Big Bike Thread

weescott · 3 Mar 2010 at 22:28

It's doable SDK^. I did the same with mine. Put the spring into the bottom shifter hole (one next to the L shaped part) twist back into place VERY gently. And jobs a good un.

Edit: If you can't do it I'll take the shifter off your hands

LordSplodge · 3 Mar 2010 at 22:44

I've just noticed my XTC has come fitted with tubes with Presta valve rather than the normal Schrader valve. I thought you mostly saw Presta valves on road bikes due to the higher pressures...

Would be annoying for trackside repairs as only my track pump has a Presta nozzle (for my road bike) but I always carry a spare or two and they do have Scrader valves.

What I'm getting at is there a reason for a mountain bike coming with Presta valves?

weescott · 3 Mar 2010 at 23:02

Presta Valves have a thinner diameter making for a stronger rim, they are also more aerodynamic and make you much faster.

Andelusion · 3 Mar 2010 at 23:33

SDK^ said:
I've just had a brain fade moment

Changing the gear cable in my X9 shifter which I've done many times before only this time I wasn't paying attention or focusing properly on it and I unscrewed the bottom part of the shift lever - it's practically impossible to wind the spring back in
Means I have to get a new one; a good excuse to upgrade to an X0 RH shifter I guess.

Oh noes, I did that the first time I changed my gear cable, my fault for not reading the manual, I yanked the spring a bit too (thinking it was the cable, which made the following harder).

Good luck trying to put it back properly. I managed to do it after several annoying hours and the level doesn't spring back after a downshift properly but it's still properly functioning.

Try and get the whole thing assembled, then place the L shaped bit of the spring into the correct slot on the level body, try and twist the whole spring around the circular part of the lever body, get it as tight as possible then try and work it back and forth until it sits back into the shifter housing. There's a thread linked on mtbr (to another forum) with a reassembly guide, if you feel like having a go!

touch · 4 Mar 2010 at 01:06

weescott said:
they are also more aerodynamic and make you much faster.

much faster?
I cant say i'v ever noticed a difference but it's been a while since i've used one - all my bikes are presta.
The main reasons are for rim strength and also there is less pressure lost when attaching/detaching the pump.

ichabod crane · 4 Mar 2010 at 07:34

touch said:
much faster?
I cant say i'v ever noticed a difference but it's been a while since i've used one - all my bikes are presta.
The main reasons are for rim strength and also there is less pressure lost when attaching/detaching the pump.

Rim sizes are dictated by valve? I thought they were just specific to the rim make and they just drill a schrader or presta hole. Learn something new everyday

Supercow · 4 Mar 2010 at 08:04

weescott said:
they are also more aerodynamic and make you much faster.

Fact!
Also the weight saving is immense, shaving the rotational weight of the wheel down so I can pedal harder. This is especially comforting when I approach the lip of a jump, about to do a one-footed can-can into a superman mcflip

Lead_Head · 4 Mar 2010 at 09:43

I'm a bit... errr... saddle sore but don't want to jack in my 5 times a week commute to work on the bike.

At the moment I'm riding in my boxers, with cycling shorts on top then a pair of waterproof overtrousers. I think the problem is from the various seams in the garments I'm wearing causing friction.

I'm undecided between 3/4 or baggy shorts, I'd need the baggy variety as my legs are pretty chunky. What do you guys recommend that'd be a ideal for the commute, either 3/4 or baggy shorts? I've already got some padded cycling shorts to wear underneath but I understand you can get lined cycling gear as well?

weescott · 4 Mar 2010 at 10:51

ichabod crane said:
Rim sizes are dictated by valve? I thought they were just specific to the rim make and they just drill a schrader or presta hole. Learn something new everyday

Some rims only accept Presta valves because the manufacturers claim they allow for a stronger rim. e.g. DT Swiss EX500's. Some people drill the hole to make it accept shraeder just because they don't like Presta Valves. Crazy people.

ichabod crane · 4 Mar 2010 at 10:59

weescott said:
Some people drill the hole to make it accept shraeder just because they don't like Presta Valves. Crazy people.

Drilling rims!

LordSplodge · 4 Mar 2010 at 12:15

Presta makes you faster lol!

I've looked at Mavic's site and I can see anything specific about valves with the XM317 Speed Disc rims. Guess I better get some thick Presta equipped tubes in then...

Torch [P4] · 4 Mar 2010 at 18:12

went up to ordiequish (fochabers) today and it was a total snowfest

ended up heading back to elgin to play about in the oakwood.
really started to see the limits of my mega budget suntour xct v2 forks and was thinking about upgrading to rockshox tora 302's or something similar? good upgrade?

also for anyone looking for some lockon grips i highly recommend the superstars, for only £8 they are a bargain

SDK^ · 4 Mar 2010 at 18:18

Andelusion said:
There's a thread linked on mtbr (to another forum) with a reassembly guide, if you feel like having a go!

Thanks - I found that thread when I was searching yesterday.
Think i'll just sell it.

Supercow · 4 Mar 2010 at 21:13

Got myself a new lid today ... and cant believe how I rode for an enntire year with my old one thinking it was comfy and fits me lol!

My head's an "XL" and got this
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=24914
had a large THE Carbon vine, all of the sudden it doesnt even feel like im wearing a lid.

"andy" · 4 Mar 2010 at 21:21

i never want a presta valve ever again

maybe id have too if i ever bought a road or super lightweight bike with skinny minny rims but even then id try to avoid em

Supercow · 4 Mar 2010 at 21:24

SDK^ said:
Thanks - I found that thread when I was searching yesterday.
Think i'll just sell it.

Why dont you join us for Cwmcarn SDK ?

LordSplodge · 4 Mar 2010 at 21:44

"andy" said:
i never want a presta valve ever again

maybe id have too if i ever bought a road or super lightweight bike with skinny minny rims but even then id try to avoid em

I had a valve go at around 90psi on my road bike. It blew the core somewhere with a mighty whoosh. I really don't see the point of them on a mountain bike but then again I know nowt...

#Chri5# · 4 Mar 2010 at 21:50

Supercow said:
Got myself a new lid today ... and cant believe how I rode for an enntire year with my old one thinking it was comfy and fits me lol!

My head's an "XL" and got this
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=24914
had a large THE Carbon vine, all of the sudden it doesnt even feel like im wearing a lid.

Welcome to the Big Noggin club. I've got a Met Testagrossa which is 61 to 64cm - 90% of the helmets out there are pea-on-a-drum for me :rolleyes:

SDK^ · 4 Mar 2010 at 22:11

Supercow said:
Why dont you join us for Cwmcarn SDK ?

I'd like to but have the 27th March weekend planned already

For sure will be for up any more future meets.

Nice helmet btw

Westie · 5 Mar 2010 at 15:55

as I stated previously in a few pages back i wanna get back into mountain biking but after someone recommended the hardrock 2010 to me i've read some mixed reviews about and now not sure what to get! i got 350 quid in my hand now really wanna get something for the summer so please peeps spec me a bike

I've looked around and have no idea what's good and what's not anymore since i haven't rode for about 3 years!

Thanks

edit

i've been looking around and found the Carrera Kraken and GT Aggresor XC2 for both £400 does anyone have any previous experience on these bikes? both seem to have very good reviews!

thanks!