Big Bike Thread

Status
Not open for further replies.
There are Soooo many things i need to get now, off the top of my head i need.

Lock - (checked)
Insurance - anyone recommend any? including theft and damage cover
Allen Key - (checked)
PTFE - which brand is best?
Grease - again, which brand?
New Pedals
Water hold/bottle
Distance counter thingy
Pump

Am i missing anything?
 
WD40 / GT85
Finish line - for chain.
Grease - anything should do.
Waterbottle - Camelbak
Lizzard Skin shock boot ;)
Muc-off is great for cleaning your bike.
Shoes?
Shorts?
T - wicking layer
 
I don't run a Lizard Skin shock-boot on my Trance - is it Tim Flooks (suspension tuning god) that likened it to sand-papering your shock?

If you want a much cheaper chain lube, then get some chain-saw oil. I run a number of chains (SRAMs with the PowerLink are so much easier to split) and the ones I'm not using are kept in oil. Then when I want to use one, I let it drip dry, wipe clean and put on the bike. A litre of chain-saw oil is around £5, which is what you'll pay for 250ml of Finish Line. I still keep a bottle of Finish Line in my toolbox which goes in the car when I'm off riding though. I've got a tube of Finish Line grease as well. Remember GT85 is *not* good as a chain lube - good for getting a nice shine on your frame after washing.

For insurance, does your home contents policy cover it? One of the reasons we went with M&S for our home contents is that it automatically covers bikes kept in a shed or garage up to £4000 without having to declare them or pay an extra premium. I've also got accidental damage cover should I have a big stack and damage my bike. If not, I think the CTC have a recommended insurer.

I'm not a big fan of the Cateye cycle computers, the one I have is a bit iffy. The two Sigma ones I have are much better IMHO.

When out riding, I'd pack a few cable ties, some gaffer tape or electrical tape, Powerlinks for a SRAM chain or a chain rivet if it's a Shimano (though you can make a Powerlink fit), an old toothpaste tube with the lid bit cut off (ideal if you manage to rip a hole in the side wall of your tyre). A good multi-tool will have tyre levers, maybe a chain tool and the right combination of screwdriver heads / allen keys.

For buying stuff, I'd say start with wiggle.co.uk, chainreactioncycles.com and merlincycles.co.uk. If you can find a price better than any of those, it's a good deal IMO.

Finally, get some silver electrical tape or helicoptor tape to protect your frame. I've found the cables rub in certain places on my Trance. From memory:

Cables crossing the seat tube
As they cross the down tube to fit into the guides on the top tube

HTH,

Chris.
 
I know lizard skins on headsets are meant to be bad as they seal in all the dirt. I haven't heard much about the shock ones though. They couldn't have hurt with my extremely worn Blacks. :(

Did some jumping last night, first time since I was about 12. Great fun:

Click me
 
weescott said:
WD40 / GT85
Grease - anything should do.
Click to expand...
I dunno if this is me being skeptical, but I'd never recommend WD40, as it doesn't do much in the way of lubrication and will remove grease or oil already there, which isn't too good for your bike. I use lawnmower oil (I think it's that anyway), in an oil can. The best grease around is meant to be Shimano workshop grease, but I dunno how much it costs.
 
Chris, does it have to be Silver Electrical tape? how about regular all purpose electrical tape?

At the moment ive just got some masking tape on it where it's rubbing against the frame.
 
Last edited:
That looks a adecent buy, I've had a Kona Kula for the last 10 years. The frame and build quality are spot on.
I'm fairly big being 6'4" and 15 1/2 stone but the smaller frame of my kona works really well. The handling is great, light and accelerates well.
The Kula only gets used for going to work now and has covered thousands of miles. The only thing replaced has been the Siguno(sp) chainset with an XT.

Went to Bike Scene in Guisborough (Middlesbrough ish) with the intention of getting a Marin Attick Trail but the Whyte E5 XT has blew me away.

Going back on Monday for a test ride of a large frame as the medium 17.5 was a bit small. (Pics will follow :))

If you are in the North East I would recommend this shop for thier knowledge and experience. The guy who sold me my Kula 10 years ago is still there and looks way too young(****).

T
 
#Chri5# said:
I run a number of chains (SRAMs with the PowerLink are so much easier to split) and the ones I'm not using are kept in oil. Then when I want to use one, I let it drip dry, wipe clean and put on the bike.
Click to expand...


on the same cassette? your likely to hurt yourself doing that. a general rule is that you should always change your cassette and chain at the same time otherwise you'll miss gears when you change down and it can jar your knee pretty bad sometimes. you get lots of side-to-side movement too when you only replace the chain
 
Pete_m said:
on the same cassette? your likely to hurt yourself doing that. a general rule is that you should always change your cassette and chain at the same time otherwise you'll miss gears when you change down and it can jar your knee pretty bad sometimes. you get lots of side-to-side movement too when you only replace the chain
Click to expand...
Yep, it's a bitch when you go over a drop and your chain ends up stuck in the gap of the top or bottom cogs on the cassette :\. (Was new rear mech and cassette and chain time for me).
 
Thumpsta said:
Went to Bike Scene in Guisborough (Middlesbrough ish) with the intention of getting a Marin Attick Trail but the Whyte E5 XT has blew me away.
Click to expand...


ordered a 2006 kona stinky from there :D

deciding to get back into mountain biking after realising riding bmx isnt getting me fit whatsoever because im either injured or just flowing round a skatepark :/

cant wait to go pick it up next week now

trees on trails in north east better watch out lol
 
andy8271 said:
ordered a 2006 kona stinky from there :D

deciding to get back into mountain biking after realising riding bmx isnt getting me fit whatsoever because im either injured or just flowing round a skatepark :/

cant wait to go pick it up next week now

trees on trails in north east better watch out lol
Click to expand...


Nice, which Stinky and how much?
 
andy8271 said:
ordered a 2006 kona stinky from there :D

deciding to get back into mountain biking after realising riding bmx isnt getting me fit whatsoever because im either injured or just flowing round a skatepark :/

cant wait to go pick it up next week now

trees on trails in north east better watch out lol
Click to expand...

Not tried a 2006 stinky.......but my mates 2005 one weighs 3 tonne.....your in for a shock going from a bmx :eek:
 
2K6_STINKY.jpg



when i used to mountain bike i rode an overweight ten tonne DH hardtail frankenstein bike so this shudnt feel TOOO heavy

costing 1300 wich i never thought id spend on a bike :S

only negatives ive read in some reviews are the forks arent too good with small bumps but im pretty sure i wont notice that since im a noob to suspension.

i couldnt think ofanything better within my budget for DH/freeride,maybe the specialized big hit but i think the new ones are FUGLY
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom