The MTB thread

I went for the men's version, double cross bar, it's that good.

[Jayneflakes]

Twenty years of Dentist Phobia left me with a bit to do in my mouth. So far I have had two wisdom teeth removed, two fillings and a clean. Not bad for twenty years, but I hear you cry, what the **** has this to do with mountain bikes?

Monday just gone I had my fillings, the Monday before was my wisdom teeth. So mouth still numb and spitting blood from the cleaning, I wandered into work to see if they needed a hand building kids bikes for Christmas. They didn't, so Carol drove me home and then left for work. She took me because with out her I could not visit the Dentist.

So I am at home and the day is just brightening after the rain, my mouth is still numb and I decide now would be the best time to get my Mountain bike out for a spin. If I have spent the morning being afraid, I should damn well have something to show for it. So I get all lycra clad and look outside to pouring rain. So I don my water proofs and think it is time to try burn the glaze off of my new Hope pads and try out my new Time cleats.

The mud was manky, very slippery and climbing was hard going, with the back wheel breaking away almost with every stroke. But I still got to the top of the bridle way. Time for some fun. I was not expecting to feel afraid. The down hill is rocky, muddy and sandy and in the woods, so is also covered with fallen leaves. My fastest down here is just over forty KMPH, but not today.

The back end of the bike was snaking and controling it at speed was hard work. The bumps came fast and hard and then I pulled on my brakes, nothing. Pulled harder and started to slow. Then as I was slowing, the bumps got worse and I thought I was going to lose control, so harder on the brakes. Surely thinks I, new pads can't be this bad, they came from Hope! Only it was not the brakes that was the problem. It is hard to brake when there is no traction.

Feeling shaken and afraid I stop at the bottom of the down hill and then head off up the toll road to find the single track down to the Beach. Then it was a quick route through the village for the training and back up the hill to the other bridle way... The very one that joins the down hill I had just ridden. So back at the top of the hill, I look down the track and drop a gear. I manage a look at my speedo, but it is covered with mud and is unreadable. The track has got wetter in the rain and is even slippier, traction is a joke as I slide from side to side of the trail, more carving than stearing. My heart was in my throat and I scared my self even more than the first time. The final corner to the road has a log on it and I only manage to miss it by banking round it. I stop at the bottom and check the speedo. Max Spd:37.23KMPH.

Who needs a Dentist Phobia to raise the heart rate? Slept so soundly that night that not even my usual bad dreams roused me. I love my Mountain Bike, even as she sits in bits in the Hallway awaiting the arrival of her new Hope rear disk.

Peace is once again returned to the rampaging heart of the Flakes.

Just ordered myself one of these

Time to go get muddy

[northwind]

I just went a bit mad in the Chain Reaction flood sale (lots of good stuff for cheap)- new forks (Rockshox Reba SL) , seatpost, stem... Plus a new saddle and bars off ebay. All for under £150. QUite pleased

Yea, the flood sale was/is pretty amazing.
All the stuff went really quickly, which wasnt surprising at the prices!

[northwind]

There's not even a mark on my forks either... The stem's a wee bit marked but who cares, it's going to spend the rest of its life being crashed down mountains (oh, I got Toras not Rebas... Can't afford Rebas. Can afford £85 Toras!)

As Gary will testify, I have been out and about on my bike. Only fallen off (well, over really) once so far, should have checked that the clipless pedals were adjusted correctly before riding! Having once side set to loose and one set to firm meant I couldn't get my feet out

Never mind, it's all good fun. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be out again, wheezing

I've got a Pace F2 (last one with the square seat tube before they went round. The one Mint Sauce rides ). Itrs sprinkled with the Usual XT, Hope and Race Face. I've had it for 12 years and it's never even looked like going wrong. I used to race it back in the 90's when i was obscenly fit. (now just obscenly fat

I'd never swap it, sell it or trade it in. We've done thousands of miles together

... and I can't ride a bike that doesn't have SPD's on it. Just can't!

Originally Posted by Tim in Belgium

I went for the men's version, double cross bar, it's that good.

And some pics taken today in the garage as it's cold and wet outside:









Got to love that centre stand and fully enclosed chain....

Originally Posted by rigor

As Gary will testify, I have been out and about on my bike. Only fallen off (well, over really) once so far, should have checked that the clipless pedals were adjusted correctly before riding! Having once side set to loose and one set to firm meant I couldn't get my feet out

Never mind, it's all good fun. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be out again, wheezing

You're not trying hard enough if you don't crash. It's not a ride until you fall off at least once.*

*Please do not apply these statements to motorcycle riding!

Tim, that looks cool. Where are the brakes? I can't see them. Do you use you feet to slow down?