Big Bike Thread

ichabod crane · 7 May 2011 at 19:34

robj20 said:
No they dont. Fact. No one makes the worlds best tyres, it all comes down to how and where you ride and how you like your bike to ride.

Ok, if Carlsberg made tyres they would be branded Intense Tire Systems.

Andelusion · 7 May 2011 at 19:38

The build begins!

To be continued (tomorrow...).

ichabod crane · 7 May 2011 at 19:39

Andelusion said:
The build begins!

*snippity*

Looks flimsy.

weescott · 7 May 2011 at 19:41

Andelusion said:
The build begins!

*snip*

Looks flexy

Richie · 7 May 2011 at 20:01

Damn my lanky ass frame

I was looking at 2nd hand forks to keep costs down. The other factor in the fork was to try and get one with v-brake mounts so I could get a nice fork first and then upgrade my wheels/brakes later.

I came across this - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rockshox-Reco...ikeparts_SR&hash=item1e63628338#ht_500wt_1156

207mm steerer. Just measured mine and I need around 240mm due to the huge headtube caused by having a large (23") frame due to me being a lanky mofo

I know the price would have went up but looks a good fork??

ichabod crane · 7 May 2011 at 20:17

240mm steerer and brake mounts :eek:

, you will be lucky!

Richie · 7 May 2011 at 20:42

So I am realising... I cant even find disc only forks longer than 235mm. Most seem to be 200-220mm tops... Looks like I may HAVE to go new

I guess the silver lining will be, if I ever sell a fork, anyone can buy them and cut the steerer even more than I need it

I have a feeling I will need to get the wheels/discs first THEN the forks.... Talking of brakes, I was looking at Avid Juicy 5's but open to other makes as I don't know the "good" ones....

ichabod crane · 7 May 2011 at 20:47

Richie said:
So I am realising... I cant even find disc only forks longer than 235mm. Most seem to be 200-220mm tops... Looks like I may HAVE to go new

I guess the silver lining will be, if I ever sell a fork, anyone can buy them and cut the steerer even more than I need it

I have a feeling I will need to get the wheels/discs first THEN the forks.... Talking of brakes, I was looking at Avid Juicy 5's but open to other makes as I don't know the "good" ones....

Do you have a budget as this could help recommending stuffs?

Richie · 7 May 2011 at 20:54

Not much and, TBH, it wouldn't be for a couple of months but it would be nice to know what kind of things I should be looking at bearing in mind the level of bike I have i.e. I don't need equipment that will handle stuff that the bike has no chance of surviving itself if you know what I mean....

Edit: although possibly frowned upon my many, I am contemplating mechanical disc brakes as opposed to hydraulic for their simpleness of setup/maintenance. Good idea or bad given my usage/knowledge?

Supercow · 7 May 2011 at 22:14

Looks ace Andelusion, just for the love of god not spoil that bike with Kenda tyres.

Bri · 7 May 2011 at 22:54

Richie said:
So I am realising... I cant even find disc only forks longer than 235mm. Most seem to be 200-220mm tops... Looks like I may HAVE to go new

I guess the silver lining will be, if I ever sell a fork, anyone can buy them and cut the steerer even more than I need it

I have a feeling I will need to get the wheels/discs first THEN the forks.... Talking of brakes, I was looking at Avid Juicy 5's but open to other makes as I don't know the "good" ones....

Richie said:
Not much and, TBH, it wouldn't be for a couple of months but it would be nice to know what kind of things I should be looking at bearing in mind the level of bike I have i.e. I don't need equipment that will handle stuff that the bike has no chance of surviving itself if you know what I mean....

Edit: although possibly frowned upon my many, I am contemplating mechanical disc brakes as opposed to hydraulic for their simpleness of setup/maintenance. Good idea or bad given my usage/knowledge?

If you're looking at upgrading that much on a ~£350 bike, would you not be better off financially to buy a whole new bike?

KnightStalker · 7 May 2011 at 22:55

YorkshirePadd26 said:
Took a gamble with these for Summer,

Michelin's reinforced Dry2 2.30in, I read the BikeRadar article about Adam Craig running them on his Giant Trance X at Downieville.

So found some for around £13 each and I must say they're great, they've been on my Hardtail a while but stuck them on my Giant Reign today and did Dalby Red in 2h 30m and they where great.

I've ridden them in the wet too and they're not as bad as what people say. All I can say is they roll very fast and and are grippy in the dry.

Think they've now been replaced with a more all round compound, but I'll be hunting out some more before the supply drys up and keeping them for when these are shot.

That sounds ok for £13 a tire, but most of the tires mentioned around here are at least £30+ from what i can gather, which makes working out what tire to buy a little harder as you dont want to waste at least £60 on tires to find out they dont work right for the area and style of riding.

All i know is i need to get rid of the XR4's ive got, Wet tires yes, dry tires not a chance so slow, but limited income slightly hampers the choice if you know what i mean.

Richie · 8 May 2011 at 08:39

Bri said:
If you're looking at upgrading that much on a ~£350 bike, would you not be better off financially to buy a whole new bike?

I did consider this and looked at bikes in the price range of my own plus the costs of upgrades (£700 for bike plus upgrades) and the bikes available actually ended up with a similar spec. Given I wouldn't be able to sell my bike at full price, it works out cheaper to upgrade.

The money is there to upgrade ok but personal issues are preventing me from spending money on things I don't really need just now.... complete PITA TBH...

Bri · 8 May 2011 at 09:02

How much were you looking at spending on brakes/forks? Is it you with the hardrock or am I thinking of the wrong person? (Hardrock pro disc owner here

)

Richie · 8 May 2011 at 09:15

Yeah I have the Hardrock with V-brakes.

I have looked around and I should be able to get a reasonable wheelset, brakes and fork for around £400 in total. Even less if I go 2nd hand.

Angerer · 8 May 2011 at 09:18

delete

Bri · 8 May 2011 at 09:23

Richie said:
Yeah I have the Hardrock with V-brakes.

I have looked around and I should be able to get a reasonable wheelset, brakes and fork for around £400 in total. Even less if I go 2nd hand.

Brand new recons for £117 here;

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FORSRETK/rockshox-recon-silver-tk-coil-100mm-fork-with-lockout

Richie · 8 May 2011 at 09:36

Exactly... This is the kind of setup I am looking at. I am hoping people with a bit of knowledge can tell me if I am on the right track or I am just wasting my time/money -

Wheels

Brakes

Forks OR Forks

This would come to either -

£382.38 (Recon Silver TK)
£454.92 (Recon Gold RL) (£72 more)

The issue I have is I need to upgrade the wheels as most forks are not v-brake compatible and I don't have disc hubs

ichabod crane · 8 May 2011 at 09:37

Richie said:
Yeah I have the Hardrock with V-brakes.

I have looked around and I should be able to get a reasonable wheelset, brakes and fork for around £400 in total. Even less if I go 2nd hand.

For the £400 budget you could get

Superstar hubs on Mavic EN521 Disc Wheelset Pair £169.99, Better hubs and rims than ones in your post above.

Shimano Deore Disc Brakes M575 £103.98 the pair,

RockShox Recon Silver TK Coil £117.45

Total price £391.42 you may need to add some rotors on to this but superstar do them cheap.

Richie · 8 May 2011 at 11:04

Gah, I am at the "tickly" stage (oo-er) now with this.... I have to leave just now to do some stuff (late as it is) and will be back later....

IC - much appreciated on your advice as I have no real idea what's good and what's just a waste of my money e.g. I assumed Shimano XT hubs would be good and I could get a set of EN521's on them for £142 to save cash but not at the expense of them being crap...

I will be back later and may be tempted!!! (damn bike is getting to be an expensive "hobby")