Big Bike Thread

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Nix said:
How many bikes have you chaps gone through since being 'serious' about the hobby?
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Pre 1990 - Peugeot Flame
1991 - GT Avalanche
1993 - Specialized Rockhopper
1995 - Kona Lava Dome
1997 - Orange P7 (First Hardtail)
2001 - GT I-Drive 2.0 (First Full Sus)
2003 - Marin Wolf Ridge
2007 - Orange 223
2008 - Specialized Stumpjumper FSR
 
Raleigh Activator II - I actually had some good times on this bike!
Orange P7
Azonic DS1
Spooky Metalhead
---gap of many years out of the saddle and in the pub---
Marin Palisades Trail
Be-One Nirvana - current bike
 
I have a spreadsheet which I use to log all of my spend on MTB and Road cycling.
I only have 3 bikes but have spent the same again and more on upgrades, gear, clothing and accessories - about £14k, excluding trips and holidays.


Bikes listed in Signature.
 
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SDK^ said:
I have a spreadsheet which I use to log all of my spend on MTB and Road cycling.
I only have 3 bikes but have spent the same again and more on upgrades, gear, clothing and accessories - about £14k, excluding trips and holidays.


Bikes listed in Signature.
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-- Fun : Enduro SL Pro Carbon --

Fapping gorgeous bike! Love the colour and the saddle.
 
I used to be into trials in my early teens and had zero money to spend on bikes, getting some neon yellow Magura HS33s was orgasmic :D

Since getting back in mtb about 3 years ago I've had 3 bikes I guess, Specialized Enduro SL 2007 - this eventually had everything upgraded besides the frame, fork and hubs, all that remains of it now is the rear hub (loler) since changing the frame and fork a couple of weeks ago. I also have my hardtail (both bikes in signature).

I'd also like; a short travel downhill/freeride bike (Transition TR250 or 2011 Specialized SX Trail), a lightweight trail bike like a carbon blur, a road bike, and a trials/street bike like an Inspired 24" :)
 
I used to ride my dads touring bike everywhere, then got lazy when I moved out of home and passed my driving test... that was 5 years ago now.

Bought my Boardman 2010 MTB HT Team towards the end of last year and didn't use it much/enough.

Got it out early/mid April and have been thrashing it round 3-4 times a week riding every Saturday since then racking up the miles and improving all the time. Fitness is getting there, need some technique now!





EDIT:

I've still not decided what tyres to purchase. Going to Merlin cycles tomorrow (as I didn't realise they opened late Thursdays).

I ideally need/would like a pair of tyres, I have decided that the Fat Albert front is too slow while the grounds quite hard and dry and I'll save it for rockier rides with tricky descents where it will give more control.

Either:

Racing Ralph Evo-Double Defence 2.25" £39.56
Nobby Nic Evolution Snakeskin 2.4" £34.16

Or

Pair of Nobby Nic 2.25" Evolution Tyres £49.46 - Not sure about these being none snakeskin, the descent from Winter Hill to San Marino last week was quite rocky and could feel the sidewalls being rubbed. Might risk them tearing or getting pinch flats?

Or I could go for Conti..

Continental Race King Supersonic 2.2" Black Chilli £34.16
Continental Rubber Queen Black Chilli 2.2" £37.76

Or a pair of Rubber Queens (no discount for 2).
 
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Berger said:
Continental Race King Supersonic 2.2" Black Chilli
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I have a set of these and I wouldn't use them for anything other than racing on non rocky trails. The rubber is very thin so you'll rip side walls very easily. On the plus side they are light and very fast rolling.
 
SDK^ said:
I have a set of these and I wouldn't use them for anything other than racing on non rocky trails. The rubber is very thin so you'll rip side walls very easily. On the plus side they are light and very fast rolling.
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Will leave those then as my local route has a bit of everything and I don't want to be knackering them on that when I just ride it to keep up my fitness.

Any comment on the RQ?
 
Berger said:
Any comment on the RQ?
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I've not tried those. I use Maxxis Ardents which are pretty good. You can't really go wrong with any of the quicker Schwalbe tyres - Racing Ralphs, Rocket Rons, Nobby Nics etc.

I've done all of the 7Stanes and Fort William DH with a 2.4 Rocket Ron Evo on the rear with no punctures.
 
I agree about the Supersonic tyres on rocky terrain. The protection versions are much more durable.

The Rubber Queens are awesome but heavy and slow rolling. I guess similar to the Fat Alberts.

Nobby Nic Evo Snakeskin's seem like your best bet IMO.
 
weescott said:
I agree about the Supersonic tyres on rocky terrain. The protection versions are much more durable.

The Rubber Queens are awesome but heavy and slow rolling. I guess similar to the Fat Alberts.

Nobby Nic Evo Snakeskin's seem like your best bet IMO.
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Thanks!

I guess the ones listed on their website are last years models, the new ones are pacestar/trailstar.

They are quite reasonably priced from actionsports.de including UK postage.

Not sure if would get hit with customs (I don't think so with it being the Euro?). But they are the 2011 versions, working it to be about £65 including postage for snakeskin NN and RR.
 
ichabod crane said:
Whats a technical pedal? I want some though :D
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I mean something that requires special shoes, etc.

DanTheMan said:
How are you finding the bike by the way Nix?
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It's okay but I seem to be absolutely plagued with problems with it which seems to be taking the shine away. Four punctures so far, and now my rear disc is rubbing against the caliper. It's almost like it's cursed or something.

I do enjoy it, but I've only been riding on the roads so far, and had high rolling resistance from my current tyres which makes it feel heavier than it is. Likewise, because I haven't really had a chance to chuck it around (nowhere obvious to do it around here sadly) I'm not really sure how it will hold up. It seems I'm totally reliant so far on what other people have said about it and I still have that horrible nagging thought in the back of my head that a smaller frame - despite this frame on paper being correct - would be better suited as I see photos of people with their seatposts jacked very high indicating a smaller frame for riding, whereas my saddle is only roughly half a foot above the stem. The riding position is very comfortable even if the saddle isn't, but when it comes to chucking it around, I may find that smaller really was better.

One thing I haven't really gotten used to yet is the colour scheme. The bike looks a lot cheaper than it is - in my opinion - which is a good thing for when I want to lock it up as it means less attention as the bike is primarily a commuting bike, but consequently, I feel it seems a little 'boring' and I'm struggling to work out how to make it look a little sexier and have more character as I'm useless at these things.

What I really need is a day where I'm living on the thing, such as a big ride and can really bond with it because at present I'm getting the odd 15-20 minutes ride here or there and that's it and it's been causing me headaches left, right and centre.

On the plus side though, as it has been so problematic, it's giving me ample experience in fiddling around with the basic maintenance of bikes and therefore introducing me to the skillset to build my own steed in a few year's time.

If anyone can help me with improving the character of the bike - saddle, grips, cage, etc.? - please feel welcome to do so. Currently ordering some new tyres and conti inner-tubes so hopefully the resistance and punctures - whilst also taking into account the past mistakes regarding PSI and weight-shifting - should be a thing of the past.
 
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Nix said:
Four punctures so far, and now my rear disc is rubbing against the caliper. It's almost like it's cursed or something.

I do enjoy it, but I've only been riding on the roads so far, and had high rolling resistance from my current tyres which makes it feel heavier than it is.
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Jack the pressure up more then. Why anyone runs their MTB tyres at less than 50 psi when they are using it on the road confuses me.

I run my tyres at circa 60psi (rated to 80) to increase rolling speed when I know I am going on a hard surface (road/cyclepath). If I know I am doing some proper off-road/trails I will reduce it right down to circa 35psi.
 
Nix said:
if anyone can help me with improving the character of the bike - saddle, grips, cage, etc.? - please feel welcome to do so. Currently ordering some new tyres and conti inner-tubes so hopefully the resistance and punctures - whilst also taking into account the past mistakes regarding PSI and weight-shifting - should be a thing of the past.
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If you start putting shiny coloured parts on and are leaving the bike in public places its only going to draw un wanted attention.
 
Went ahead and ordered from Actionsports.de instead of going to Merlin. As long as they arrive before next weekend as its forcast for decent weather, then that will be fine by me.

This years tyres, not last years and for less money!

2.25" Ralph and 2.25" Nic both Pacestar compound and snakeskin for just under 74 euros posted, so going to be around £65 I guess when my statement shows up, which is cheaper than anywhere in the UK.

Not sure if ill regret getting the 2.25" Nic and should have got a 2.4" but thought that might be a bit big for the fork, the 2.35" Fat Albert I have at the moment fills it! If needs be I can buy another and run NN F&R. Will give me a good few tyre combinations.
 
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