Big Bike Thread

milko · 15 Jan 2015 at 18:16

Regular shorts for me, maybe a warmer base layer. I sometimes break out the 3/4 lengths if it's actually snowing. It's my hands that really suffer from the cold, but I've found Fox Antifreeze gloves fix that.

neil_g · 15 Jan 2015 at 21:15

Actually this reminds me.. My helmet vents work a bit too well and in winter its bloody cold on the noggin at speed.

Any suggestions? Considered a thin beanie under but reckon it'd get a bit sweaty and make things worse.

milko · 15 Jan 2015 at 23:28

A buff!
http://www.buffwear.co.uk/buff-adult-headwear

I use the thin/original ones, they work as a headband if I'm sweaty or a helmet liner if I'm cold, depending how it's folded. I used to find it made the helmet more comfy too, but then I got a Troy Lee A1 and it's the most comfy thing ever without it. Which probably means it's a weird shape to match my skull so well.

Andelusion · 16 Jan 2015 at 06:36

Base layer legs and summer shorts is usually enough, with knee pads is even toastier.

neil_g · 16 Jan 2015 at 08:56

milko said:
A buff!
http://www.buffwear.co.uk/buff-adult-headwear

I use the thin/original ones, they work as a headband if I'm sweaty or a helmet liner if I'm cold, depending how it's folded. I used to find it made the helmet more comfy too, but then I got a Troy Lee A1 and it's the most comfy thing ever without it. Which probably means it's a weird shape to match my skull so well.

cheers, looks like a good selection to take a gander at

rhysduck · 16 Jan 2015 at 10:17

Any good deals on tyres atm? Need some 26" for the Shan.

neil_g · 16 Jan 2015 at 10:23

do bike-discount.de still have the hans dampf trail/pacestar combo on deal?

milko · 16 Jan 2015 at 10:49

They are:
http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/...-skin-pacestar-trailstar-set-402218/wg_id-241

Nowadays I run Magic Mary on the front, but that's a good combo at that price even with shipping.

Maybe a bit draggy depending on where you ride the Shan I guess - my one's fitted with Bontrager Team Issue XR4s at the moment which roll a little faster.

Supercow · 16 Jan 2015 at 10:59

Wait, what... people still make 26"

?

robj20 · 16 Jan 2015 at 11:11

I wont be using the Hans Dampf again, they are just too fragile, i ended up binning mine a good while before they should have needed it due to knobs been ripped off. They were nice and grippy though maybe a bit too much they are a bit draggy.

Going to try High Roller 2 next.

Its bugged me greatly that SC have gone totally 27.5 but i suppose for me thats just more mud clearance on a 26 tyre.

thewanted · 16 Jan 2015 at 11:13

I dunno what tyre to put on the rear of my new bike.

I'm 100% putting a Minion DHF on the front. Would an Ardent be good? I'm considering a High Roller II as well. I ride trail centres exclusively, and it has to be a Maxxis tyre although I have the choice of WTB Vigilantes.

robj20 · 16 Jan 2015 at 11:17

Larsen or crossmark on the rear would be good for hardpack. I have a Larsen on the rear at the minute.

nick5466 · 16 Jan 2015 at 11:19

Supercow said:
Canterbury long legs with your normal riding shorts over it when I'm really chilly.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canterbury-Mens-Baselayer-Cold-Leggings/dp/B00E0FVVA4

Riding with most DH trousers will feel like you're dragging a tarpaulin behind you on an XC ride.
The light ones like the Fox demo pant are actually colder than normal shorts. I get terrible winky-shrinky in mine, as the whole crotch area is super ventilated.

I've been looking at some Royal Racing gear but I can not find anywhere which has any stock for the SP 24/7 trousers. I think I need some good trousers I as really want to push into doing more DH type runs, but need to get some coaching in jumping/drop offs. I was looking at some of the courses at BPW but if anyone has any recommendations that would be great.

Hoping to go to Chamonix for my 30th in the summer, need to get some practice in though.

Supercow · 16 Jan 2015 at 12:20

robj20 said:
I wont be using the Hans Dampf again, they are just too fragile, i ended up binning mine a good while before they should have needed it due to knobs been ripped off. They were nice and grippy though maybe a bit too much they are a bit draggy.

Going to try High Roller 2 next.

The HR and HR2 drags far more than a HD, so be warned, if that is an issue for you.

thewanted said:
I dunno what tyre to put on the rear of my new bike.

I'm 100% putting a Minion DHF on the front. Would an Ardent be good? I'm considering a High Roller II as well. I ride trail centres exclusively, and it has to be a Maxxis tyre although I have the choice of WTB Vigilantes.

Ditch the DHf, and use the DHR2 on the front and rear.

nick5466 said:
I've been looking at some Royal Racing gear but I can not find anywhere which has any stock for the SP 24/7 trousers. I think I need some good trousers I as really want to push into doing more DH type runs, but need to get some coaching in jumping/drop offs. I was looking at some of the courses at BPW but if anyone has any recommendations that would be great.

Hoping to go to Chamonix for my 30th in the summer, need to get some practice in though.

Oh, I thought you meant that you wanted to use DH trousers on XC rides.

Can't go wrong with the new TLD Sprint or the Moto bicycle ones.
I love my Fox Demo pants, but as I mentioned before, your cocknballs gets very cold in them, due to the ventilation in the crotch area.
The One industries pants and nice and light too, but with a little less ventilation than the aforementioned Fox.

thewanted · 16 Jan 2015 at 13:01

Supercow said:
Ditch the DHf, and use the DHR2 on the front and rear.

Thanks for the suggestion

Why would you ditch the DHF though? I have it on my hardtail at the moment and it never makes me **** myself.

Aman · 16 Jan 2015 at 13:07

It arrived

Supercow · 16 Jan 2015 at 13:23

thewanted said:
Thanks for the suggestion Why would you ditch the DHF though? I have it on my hardtail at the moment and it never makes me **** myself.

Sorry, I meant in context of buying new tyres. If they are on there already, keep them there

Aman said:
It arrived

Zing!

Are you selling your 26" one? Randomly, I was talking to a shop worker where I bought my new Reign and we got onto the subject of these bikes. He's gagging for one, but I don't have any more of them at all (apart from one cracked warranty one).

If you're looking to sell, I can put you in contact.

thewanted · 16 Jan 2015 at 13:30

Supercow said:
Sorry, I meant in context of buying new tyres. If they are on there already, keep them there

Sorry, I think I wasn't clear enough. I need to make a decision on tyres for my new full-sus bike. My current bike has a Minion DHF and Ardent.

I could go for the same setup, but was wondering if there was another tried-and-trusted combo that I should consider instead.

robj20 · 16 Jan 2015 at 13:40

That shan look nice.

On the subject of wheel size, does putting a 26" on a 27.5 frame look odd?

Aman · 16 Jan 2015 at 14:24

I think my brother is gonna buy the 917 shan super ow, but will keep that in mind if he decides not too.

Here is the stumpjumper I got over Christmas, ex demo. Gonna change the tyres and brakes and handlebars/stem first but so far it's great.