The MTB thread

[CheGuevara]

Originally Posted by Luckypants

PS. This getting back into cycling lark is not cheap is it?

That's true. Not as bad as say getting back into motorcycling perhaps, but still... I did get the bike on cyclescheme though so at least it's not costing me a lot up front.

[Luckypants]

No fair! As I work from home means I don't qualify for a bike under the cycle to work scheme. It really would be a great way to get a bike on the cheap.

Originally Posted by Luckypants

No fair! As I work from home means I don't qualify for a bike under the cycle to work scheme. It really would be a great way to get a bike on the cheap.

you sure? cos the scheme my work had running meant the bike could be used for any form of business use (eg: do u ever have to go to the post office/shop to get stuff for work?) also ours stated it could be used to go get lunch at lunchtime and stuff!

when you apply there's no mention of how many miles your going use it for etc.... considering i've never worked closer than 30mile round trip from work, i bought a full sus specialized on it, it never seen a commute in its life!

[Luckypants]

Well having read my work's internal web site about it, it seems that I won't qualify but there's no harm in having a go now is there? You see I have a marker on my personnel file that shows I'm a home worker. I think the scheme is open for elections right now, so why the hell not?

[CheGuevara]

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Well having read my work's internal web site about it, it seems that I won't qualify but there's no harm in having a go now is there? You see I have a marker on my personnel file that shows I'm a home worker. I think the scheme is open for elections right now, so why the hell not?

Worth a go for sure. TBH I don't think they really care. Nobody asked me if/how-often I'd be riding to work. Maybe you visit the office for meetings now and again, and ride the bike there, or park and ride.

I'm contemplating this as my work participates and is affiliated with www.cycleworld.co.uk. Trek 8500 MTB for me I think (I already have a fair bit of the kit as my previous mtb was stolen and I spent the insurance cash elsewhere).

My only question is: Will the store price match and then do the scheme? Anyone had any experience of this?

[northwind]

Originally Posted by CheGuevara

I'm now searching hard for a bargain on a pair of shoes (hoping not to spend more than £50-£60 max).

Ah, the joys of flat pedals. "What shoes will I wear for cycling? The ones I'm already wearing"

Originally Posted by barwel1992

^ get some marzuchi 66's 160travel (if the frame can cope)

I dunno, not sure I trust zocchis, I keep looking at them and thinking "Hang on, this is an expensive Suntour." 66's is supposed to be good though, the 55 would be a better fit on the bike but they still get slated for reliability. The new Revelations look ace, they weigh only 1750 grams with the maxle and u-turn so that seems perfect. But HOW MUCH?

[CheGuevara]

Got out for my first ride on the new bike today. I think I did alright:





Had some fun the first few minutes through the mud, spinning up the rear wheel and wondering if I was gonna topple over before I got my feet out of the bindings. Was fine once I got used to the sensation.

[mattSV]

Has anyone else tried Nokia Sport Tracker Yet? - click here

Free application for Nokia phones with GPS - tracks your route, gives you pace & distance covered - can then be uploaded to the Sport Tracker website to keep a workout diary and a record of the route taken. Also tracks altitude and pulse rate (if you have a bluetooth linked HRM).

I tiried it for the first time whilst out on a walk along the beach, and then got in the car and drove a couple of miles - you can see on the graph when I got in the car!

Also probably need to adjust settings for the altimeter, as it reckoned I was 20m above sea level when I was on the beach! Apart from that, I was quite impressed with it!

Went out for a good 20 mile ride, strangely one that seemed to just go uphill!

I think I need goggles for winter riding, or well riding in mud riding. Bloody annoying getting that in the eyes when you are shooting down a hill fast!

I did towards the end of the ride go through a field (puplic footpath etc) that had been ploughed, never again, the mud stuck to the wheels so I literally couldn't move the thing unless I picked it up, and that was hard because a) Mud weighs a LOT! b) My shoes were getting pulled off because of weight of mud and suction...

Basically avoid those sorts of fields!!!! I think my mate got a vid of the mud. I will post it at some point.