Mountain Biking

[Hedge]

Rode top chief twice today. God I'd forgot how brutal the rocky descent is.

 

[Pyr0m@nI@]{]

Went for a long ride yesterday and ended up in Shotton/Connah's Quay.

Longest ride I've been on. I wouldn't have even attempted something like that on my old bike.
My sit bones were aching afterwards though and I still feel a bit worn out today lol

 

[Pyr0m@nI@]{]

Disappointed..
Checked the Tftuned site and they show as having some 38s in stock, so I called them thinking perhaps I would go for those instead of 36s
No 38s available in the dimensions I'm after
The website was incorrect

They're still saying the 36s are due in September and I've asked them to fit a Luftkappe when they eventually turn up.

 

[Invertigo]

Anyone got any rec's on short sleeve body armour? Figured after smashing my shoulder and elbow that a bit more padding wouldn't go a miss on proper trails and bike parks, preference is separate elbow pads which I've ordered already, but looking for a chest/shoulder protector.

Currently looking at the TLD 7850 and Leatt 3DF Airfit Lite, anyone got any opinions or alternatives?

 

[mrk]

Wheelset built and installed! Local bike shop that opened new last month (Trent's Bike Shack) did a great job even after some supplier delay.

Listen to these bees:

The rim is 30mm whereas stock was 25mm, tyres don't look as small now given they're 2.25".

Can't wait for the rain to stop and the projected heatwave to begin so I can get out there!

And here's what the old JoyTech hub looked like:

Not really the best cap system to stop grime getting in and griefing the bearings... Have cleaned it all up though and put the old rims on marketplace.

 

[Begbie]

I think the last time my bike was that clean, it was coming out of the box

 

[Cleisthenes]

I think the last time my bike was that clean, it was coming out of the box

I'm still waiting on the evidence that @mrk's bike every goes on anything other than tarmac

Mine was an absolute state after making a trip to the Surrey hills last week, Imust say the trails did not cope well with the rain. A lot of clay and roots which through me a off a couple of times



e: Wait, is that bike behind a barbers chair? What are you doing with it?!

 

[mrk]

I would be rather annoyed if I picked the bike up from the shop and it was filthy lol.

I ride local trails for the time being whilst the weather sorts itself out Did you miss the clip from a while ago! I do not ride in the rain though or in mud. Just dry trails. I just don't like mud. Queen Elizabeth country park some point soon though

Spoiler

Yes to barber shop. My mate owns the shop and is located on the same high street as the bike shop so I dropped in on the way back to compare his hub sound with this as his is loud too.

 

[fez]

Aren't those wheels more expensive than the rest of the bike combined

 

[mrk]

Aren't those wheels more expensive than the rest of the bike combined

That would be correct if the bike was still stock. I've upgraded all but the brakes so is the equiv of a £2k bike now but custom build. The frame is the same as what Marin used in the higher end models so knew that was good even if the stock stuff attached were entry level at the time

 

[SoliD]

No point going to QECP anytime soon. Was disgustingly wet up there last night! Belgian Tan Lines galore! https://www.strava.com/activities/5744226041

 

[mrk]

Maybe not that any time soon then

 

[fez]

That would be correct if the bike was still stock. I've upgraded all but the brakes so is the equiv of a £2k bike now but custom build. The frame is the same as what Marin used in the higher end models so knew that was good even if the stock stuff attached were entry level at the time

I know the feeling. I need to stop upgrading my bike now. I have done it slowly enough that the missus can't quite keep track of whats stock, whats new, what was new but is now "old". Smoke and mirrors my friend!

There isn't much I can do to my bike now that would actually make it perform any better so I need to hold off on vanity parts. I don't need a wireless dropper or drivetrain (would be nice though).

Going to save up for an ebike over the next 2-3 years and see if we get a bit of a drop in price and an improvement in weight/tech. Stuff like the Orbea Rise look awesome.

 

[jaffveyda]

I'm still waiting on the evidence that @mrk's bike every goes on anything other than tarmac

Mine was an absolute state after making a trip to the Surrey hills last week, Imust say the trails did not cope well with the rain. A lot of clay and roots which through me a off a couple of times



e: Wait, is that bike behind a barbers chair? What are you doing with it?!

Swinley Forest was wet but not muddy.

 

[neil_g]

Swinley Forest was wet but not muddy.

that orange gritty stuff in the wet is like damn grinding paste

 

[fez]

Swinley Forest was wet but not muddy.

Very different trails. One is natural and the other is man man. Nearest trails to me is Bedgebury and you can ride that in the ******* rain and its OK because they have laid stone down along almost the whole route. Still some wet patches but nothing serious.

Hopefully heading to Friston tomorrow morning if the weather isn't complete *****.

 

[SpudMaster]

I do not ride in the rain though or in mud. Just dry trails. I just don't like mud.

Your bike can't see much action then in the UK.....

 

[mrk]

Actually the weather has largely been good the last year with the odd random few weeks of rain dotted around.

 

[fez]

Actually the weather has largely been good the last year with the odd random few weeks of rain dotted around.

Are you in a different dimension? The last few months have been awful here. Torrential rain randomly and frequently. Weather has been all over the place.

 

[mrk]

All the times I've been riding it's been fine? Like I said I ride once or twice a week and up until recently there have only been a few rainy days...