purchasing some new wheels soon to get rid of the oem spesh ones.

Cheers. Drew

[1210tech]

Anyone know if the Hope Hoops pro3 AM-4 (not the weight restricted hubs) on Stans Flows are worth the extra £50 more than the pro 2's on flows?

Will be purchasing some new wheels soon to get rid of the oem spesh ones.

Cheers. Drew

Not to me, I'd have to change my rotors as well from 6 bolt to 3 bolt so not only would I have to spend extra on the wheels but also on new rotors.

Keep an eye on the bay, I just won an auction for a set of brand new pro 2's on xc717d rims for £200, rrp £330 ;) I think the seller was 'fastpartsforbikes' or something like that

[Drew Carey]

The Am4 are 4 bolt rotors and quite a few suppliers sell them at the same price as others when i searched.

Let me know how you get on with the ebay Purchase. Only that some people advised me to not use them as the owner is David Hinde who has a bad rep (google his name). But saying that, the feedback on ebay is ok.....so never sure lol. If it all goes well and quick for you i may use them too.

[1210tech]

The Am4 are 4 bolt rotors and quite a few suppliers sell them at the same price as others when i searched.

Let me know how you get on with the ebay Purchase. Only that some people advised me to not use them as the owner is David Hinde who has a bad rep (google his name). But saying that, the feedback on ebay is ok.....so never sure lol. If it all goes well and quick for you i may use them too.

Yeah sorry, 4 bolts, I was a bit worse for wear when I typed my reply this morning ;)

I won the auction last week so I'd imagine once the christmas back log is out the way they should turn up

[Drew Carey]

Woop......forks are off to TF Tuned for a full service, new x-firm spring - plus addition of brand new MoCo Damper with Floodgate, Compression and Lockout....

Can't wait - should transform the forks - especially as they come standard with a medium spring - not good for my body mass!!!!!!

[1210tech]

Let me know how you get on with the ebay Purchase. Only that some people advised me to not use them as the owner is David Hinde who has a bad rep (google his name). But saying that, the feedback on ebay is ok.....so never sure lol. If it all goes well and quick for you i may use them too.

Drew, wheels turned up on Monday ;)

[Drew Carey]

Thats good to know.....maybe the rep is unjustified. You pleased with them?

[1210tech]

Haven't had a chance to use them yet, got this cold that's going about, can't wait though :)

[Drew Carey]

Haven't had a chance to use them yet, got this cold that's going about, can't wait though :)

If you fancy a bimble out anytime soon give me a shout.......or happy to come over and have a potter round Sutton with you and Mr Rea if you want something easy.

I was due to Coed-Y-Brenin tomorrow with DMC, but he is not feeling well either.......so postponing possibly till next weekend - if my forks are returned by then.

[1210tech]

Will do, we could go up to Cannock if we don't have time for one of the welsh centres

[Drew Carey]

Agreed, been up a few times over the last 3-4 months....always happy to go again.

[xXBADGERXx]

Tim Flooks does a bang-on job mate , you will be "shocked" at the difference :) . My 5th Element was Tuned by him and it came back a totally better beast

[Drew Carey]

Tim Flooks does a bang-on job mate , you will be "shocked" at the difference :) . My 5th Element was Tuned by him and it came back a totally better beast

Thats what I am hoping, it isn't cheap, as getting spring replaced plus also the new Motion Control unit......plus the servicing cost.....but.........still cheaper than buying a second hand revelation etc......plus I do like the Pike.

[MattCollins]

I go through chains like theyre made of butter. Typically, riding trails, how often are you guys snapping a chain? For me it's anything from once every 2/3 rides on a new chain/sprock/ring combo up to 3/4 times a ride (older setup) on say a 10 mile Red route.

I keep them clean and greased well, GT85 summer / Motorbike chain lube or chainsaw chain oil in winter.

I AM heavy, 15ish stone and having cycled and played a lot of rugby back in the day I've got quite powerful legs, but surely it's not normal to be destroying chains like this?!


You're not removing the chain to clean it?

[northwind]

Had a lot of good recommendations about the Kenda Nevegals which I'm looking at next, anyone tried these?

Bit late mate but I use them most of the time, they're pretty good but out of fashion just now. (Dirt magazine gave them a top review 2 years ago, this year they're officially "Uphill and straight line use only :-k) stick-e on the front, dtc on the back... They measure up accurately so the 2.1 is actually pretty big compared with most 2-inch tyres. 2.35 is proper big, bigger than a 2.5 Maxxis, and also pretty slow but does stick like monkey spunk.

Main downsides are, the sidewalls aren't tough so tyre-scrapers need not apply, and they're quite cloggy in sticky mud and become big steamroller tyres.

[G]

Boom, 6 months and my reverb is playing up... Fortunately still under warranty!