Big Bike Thread

[andi]

Far too much roadie talk on the last few pages. Mud is good.



New Saddle!



New GPS!

http://www.andithompson.co.uk/

New blog!

My GPS tracks aren't quite as impressive as 6th, but I want to keep a log of how much riding I'm doing. I really want to do far more this summer than last, and to improve my fitness, as it really lets me down.

 

[weescott]

Pffft. The Winter Ti will be a CX with disc brakes and that's as close as I'm getting to MTBs; the wheels are too small.

Besides, how can I get more diverse: Alu, Ti, Steel, Carbon and Bamboo.

Sounds like you secretly crave 6" in the rear.

 

[6thElement]

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

Sounds like you secretly crave 6" in the rear.

Well I have been admiring some impressive helmets on here.....

 

[SDK^]

We have just sorted our annual MTB trip to Scotland, check this for a ride plan

8th - 18th September 2010

Wednesday 8th – travel to Fort William
Thursday 9th : Nevis XC Red Run - http://bike.nevisrange.co.uk/red_route.asp
Friday 10th – Laggan Wolftrax - http://www.forestry.gov.uk/WolfTrax

Saturday 11th -Travel to Peebles
Glentress Black Route : http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/forestry.nsf/ByUnique/INFD-5S3LMX

Sunday 12th – Rest day

Monday 13th – Innerleithen XC Red Run : http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/forestry.nsf/ByUnique/INFD-5S4F4P

Tuesday 14th – Travel to Mabie
Kirroughtree Black Craigs : http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/forestry.nsf/ByUnique/INFD-5ZYK8D
Wednesday 15th - Dalbeattie Hard Rock Tail : http://www.7stanes.gov.uk/forestry/achs-5rnffw
AND
Kona Dark Side http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-5XTKCV

Thursday 16th - Travel to Lake District
Friday 17th - XC Route
Saturday 18th - XC Route

Sunday 19th - Travel Home


9 of the best trails in the UK in 11 days - It's going to be awesome

 

[Alex*TLR]

Does anyone else have constant brake issues?

My Kona Stinky has Hayes 9's, both the front and rear had issues with the pistons not returning far enough. I've had them out pushed the pistons in as far as possible, bled correctly etc and the problems still there! Gave up in the end and got some second hand Avid 3s, rear went on fine, come to put the front on and find:
1. It has the same problem as the hayes had on the left piston.
2. The cable isn't sodding long enough (my own fault, should have asked for a length, I assume they've been used with a bike that hasn't got somth as big as zocchi Jr.Ts on).

I'm now not sure what to do. I will sell the front Avid on obviously, but then it means that the hayes 9 front needs a re-build and the parts etc. Am I better off just selling both sets completely and getting some hopes?

Any opinions/recommendations or experiences of these/other brakes then please share!

 

[KnightStalker]

Yup my Juicy3's have sticky pistons on front and rear, resulting in some strange braking performance at times, but ive learnt to live with it, also means when taking the wheels out for cleaning is a pain as the calipers always need re-setting.

Edit/ also im not that confident in removing any of the pistons just incase i bugger something up and the whole thing fail on me lol. So finding out if a seal has gone or wear and tear is something im going to guess...Also ill be keeping an eye on what people suggest. as i could do with an upgrade in my stoppers.

 

[rhysduck]

Does anyone else have constant brake issues?

Oh yes! I find there's always something to fiddle and tinker with.

pistons not returning far enough.

Found this on a second hand pair of Juicy 7's.
Are the Avid's new, or are they second hand with some use behind them?
When you took the pistons out - did you notice any wear to them? My rear caliper had the same issue - its left piston would not retract all the way. I took it apart and found some wear to the piston. I replaced both pistons and seals. All working perfectly now

Also - don't mix your dot fluids

 

[CooK1E]

I've had friends report this with cable and normal Avid discs. Can't say that I've ever had any issues with any of the Hope brakes that I own. Might be worth checking the return springs on them.

 

[touch]

but then it means that the hayes 9 front needs a re-build and the parts etc.

I also have a stinky with hayes nines. They have been the best set of nines i'v ever had - been through about 3 sets of pads so far and havnt had to bleed them at all.
I'v got nines on 4 of my bikes and have rebuilt a few of them. It's really simple to do and there are lots of guides online showing you how. All you need to do is replace both pistons and piston rings and a little rubber doughnut that fits between the two halfs of the calipers. I think the rebuild kits cost about £15 per caliper.
If you do decide to rebuild them yourself, here are some tips that i have found helps:
-Remove the pads and pump the pistons right out while caliper is in place on bike - make sure both pistons are pumping out equally (you may have to force them with a screwdriver etc to come out evenly)
-Remove the bolts which hold the 2 halfs of the caliper together before you remove the caliper from the bike - otherwise it's very hard to do.

Might be worth checking the return springs on them.

Hayes nines dont have return springs in the calipers. I think that the lever is sprung which pulls the calipers back into place when the lever is released.

 

[Big Chris]

PLEASE someone help me before I break down and cry... I've fitted grips to my bike thousands of times and never had any trouble, but not this time.

I removed them to cut them down a bit, but now no matter how much I clean them/the bars or what I use, the ******* things won't stick properly

Hair-spray used to weld them to the bars, what am I doing wrong?!

 

[touch]

Try spray paint (good luck if you ever want to get them off again tho).

 

[andi]

I've heard of using Spray Mount and cutting them off when you need to replace them.

Or lock ons.

 

[#Chri5#]

Far too much roadie talk on the last few pages. Mud is good.

You'd have liked up at Rivington today - absolute filth. The path from the road out of Belmont across to the Pigeon Tower (which is the start of the Ice Cream Run) was a river in places.

 

[Skillmister]

Hadn't seen this thread before, but it makes me sad now. My Specialized Hardrock Pro got nicked last friday Was locked to a lampost for 2 nights with what i thought was a pretty substantial lock (its been left in much dodgier places for longer times in the past).

Never got as much use out of it as i had wanted but now i miss it

07 model

 

[collisster]

hi, I'm after a road bike, can people suggest anything in the 500 pound range thats any good?

cheers

 

[LordSplodge]

Does anyone else have constant brake issues?

Yes with my Hayes Sole (*spits*) however all my other bikes have been brake issue free. *touches wood*

I was supposed to be going to Cannock Chase on Tuesday but some knob at work has given me his cold and now mu asthma is shot to pieces and I'm wheezing going up the stairs!

Going to have to wait until next week and that means a full five days at work next week. ***kin' boo!

 

[Burned_Alive]

hi, I'm after a road bike, can people suggest anything in the 500 pound range thats any good?

cheers

If you read back a couple of pages, someone asked the same question there and there's several posts giving opinions on it.

 

[andi]

Anyone got any experience of semi slicks?

My Rockhopper only seems to get used in the week for a quick ride down surfaced cycle tracks before work, so the drag of the Panaracer Fires is starting to annoy me. At the same time, I don't want to lose the ability to take it down the tow path or down some dirt tracks when the weather improves.

What tyres are recommended? And how good/bad are they off road?

 

[CooK1E]

PLEASE someone help me before I break down and cry... I've fitted grips to my bike thousands of times and never had any trouble, but not this time.

I removed them to cut them down a bit, but now no matter how much I clean them/the bars or what I use, the ******* things won't stick properly

Hair-spray used to weld them to the bars, what am I doing wrong?!

I always used to use a bit of washing up liquid. Although if you get it wrong and use too much then you are buggered for ages! WD40 is also a pretty good.