Big Bike Thread

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I think he's talking about bar-ends:

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...not bar-plugs.

I always used to cut a clamp sized chunk of grip off when I used them, up to you though really I guess.
 
I always found them pretty handy on my XC bike, you can get a nice tug on the bars during steep climbs. They use your biceps a lot more whereas a standard bar grip position uses your forearms, which are weaker.
 
Torch [P4];16284123 said:
yeah after watching a few vids they make it look easy im going back again tomorrow so hopefully i can build up the courage to try it out
guess ill change back to my flats as i dont fancy trying that on spd's :(
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You'll find that your SPD's are much more useful than you might think on terrain like that. They will allow you to move the rear of the bike about with very little effort. Set the tension a little lower if you are worried about not being able to release them in time.
 
I went to the LBS in the next town today and explored an alternative route to get home (about 5 miles 90% off road) and was pleasently surprised how good it was. Totally untouched Paths/singletrack and some fireroad (not all shown)

Local dialect used for the signs. Classic!

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You what? Where?

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Views at the end. :cool:
 
Hi guys, wondering if you can offer me some advice with my bike. It's a avalanche 3 which is a few years old and i've got a bit of money to spend on it (about £150). I thought new mechs, but they were adjusted when I replaced the bearings and seem to work well at the moment. I use it for riding to work/uni and some trails. I've also signed up for the london to brighton this summer (fingers crossed to get a place), so I don't know what would be better, new forks or breaks? The pads have worn down a lot but they're cheap to replace and easy to fit. I was thinking some new forks but with a lockout for road use, the forks on there now are suntour (xtc?) and the tension knob doesn't really do much.
 
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[DOD]Asprilla;16283513 said:
Is it really that big a leap from 105? That's what I've got on the Ribble and I find it good.
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I was Campag before, my only thorough frame of reference for Shimano is DA or Sora (I borrowed a road bike a long time ago to try out).

The Ultegra feels very much like the DA 7800 I have. Apparently according to what I have read before, Ultegra will feel lighter than the 105s and shift is smoother. The Ultegra shift is pretty sweet, very similiar to my DA.
 
Draeger said:
Ha!!! Nice one. Like the last pic, very picturesque!.

Where about is that exactly?.
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It's just outside of Inverurie, NE Scotland. The mountain you see is Benachie. Some good walking/mountainbiking there. Pitfichie DH and XC routes are just north of the River Don from that picture. :)
 
Nice. It's a part of the country I haven't really managed to have a look around. I'm rarely any further North than Perth or Dundee. :cool:
 
It's worth the trip if you like natural trails. Some epic big country riding all over. If you do venture further than Dundee let me know. :)


Edit: New pedals on:

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Profile compared to Gussets:

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Supercow and Ichabod crane made me buy them!
 
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On that note, do you guys prefer "normal" pedals like that or SPD's for off road work?. Just curious as I have always used SPD's on the road and now have them fitted to the Cube. Not for any particular reason other than familiarity.
 
CooK1E said:
You'll find that your SPD's are much more useful than you might think on terrain like that. They will allow you to move the rear of the bike about with very little effort. Set the tension a little lower if you are worried about not being able to release them in time.
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fell over a few times today trying to get the release tension set up right :mad:
far too much snow out at fochabers, got to the start of the soup dragon and it was 6 inches :eek:
so just rode around the beginner section at the start for a while, the spd's gave me more confidence going through the turns and over the jumps but i think i might go for the SH56 cleats to make it easier
 
I use flats with 5.10 shoes. I've never tried clipless (stupid name) but I can appreciate the benefits. However I'd rather not outlay the money as I don't think the benefits outweigh the negatives and I'm sure I'd feel much more comfortable on technical features with flats.
 
Thanks for the suggestions on tyres, I've gone with the Kenda Tomac Nevegal's. 2.35 on the front and 2.1 for the rear.

I upgraded the front brake from the standard giant mph to a juicy five and it transformed the bike.

After a ride out today I am wanting for something more. The new tyres are on the way which I think will help no end, but I can't help thinking new wheels or forks would improve the quality of the ride. I'd love a new bike but I can't justify a XC full sus. The forks I have are marzocchi mz race, would upgrading these to something second hand circa £150 make much of an improvement?

Edit - Some pics

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/595/imag0141z.jpg
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/9458/imag0138o.jpg
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/3598/imag0134.jpg
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/3514/imag0129k.jpg
 
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