Big Bike Thread

Burned_Alive · 16 Jul 2009 at 14:12

Also use Finish Line Teflon, but from a tub. Put it in syringes if needs be.

willhub · 16 Jul 2009 at 14:35

I just use Lithium grease, cheap and does the job.

SoliD · 16 Jul 2009 at 19:49

Well after a big old wait for my bike2work voucher and bits and pieces to be authorised and come through and a wait for the frame finally got my Boardman Pro HT today, took it out for a ride round Queen Elizabeth country park and up and down Butser Hill and it was great fun, a real refreshment from my Carrera Fury that is just over 3 years old which has had hardly any money spent on it, anyway here are some pics.

Genoma · 16 Jul 2009 at 19:52

Nice HT, the boardmans are getting good reviews.

SDK^ · 18 Jul 2009 at 18:32

I got a new full face helmet today; a 661 Evolution Legend - it only weighs 900 grams.

I think a snorkel would be of more use at the moment though

Andelusion · 18 Jul 2009 at 20:26

Nice looking helmet! A perfect match for the Enduro colour scheme as well.

Robert · 19 Jul 2009 at 09:21

Any opinions on the trek 6700 2009?

How does it compare to the Specialized Rockhopper Pro?

I'm looking at doing the transpennine bike ride - but I'd also like to do some forest riding (hence going for a more rugged bike).

Supercow · 19 Jul 2009 at 09:33

Love the lid SDK - apparently they are more comfy than the Troy lee D2's.
Two of my riding mates swear by them.

Genoma · 19 Jul 2009 at 11:05

Robert said:
Any opinions on the trek 6700 2009?

How does it compare to the Specialized Rockhopper Pro?

I'm looking at doing the transpennine bike ride - but I'd also like to do some forest riding (hence going for a more rugged bike).

I don't think there is much between them, the hopper has a few better components (arguably the brakes, rear mech) but the Trek seems to have a better balanced finishing kit (SLX + Bontrager all round).

I have a Rockhopper and really like it, great hardtail and don't worry about sturdiness, I've done all sorts of UK trails with it in North Wales. Over the years the weakest link has been the wheels. I'm on the heavier side (13.5 stone) and eventually broken spokes became the norm. Wheels got replaced with the hope+mavic handowns from my FS bike.

I can't but think that there is a new Rockhopper frame on the way. Specialised has updated the design on most of the frames now, including the hardrock, to the new rounded/swoopy line look. The Rockhopper is probably the next one to go down that path.

If you don't have the chance to ride them both, the just maybe the Trek looks like a better rounded choice. That seat looks a bit on the race side though and could be a little uncomfortable?

Supercow · 19 Jul 2009 at 17:52

OMG I can not freaking wait!
7 days and I'll be screaming down the alps

Just heard about Crans Montana, the Swiss side - check this track out.

MrKnifey · 19 Jul 2009 at 17:59

So jealous, not going this year as no one else can afford it

Reality|Bites · 19 Jul 2009 at 18:01

Genoma said:
I don't think there is much between them, the hopper has a few better components (arguably the brakes, rear mech) but the Trek seems to have a better balanced finishing kit (SLX + Bontrager all round).

I have a Rockhopper and really like it, great hardtail and don't worry about sturdiness, I've done all sorts of UK trails with it in North Wales. Over the years the weakest link has been the wheels. I'm on the heavier side (13.5 stone) and eventually broken spokes became the norm. Wheels got replaced with the hope+mavic handowns from my FS bike.

I can't but think that there is a new Rockhopper frame on the way. Specialised has updated the design on most of the frames now, including the hardrock, to the new rounded/swoopy line look. The Rockhopper is probably the next one to go down that path.

If you don't have the chance to ride them both, the just maybe the Trek looks like a better rounded choice. That seat looks a bit on the race side though and could be a little uncomfortable?

The frame always remains the same, it has done so for the last 8 or so years. The only thing they change is the spec and colour.

SDK^ · 20 Jul 2009 at 19:03

Supercow - Loving that vid, looks an awesome track, a bit like the Llandelga black run but 100x better

Reality|Bites said:
The frame always remains the same, it has done so for the last 8 or so years. The only thing they change is the spec and colour.

The Rockhopper frame has been tweaked every year, it's the small details that make the difference

e.g. Up until 2007 the Rockhopper was an A1 frame, now it's an M4 which is much lighter.

Reality|Bites · 20 Jul 2009 at 20:59

ah ok, Do you think it will use the Stumpjumpers M5 alloy this year?

SDK^ · 20 Jul 2009 at 21:15

Unlikely until the lower spec Stumpjumpers get an upgraded frame.

Genoma · 20 Jul 2009 at 21:43

SDK^ said:
Supercow - Loving that vid, looks an awesome track, a bit like the Llandelga black run but 100x better

The Rockhopper frame has been tweaked every year, it's the small details that make the difference
e.g. Up until 2007 the Rockhopper was an A1 frame, now it's an M4 which is much lighter.

Good point, forgot about that. I think we got M4 frames before the US, I remember the specs on my comp disk being much better than the US equivalent (tora vs dart fork, and M4 instead of A1).

I was only speculating on the frame redesign, since all other spesh frames seem to have gone down the swoopy round design now, including the hardrock (which now actually looks much nicer, lighter too I would guess?).

Genoma · 20 Jul 2009 at 21:47

Supercow said:
OMG I can not freaking wait!
7 days and I'll be screaming down the alps

Just heard about Crans Montana, the Swiss side - check this track out.

I wish I had a percent of the balls, and and inch of the ability to ride that way

SDK^ · 20 Jul 2009 at 21:51

Genoma said:
I wish I had a percent of the balls, and and inch of the ability to ride that way

Stay off the brakes and remember to lift the front on jumps, easy

SC - how are you packing / transporting your bike?

Genoma · 20 Jul 2009 at 21:59

SDK^ said:
Stay off the brakes and remember to lift the front on jumps, easy

Truth is we are a bunch of trail riders that got absolutely smitten with the Alpine riding. We really didn't do our research properly and although we don't have dowhill rigs (I ride a SC Heckler, built light at that

) next time we are definetly going for bigger tires and forks where affordable/permissible - and I am very tempted to rent a DH bike for a day or two just to see what the difference is like.

Skill is definetly THE factor though, for us it's bloody hard to ride off the breaks or even learn to break in advance and flow through some of the steeper stuff. We rode Pleney and at one point It was hard enought to walk down never mind ride it, regardless of brakes

Some of the more all mountain/XC trails were just superb though.

cheets64 · 20 Jul 2009 at 22:45

Ride I had before 7 miles around the country roads.