Big Bike Thread

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Lol. I know how to apply bike tape. But...when using motorbike tape that is MUCH thicker than the mountain bike specific tape, it is harder to work with.
Believe me, hairdryer works better. ;)

Now go punch yourself in the Lycra. :p
 
Bike Park Wales tomorrow! Can't wait. We're super lucky with the weather, looks to be really sunny all day.

Hoping some of the trails I want to try aren't closed.
 
Shadowness said:
Bike Park Wales tomorrow! Can't wait. We're super lucky with the weather, looks to be really sunny all day.

Hoping some of the trails I want to try aren't closed.
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If you're lucky you won't get blown off you're bike! IDE worrying about the wind down here more than the rain. Our bins are no longer where they should be, got a poorly fence and we've acquired a bucket :D
 
It looks deceptively nice outside until you notice the trees are at 45 degrees in the wind :D rain forecast down south this afternoon too.

Wish it would stop raining and dry out a bit, all the normal bridle ways I use are about a foot deep in mud :(
 
I've not been off road since Christmas :( With current conditions the only stuff that's still enjoyable to ride are trail centres and the forestry based ones seem to be suffering with downed trees.
 
Gribs said:
I've not been off road since Christmas :( With current conditions the only stuff that's still enjoyable to ride are trail centres and the forestry based ones seem to be suffering with downed trees.
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Yip weather down in Cornwall is way too rough to be riding. Quite depressing.
 
Shadowness said:
Bike Park Wales tomorrow! Can't wait. We're super lucky with the weather, looks to be really sunny all day.

Hoping some of the trails I want to try aren't closed.
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Hate to think what its like on the very top with the wind:p

I rode up it 3 times and as you wind up round the very last few corners the wind was unreal,This was a month or so back when the weather wasn't too bad.
 
Forecast is meant to be better tomorrow, we're pretty lucky by the looks of it!

Not long been back from a 50 mile road ride, THAT wasn't fun against the wind.
 
And chaps, I've fitted Shimano Saint (M820) brakes to the front of my Canyon, and the lever feels quite soft, not sure if that's characteristic of that brake....BUT..

The bite point is really close to the lever, even when the lever adjustment is all the way out. I don't like my brakes like this, and when the pads wear it'll be even closer.

Is there anything I can do to try and reduce the free stroke in the lever? I haven't got time to bleed them or do anything major.

I read on another forum that if you take the wheel (and disc) off, then squeeze the brakes A BIT, the pads will reset closer. So when you put the disc back in there's less free stroke.

Is this about right, or a load of bull?
 
Shadowness said:
And chaps, I've fitted Shimano Saint (M820) brakes to the front of my Canyon, and the lever feels quite soft, not sure if that's characteristic of that brake....BUT..

The bite point is really close to the lever, even when the lever adjustment is all the way out. I don't like my brakes like this, and when the pads wear it'll be even closer.

Is there anything I can do to try and reduce the free stroke in the lever? I haven't got time to bleed them or do anything major.

I read on another forum that if you take the wheel (and disc) off, then squeeze the brakes A BIT, the pads will reset closer. So when you put the disc back in there's less free stroke.

Is this about right, or a load of bull?
Click to expand...

It will push the pistons out, so be careful you don't fully push them out if you do try it.

You can loosen off the calipers and squeeze the pads in whilst tighting them back up which should alligin the pistons IIRC?
 
Well I just had a go, obviously I didn't pull the levers too much, as you say.

It did help a bit I think, these Saints are so powerful anyway hopefully I won't need to pull as much as I'm used to!
 
I've just ordered some of this bike protection off the bay for the Nukeproof. Its cheaper and thicker than tarts bike tape. If its any good I'll order more to cover more of the bike, the underside of the down tube is my only concern at the moment though if its easy to apply I might do most of the bike.

On a side note did anyone buy the Dirt 100 2014 mag? The YT Tues won bike of the year again. That new YT Wicked enduro thing looks sweet the kit is amazing for the price though the frame looks old.

I'm on the exercise bike 5 nights out of 7 to try and keep up fitness for the better weather riding, managed to put on around a stone over christmas which has flew back off and some so trying to get lean and mean for rippin the likes of bike park wales, aston hill, dalby and of course cannock :)
 
Well yesterday's ride was very interesting, one the weather was VERY changeable... seen sun, rain, wind and hail! On the other hand I got a shot of my mates new Cube Fritzz... I am very impressed! Maybe slightly converted to the fact that maybe the idea of a full suss shouldn't be thrown out the window! I also had a shot of my old Cube Analog... interesting seeing as I hadn't been on it since I got the On One, I'm glad I have the On One now :P Still a good bike though.

Anyway 9 miles around out local grounds trails made for some good fun! Had the GoPro on, set to take photos every 1\2 seconds to see what it would be like... no half bad they turned out either.

Giving the Fritzz a thrashing... with Ally upfront on my 456 (It's far too small for him lol)


Giving the old Cube a going over


On my own machine



Good times 8)
 
In the first pic you look like you're wearing rubber gloves!

Had a blast around cwmcarn on Thursday. The weather was horrendous!



First two pictures are of sideways hail! I took them as we were hiding behind a tree! :D
 
The new XC and DH opens on Wednesday apparently. Couldn't see no signs though when I was there on Thursday.

They've also "improved" the current DH track. I'm not a fan to be honest, only rode it twice but first impressions arent great :( It's a shame because the bottom section of the DH track (from road drop down) was lovely for hammering after a loop of the XC. The jumps, one after the big left hand berm and the double just before the bridge was just right for me to practice getting air. Now it's all super steep take offs :mad: :(

TL : DR - it's not been improved.. it's a backward step if you ask me.
 
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Hah a great day out at Bike Park Wales yesterday. To say we were lucky with the weather is an understatement too!!

Some really good trails there too. I was on my DH bike, which admittedly was a bit overkill for most of the trails, particularly some of the blues. There was one red which I really didn't like, Rim Dinger I think it was called. VERY rocky, and quite flat so it just kills your speed. The steeper rocky trails were much better.

Enter the Dragon going into Willy Waver was my favourite run of the day.

Uplifts were good too, some times we waited 10 minutes, sometimes we were straight on the next bus.

I'm feeling pretty battered and bruised today too, even though I didn't come off!
 
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