The MTB thread [Archive] - Page 22 - SV650.org

xXBADGERXx

13-05-12, 03:15 PM

How about a nice August get away ? .......... I am thinking of doing a North Wales October gathering , had some rather nice info last night :) . Had to postpone my last one due to Mum having a heart-op , but a good weekender up here is on the cards for October so slam us a nice one in the middle between now and then :) . I get paid on the 15th of every month , so any jollies planned either have to be known well in advance or the weekend after I get pennies ........ cos I like spending them little bastages

Drew Carey

13-05-12, 05:16 PM

I prefer 15th also......as my payday. Lol.

And yup, an August trip could be doable.

Drew Carey

13-05-12, 05:27 PM

Badger......just a thought......your October ride......you wouldnt be thinking 20th and 21st would ya?

Lol......only ask as Lily is away all weekend with the girlies. ;-)

pookie

13-05-12, 06:21 PM

just wondering what your thoughts are on dropper seatpost? Are they worth it..is it one of those essential bits of kit that once you have you cant live without. Being a weight weenie I didnt fancy losing the kcnc post but I see a few manufacturers doing them now..cheers

Paul the 6th

13-05-12, 06:24 PM

Drews is amazing

lily

13-05-12, 06:25 PM

Drews is amazing

Man crush!

Drew Carey

13-05-12, 06:27 PM

:smt039

I have one and think its amazing......I ride with my seat quite high, so as a result, every jump or drop i was going over the front ofthe bike as couldnt get off the back easily........have he reverb and enables me to easily balance my weight etc.

Wouldnt ride without it now.

Paul the 6th

13-05-12, 06:28 PM

Drew I've text you for financial advice xxx

Drew Carey

13-05-12, 06:38 PM

Have responded Luvar.

Paul the 6th

13-05-12, 06:47 PM

speedplay says I should move to the midlands so I can be reunited with you, my twin.

Drew Carey

13-05-12, 06:54 PM

Lol....do it, do it, do it!!

lily

13-05-12, 06:55 PM

If I left him Paul would that make it easier for the pair of you? I'm happy to step aside for true love it will hurt but I don't want to stand in the way!

Paul the 6th

13-05-12, 06:58 PM

/incest>!

Drew Carey

13-05-12, 06:58 PM

Eh? Lily you are my true love. And plus he is my brother from another mother.

Now take this sillyness to the megathread! Lol ;-)

(specialone is watching)

andyb

13-05-12, 07:01 PM

I just want to say I hate you lot!!! I've spent half of the weekend looking at full-sus bikes :mad: I don't need one but still want one, pity we're having the drive re-done or I think I'd have a new bike in the paddock....grrr

xXBADGERXx

13-05-12, 11:11 PM

Badger......just a thought......your October ride......you wouldnt be thinking 20th and 21st would ya?

Lol......only ask as Lily is away all weekend with the girlies. ;-)

I most certainly was my old mucker

ThEGr33k

14-05-12, 11:47 AM

Roit. Im looking at new wheels... Specifically looking at some Halo SAS. For the money they seem to be a good bang for buck. Weight isnt so much an issue as my bike is already on the lardy side but ultimate strength is a requirement.

Are there any other wheels out there for £250 that will offer the same level of unbreakability?

Other question, im fairly sure its yes but worth making sure; will a M10 bolt through axel fit QR drop outs?

Paul the 6th

14-05-12, 12:04 PM

.....only ask as Lily is away all weekend with the girlies. ;-)

yay girlie weekend.. what are we doing lily?

p.s. going to a+e later as wrist is even more swolen & stiff & painful today :(

ThEGr33k

16-05-12, 01:50 PM

No one got any tips on wheels?

Drew Carey

16-05-12, 02:34 PM

Nick.....for that kind of wonga I would look at the Superstar wheels.....they have a whole raft of rims to choose. They will be lighter than the SAS which I think are probably a little overkill for trails - however, if you intend to mainly do downhill......then stick with the SAS.

However, I can't imagine with your weight you would have any issues with say Superstar Switch on Stans Flow......(they are coping with my weight well on my Hope Hubs.)

http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=496&osCsid=pn6v4ja94sk8biig8tchnmebq2

bargain at £220 currently.

AndyBrad

27-05-12, 10:15 AM

Right folks ive dropped my front wheel off at sparkys today to he can fix the hub. This has got me thinking. Ive seen he build wheels in his spare time.
I was speaking to a chap the other wednesday with a rockhopper and he was telling me that the original wheels were rubbish and hes put some fancy ones on. To be fair his bike was significantly lighter than mine for the same frame.
So looking on the internet and stuff im wondering what constitutes a good wheel? is it just the fact that you can mix and match components? is there a difference having a hand built wheel like Sparkys to having one bought from a shop? and what is the difference all things considered? So far the wheel ive got (touch wood) hasnt snapped in two and because i cant wheelie i tend to just ride it into rocks etc. I can't see a lightweight wheel taking that sort of punishment. Then theres the cost. A set of wheels will be 1/3 of the price of the bike! so thats new bike then :)
So what do people think?

xXBADGERXx

27-05-12, 12:29 PM

A good Hand-built wheel will have better tensioning on the spokes than a machine built wheel with particular attention being paid to run-out Laterally and Radially . Uniform tension of the spokes will give you a build that is quite hardy , if there is a weak point then you can be assured that it will apear soon enough . I had a set of Mavics that were always getting little wobbles in them . I took them to one side and spent an afternoon with them , tensioning and checking ... took them out for a blatt and then checked them when I got back and they were fine ... and still are . I also had a hand-built set of Halo Freedoms that were bullet proof but the rear actually cracked inside due to a faulty Rim so I retired it , it never once gave me a problem with trueness or loose spokes . I contacted Ison distribution about the Rim and was told that there was a batch that had an extrusion that wasn`t quite correct , but seeing as they were 7 years old and had been hammered then I was happy that they had lived that long . I could always buy a new rim and spokes/nipples and get it re-built one day .

28-05-12, 11:20 AM

If anyone is interested I have some 6 month old Mavic XM317Disc Rims on Hope Pro 2 hubs
.
They are in good condition, no dings or dents on the rims, which are nice and straight. They have the odd scratch and mark on from tyre changes etc.

The front comes with a 15mm and 20mm through axle. The rear comes ready for a maxle. Although adapter to convert to anything are cheap.

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/404879_10150618623754837_502519836_8765467_1917019 249_n.jpg

I would be looking for £150 for the pair.

Because of the size I would not want to post, I am based near junction 29 of the M1 if any body would like to collect.

Thanks

1210tech

28-05-12, 11:36 AM

I'm interested although might be a problem picking them up.

What colour are the hubs G?

Can you stick up a few pics or email them to me please: i dot aston at btinternet dot com

28-05-12, 11:51 AM

The hubs are black too... not sure where special one lives other than that it's near brum :p

My bike is at the shop being built up at the moment, I'll get some pics when I pick it up in a few days.

1210tech

28-05-12, 11:57 AM

Ok, thanks

Maybe give them to Dave as you two seem to ride together a lot and I can pick up from his in Solihull unless you are gonna be on an org ride when I'm there too

28-05-12, 03:06 PM

Sounds like a plan I you're wanting them, I'll get mor photos up.

1210tech

10-06-12, 09:01 AM

Mountain Mayhem, what's the crack?

Just come across this event on Retrobike and it looks like a right laugh. Anyone on here taken part as an individual or team? I really fancy getting in on it, it's too late for this year but maybe next year?

15-06-12, 11:37 AM

Wheels went to a friend i ride with as his decided to fall apart in the peaks, sorry about that.

I am selling selling my 6 month old Rockshox Reverb. It is a 2011 one, and 420mm long with 125mm drop. The post is 30.9mm.

I have looked around and bike-discounts.de seem to be the cheapest new at £200. I am looking for £150.
I would prefer collection, I am based near juction 29 of the M1, I also travel to Grimsby and Frimley frequently so can meet on route to either of these locations too.

Elliott

15-06-12, 11:42 AM

Right buckled my rear rim couple of days ago at landegla on the B-line. Stupidly went big on my hardtail and landed backwheel heavy..

Ive been thinking of upgrading rims/hubs to hope pro 2 evo's or should i just get mine trued? And how much will that cost me? Never buckled a wheel before :/

15-06-12, 12:21 PM

Will cost about £5 to get the wheel trued, if they even charge you anything.

You can buy wheel sets pretty cheaply from hope hoops at the moment, that's another option, a little more thant £5 though.

I just spent £289 at my local bike shop on some shiny new Stans ZTR Flows with Pro2evo hubs. The same rims custom built by CRC are £350+ without tubeless.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/600505_10150939586324837_1938093290_n.jpg

Elliott

15-06-12, 12:32 PM

Hmmmm im well up on my brakes and drivetrain etc but never looked into rim+Hub combos as ive usualy just bought combo sets....

Will look at getting it trued unless its beyond repair and then maybe opt for the Hope's

Drew Carey

15-06-12, 05:55 PM

Another plus one for the hope pro2s on flows. Love mine.

Elliott

15-06-12, 05:59 PM

http://img.tapatalk.com/b0fdf3b1-77c0-c2b1.jpgSo this is my hard tail im thinking that the hope hubs are abit much for the sort of riding I do on her, can you guys think of anything else worth doing? I do mainly fire trails with some black runs at landegla thrown in

northwind

15-06-12, 06:46 PM

Wouldn't say "too much", they're just decent quality everyday hubs... But not cheap. Shimano hubs are decent, generally, though they're cup-and-cone which means that if the bearing races wear (through neglect, in the short term) then they're not easy to replace. Hope uses cartridges, much like a motorbike wheel, which aren't maintainable but are disposable.

Like Drew Carey mentioned Superstar Components sell very good value wheels. The quality can be variable though, as is the customer service, but when they're good they're very good (when they're bad they're incredible)

Paul the 6th

25-06-12, 10:35 AM

Pretty quiet in here lately guys - the few bits of good weather must mean we've all been out on our MOTORbikes..

For anyone who's not on my facebook, I've accidentally upgraded this weekend, from a 2009 spesh hardrock sport to a 2012 Camber FSR 29'er:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WwbRopBIOOA/T-g_rPdRC1I/AAAAAAAAFqo/M441qhqd7G4/s800/photo.JPG

It's absolutely epic. Did 21 miles on it yesterday around town and trying to get to the mini trails near where I live but the river ouse has flooded big time so most the good stuff is underwater right now.

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/182369_10151850200585366_1710129284_n.jpg

northwind

25-06-12, 11:57 AM

Ooh nice! Very jealous, been wanting to try one of those for a while, or the 26 inch version...

Paul the 6th

25-06-12, 12:28 PM

I only popped into evans to buy a bottle of chain lube... Ended up walking out with one of those. Meh.

It's superb. Coming from an entry level 26" hardtail with narrow bars and the cheapest forks in the world, graduating to super wide bars (760mm I think??) with big beasty wheels & sublime suspension, it's just superb.

Oh and you can really compress down before hitting bumps & jumps - managed to get the whole bike off the ground over a few jumps on my route. Normally just have the back wheel skipping along the floor or maybe an inch off at best.

I'm 6ft 2" and about 17 stone at the minute (hence riding so much/eating healthy of late) but the whole size of the thing really suits me down to the ground. Maybe if I was a third lighter and slightly shorter I'd be taken back by the dynamics of the thing but so far I'm in love with it. A++

maviczap

25-06-12, 03:08 PM

Cool bike Paulio, since my excursion to Llandegla in Feb I've come to realise that rear suspenders might be beneficial to me, My Voodoo is ok & better than any of my previous MTB's.

But I was severely tempted to buy a fully suspended Trek that was on offer in my LBS, same as DMC's Trek.

But at my age I should really be thinking of a pipe, slippers and a comfy sofa

Paul the 6th

30-06-12, 07:30 PM

I've ridden 66 miles on mine this week - every single turn of the pedal I've been thinking "Why didn't I do this sooner??". It's absolutely outstanding :D

Paul the 6th

03-07-12, 08:01 PM

so how do you guys all clean and lube the chain on your bikes? As it stands I currently spray with this teflon lube stuff I've got, which is really loose and runny stuff, leave for a minute, then go over the chain with an old rag to clean off all the old crap & crud, try and clean as much crap out of the cassette and chain rings as I can with said rag, then lube with my bottle of dry chain lube.

.... but the gears still make that very quiet 'squeaky gritty slightly dirty sound' when I turn the pedals? Not loud like when the chain is caked, but I'd have thought cleaning it would have stopped this? Or do I need to get a toothbrush and clean every single link?

maviczap

03-07-12, 08:04 PM

I've got one of them chain cleaner gizzmo's bit of water & washing up liquid and run the chain though it.

Dry it with a rag, then lube it with dry or wet wax lube, the cycle specific stuff. Motorcycle wax chain lube is too thick

Paul the 6th

03-07-12, 08:10 PM

aye yeah it's all cycle specific stuff I'm using, I did wonder whether those chain cleaners were a bit of a gimmick? Do you pay much attention to the cassette or the hubs etc. to make sure they're cleaned out & lubed?

I should probably get someone to run me through a bit more intermediate cycle maintenance tbh..

xXBADGERXx

03-07-12, 08:10 PM

Paul the 6th

03-07-12, 08:11 PM

xXBADGERXx

03-07-12, 08:12 PM

I also don`t bother with fancy sprays and whatnot , a good light oil will suffice for the chain

maviczap

03-07-12, 08:15 PM

Chain cleaner for about £8 , Clip over the chain and clean with paraffin , tip the ****e out , wipe clean , fill with oil and use the chain cleaner to oil the chain . Once in a while , take the cassette off and scrub with a Park Tools Cassette Brush

Yep, +1 I prefer wax, as grit & dust will stick to oil better

If you ride in muddy conditions then clean more regularly.

Get a stock of new chains in, as its cheaper to replace a worn chain, than the whole drive train

xXBADGERXx

03-07-12, 08:29 PM

Oh , and once done , place a cloth over the chain and wipe of any excess . Wax doesn`t work too well in North Wales for some reason

1210tech

05-07-12, 07:25 PM

Heads up for anyone after a bike work stand, Lidl are doing them again for £29.99, and at that price, buy one anyway ;)
Went and picked one up this morning and I think its got to be the best £30 I've spent in a long time and it comes with a 3 year warranty. They have beefed the design up from the last batch they sold according to another forum I'm on too. No more sitting on the floor to work on the bike :cool:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8292/7509818086_fb198cde6b_c.jpg

xXBADGERXx

05-07-12, 07:34 PM

I could have done with this an hour ago , just swapped over a spring on my RockShox Vivid ... what a swear fest that was

1210tech

05-07-12, 07:38 PM

I could have done with this an hour ago , just swapped over a spring on my RockShox Vivid ... what a swear fest that was

sorry, was gonna post up this morning but for some reason or another didn't :(

know what you mean about working on suspension, had the same swear fest swapping the forks and the main reason I thought; 'enough of this malarky, time to get a work stand' ;)

xXBADGERXx

05-07-12, 08:03 PM

Forks are quite easy in comparison to be honest . I can swap a set of forks , discs and calipers over without any faffery at all ...... no dropping of parts , even with Kitteh trying to "help" me (I resorted to filling a spray gun tonight to dissuade Kitteh from batting at parts that are small) . The rear on my Enduro is a right RAGE inducer as it uses a cup/cone system to level the part of the shock that attaches to the swingarm . I managed to langer it right up with grease and then slide a small screwdriver in there to stop the bits dropping out . Offered the shock up and used the screwdriver to align the parts and carefully slide the pin in place that holds it all together ..... ever so carefully , slowly , sweat dripping in my eyes and a Kitteh then padding at the bits I am aligning and ............... clatter "GET OUT OF HERE YOU STUPID FURRY LITTLE TW.."

Repeat process until success .

Go and lie down and forgive Kitteh .

I wouldn`t have known about the stand til I got home anyway and I didn`t power up the laptop until after I had done the shock , but I will pop in tomorrow and get one :)

maviczap

05-07-12, 08:08 PM

Heads up for anyone after a bike work stand, Lidl are doing them again for £29.99, and at that price, buy one anyway ;)
Went and picked one up this morning and I think its got to be the best £30 I've spent in a long time and it comes with a 3 year warranty. They have beefed the design up from the last batch they sold according to another forum I'm on too. No more sitting on the floor to work on the bike :cool:

I bought one the last time & it's been great. Its not perfect, but does help with those back breaking jobs.

My problem is lack of space in the garage, with 2 SV's taking up too much space :D

granty92

10-07-12, 09:00 AM

what decent forks are best? was riding uk bike park over blandford way and snapped my forks and now im in need of some new ones, they need to be able to take a beating and be strong as where i ride gives them hell

Drew Carey

10-07-12, 11:36 AM

I am not up to scratch on jump forks but my understanding is that most seem to use Marzocchi.....I stand to be corrected if this is not the case.

Drew Carey

10-07-12, 12:50 PM

Just a quick question, anyone possibly be interested in a Hybrid bike?(or know someone who maybe). We are selling Lily's Specialized Crosstrail Sport. Has covered approx 500 miles on road and about 10 miles of Blue trail routes. There are no issues, has been regularly oiled and cleaned by myself.

It is a medium size (which will fit anyone 5ft 5" to 5ft 10".....I am 5ft 11 and fits fine with a bit of seat adjustment and bar twiddling etc). Will also be supplied with proper road tyres as well as the Hybrid ones. Comes with full mudguards also.

Am looking for £100 OVNO......currently they are selling on ebay for between £150 to £360

Full details can be had from here;

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/crosstrail-sport-2010-hybrid-bike-ec019786#features

If anyone is interested I can provide piccies. By all means make an offer.

Scoobs

25-07-12, 09:27 AM

Just in the process of building by next MTB. It's based around a Ragley Piglet frame with Manitou Minute Pro 120mm forks with the following components:

1 x Hope Hoops Pro3 SP-AM4 Rear Mtb Wheel NT FLOW 160mm Disc Black
1 x Shimano Dyna-Sys SLX 10 Speed Cassette 11-34 Silver
1 x Hope Tech Evo X2 Disc Brake without Rotor Rear Silver/Black
1 x Hope Tech Evo M4 Disc Brake without Rotor Front Black/Silver
1 x Shimano Dyna-Sys Deore XT HollowTech II Triple Chainset 175mm Silver/Black
1 x Hope Hoops Pro3 SP-AM4 Front Mtb Wheel NT FLOW 183mm Disc Black
1 x Shimano XT M781 10 Speed Triple Front Derailleur Option 1 Silver
1 x Shimano XT M780 10 Speed Shadow Rear Derailleur Medium Cage GS Silver
1 x Race Face Evolve XC 3/4 Riser MTB Handlebar 31.8mm 3/4 Rise Black & Red Decals
1 x Shimano XT M780 10 Speed Rapidfire Pods Pair Silver/Black
1 x Hope QR Seat Post Clamp 34.9mm Red
1 x Thomson Elite Inline Seat Post 30.9 x 410mm Black
1 x Hope XC/FR MTB Oversized Stem 070mm 0 Deg (FR) Red
1 x Charge Spoon Saddle with Cromo Rails Brown

I just need a few parts to finish. I used to be proper into MTBikes and race competitively, but haven't brought a rig for 10 years now so am a little out of it.

Need a chain, so any advice as to which brand and why. Needs to be 10 speed compatible.

Thanks for the advice. When it's built up I will post up some pics. I could post up pics of the components but they are covered in dribble...especially the brakes! They are lushness upon lushness.

1210tech

25-07-12, 09:59 AM

Nice selection of bits there 8)

As far as chain goes I can recommend the KMC chains, good quality, not too expensive and come with quick link. You'll want the KMC X10 for your set up ;)

Scoobs

25-07-12, 10:10 AM

Pushed the boat out a bit (too much :)), but you only live once.

Not looked at the KMC offerings. I'll have a look now. Thanks mate.

pookie

03-08-12, 09:05 PM

anyone done brechfa forest? hoping to take my bike on an outing there next week and not sure what to expect.

1210tech

04-08-12, 11:46 AM

Yeah, went and did the Raven trail a few weeks ago, wasn't very impressed to be honest, seemed to go up more than down and got lost near the end and ended up doing part of the loop again, I don't think it's very well sign posted. I want to go back and do Cwm Rhaedr though as everyone says that's the best trail, even though it is short, only 6km, you can do a couple of loops

Scoobs

06-08-12, 01:58 PM

Hi all. Quick question on rims and tyres. Can I run tubes and normal tyres on Stans tubeless rims?

Drew Carey

06-08-12, 07:47 PM

Hi Scoobs. Yup you certainly can. Its how i run mine.

Scoobs

07-08-12, 08:06 AM

Nice one. Cheers Drew. I've just received the final delivery of parts. Should have the bike built up by the weekend. :thumbsup:

scotty217

12-08-12, 01:18 PM

Just watching the mens mountain biking on the olympics. The Italian guy who is 4th at the mo (40 mins in) has a "single sided fork". Whats that all about? Will it make the bike lighter? Easier to change wheels? Please put a non MTBer out of his misery. I didn't watch the beginning of the race so the commentators may have discussed this already, and I've missed it.

Ta

Scotty

Venom

12-08-12, 01:47 PM

It's a Cannondale 'lefty' fork. Never used one myself but here's some of the benefits it claims.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannondale_Bicycle_Corporation#Suspension_Forks

Emily Batty in the women's race yesterday raced with a broken collarbone and finished 24th out of 30 riders which deserves a lot of praise.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/batty-races-olympics-despite-cracked-collarbone

maviczap

12-08-12, 09:11 PM

Speedplay had one of them on one of his bikes i think, I don't know the benefit

JamesMio

22-08-12, 02:34 PM

Anyone on here got any experience of Canyon bikes..? Nerve XC's in particular...?

For the price, the spec (and reviews) look amazing...

Elliott

22-08-12, 03:13 PM

Anyone on here got any experience of Canyon bikes..? Nerve XC's in particular...?

For the price, the spec (and reviews) look amazing...

One of my best mates bought one of the hard tails and it's outstanding for the price the quality is fantastic!

He liked it so much that he is now saving for the nerve full sus as well!

granty92

22-08-12, 03:30 PM

Elliott

22-08-12, 04:05 PM

No mate canyon is a German manufacture. Don't see many around but they are fab!

Drew Carey

22-08-12, 05:20 PM

Heard nothing but good things about the Canyon bikes. For the prices that they can be had they have good components etc.

Granty - with regards to the lefty you used, must have been a problem with it. I've seen loads used very aggressively with no issues. Including speedplay from the org who has one and has chucked it off many many big drops etc with no issues.

speedplay

23-08-12, 01:01 PM

i can say the connondale with the one sided fork thing sucks, from personal experience i was riding a trail at uk bike park in blandford and its not that hard of a trail i was on and the fork decided it would snap, they are meant to be strong but are very weak, get normal forks

I don't come on here much anymore because I got fed up with reading rubbish and the first time back, I read a crappy statement like this.

I would be VERY suprised if a well maintained fork just decided to snap.

Some on here know me better than others and know i may have a bike or two...
My cannondale prophet has a lefty 140 max long travel fork as some have already stated (pics are on this thread somewhere).

As a user of a lefty I can state that yes they look weird but they are a very good (so good I've emailed whyte to see if it's ok to put a carbon one on the front of the 146 I have).
The benefits are that they are very stiff giving a very precise tracking to the bike.
They don't bend like traditional telescopic forks meaning that if you
turn it into corners the wheel doesn't slop about (most can't feel this with other forks but if you hold the wheel between your knees and turn the bars, you will see what I mean).
The lefty works on plates and roller bearings giving it a smoother travel. (they even work when you are pushing the bike!) whereas other forks work on a bushing system.
Weight wise, they are one of the lightest forks out there comparable to others in the same travel catagory.

Downsides are that servicing can be expensive if yu don't look after them.
You are limited for front hub options.
Some don't like the looks.
You need a separate mount if yu want to use a cycle computer.
Some people don't understand them and think they are weak....

I must have about 12 pairs of forks and do ride quite hard when the need takes me and I'd trust the lefty fork to take ANYTHING that's thrown at it.
Plush, long travel and light weight that steers better than some rigid forks :)

Any kit can fail (brand new mech on my 3k bike first ride) but it is very rare for kit to "just snap" usually the person trying to say this has forgotten to add that the bike hasn't been serviced for three years, has been left in the garden between rides, has been used for dirt jumping and crashes hard from big landings.

The "just snapped" is a build up of years or months of neglect and use.

1210tech

23-08-12, 03:48 PM

I don't come on here much anymore because I got fed up with reading rubbish and the first time back, I read a crappy statement like this.

I would be VERY suprised if a well maintained fork just decided to snap.

Some on here know me better than others and know i may have a bike or two...
My cannondale prophet has a lefty 140 max long travel fork as some have already stated (pics are on this thread somewhere).

As a user of a lefty I can state that yes they look weird but they are a very good (so good I've emailed whyte to see if it's ok to put a carbon one on the front of the 146 I have).
The benefits are that they are very stiff giving a very precise tracking to the bike.
They don't bend like traditional telescopic forks meaning that if you
turn it into corners the wheel doesn't slop about (most can't feel this with other forks but if you hold the wheel between your knees and turn the bars, you will see what I mean).
The lefty works on plates and roller bearings giving it a smoother travel. (they even work when you are pushing the bike!) whereas other forks work on a bushing system.
Weight wise, they are one of the lightest forks out there comparable to others in the same travel catagory.

Downsides are that servicing can be expensive if yu don't look after them.
You are limited for front hub options.
Some don't like the looks.
You need a separate mount if yu want to use a cycle computer.
Some people don't understand them and think they are weak....

I must have about 12 pairs of forks and do ride quite hard when the need takes me and I'd trust the lefty fork to take ANYTHING that's thrown at it.
Plush, long travel and light weight that steers better than some rigid forks :)

Any kit can fail (brand new mech on my 3k bike first ride) but it is very rare for kit to "just snap" usually the person trying to say this has forgotten to add that the bike hasn't been serviced for three years, has been left in the garden between rides, has been used for dirt jumping and crashes hard from big landings.

The "just snapped" is a build up of years or months of neglect and use.

ooooooooooooooooooo! who rattled your cage, get back in that office, make yourself a brew, put your feet up and get on with your 'work'! ;)

granty92

23-08-12, 03:52 PM

i also know my bikes riding quite alot and having 2012 kona stinky which is ace, maybe the one i used was duff but the way it snapped was just weird(right under the headset) and it really wasn't a hard trail haha sorry if i upset you :L everyone is entitled to their opinion :)

speedplay

23-08-12, 05:10 PM

i also know my bikes riding quite alot and having 2012 kona stinky which is.....

Bland.
The word you are looking for is bland.

Trying to work out how you snapped an inch and a half steerer tube on a pair of forks.
Or are you talking about the headset race?
Or the lower crown?

Cage not rattled.
Just if you are going to post about something you are supposed to know about, then at least make a full post rather than "it's supposed to be strong but it ain't"...

I've snapped countless parts and frames but there is always a reason as to why it broke, it didn't just decide to snap.
Decisions require a thought process, material failures and mechanicals do not.

Paul the 6th

23-08-12, 05:12 PM

Hello everyone, my name is Paul and I am a recovering chocolate addict. My last hit was about 20 minutes ago on some fruit and nut. Earlier I had a bang on some hot chocolate in a cafe...

pookie

24-08-12, 10:33 AM

just quick note crc have a sale on at the moment and have applied their last 15% discount on top of the 15% from the previous 24hrs on top of sale prices.

1210tech

24-08-12, 10:46 AM

just quick note crc have a sale on at the moment and have applied their last 15% discount on top of the 15% from the previous 24hrs on top of sale prices.

the extra discount is just on clothing though isn't it?

1210tech

24-08-12, 10:58 AM

i also know my bikes riding quite alot and having 2012 kona stinky which is ace

Bland.
The word you are looking for is bland.

now now, theres no need for that Rob, each to his own, Kona are an iconic brand and have been around for a long time, just because they don't float your boat. As for things breaking, we've all been there no matter what we ride and cannondale weren't given the nick name 'snap-and-fail' by a friend who worked in a bike shop for no reason

anywho, whens the next ride planned for?

pookie

24-08-12, 11:08 AM

looks like it...bought helmets armour and jerseys..

speedplay

24-08-12, 11:34 AM

1210tech

24-08-12, 11:51 AM

I've got a kona too.
Don't rave about them though.
Iconic in the past but they have lost a lot of their shine in recent years.
Snapped a 2005 stinky head tube right off and destroyed the stab they replaced it with...
The old crack-and-fail nickname came from the chain and seat stay issues that also happened on my rc100....

I'm thinking of heading over to Cannock in the next few weeks...
Will post up on fb.

Ah yes, Pace do seem to be made of butter but I love 'em and wouldn't ride any other hard tail....apart from an early 90's Klein Attitude ;)

Why don't you lot make a pilgrimage to Glyncorrwg/Afan?

speedplay

24-08-12, 12:13 PM

Cause it's in Wales....

Drew Carey

25-08-12, 04:39 PM

I'm up for Afan soon. Was talking to DMC about it last night.

Got Lily's bike sorted now so will be doing more trips to Cannock.

Paul the 6th

25-08-12, 05:15 PM

yeah I think I'm ready for wales soon tbh..

1210tech

25-08-12, 05:51 PM

I'm up for Afan soon. Was talking to DMC about it last night.

Got Lily's bike sorted now so will be doing more trips to Cannock.

yeah I think I'm ready for wales soon tbh..

Cool, get organising then peeps ;)

I'm in Swansea 1st September, 22nd September, 29th September (maybe), 6th October, 20th October, 3rd November.

Just so you know afan & Glyncorrwg are virtually the same place but I think Glyncorrwg is the better ride, it's a bit uphill at the beginning but a lot more rewarding once you get to the top.

DMC

27-08-12, 03:43 PM

Just so you know afan & Glyncorrwg are virtually the same place but I think Glyncorrwg is the better ride, it's a bit uphill at the beginning but a lot more rewarding once you get to the top.

+1 - Some great singletrack out of Glyncorrwg, once you reach the top.

maviczap

27-08-12, 08:32 PM

Cause it's in Wales....

Plenty of sheep in Wales, whats wrong with that ;)

Drew Carey

27-08-12, 08:39 PM

Guys and gals. Anyone fancy Cannock on Saturday? Me and Lily will be going up there. I will be doing the blue route with Lily just to try and get her confidence up more.

DMC mentioned he was up for a bimble, so others can go off and do red etc then can have a catch up etc after / sarnie in the cafe.

JamesMio

30-08-12, 11:17 AM

I appear to have 'accidentally' ordered a new Canyon full-susser...

Steve_God

30-08-12, 12:56 PM

Hey peeps - has anyone been to the trails at Coed y Brenin Forest in Wales?

I've not been before, and I'm taking a group of mates, some of who haven't been MTB'ing on any red routes before, and wondering just how 'red' it is?

Ie, I'd class Cannock Chase as an easy red, whereas Dolby Forest (in particular the Northerly section) is quite an extreme red in parts.

So just wondering which of the 3 red routes are 'less extreme' and more doable for beginners to red routes :)