Big Bike Thread

[andi]

There doesn't seem to be many manufacturers on the exhibitors list at all really. Plenty of apparel and parts cos though.

There must be some manufacturers there though, as there's a MTB test track to try bikes out on.

 

[weescott]

The Sukuma is now 170mm trail bike pron, with carbon seatstays ... which is hopefully indicative of things to come

I really question the need for a 170mm trail bike. It's like an XC/OM/AM/FR bike rolled into one. Might as well call it a Specialwood.

 

[Supercow]

Carbon stays must be the trend for this year, the Devinci Wilson has them as an option for 2012.

Is the Sukuma Split Pivot?

Yep, there was a video with DW explaining the suspension kinematics last year.

There doesn't seem to be many manufacturers on the exhibitors list at all really. Plenty of apparel and parts cos though.

There must be some manufacturers there though, as there's a MTB test track to try bikes out on.

LOADS of manufacturers, whatcha talking about Willis?

I really question the need for a 170mm trail bike. It's like an XC/OM/AM/FR bike rolled into one. Might as well call it a Specialwood.

I must admit I'm wondering the same thing. Maybe because of the split pivot deisgn maybe it uses it more efficiently?
Either way, I'd have more info soon enough, my product PDFs still list 2 versions, 160mm Sukuma and a 170mm Jabula - none with images though.

 

[andi]

LOADS of manufacturers, whatcha talking about Willis?

At Cycleshow? Cool. Not really many on the exhibitors list or on the map.

 

[Deleted User 234324]

Epic final for the 4X world champs, talk about pile up at the start, unlucky for Jared getting a puncture just as he was handed a win!!

 

[touch]

The Sukuma is now 170mm trail bike pron, with carbon seatstays ... which is hopefully indicative of things to come

Looks nice, but whats the point of carbon stays on a full-sus bike?

 

[weescott]

I must admit I'm wondering the same thing. Maybe because of the split pivot deisgn maybe it uses it more efficiently?
Either way, I'd have more info soon enough, my product PDFs still list 2 versions, 160mm Sukuma and a 170mm Jabula - none with images though.

It's been marketed as the split pivot design makes for better pedaling efficiency enabling bigger bikes to pedal well.

The closest bike I can compare it to is the MK1 Nomad with 165mm travel. With an air shock it blew through all the travel on small jumps. The Mk2 has 160mm travel with the revised VPP, isn't as plush but does everything else better. I just can't help but think half of it is marketing BS. Maybe they are trying to compete with the Scott Genius LT?

Looks nice, but whats the point of carbon stays on a full-sus bike?

Weight, less deflection, stiffer, stronger....

 

[6thElement]

Epic final for the 4X world champs, talk about pile up at the start, unlucky for Jared getting a puncture just as he was handed a win!!

You watching on freecaster?

 

[Deleted User 234324]

You watching on freecaster?

Yep about the only sport i'd be happy to pay to watch

Got pass for the worlds so will be watching XC tomorrow followed by DH on sunday at the local pub.

 

[Supercow]

At Cycleshow? Cool. Not really many on the exhibitors list or on the map.

Sorry, I thought you were referring to Eurobike

Looks nice, but whats the point of carbon stays on a full-sus bike?

Admittedly I'd want the whole thing to be carbon, given that Richard Carter's background (Morewood boss man) is in composites/materials, it must be on the cards at some point.
I dont quite see the point in just making the stays carbon, why not everything else? At a guess it's a financial decision, as the smaller companies will struggle to match the big players (Giant/Santa Cruz etc) in the carbon "race"

It's been marketed as the split pivot design makes for better pedaling efficiency enabling bigger bikes to pedal well.

Yea I thought as much - I have to admit I'm very undecided about the bike, even though I'm a fanboy. I'll be getting one regardless by the end of the year, hopefully Morewood will bring out a video interview soonish explaining some more details on the bike.

 

[weescott]

Santacruz are a small company, almost boutique. The marketing and sponsorship of riders has made them what they are. Nothing that Morewood can't aspire to. For all we know split pivot could be the next best thing. But to be certain of that, Split Pivot needs to be compared directly against VPP2 in a fitting environment like north Scotland!

 

[SpudMaster]

Cycleshow is on at the NEC at the end of the month.

Wouldnt touch that with a barge pole tbh its if its anything like previous bike show events at the NEC. Empty arena with few stands worth looking at. Last one i went to was probably in 2006 or 7 and i must have stayed there for half an hour tops!

Back in the day they used to do a decent shows. Bike99 and 2000 where cool, lots of good and interesting stands as well as good 4x and trials shows. Now its just pap

 

[Gribs]

Probably been done to death but what lights you guys using? Work and cycle deep in the countryside side need something with some umph - looking to spend around the £100 mark.

A colleague has an exposure joystick which is nice but seems tres expensive.

You want a couple of these.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/t6-wat...te-led-bike-light-with-battery-pack-set-82510

As standard the beam pattern is fairly tightly focused but if you run two then you can take the reflector out of the second to give a shortish range flood. Quality isn't up to the standard of Hope or Exposure but at £28 each it's good enough. I've got a 2 year old P7 one that still works fine but I think having a backup is always a good idea.

 

[RobotXander]

Cow, is that a public show or closed to us mere mortals?

RobotXander, think about getting some new wheels that are a bit stronger. I would prefer the Maxle over standard QR as it's a piece of mind that it won't fall out... But that's just me... And I'm Welsh

It will happen, when the cash allows Love the look of the Nukeproof Generator wheelsets (Yellow of course)

 

[Street]

Thought I'd go somewhere a bit different today so went up to Gisburn Forest to see what it was like.

Got there and it was absolutely tipping it down with rain. The trail seemed a lot rockier and rootier and there seemed to be a lot more fireroads than Llandegla where I normally go and in the rain it was lethal. I nearly ended up coming off round one corner when my front wheel slipped out. At least it was nowhere near as busy as Llandegla and there was loads of space in the car park!

I somehow managed to miss half of the trail as I didn't know where I was going and by the time I got back to the start I was too wet and muddy to be bothered to go round and find where I'd gone wrong. I imagine it would be a lot more fun with less rain as it could be done a bit faster so I'll probably head back there on a dry day!

 

[ichabod crane]

You probably didn't mis much out the trail is rather short at Gisburn, I bet the big rock slab and rock gardens were not fun in the wet!

 

[Street]

I bet the big rock slab and rock gardens were not fun in the wet!

After coming back I've read some reviews and they pretty much all said to avoid the place in the wet.. Wish I'd read them first!

 

[rhysduck]

Nothing good tyres won't take care of! Trust your tyres If you don't trust them, buy better ones

 

[Street]

I've got Nobby Nics front and rear which are normally fine for me, they were just sliding all over the place on the rocks and roots!

 

[TheBrooder]

I've just discovered pink bike's VOD - I've been there before trying to flick though hundreds of pages of random movies but the VOD archives have had me hooked for 2 days now.

Wife isn't too happy that I'm watching mtb movies all day instead of working! She's even less happy that I want to move nearer to the Pyrenees to do more biking ...