Mountain Biking

Irish_Tom · 28 Jan 2017 at 17:25

6thElement said:
Know anyone with a short stem you could borrow for a couple of rides to try?

Unfortunately not. I might get a couple and send one back / sell it on.

kaotikuk said:
short stem (try 50mm) and maybe raise the handlebars with some spacers

That's a good point, I have a couple of spacers I can play with as well.

BaJ · 28 Jan 2017 at 21:57

dhill said:
Not really sure what to make of Cannock though as I'm not sure it's really what I'm looking for trail wise, well the 1st half of Follow the Dog certainly isn't.

The first half of the Dog is pretty poor, it's an old fashioned XC pedalling along the flat pebbles type affair really. Give the Monkey a go next time, it's much more interesting overall, plus you can peel off for some fun at Stile Cop.

dhill · 29 Jan 2017 at 11:55

BaJ said:
The first half of the Dog is pretty poor, it's an old fashioned XC pedalling along the flat pebbles type affair really. Give the Monkey a go next time, it's much more interesting overall, plus you can peel off for some fun at Stile Cop.

Cheers for the advice, very much appreciated. I'm certainly not ready to rule out riding there again, so will defiantly give the Monkey a go next time I'm there.

dhill · 29 Jan 2017 at 14:20

Is it possible to ride the Monkey without having to ride half the Dog first?

Superpatsy · 29 Jan 2017 at 22:43

Never set my front forks properly and accidentally pulled the brakes when I landed, then this happened...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrEwD3Nso88

Irish_Tom · 29 Jan 2017 at 23:03

Superpatsy said:
Never set my front forks properly and accidentally pulled the brakes when I landed, then this happened...

Ouch! Are you ok? Any damage?

Superpatsy · 29 Jan 2017 at 23:14

Irish_Tom said:
Ouch! Are you ok? Any damage?

Few hefty cuts on my lower leg and a dead upper leg and that was it! Not bad considering I headbutted the tree!

steve45 · 29 Jan 2017 at 23:50

I've still never ridden Falkland, will have to make the effort to get up there next time i'm up Dundee.

BaJ · 30 Jan 2017 at 09:38

dhill said:
Is it possible to ride the Monkey without having to ride half the Dog first?

Absolutely. Park at either the Marquis Drive visitor centre, the pumping station off the A460 or at Stile Cop. They'll give you quicker access than starting at Birches Valley.

dhill · 30 Jan 2017 at 12:49

Can anyone recommend any lightweight body armour at all please?

dhill · 30 Jan 2017 at 12:50

BaJ said:
Absolutely. Park at either the Marquis Drive visitor centre, the pumping station off the A460 or at Stile Cop. They'll give you quicker access than starting at Birches Valley.

Top man! Weather permitting, it looks like I'll be back up there this coming weekend with my brother. He's just picked up a old Trek Remedy 9 from the manager of our local bike shop.

merlin · 30 Jan 2017 at 14:11

dhill said:
Can anyone recommend any lightweight body armour at all please?

Bit overkill for trails/cross country, unless you're made of glass

Begbie · 30 Jan 2017 at 14:13

merlin said:
Bit overkill for trails/cross country, unless you're made of glass

yeah just use knee pads, unless your full on DH with uplifts. Other wise you'll be hot, and like a robot.

dhill · 30 Jan 2017 at 14:22

merlin said:
Bit overkill for trails/cross country, unless you're made of glass

I completely agree that it's probably overkill for trails/cross country type riding. But I will be riding Chicksands (dual slalom, 4x cross track and single track) as well as the likes of Cannock Chase.

But as the major bread winner in the family (and the fact that I'm starting to get old now), I figure that some light weight body armour could be the difference between me picking myself up from a spill and going to work Monday or ending up in hospital.

Was thinking something along the lines of the following;

http://www.troyleedesigns.com/5850-protective-shirt

http://www.troyleedesigns.com/7855-protective-ls-shirt

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/9368/products/bliss-comp-ld-top-body-armour-black.aspx

0043345_bliss_arg_10_ld_comp_body_armour_colour_black_size_letter_xs.jpeg

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/48520/products/661-evo-compression-jacket-ls-black-orange.aspx

mangobreeder · 30 Jan 2017 at 19:36

I can vouch of the second link 7855 Troy lee. Own it my self. Fits well doesn't get too hot, or rub and each section is removable so can be washed.

Would buy again

merlin · 30 Jan 2017 at 22:19

dhill said:
But as the major bread winner in the family (and the fact that I'm starting to get old now), I figure that some light weight body armour could be the difference between me picking myself up from a spill and going to work Monday or ending up in hospital.

If you fall funny you're going to hospital irrespective.

I'm 45 yrs of age, ex BMX etc - ive come off at 20mph and 30 mph just on knee and arm pads - its generally all you need, that plus a good lid and gloves. Maybe chin guard if you like your teeth (i dont bother as i have insurance).

People are different.

Just make sure you have some life/medical/personal accident insurance so if you do bash your head on a rock the wife and kids can wheel you around Disney Land

Skillmister · 31 Jan 2017 at 07:17

As the saying goes.. Better to be a rich vegetable than a poor one

VaderDSL · 31 Jan 2017 at 17:46

merlin said:
Schwalbe Land Cruiser could be an option.

Cheers! went with 2 pairs of these in the end (mine and dads). Not too bad, £10 each in the end, although I think they were cheaper a while ago.

randomshenans · 1 Feb 2017 at 23:39

The boys bike has some parts that arrived today! Tubes, rotors, XT brake set, pads, cassette, f&r derailleurs, chain and bottle cage.
That should be all it needs to get it together, I think...

Cuchulain · 1 Feb 2017 at 23:40

Can anyone shed any light on to why my front brake disk constantly ends up rubbing when banking round corners? I've tried a few different disks now and they all do the same. Is it something I need to put up with until the pads wear down a bit?