Big Bike Thread

6thElement · 12 Sep 2014 at 20:58

I'm still 9 speed on my MTB's so would need to change everything in my drivetrain to go for a budget wide range 10x :/

thewanted · 12 Sep 2014 at 21:04

Begbie said:
Like the Bird Zero

I can't wait for my second test ride tomorrow

Went to Forest of Dean today. The downhill section on the blue trail is rough as ****! My hands were really aching by the end of it.

The red trail is a bit meh. It's only 7.4km long and the descent is not that memorable. It's very rooty though if you're into that kind of thing.

neil_g · 12 Sep 2014 at 21:05

neil_g said:
So essentially..

Narrow wide 32t - £40 (hope, but they all seem the same price)
Cassette expander - £53 (hope)
Cassette - £30 (XT 11-36)
Chain - £17 (XT)
Shifter - £29 (XT)

All in - £170

looking at ebay i can get back roughly..

x5 shifters - £13
front mech (deore?) - £10
chain + cassette - last PG990 and PC991 combo went for £37
bash guard - £20

so about £77. only £100 to find

SDK^ · 12 Sep 2014 at 21:07

neil_g said:
So essentially..

Narrow wide 32t - £40 (hope, but they all seem the same price)
Cassette expander - £53 (hope)
Cassette - £30 (XT 11-36)
Chain - £17 (XT)
Shifter - £29 (XT)

All in - £170

Yup pretty much there.
Superstar Components do cheaper narrow wide chain rings (£26) so if you're on a budget you could look at those.
http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/i-o-chainring-narrow-wide-style.htm

Also, does your rear derailleur have a clutch system to keep the chain tight? It helps prevent the chain falling off the front ring if you don't have a chain device.

I've removed the Spesh chain device from my bike as the X9 RD is super tight.

neil_g · 12 Sep 2014 at 21:09

SDK^ said:
Yup pretty much there.
Superstar Components do cheaper narrow wide chain rings (£26) so if you're on a budget you could look at those.
http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/i-o-chainring-narrow-wide-style.htm

Also, does your rear derailleur have a clutch system to keep the chain tight? It helps prevent the chain falling off the front ring if you don't have a chain device.

I've removed the Spesh chain device from my bike as the X9 RD is super tight.

yup, SLX shadowplus rear

SDK^ · 12 Sep 2014 at 21:11

6thElement said:
I'm still 9 speed on my MTB's so would need to change everything in my drivetrain to go for a budget wide range 10x :/

1x10 is significantly cheaper than 1x11 though.
My 10 speed drive train was about £300 but 11 speed was upwards of £480.

neil_g · 13 Sep 2014 at 10:06

Supercow said:
Like all sensible bikes.
Stealth routing is brillaint, but internal cable routing (gears etc), is just pure gash. It's a chore to work on, it's a chore to get through, it makes noise ... and did I mention it's a chore to work on?

A mate had it in his, and I nearly freaked out numerous occasions at the thing in my garage.

park tools feels your pain..

http://enduro-mtb.com/en/first-look-park-tools-save-our-sanity-with-the-ir-1-cable-guide-kit/

I_M_Weasel · 13 Sep 2014 at 17:10

I've had my bike in for brake repair at my local shop, they gave me a call and said there was a lot of play in the suspension and asked if I wanted it servicing, though I may as well.

They called me back a few days later, the carbon swing arm is worn out and can't be fixed, I was pretty gutted until they said they'd contacted the manufacturer who couldn't replace the part but would instead take the bike back and give me a newer model as replacement.

So I got a new Whyte t146w full carbon to replace my t120 semi carbon, not too happy that the bike broke in the first place but more than happy with the replacement.

MrKnifey · 13 Sep 2014 at 18:07

Going to watch the BDS up BPW tomorrow.. Should be good fun watching some hucks to flat

SDK^ · 13 Sep 2014 at 21:02

Bike prices are crazy high at the moment - A 2015 Spesh Demo frame and shock : £4000 !!!

MrKnifey said:
Going to watch the BDS up BPW tomorrow.. Should be good fun watching some hucks to flat

Any World Cup riders there?

Gribs · 13 Sep 2014 at 22:19

neil_g said:
whats your point.

im on my period okay..

Cassette expanders are a complete waste of money though. They give you far worse shifting and losing the 17t gives a noticeable gap. Just stick with a 11-36 cassette and pick a front ring that gives you low enough gearing with a 36.

Begbie · 14 Sep 2014 at 04:24

Gribs said:
Cassette expanders are a complete waste of money though. They give you far worse shifting and losing the 17t gives a noticeable gap. Just stick with a 11-36 cassette and pick a front ring that gives you low enough gearing with a 36.

Oneup do a 16T sprocket now which replaces the 15 and 17. Which should make it smoother.

I do fancy trying one though, I run out of stamina a lot on the Pitch. But then it is quite a heavy bike.

neil_g · 14 Sep 2014 at 12:01

Likewise I'd like to try one, not as fit as I'd like and nursing a back problem.

And it's not like you can't take it off and sell it. Second hand ones are going for nearly new money.

SDK^ · 14 Sep 2014 at 13:08

Gribs said:
Cassette expanders are a complete waste of money though. They give you far worse shifting and losing the 17t gives a noticeable gap. Just stick with a 11-36 cassette and pick a front ring that gives you low enough gearing with a 36.

- There are no shifting problems.
- If you don't use an expander then you'll quickly run out of gear ratios at one end of the cassette.
- The only downside is the high cost for one ring.

J273 · 14 Sep 2014 at 13:14

Definitely worth replacing both the 15t and 17t sprockets with a 16t as the gearing is not as smooth with the jump which is one of the reasons I got rid of my original expander.

Bought another recently and replaced the 16t this time which I bought from rose bikes and its perfect now.

touch · 14 Sep 2014 at 13:38

SDK^ said:
- If you don't use an expander then you'll quickly run out of gear ratios at one end of the cassette.

If you run out of gears using a normal wide-range cassette then you have the wrong chainring setup.

SDK^ · 14 Sep 2014 at 13:50

touch said:
If you run out of gears using a normal wide-range cassette then you have the wrong chainring setup.

My point being, if you go for a 30 front then you'll run out of gears as you get faster. If you go 32+ then steep climbs will be a struggle.

neil_g · 14 Sep 2014 at 13:50

touch said:
If you run out of gears using a normal wide-range cassette then you have the wrong chainring setup.

But then changing the front effects the entire gear range rather than just the top end rear cog.

touch · 14 Sep 2014 at 13:54

SDK^ said:
My point being, if you go for a 30 front then you'll run out of gears as you get faster. If you go 32+ then steep climbs will be a struggle.

My point being, if you can't get a cassette with ratios that work for you, don't go for a single chainring

J273 · 14 Sep 2014 at 14:00

Good thing about an expander though is that you can run a bigger front ring but still have a nice gear with expander to get up the climbs.