Big Bike Thread

nicholas_yiu · 29 May 2013 at 17:20

The Specialized line of tyres are quite decent and good value. They are tubeless compatible as well. I had Captain and Purgatory before and are both good. Go for the Control as well, S-work is light but a bit flimsy in my opinion.

Alternatively, you could go for Nobby Nics which is what I have on my main bike. I had them because everyone said they are good, but in reality, they are similar performing to the Captain/Purgatory and about 1/3 more expensive in the right compound. The basic compound ones are not very good.

CraigN · 29 May 2013 at 17:28

I am finding my Nobby Nic's are not so good in dry dusty conditions. A lot of sliding. Is this just me or anyone else find anything similar?

Andelusion · 29 May 2013 at 18:48

Rob how was the ride? You look like you were lucky with the weather!

robj20 · 29 May 2013 at 18:53

It was great, shame there are so many stepped sections now though the rest of it is good, probably go for the rangers path next time.
Weather was brilliant couldnt ask for better.

dazz25 · 29 May 2013 at 20:07

Had a quick ride on the Canyon tonight but still unsure whether it's too small or not. My inseam is 88cm which they recommend a large for but if I change it to 87cm it changes to medium so it seems i'm right on the border between the two sizes. I went for the medium in the end as I thought the large would be too big.

I'm not sure whether it's also because it's my first full suspension bike and it's got a much slacker head angle than the Rockhopper. Maybe I just need to get used to it.

I guess i'll give them a call tomorrow and see what they recommend over the phone.

Caseh · 29 May 2013 at 20:07

robj20 said:
It was great, shame there are so many stepped sections now though the rest of it is good, probably go for the rangers path next time.
Weather was brilliant couldnt ask for better.

I wouldn't mind getting myself up there sometime soon either, looks like it could be fun! It will be after I've sorted my knees out though, I really need to work on my fitness now. It's coming upto 8 weeks since I had a proper ride out.

Guys.. Headset's again, but this is more checking I've finally understood what I'm looking for (doubtful).. Would the Genesis High Latitude frame ( http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/mountain/high-latitude/high-latitude-2x10 ) take the same headset as the Ragley Big Wig? IE: The Nukeproof 44IESS.

Hopefully this should be my last stupid question for a bit, and sorry for all the crap the last few days (and the rest of the time!)

rhysduck · 29 May 2013 at 20:57

Rob, which way did you go up Snowdon? Really want to do it soon.

booyaka · 29 May 2013 at 22:39

Couple of stage videos from the enduro at the weekend (not mine but a chap from another forum that I frequent)

This is stage 4 - brutally steep and looks not bad from the video but it was mental! So many roots!

Stage 5

robj20 · 30 May 2013 at 05:12

rhysduck said:
Rob, which way did you go up Snowdon? Really want to do it soon.

I went up the Llanberis path.

Supercow · 30 May 2013 at 07:52

That Enduro looks excellent Booyaka, would love to do something like that.

Caseh · 30 May 2013 at 09:43

Well, I've had quite a fun morning! Ordered all the stuff I need for my Big Wig build! Now I'm gonna hate waiting around for it.

nicholas_yiu · 30 May 2013 at 11:06

CraigN said:
I am finding my Nobby Nic's are not so good in dry dusty conditions. A lot of sliding. Is this just me or anyone else find anything similar?

Actually, I am getting a lot of sliding on my Nobby Nic's when it's dry and dusty as well, but we don't get a lot of that in this country do we?

I think most tyres that are decent in muddy condition would be the same because it needs the knob spacing to shred mud. When it's dry and dusty, because the ground is hard, you are not "digging in". The wide knob spacing reduce contact area and hence sliding. I think it's something that we have to live with as a compromise unless you want to be changing tyres every time the condition change. I am open to suggestion for tyres that are good in both muddy and dusty condition though.

Anyway, as a reward for doing DIY jobs on my week off instead of going out on the bike, my 1X10 parts have arrived this morning:

With the clutch mech and as short of a chain as possible, I am wondering if I am brave enough to leave the chain guide off. Kind of dangerous with the chain growth on a full sus though. I had a big crash before because of a dropped chain before so struggling a bit.

Anyway, better finish painting that room before putting those on the bike.

booyaka · 30 May 2013 at 11:09

Supercow said:
That Enduro looks excellent Booyaka, would love to do something like that.

it will sell out fast again next year - very popular now. Get yourself booked up for next year - plently of camping/caravan spaces around , loads of self catering for the week - well worth it.

Caseh · 30 May 2013 at 11:13

nicholas_yiu said:
Anyway, as a reward for doing DIY jobs on my week off instead of going out on the bike, my 1X10 parts have arrived this morning:

With the clutch mech and as short of a chain as possible, I am wondering if I am brave enough to leave the chain guide off. Kind of dangerous with the chain growth on a full sus though. I had a big crash before because of a dropped chain before so struggling a bit.

Anyway, better finish painting that room before putting those on the bike.

I've just bought a Zee crankset for my Big Wig build, that's going to be 1x10.. But I also bought a Superstar chain device, thought I may aswell for £35. Can't wait to see how it goes! I'll probably be crying on my first hill.

Andelusion · 30 May 2013 at 11:13

nicholas_yiu said:
With the clutch mech and as short of a chain as possible, I am wondering if I am brave enough to leave the chain guide off. Kind of dangerous with the chain growth on a full sus though. I had a big crash before because of a dropped chain before so struggling a bit.

Anyway, better finish painting that room before putting those on the bike.

Getting the chain length right is just something you should do anyway before thinking about chain retention really, you'll probably still need at least a top guide if you want it to stay on.

W!ll · 30 May 2013 at 11:14

Nice kit there!

Booyaka that looks like a lot of fun, got to take my bike to one of these events soon!

Finally a lot of shiny stuff has arrived at my door this week;

nicholas_yiu · 30 May 2013 at 12:12

Andelusion said:
Getting the chain length right is just something you should do anyway before thinking about chain retention really, you'll probably still need at least a top guide if you want it to stay on.

The "right" chain length is a bit more complicated than that on a full sus in my opinion.

If you have the chain too short, when the suspension compress, jockey wheel hits the cassette and everything goes bang.

With higher chain tension, in theory, you are adding an extra spring onto your suspension which varies depending on what gear you are in. A clutch mech makes it worse. It's even worse on a single pivot bike like the Orange 5 that I have.

I think there will be a bit of trial and error to find the right chain length for me this time.

robj20 · 30 May 2013 at 12:33

Its really not, chain length = big, big, suspension cycled to see what if any chain growth + 2 links.
Then like andeusion says look at a chain device.

nicholas_yiu · 30 May 2013 at 12:48

Yup, I am probably over thinking a bit. The pedalling forces probably has a greater effect to the suspension than the mech anyway. I always think too much when painting rooms, it's just so boring.

I do have a top chain guide already, just that it doesn't match the colour scheme and I want to ride tomorrow.

booyaka · 30 May 2013 at 12:57

was going to sell my old C456 frame but now thinking of building it up for a general hack around bike for during the week.

Already got old slx brakes, seatpost, grips, wheels etc - a job lots of 2nd hand stuff from bikeradar could probably build it up for next to nothing. Suppose forks are the costliest part of the build (might even go rigid!!)