Big Bike Thread

Burned_Alive · 31 May 2009 at 12:21

andi said:
I dunno, Avid say to push the fluid from the caliper up to the lever, which makes sense to me, as the air will try to go to the highest point, so that should be the last point bled.

I think it really depends on the brake. If you're bleeding with syringes it makes more sense to bleed upwards, whereas if the system has a reservoir and uses the lever to bleed, then you're going to be doing it downwards because of the flow of the fluid and obviously there's no way of catching the fluid at the top. Which is what I meant as it seems more systems use the reservoir method.

EDIT: Picked up the final bit for my bike yesterday, woohoo!

shadowcreaper · 31 May 2009 at 16:44

i looking to get some clip-ins for my bike as i been told by so many people clipless the way to go for any sort of XC or mountain bikeing except downhill ofc.

i trying to work out what ones to get so far i been looking at these what you recon?

i looking to spend no more than 100 pounds really.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/mt41-mtb-shoes-ec008781

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/bg-sport-mtb-shoes-ec011618

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/bg-taho-mtb-shoes-ec011619

Then for pedals the ones that seem best are

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/m520-spd-pedals-ec005948

what you recon?

SDK^ · 31 May 2009 at 16:55

I've been using the Specialized Sport Shoes for 2.5 years and they are still going strong, through 3000 miles wet and dry conditions.

Shimano 520 pedals are decent, the 540's weigh a little less and can probably be found cheaper than £60 if you look around.

Jonny ///M · 31 May 2009 at 17:05

SDK^ said:
Nice BigHit - 2003 Frame?

LOL
He works at Halfords and has clearly moved the price label from the bike behind.

2004 frame, not nice for the last god knows how many months. Bearings and bushings need fixed badly. As kieran can testify!

Microwave · 31 May 2009 at 17:12

Just got back from Bike Radar Live - it was so good, I'll get some pictures up later

MrKnifey · 31 May 2009 at 20:46

Went to the NPS at Llangollen today.. All i can say is the track was insanely steep! ALL the way down! Ill upload some vids later

Microwave · 31 May 2009 at 23:05

crankbro said:
Went to the NPS at Llangollen today.. All i can say is the track was insanely steep! ALL the way down! Ill upload some vids later

Isn't that the steepest track in like....the whole NPS?

SDK^ · 31 May 2009 at 23:12

Microwave said:
Isn't that the steepest track in like....the whole NPS?

Love the comment on the NPS web site

"Full Face helmets are compulsory and we strongly advise full body armour and a neck brace whilst walking down the track, let alone riding it!"

Ironic Namesake · 1 Jun 2009 at 01:04

OoOverclockaoO said:
Mate wanted to go to Hay, I thought I might aswell do some cycling so decided to take my bike had my mind set on it and then found out the train from Hereford isn't running so we have to go from Newport!

Weather should be good so looking forward to it - carrying a bag full of stuff unfortunately as we're camping overnight on saturday.

So , looks like I'll be doing :

7 miles saturday morning (6AM!) to Paddington station
20 miles saturday 12:00 Hereford > Hay
40 miles sunday Hay > Newport
7 miles sunday night (around midnight) Paddington > home

Then up early on Monday for work

Got lots of glucose tabs packed as well, in case my sugar drops !

Just arrived home from this.

Hay > Newport I decided to take the route up Gospell Pass, so much uphill I ended up walking a quarter of that - the rest of the journey went smooth but I got lost a few times , so it actually ended up being 60 miles, rather than 40

MrKnifey · 1 Jun 2009 at 10:29

Microwave said:
Isn't that the steepest track in like....the whole NPS?

Id say THE steepest race track in the country (Self built non race tracks dont count).

Some parts were insane honestly..

MrKnifey · 1 Jun 2009 at 10:33

Pictures from another site.. kind of shows how steep it was

http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Chasealex/NPS DH 09 2/

http://www.anthonywillett.com/images/NPSRD209/index.html

Lowe · 2 Jun 2009 at 13:16

So - I thought the Duster needed a clean. Since the weather's nice I took all the guards off as well to see what she looks like naked.

Dinomania · 2 Jun 2009 at 13:36

shadowcreaper said:
Then for pedals the ones that seem best are

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/m520-spd-pedals-ec005948

what you recon?

A little cheaper here: http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Shimano-Shimano-PD-M520-SPD-Pedals--Black-10227.htm

I find them fine and occasionally will ride short distances with normal trainers - not great but doable, not advisable on hills or when wet though!

Mind you my SPD shoes aren't bad to walk in, as long as it ain't massive distances - and they were cheapo LIDL jobbies!

shadowcreaper · 2 Jun 2009 at 14:58

just found a sweet deal for some avid juicy discs

though it in america it still only 142 quid for a ready bled pair

sounds like a nice deal, just hope dollar keeps on falling lol

Bennah · 2 Jun 2009 at 18:17

Lowe, thats the wrong side of the bike to picture

What brakes are those? How are you finding the frame? I do like the Charge Duster. Got a soft spot for white bikes!

Got a picture of the other side?

nicho12 · 2 Jun 2009 at 18:22

shadowcreaper said:
just found a sweet deal for some avid juicy discs though it in america it still only 142 quid for a ready bled pair

sounds like a nice deal, just hope dollar keeps on falling lol

142 quid

Draeger · 2 Jun 2009 at 21:49

Yaayy!!! For clip on tribars!!!

:-

Lowe · 4 Jun 2009 at 14:08

Bennah said:
Lowe, thats the wrong side of the bike to picture

What brakes are those? How are you finding the frame? I do like the Charge Duster. Got a soft spot for white bikes!

Got a picture of the other side?

Bah, I wanted a pic of the brakes rather than the drivetrain

Brakes are Juicy 7's on 180mm discs. I've had the Duster just over 12 months now, and it's been a great frame. Being a steel alloy it is prone to rusting on areas such as the cable clip areas. It's nothing serious according to Charge and a bit of Tcut soon cleans up any runs

You can really feel the flex being steel - lock the brakes up when stood still and stand on the pedals and you can feel a little bit of give.

It's a brilliant all rounder really, I mainly use it for my commute but with a quick swap of the tyres and I'm good to go on the trails

Goldy · 4 Jun 2009 at 16:36

That pinarello is a fine lookin bike Draeger.

Any idea how much improvement the TT bars make to your TT time? They look a little far apart I reckon....

Draeger · 4 Jun 2009 at 20:00

Goldy said:
That pinarello is a fine lookin bike Draeger.

Any idea how much improvement the TT bars make to your TT time? They look a little far apart I reckon....

Thanks.

I have no idea what difference they make to any times to be honest as I don't TT myself. I just fitted them so they gave me another option as far as hand positions go. I'm guessing they would help cut down on times though as you are much more aero on them and must cut through the air a lot quicker.

As far as the spacing of them goes, apparently it depends on the width of your shoulders. I feel comfortable on them so I'm guessing I'm not far off the mark. Interestingly enough, I recall Chris Boardman saying that clip on aerobars should be between 16-18cm apart, but then again I don't know how that corresponds/translates to the shoulder width deal?.

They work though, I can vouch for that.