I struggle to grasp this too!
A Voodoo Wanga...seriously Berger?!!
Ignore Berger, he's new to all this the specialized will do you just fine
Big Bike Thread
- Thread starter Breamy
- Start date
- Status
I struggle to grasp this too!
A Voodoo Wanga...seriously Berger?!!
Ignore Berger, he's new to all this the specialized will do you just fine
Lurker status revoked here. Just went for a ride down the Swindon trail in the pouring rain. Beautiful mud absolutely everywhere, it was fantastic. If not a little heavy on the ride home due to a water logged everything.
Which finger do y'all use for single finger braking? I tend to use the middle finger for the front wheel, and have to use two for the back on the count of V-Brakes which need a new cable. Whoever posted previously about your front brake skill being crucial... I thank you. My last month or so of riding has been much much faster since I've practiced with it.
Currently running an '06 Bianchi Doss which I bought almost new for £150 ~3 months ago. It has gotten me completely addicted to mountain biking, despite the 80mm Suntour XCT front shock and V-Brakes (which, in fairness, I find powerful enough most of the time provided they're setup right). I've changed the front stem from 120mm to a 75mm, and also stuck some 710mm bars. Oh and red tape here and there to make it go faster.
I'm now at the point where I can't upgrade anything without upgrading everything. New fork? Need discs. Want discs? Need new wheels. New wheels? Need lots more money. Oh well. It's not like the bike really holds me back in any way. The only downhill-esque route here is a mile long descent which can be covered in a minute or so. She handles fine down that. It is probably too much for the bike though. It's very fast, with bumps and gulleys all the way down. The first time I rode it I couldn't stop grinning for the rest of the ride.
The bike (**** yeah paint job):
I went SPD almost straight away with it as well. Huge difference, especially in XC. On the trail I'm still undecided which I prefer.
A question - I recently changed the bottom bracket (last one basically exploded mid ride), which has lead to my front derailleur being unable to get to the granny ring. On my shifter it says I am in a gear lower than I am. So when in 2 it says 1.
Is it a simple case of taking the cable off, putting the derailleur into the first cog, setting the shifter to 1 and re-threading the cable? (I have new cable + housing waiting).
^ Hope that makes sense.
Which finger do y'all use for single finger braking? I tend to use the middle finger for the front wheel, and have to use two for the back on the count of V-Brakes which need a new cable. Whoever posted previously about your front brake skill being crucial... I thank you. My last month or so of riding has been much much faster since I've practiced with it.
Currently running an '06 Bianchi Doss which I bought almost new for £150 ~3 months ago. It has gotten me completely addicted to mountain biking, despite the 80mm Suntour XCT front shock and V-Brakes (which, in fairness, I find powerful enough most of the time provided they're setup right). I've changed the front stem from 120mm to a 75mm, and also stuck some 710mm bars. Oh and red tape here and there to make it go faster.
I'm now at the point where I can't upgrade anything without upgrading everything. New fork? Need discs. Want discs? Need new wheels. New wheels? Need lots more money. Oh well. It's not like the bike really holds me back in any way. The only downhill-esque route here is a mile long descent which can be covered in a minute or so. She handles fine down that. It is probably too much for the bike though. It's very fast, with bumps and gulleys all the way down. The first time I rode it I couldn't stop grinning for the rest of the ride.
The bike (**** yeah paint job):
I went SPD almost straight away with it as well. Huge difference, especially in XC. On the trail I'm still undecided which I prefer.
A question - I recently changed the bottom bracket (last one basically exploded mid ride), which has lead to my front derailleur being unable to get to the granny ring. On my shifter it says I am in a gear lower than I am. So when in 2 it says 1.
Is it a simple case of taking the cable off, putting the derailleur into the first cog, setting the shifter to 1 and re-threading the cable? (I have new cable + housing waiting).
^ Hope that makes sense.
Soldato
- Joined
- 6 Feb 2004
- Posts
- 3,450
- Location
- Wiltshire
Index finger for braking. More power than the middle.
If your index finger is too close then move the brskes inboard.
SO how is the Crofts trail doing these days? I tried it once n the mud and never again.
If your index finger is too close then move the brskes inboard.
SO how is the Crofts trail doing these days? I tried it once n the mud and never again.
Ah cheers gents, I'll hit it up with the index and see how it goes.
The trail is doing sweet. There are a couple of braking ruts on some of the slower / tighter corners, but apart from that it's my regular short ride. It could do with some longer downhill sections, but the terrain doesn't really allow for it. Yesterday I found another mile or so of trail which is half built. It looks pretty sweet, with loads of berms and a rock section being built in, and also this
Wherabouts do you ride janesy?
The trail is doing sweet. There are a couple of braking ruts on some of the slower / tighter corners, but apart from that it's my regular short ride. It could do with some longer downhill sections, but the terrain doesn't really allow for it. Yesterday I found another mile or so of trail which is half built. It looks pretty sweet, with loads of berms and a rock section being built in, and also this
Wherabouts do you ride janesy?
index finger only for braking, both front and rear, makes it easier to control the bike in general if things get slightly hairy, you should sort your v brakes out asap
if the V brakes are upto the job of stopping you suitably, i wouldn't really worry about an upgrade to discs just yet, although if you do really want discs it will cost you a new set of hubs and maybe wheels too unless you have new hubs laced into your existing rims
think you'd be better off upgrading the fork and maybe tyres too as those will make the most difference to how the bike feels overall
if the V brakes are upto the job of stopping you suitably, i wouldn't really worry about an upgrade to discs just yet, although if you do really want discs it will cost you a new set of hubs and maybe wheels too unless you have new hubs laced into your existing rims
think you'd be better off upgrading the fork and maybe tyres too as those will make the most difference to how the bike feels overall
The only thing about replacing the hubs only is that the rims I currently have aren't all that anyway. They're not even so true any more, but that's a job I'd rather tackle after the bike is running bang on everywhere else. Is it difficult to reset the rims? Under heavy braking the front can feel little jittery.
Tyres I'm actually fairly happy with. They're a set of 2.1 WTB Velociraptors. Great for anything but hardpacked surfaces really. Maybe not the lightest for XC but definately have enough grip on the trail. They do give up if you push them to far when leaning though, but that's from the rather sharp edge which is most of the time beneficial. They're also rideable on the road, which helps with getting out for XC round here, and will help come September when my bike will be for my 1-2 mile commute.
I'm not looking to upgrade jusssst yet (unfortunately
)... But what sort of fork would this bike be able to take? I believe the frame has been shipped with 100mm forks as well as the 80mm on mine. Would 120mm really ruin the geometry/handling, or is that still a fairly safe bet. I'm not looking for anything over that as I simple wouldn't need it.
The fork really is terrible on XC though. Damping comes in the form of my arms...
Tyres I'm actually fairly happy with. They're a set of 2.1 WTB Velociraptors. Great for anything but hardpacked surfaces really. Maybe not the lightest for XC but definately have enough grip on the trail. They do give up if you push them to far when leaning though, but that's from the rather sharp edge which is most of the time beneficial. They're also rideable on the road, which helps with getting out for XC round here, and will help come September when my bike will be for my 1-2 mile commute.
I'm not looking to upgrade jusssst yet (unfortunately
)... But what sort of fork would this bike be able to take? I believe the frame has been shipped with 100mm forks as well as the 80mm on mine. Would 120mm really ruin the geometry/handling, or is that still a fairly safe bet. I'm not looking for anything over that as I simple wouldn't need it. The fork really is terrible on XC though. Damping comes in the form of my arms...
That's going some on a bike with v-brakes
Like I said. I'm not going to let the bike hold me back
Soldato
- Joined
- 6 Feb 2004
- Posts
- 3,450
- Location
- Wiltshire
Crofty, whats the fastest time on the track? I assume you go on the website and its mentioned on there.
Might have to try it again for a quick blast.
Might have to try it again for a quick blast.
I struggle to grasp this too!
A Voodoo Wanga...seriously Berger?!!
Ignore Berger, he's new to all this the specialized will do you just fine
Much better spec on paper than the Rockhopper and read decent reviews on it, only thing I can see wrong with it is the tyres! Why you would want Minion DH tyres on it I don't know. Stick a Nobby Nic on either end, save some weight.
I'm sure the Rockhopper will ride well, but it looks about about £200 too expensive to me!?
Nope haven't been on the website. I'll have a look in a sec
My fastest is 15 minutes give or take 30 seconds for faffing with the phone. That's not what I'd call full 'race pace' though, but definitely finishing tired and glad for the benches at the end. My problem is that I have nobody to compare my speed & fitness against, so have no clue if my time is good or bad.
Edit: Thanks for mentioning the site. Will register and volunteer for some trail building I think
Last edited:
Big difference in the quality of a frame v.s minor spec nuiances...grr....if only there was an obviois choice to make
I agree in that I wont spend that money on either of those bikes, but that wasnt the question he asked.
Soldato
- Joined
- 6 Feb 2004
- Posts
- 3,450
- Location
- Wiltshire
Bath
Bristol
Mendips
Quantocks
Westbury / Erlestoke
Longleat / Sheerwater
Wales
These are my locals and a few races per month and road riding, Keeps me entertained
Doing westbury / Erlestoke tomorrow Morning at 7am before work. should be wet and muddy
I'm so very tempted by one of these.
I have plenty spares laying around, but I don't think I'll ever ride.
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROOC456P/on-one-carbon-456-frame
I have plenty spares laying around, but I don't think I'll ever ride.
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROOC456P/on-one-carbon-456-frame
Last edited:
Soldato
- Joined
- 6 Feb 2004
- Posts
- 3,450
- Location
- Wiltshire
Me too. ugly as sin though!
Ghey.
Had a great day at Glentress on Wednesday. Weather was cracking, my first visit there, very impressed with the entire setup of the place. I stuck to the blue run as I was concerned about my injury and didn't want to kick the backside out of it and risk anything by jumping straight into the red. The blue however was absolutely spot on!!.
Did the upper / outward blue from the Buzzards nest then took Electric Blue back down and took in Good Game and the Admiral on the way back to the bottom. Great fun. Not ashamed to admit a couple of the climbs had me puffing and panting but it was all worth it.
One thing though folks - this new blue section "Berm Baby Berm", where does that start?. Says it replaces the old firetrack descent back down from the Buzzards Nest but I must have missed it?. Does it start from the Buzzards Nest carpark?. Where about in the car park?. Is it the signposted section directly behind you if you are stood looking at the trail maps?.
Did the upper / outward blue from the Buzzards nest then took Electric Blue back down and took in Good Game and the Admiral on the way back to the bottom. Great fun. Not ashamed to admit a couple of the climbs had me puffing and panting but it was all worth it.
One thing though folks - this new blue section "Berm Baby Berm", where does that start?. Says it replaces the old firetrack descent back down from the Buzzards Nest but I must have missed it?. Does it start from the Buzzards Nest carpark?. Where about in the car park?. Is it the signposted section directly behind you if you are stood looking at the trail maps?.
- Status