Big Bike Thread

GT3 · 31 May 2011 at 01:25

Hi can anyone recommend a decent mountain bike for road use but occasional gravel tracks. bumping up curbs etc so not a proper road bike.

I currently have a Specialized Hardrock comp but the frame size is a tad small and although its mechanically perfect and mint condition its an old model with v brakes so would like something a bit newer. It has semi-road tyres which I find are great for my needs.

I will go second hand but lightly used as this is how I bought my current bike. I paid £150 for mine 3 years ago in new condition and its probably still worth about that now so say a budget of double that? Any brands I should really look out for or shall I just go for 2010 model Hardrock disc but with bigger sized frame?

Kanifee · 31 May 2011 at 07:16

Nix said:
Got another ****ing pinch-flat today!

Riding into work, I was about 15 minutes walk up the road and jumped up a curb non-aggressively and straight away thought something was wrong. Hand over the back tyre and I could feel air coming out. Fantastic. That makes five now. Wheeled the bike home and was late for work.

Right, ordering those tyres and some conti tubes as we speak. Going to try 55-60 PSI when they arrive.

Is there any way I can improve lifting the back wheel over obstacles as I'm wondering if the frame-style is working against me? Any more flats and I think I'll scream.

Also, do thin tyres contribute to pinch-flats?

EDIT:

What about 'damaged' rims in terms of spoke tuning?

are you sure you have the weight shift down to a tea, only time i get pinch flats on curbs ( rather the one time i have) was because i never got the weight shift right and had to much weight hanging over the back end as the wheel went up the curb, also only run about 38 psi in my back, im 14 stone 7.

are you in the saddle when you go up the curb?

robj20 · 31 May 2011 at 07:46

I dont even get pinch flats if i slam the back wheel into the curb, thicker tubes certainly help.

janesssssy · 31 May 2011 at 08:48

Nix said:
Got another ****ing pinch-flat today!

Right, ordering those tyres and some conti tubes as we speak. Going to try 55-60 PSI when they arrive.

55 - 60 PSI? on MTB tryres? - if so then theres the problem.

robj20 · 31 May 2011 at 09:10

I run about 45psi in mine for road use, they roll faster if they can flex a little too hard and they absorb nothing which slows you down.

janesssssy · 31 May 2011 at 09:25

Road use I run 40 PSI max, if your still pinch flatting then it must be the rim, or the inertube is caught between the rim and tyre bead.

Supercow · 31 May 2011 at 09:26

Fun day’s riding yesterday at CwmCarn … got completely and utterly soaked but that just made it more fun.

Kanifee · 31 May 2011 at 10:45

Can't wait to get out and do some proper riding again, my 456 ss is allmost complete, only brakes front shifter, seatpost and bars, could do with.some lock on grips too. Just wish there was more local trails!

Kona* · 31 May 2011 at 10:50

Kanifee said:
kona where do you ride mate?

My local haunts are Chopwell and Hamsterley, usually at Hamsterley a couple of times a month and at Chopwell a couple of times a week (living in Chopwell helps!)

Supercow · 31 May 2011 at 11:20

6thElement said:
My latest bike accessory for my race which starts in 11 days:

wtf is it?

Kanifee · 31 May 2011 at 11:23

Need to get back up chopwell, haven't been up since I crashed, will be returning with a proper bike.

how much is it to ride at hamsterly, havnt been anywhere like it before, been wanting to have a trip up kielder soon as well.

booyaka · 31 May 2011 at 11:28

Supercow said:
wtf is it?

looks like a snow shoe or something?

matt_fsr · 31 May 2011 at 11:58

Kanifee said:
Need to get back up chopwell, haven't been up since I crashed, will be returning with a proper bike.

how much is it to ride at hamsterly, havnt been anywhere like it before, been wanting to have a trip up kielder soon as well.

To park in the normal car park at Hamsterly its' £3, or £5 on a bank holiday weekend for a car.

Hamsterly black is a good fun trail these days, especially when you know a few extra bits and pieces to add onto it

Took my Big Hit around there on Sunday..... pant pant pant.

Worth it cycling up past the descend hut with all the DH'ers thinking "is he mad?"

weescott · 31 May 2011 at 12:20

Supercow said:
wtf is it?

It's a snow shoe.

http://www.backcountry.com/atlas-race-snowshoe

RobotXander · 31 May 2011 at 12:26

I ride Five Tens on flats, but thats going to be a bit awkward, no?

booyaka · 31 May 2011 at 12:43

Danny MacAskill Plays Capetown (complete video)

new video - This was done as a promotion for Leica cameras

Behind the scenes

Kona* · 31 May 2011 at 13:03

Kanifee said:
Need to get back up chopwell, haven't been up since I crashed, will be returning with a proper bike.

how much is it to ride at hamsterly, havnt been anywhere like it before, been wanting to have a trip up kielder soon as well.

As matt_fsr says, £3 to park at Hamsterley usually. Next time your up at Chopwell give me a shout if you like, unless it's raining and/or blowing a gale I'll be up for a blast around the trails.

Street · 31 May 2011 at 13:35

Street said:
What are the sizes like for the Pitch Pros? Can't seem to find any near me to try them out. I'm 5'10 and my Rockhopper was a 17.5" frame.. I'm guessing the medium Pitch will be similar to the medium Rockhopper?

Also what are the 2009/2010 models like compared to the 2011? If I can't find a second hand one quickly enough I'm tempted just to treat myself and get a new 2011 model, plus I really like the green and black!

Anyone?

Kona* · 31 May 2011 at 14:14

Street said:
Anyone?

I think the medium will be fine for you. matt_fsr is around 5'10/6ft and he rides a medium, the large felt a little too big for me sometimes and I'm 6ft1ish.

matt_fsr · 31 May 2011 at 14:29

Street said:
Anyone?

If you're 5'10 id go for medium. My 2008 Pitch had a 75mm stem and that seemed fine, but I did get some slight shoulder achyness sometimes on long rides - probably needed a touch longer stem.

My 2010 Pitch (insurance replacement

) is currently on a 90mm stem, with decent rise bars. I'm pretty much 6' tall but find I prefer a medium frame for its chuckable nature, and then I have to 'extend out' the geometry a bit to make up for the slightly undersized frame.

I've ridden a large framed Pitch, and it feels very stable but a bit less throwable, and just slightly slower to react to things.

Depends how you like your riding really, but if you went for a large frame I'd think you might end up having to stick a DH stem on it, and sweep the bars backwards!