Big Bike Thread

Mr Ripper · 22 Feb 2012 at 20:44

I commute more than half of the days I work. The coldest I've commuted in is -6°c. As long as you gear up properly and keep at it pretty hard I can regulate my body temperature fine.

Doesn't stop the top of my bottle freezing up though!

weescott · 22 Feb 2012 at 21:10

Southern softies complaining about the cold again?

pfft.

Scrutinize · 22 Feb 2012 at 22:21

weescott said:
Southern softies complaining about the cold again?

pfft.

Nice crop to make sure you got the XTR logo in

Berger · 23 Feb 2012 at 08:34

matt_fsr said:
Good joke there

I live in the ass-end of nowhere, my local bike shops are tiny and manned by complete tools, and the ones that have any stock are at least an hour's drive away. The petrol would cost more than posting back the wrong size shoes

I checked, mine are a euro 47, which is a UK 11.5-12, so about one UK size larger than normal.

matt_fsr · 23 Feb 2012 at 10:37

Berger said:
I checked, mine are a euro 47, which is a UK 11.5-12, so about one UK size larger than normal.

What size do you take normally?

Hey look, my old shoes are in this vid

(id forgotten about this vid, its a bombhole on the only half-decent piece of trail near where I live)

Berger · 23 Feb 2012 at 10:47

matt_fsr said:
What size do you take normally?

11

Vuvuzela · 23 Feb 2012 at 11:25

Advice please.

I’m looking for some advice on some bikes please.

I currently want a bike for commuting, to and from work in London and I also want a mountain bike to take off road, do trails etc.

My previous bike was a specialized Rockhopper which I used for both commuting and off road. Sadly that was stolen. I’ve been told that the 2012 Rockhoppers don’t even come close to the 2011 ones??

I have two bikes in mind. The one for commuting is the Specialized Langster and the mountain bike is the Whyte 801/805. A review on the langster says the handle bar and brake setup on this bike is not very good and should be changed??

The mountain bike is not a priority so was even thinking of one of the Whyte’s Urban/Commute range?

Whyte is quite a new name for me.

Thanks for reading.

LordSplodge · 23 Feb 2012 at 13:24

All this talk of mountain bike shoes has got me thinking: What do they bring over a firm pair of trainers when riding? I ride flats with trainers and haven't had an issue with grip.

R0B75 · 23 Feb 2012 at 13:52

I have Nike skate shoes for riding flats as they grip well and have a firm sole. I've never owned any proper flat MTB shoes either but I imagine there isn't going to be much difference as long as the sole isn't spongey (absorb enenrgy?) and the tread pattern grips well.

touch · 23 Feb 2012 at 15:16

Here's a new take on a Megavalanche style race:
Red Bull 50:50
Do the snow section on skis/snowboard then jump on your bike for the mud

Scrutinize · 23 Feb 2012 at 15:38

Well after going window shopping at the weekend, I ordered another new bike and it has just been delivered. It is something a tad special and weighs in at the 10kg mark. Blown the budget a bit, but my wife approved. Not feeling well at the mo, so can’t get it all up until Sat but will take pics along side the Rocky Ridge and Specialized.

weescott · 23 Feb 2012 at 17:15

Scrutinize said:
It is something a tad special and weighs in at the 10kg mark.

It better not be a full sus or I won't be happy. :mad:

In other really exciting news. I settled for some SS Enduro bearings for the Angleset.

Scrutinize · 23 Feb 2012 at 17:27

weescott said:
It better not be a full sus or I won't be happy.

In other really exciting news. I settled for some SS Enduro bearings for the Angleset.

No not full sus, besides, I don't like full sus because of back problems and actually find the rear suspension counter productive.

weescott · 23 Feb 2012 at 17:35

That's ok then.

I thought full sus would be better for your back though. :confused:

Scrutinize · 23 Feb 2012 at 17:48

weescott said:
That's ok then.

I thought full sus would be better for your back though.

Jolts don't really cause me any problem but I find the whole transference of energy through the bike harder on my lower back on a full sus. I like it hard at the rear and it’s what I have been used to for 12 years. I did try a full susser again but still not at home on it. Could even be psychological but as I won't face much more demanding than the Purbecks a HT is fine.

Django x2 · 23 Feb 2012 at 17:52

Scrutinize said:
Well after going window shopping at the weekend, I ordered another new bike and it has just been delivered. It is something a tad special and weighs in at the 10kg mark. Blown the budget a bit, but my wife approved. Not feeling well at the mo, so can’t get it all up until Sat but will take pics along side the Rocky Ridge and Specialized.

You don't have s Specialized unless you've just slipped up and told us what you've bought....

It won't be a full susser at 10kgs either, nor will it be a road bike as I'd want it a lot less than 10kgs

It's more than likely a kiddies bike for one of the girls

weescott · 23 Feb 2012 at 17:56

Scrutinize said:
I like it hard at the rear.

Are you coming to Glentress?

Andelusion · 23 Feb 2012 at 21:25

weescott said:
Are you coming to Glentress?

Damn you beat me to it

Supercow · 24 Feb 2012 at 08:30

LordSplodge said:
All this talk of mountain bike shoes has got me thinking: What do they bring over a firm pair of trainers when riding? I ride flats with trainers and haven't had an issue with grip.

R0B75 said:
I have Nike skate shoes for riding flats as they grip well and have a firm sole. I've never owned any proper flat MTB shoes either but I imagine there isn't going to be much difference as long as the sole isn't spongey (absorb enenrgy?) and the tread pattern grips well.

Tonnes and tonnes of grip.
Just try some 5.10 karvers/impacts etc and see how silly you sound

Think about it, there are compounds for tyres yes?
Take Maxxis then as an example: 60a vs Super tacky.

Super tacky provides plenty more grip, but whether you need it or not is another question.

Same with the compounds of the rubber soles, skate shoes' compound will not be as tacky for one, because it would wear out too quickly.

Simples

You've "never had an issue with grip" because you've not felt what more grip feels like, unless you've clipped in.
It comes down to personal preference, I opted for a tad less grip and got some 5.10 freeriders.

R0B75 · 24 Feb 2012 at 08:52

Supercow said:
Tonnes and tonnes of grip.
Just try some 5.10 karvers/impacts etc and see how silly you sound

Think about it, there are compounds for tyres yes?
Take Maxxis then as an example: 60a vs Super tacky.

Super tacky provides plenty more grip, but whether you need it or not is another question.

Same with the compounds of the rubber soles, skate shoes' compound will not be as tacky for one, because it would wear out too quickly.

Simples

You've "never had an issue with grip" because you've not felt what more grip feels like, unless you've clipped in.
It comes down to personal preference, I opted for a tad less grip and got some 5.10 freeriders.

Fair point, but I'm not going to spend £50-60 to find out