Big Bike Thread

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Got myself a second hand Specialized bike, has a glossy black finish but has some swirls and slight scuffs due to use of the previous owner. I'd like to polish it up and maybe try get the swirls/scuffs out but I was wondering what polish I could use? Is it ok for me to use stuff like Autoglym SPR that I use on the car/motorbike, and things like T-Cut to get the marks out?

Thanks
 
Nix said:
Okay, taken it out for a ride earlier. Aside from obviously needing new pedals ASAP as I have to compensate with my feet to ride them without proper shoes at the moment, the bike rode very comfortably.

The only negatives are: the saddle is very uncomfortable to the point after 30 minutes I have a very sore backside, I don't really like the grips and finally, I can't shake the horrible feeling that I may have got a size too big. It's not an issue as I can stand over the frame easily, and am quite comfortable riding it, it's just I can't help but wonder if I was better suited for the next size down. Not the end of the world by any means, but it's giving me a small degree of buyer's remorse which isn't nice. Perhaps I just need to get used to riding again is all.

Anyway, on with the matter at hand:

I need a new saddle, one that is a little kinder on the buttocks and suited for long rides (as I'm likely to be entering the London-Southend ride soon).

Any suggestions?
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All saddles will hurt, after having not ridden a bike in years. Give your current one a chance. Even I took a few months off riding due to my baby being born. When I got back in the saddle it had felt like I’d been gang raped by gang of horny Rhinos.

Also, don’t stress too much about the frame size for now – again, you are rusty and can’t really know what you like. If after some more time you feel like you are still too outstretched, you can always get a shorter stem, higher handlebars with more of a backsweep, which will shorten your cockpit ;)
 
Nix said:
Okay, taken it out for a ride earlier. Aside from obviously needing new pedals ASAP as I have to compensate with my feet to ride them without proper shoes at the moment, the bike rode very comfortably.

The only negatives are: the saddle is very uncomfortable to the point after 30 minutes I have a very sore backside, I don't really like the grips and finally, I can't shake the horrible feeling that I may have got a size too big. It's not an issue as I can stand over the frame easily, and am quite comfortable riding it, it's just I can't help but wonder if I was better suited for the next size down. Not the end of the world by any means, but it's giving me a small degree of buyer's remorse which isn't nice. Perhaps I just need to get used to riding again is all.

Anyway, on with the matter at hand:

I need a new saddle, one that is a little kinder on the buttocks and suited for long rides (as I'm likely to be entering the London-Southend ride soon).

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...


You're meant to have 2 to 3 inches clearance over the top tube of the frame when standing over it.

If you haven't been on a bike for a long time any saddle will give you a sore arse.
 
Nix said:
Okay, taken it out for a ride earlier. Aside from obviously needing new pedals ASAP as I have to compensate with my feet to ride them without proper shoes at the moment, the bike rode very comfortably.

The only negatives are: the saddle is very uncomfortable to the point after 30 minutes I have a very sore backside, I don't really like the grips and finally, I can't shake the horrible feeling that I may have got a size too big. It's not an issue as I can stand over the frame easily, and am quite comfortable riding it, it's just I can't help but wonder if I was better suited for the next size down. Not the end of the world by any means, but it's giving me a small degree of buyer's remorse which isn't nice. Perhaps I just need to get used to riding again is all.
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Pedals - I can highly recommend DMR V8's from Chain Reaction, and they're only £25 a set.

Where on your bum is sore? I ask because the saddle might actually need to be adjusted slightly up or down, so that it isnt pressing on the wrong place. Get the allen keys out, and give it a tilt a bit forward, and a bit back, see how that affects it.

A HUGE difference to how sore you'll be is whether you have padded shorts on or not. I used to ride in jeans for many a year, and as a result would look for a coomfy saddle. (I use an Intake Volaire Vent saddle - sadly out of stock almost everywhere, but its SOOO coomfy!)

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/intake/volaire-airflow-gel-saddle-ec008992

I'd recommend getting even a basic set of padded shorts, or even just the undershorts if you can find them, and wear whatever over the top - It'll make a big difference to comfort.
 
My arse was sore (oo-er) after first getting my bike as I hadn't been riding (oo-er again? :eek:) for years. I bought a pair of Enudra Humvee shorts with the padded liner and, after a few rides, the pain was gone. A mixture of the shorts, the saddle breaking in and a general toughening of the derrier :o


As for the person polishing the bike - As SC says, I wouldnt bother. The sooner you accept the bike is going to get scratched the better. The first serious mark/scratch is always the worst then you get over it. A lot of people see it as "war wounds" :)
 
Supercow said:
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/10-Biggest-Crashes-on-Pinkbike-2011.html
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What kinds of annoys me in a sense with most of these crashes etc, is that the people watching/filming/pals etc - have absolutely no clue with regards basic first aid.

If your going to go riding and doing crazy gaps/jumps etc, I wish people would have a basic understanding of first aid - rather than the standard "are you ok dude" and then stand there filming it!

I'm sure most of these guys ended up ok after the crashes but still.........
 
I can vouch for the importance of basic first aid, and that includes having a 1st aid kit!
After my crash just over a week ago I would have been screwed without the pressure dressing for my leg (deep puncture wound)
I have since re stocked our 1st aid kit as we would have needed an ambulance otherwise....
 
Just about to order some Hope M4s for my bike but can't decide whether braided hoses are worth it or not?

Been reading around and it seems the difference is only a placebo effect, the same as when I fitted them in my car! :)
 
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Street said:
Just about to order some Hope M4s for my bike but can't decide whether braided hoses are worth it or not?

Been reading around and it seems the difference is only a placebo effect, the same as when I fitted them in my car! :)
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They look better :)

And Wahooo!!! replacement rear triangle :D

20110511-q46huw2pbd59kbyu3636p3xjqk.jpg
 
Supercow said:
Generic overview yes... but I doubt youd keep reading an entire thesis on the matter in a forum post ;)


Also, from personal experience.. I have bent alu handlebars. Cabon bars in that situation would have snapped, and I sure dont want to be impaled by a carbon poker rod. If they in fact wouldnt have snapped, they could have caused a major tension/stress point and would have failed me at some other.. possibly more inappropriate time.

ps: his nickname aint "a smart fella" ..I just added it for dramatic purposes
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I knew he wasn't a smart fella :p

I wouldn't read a thesis on the matter you are right. For the reason the technology used by E.G; Easton, isn't going to be made public, so he can't make a fair opinion on thier products and start saying not to buy Carbon bars for DH or "agressive riding". There is good carbon and there is bad carbon. That's why I would always use a trusted brand. He has an eductated basis to make an opinion, granted. But there is nothing better than real world testing. ;)

For the likes of Booyaka and probably every XC/Trail/AM rider, Carbon bars are fine, if not better than any Alu bar. They are worth the extra money for the damping properties that can alleviate wrist pain that no Alu bar and change of sweep/rise/width can cure.


...IMO... :p
 
Have I missed somthing? Why have you a new bike and already replaced the rear triangle? good quality bike you have there mate - if that happened to my Epic evo I would have got my 3k back! lol :p
 
weescott said:
Have you checked it's alligned properly yet? :p
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To the garage >>>

janesssssy said:
Have I missed somthing? Why have you a new bike and already replaced the rear triangle? good quality bike you have there mate - if that happened to my Epic evo I would have got my 3k back! lol :p
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Weescott sat on it at Glentress and twisted the rear :eek: :p :D
 
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