Big Bike Thread

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I only noticed today how dated my frame looks (and how it's still vomit inducing, I thought a few splashes of gold might liven it up but it seems nothing goes with pus green). After a month of two deliberating over getting an Orange frame I've decided not to bother and save for a bit and get a full-sus frame+forks. I've never ridden a proper full suspension bike and I'm a bit concerned by the weight penalty, my ht might be a few years old but it's bloody light and easy to handle.

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Cuchulain said:
I've never ridden a proper full suspension bike and I'm a bit concerned by the weight penalty, my ht might be a few years old but it's bloody light and easy to handle.
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There's not THAT much of a weight penalty these days, to most full sussers.

Can you borrow a friends full sus for a ride, or maybe get yourself to an OcUK meet and try a few?
 
matt_fsr said:
There's not THAT much of a weight penalty these days, to most full sussers.

Can you borrow a friends full sus for a ride, or maybe get yourself to an OcUK meet and try a few?
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Think I'll have to find someone who's willing when I'm out biking, meets are bit far out as I'm in NI and everyone I know thinks an Apollo is a perfectly acceptable bike.
 
matt_fsr said:
There's not THAT much of a weight penalty these days, to most full sussers.
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I dunno, my full suss weighs a ton! :D

Ok it doesn't it is significantly heavier than my old Focus hardtail, but then it is an all mountain bike and not a racey hardtail so I know it will take a beating. Mine was an 'off the peg' full suss but knowing what I know now I'd have saved and bought a lighter frame and forks and built it up which is definitely the way to go, just as Cuchulain is thinking about, Like you say it shouldn't be much of a weight penalty if you buy the right gear. More maintenance though...
 
RobotXander said:
anywhere else other than BikeTart to buy frame wrap?
Google brings up Ebay but it's a rip off to be honest
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Bike Tart is the only place (I know of) for the best stuff. I haven't personally tried it but the ebay stuff is rubbish, it discolours and peels away (after 1 ride) so my mate tells me. He bought some and then said he won't buy anything other than the bike tart stuff from now on.
 
Finally changed my tyres and inner-tubes over today and whilst doing so managed to fix the rubbing sound in my rear-wheel so quite please about that and saved a trip to the LBS. Although they weren't the easiest tyres in the world to put on, they've made all the difference in terms of rolling resistance.

Afterwards, I met a friend and we took ourselves off for a good 25 mile bike-ride which is the longest ride I've done in over ten years. The bike held up very well, although my arse not so much. Could've happily managed the return journey but got the train instead. Sitting down did not help as when I got in after riding back from the station, my legs really did not like me. Only thing of concern is that I'm going to need new grips as they're already fraying and my front suspension - not sure if this is normal? - squeaks a little oddly when the rebound is set medium to high and is rebounding after compression.

London-Southend next month. 57 miles. A little less concerned about the distance now, but still going to be tiring. Should be interesting though, far more people doing it.
 
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I think i will at least get the hanger sent to me free, think the mech has had it though, its cheaper to buy a new one than fix it. Might get an X9 this time though, just a bit heavier and dont look as good but function exactly the same.
 
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