Mountain Biking

[Hedge]

Oh I beg to differ, this thing looks balanced. A Zeb would be too big, Pike is lighter than a Lyrik, I think it’s spot on! Plus, having a zeb myself I have to say it’s a bit of a big boy..

It's mainly just the grey colour I was referring to. Would tie in nicely with rest of the build imo.

I own a pike, lyrik and fox 38 (smashpot converted) and think the sweet spot was actually the lyrik. Though my fox 38 is on an eeb so great in that use case.

 

[robj20]

It's mainly just the grey colour I was referring to. Would tie in nicely with rest of the build imo.

I own a pike, lyrik and fox 38 (smashpot converted) and think the sweet spot was actually the lyrik. Though my fox 38 is on an eeb so great in that use case.

The black forks go with the mostly black frame, no?

I am tempted by some Lyriks at some point, the frame can take 150mm. Though the 140 Pikes have never really left me wanting more, I'm not a plough through everything kind of person, I like to pick my lines.

 

[Hedge]

The black forks go with the mostly black frame, no?

I am tempted by some Lyriks at some point, the frame can take 150mm. Though the 140 Pikes have never really left me wanting more, I'm not a plough through everything kind of person, I like to pick my lines.

Yours go fine, it's your bike and bikes are a personal thing . I just like the idea of grey forks on a bike like that.

I weigh 90+kg and felt my pikes offered less support on more steep enduro type stuff I tend to ride. But they were fine for usual trail center rides I used to do.

I find 38s and Zebs came more from manufacturers wanting to fleece us of money more than a real need for a burlier fork. EWS riders were happily using fox 36s and lyriks for long enough.

 

[robj20]

Next purchase is a second set of wheels for uplift days something I can put some DH Casing Ultra soft tyres on.

 

[Hedge]

Next purchase is a second set of wheels for uplift days something I can put some DH Casing Ultra soft tyres on.

Are your current wheels not best suited for uplift days? Xm481s are strong dh/enduro aren't they?

 

[robj20]

Are your current wheels not best suited for uplift days? Xm481s are strong dh/enduro aren't they?

XM481 are considered AM.
Enduro would be the EX511 for instance and then you have the FR rims for freeride.

I have them laced with CX-Ray spokes, and always have my tail tyres on them. I'm lazy I don't want to be swapping tyres.

 

[Hedge]

XM481 are considered AM.
Enduro would be the EX511 for instance and then you have the FR rims for freeride.

I have them laced with CX-Ray spokes, and always have my tail tyres on them. I'm lazy I don't want to be swapping tyres.

Ah right. I thought they were the ones Aaron gwin rode without a tyre at one point.

Doubt you can go wrong with any of them dt swiss rims for uplift days tbh

I have nukeproof horizon wheels on my bikes and they've took some battering but remained true.

EX511 are likely my next wheels. I've got a 32h hope hub waiting to be laced.

 

[robj20]

Ah right. I thought they were the ones Aaron gwin rode without a tyre at one point.

Doubt you can go wrong with any of them dt swiss rims for uplift days tbh

I have nukeproof horizon wheels on my bikes and they've took some battering but remained true.

EX511 are likely my next wheels. I've got a 32h hope hub waiting to be laced.

Ill probably get Hope Fortus 30w for DH duties. Inserts in and I'll never have to worry about them.

If I get really lazy I'd love some XC carbon wheels as well. Maybe the Blueflow XC ones and run Racing Ralph and Racing Ray.
I do what I'd say is the types of riding all on one bike.

My local XC loop where wheels never leave the ground just a nice ride out.

Trail riding at places like Rivington, Gisburn and Gwydir Mawr. I want more grip and puncture resistant here.

Then uplift days, mostly Antur Stiniog but I plan to do a few visits to BPW as well, full send I don't want to have to worry about my good wheels. No pedaling to worry about so I may as well have max grip.

 

[Andrew Moore]

XM481 are considered AM.
Enduro would be the EX511 for instance and then you have the FR rims for freeride.

I have them laced with CX-Ray spokes, and always have my tail tyres on them. I'm lazy I don't want to be swapping tyres.

I know Roval is basically specialised but look at the Traverse which is Asymmetric. They are VERY strong and play nice with a DH case Cannibal T9 which I am absolutely loving. The DT350 hubs are bullet proof too.

 

[dannywaugh1]

Afternoon all,

can anyone recommend a autumn winter MTB cycle jacket for the larger person that wont cost a kidney lol I'm not skinny anymore

Think I'll need to swing by some local cycles stores this week to try on also.

 

[Begbie]

Afternoon all,

can anyone recommend a autumn winter MTB cycle jacket for the larger person that wont cost a kidney lol I'm not skinny anymore

Think I'll need to swing by some local cycles stores this week to try on also.

Don't think too much about it, bang a fleece on if it's cold. I use a thin rab hoodie thing.

 

[Andrew Moore]

Afternoon all,

can anyone recommend a autumn winter MTB cycle jacket for the larger person that wont cost a kidney lol I'm not skinny anymore

Think I'll need to swing by some local cycles stores this week to try on also.

Don't think too much about it, bang a fleece on if it's cold. I use a thin rab hoodie thing.

This.

I went to go outdoors, picked up some berghaus bits and then flew over to mountain warehouse for the other bits including some shirts that wick up the nasties if the over garments make me a bit moist. I only have my gloves for the purpose of being able to use a phone without any compromises and that’s as far as dedicated bike attire goes for me.

 

[Begbie]

This.

I went to go outdoors, picked up some berghaus bits and then flew over to mountain warehouse for the other bits including some shirts that wick up the nasties if the over garments make me a bit moist. I only have my gloves for the purpose of being able to use a phone without any compromises and that’s as far as dedicated bike attire goes for me.

MTB gloves are normally pretty cheap and offer some hand protection in fairness.

 

[Irish_Tom]

Had a rather humbling experience yesterday.

Entered a local ‘enduro’ race with a couple of mates. It was a four stage mash-up event, so you could ride each stage as many times as you liked but it was your total time for all four stages that counted.

I knew I was never going to be challenging for the podium but I came 9th out of 10 in my age category (10th DNF’d) and 85th out of 99 overall.

The conditions were atrocious; torrential rain and mud everywhere; a proper slop-fest. I’ve never ridden anything like it.

As a result, I felt I had no grip and couldn’t trust my bike to corner, and I washed out a number of times (probably because I was going so slowly and dragging the brakes).

There were some bigger features that had alternative lines, but some of the smaller features had to be ridden and I didn’t have the confidence to hit them all. Although by the end I had cleared most of them.

I think I would have given a better account of myself if it had been dry, and it was a fun day out with good friends (which is the main thing) but the number of women and kids who beat me has certainly put me in my place.

I clearly need more practice.

 

[Andrew Moore]

Had a rather humbling experience yesterday.

Entered a local ‘enduro’ race with a couple of mates. It was a four stage mash-up event, so you could ride each stage as many times as you liked but it was your total time for all four stages that counted.

I knew I was never going to be challenging for the podium but I came 9th out of 10 in my age category (10th DNF’d) and 85th out of 99 overall.

The conditions were atrocious; torrential rain and mud everywhere; a proper slop-fest. I’ve never ridden anything like it.

As a result, I felt I had no grip and couldn’t trust my bike to corner, and I washed out a number of times (probably because I was going so slowly and dragging the brakes).

There were some bigger features that had alternative lines, but some of the smaller features had to be ridden and I didn’t have the confidence to hit them all. Although by the end I had cleared most of them.

I think I would have given a better account of myself if it had been dry, and it was a fun day out with good friends (which is the main thing) but the number of women and kids who beat me has certainly put me in my place.

I clearly need more practice.

I wouldn’t over think it. Some of the pros who are the fastest in the world in the dry are consistently slow in the wet. Others who don’t quite cut it in the dry smash it in the wet. I’m crap in the wet to the point I simply won’t go out in it now as I know I’m coming off and I know it’s going to hurt.

Maybe tyres were your issue yesterday? I’ve got no end to choose from and some perform considerably better in the wet than others due to their ability to shed the mud whilst the ones that have grip for days in the dry mostly collect the stuff and bog down. If mud isn’t an issue and it’s wet rock surfaces that are the issue then I still have no idea as I have yet to find a solution other than “nah” and staying in bed.

 

[Irish_Tom]

I wouldn’t over think it. Some of the pros who are the fastest in the world in the dry are consistently slow in the wet. Others who don’t quite cut it in the dry smash it in the wet. I’m crap in the wet to the point I simply won’t go out in it now as I know I’m coming off and I know it’s going to hurt.

Maybe tyres were your issue yesterday? I’ve got no end to choose from and some perform considerably better in the wet than others due to their ability to shed the mud whilst the ones that have grip for days in the dry mostly collect the stuff and bog down. If mud isn’t an issue and it’s wet rock surfaces that are the issue then I still have no idea as I have yet to find a solution other than “nah” and staying in bed.

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

Later in the day, I lowered my tyre pressures, which definitely helped (Minion DHF and DHR 2). But yeah, based on yesterday, I won't be seeking those conditions to ride in!

 

[jaffveyda]

Finally back on the bike after Achilles injury. Right at the start of raining season in UK.
Good to be back and moving tho.

 

[dannywaugh1]

Evening everyone! I think we can all relate to what I’m about to share.

I’m finding it hard to motivate myself to get out and ride. I don’t have anyone nearby to ride with, so I mostly go solo, which isn’t a problem for me.

I really enjoy riding and taking care of my bike—I’ve never had a “bad ride”—but I struggle with motivation. I know my fitness level isn’t the best, and that contributes to it, but it’s not the whole picture. Life at home is busy, but I can easily make time, and my partner is very supportive.

What do you do or tell yourself to get out there?

As I mentioned, I need to improve my fitness and lose some weight, which is part of why I want to ride more. I used to ride every day when I was a teenager (I’m 36 now), but I’m finding it tough to get back into the habit.

On a positive note, I recently got a new bike—a Saracen Mantra Elite—which is really cool, so that’s not the issue!

 

[robj20]

Evening everyone! I think we can all relate to what I’m about to share.

I’m finding it hard to motivate myself to get out and ride. I don’t have anyone nearby to ride with, so I mostly go solo, which isn’t a problem for me.

I really enjoy riding and taking care of my bike—I’ve never had a “bad ride”—but I struggle with motivation. I know my fitness level isn’t the best, and that contributes to it, but it’s not the whole picture. Life at home is busy, but I can easily make time, and my partner is very supportive.

What do you do or tell yourself to get out there?

As I mentioned, I need to improve my fitness and lose some weight, which is part of why I want to ride more. I used to ride every day when I was a teenager (I’m 36 now), but I’m finding it tough to get back into the habit.

On a positive note, I recently got a new bike—a Saracen Mantra Elite—which is really cool, so that’s not the issue!

I don't. I got a direct drive smart trainer and Zwift for those times I can't bring myself to go outside.
It's the best thing I ever did for my mountain biking because now I'm fitter than ever so enjoy the rides outside much more.

I can fit a decent workout/ride in 30 minutes.

 

[Teknobry]

Evening everyone! I think we can all relate to what I’m about to share.

I’m finding it hard to motivate myself to get out and ride. I don’t have anyone nearby to ride with, so I mostly go solo, which isn’t a problem for me.

I really enjoy riding and taking care of my bike—I’ve never had a “bad ride”—but I struggle with motivation. I know my fitness level isn’t the best, and that contributes to it, but it’s not the whole picture. Life at home is busy, but I can easily make time, and my partner is very supportive.

What do you do or tell yourself to get out there?

As I mentioned, I need to improve my fitness and lose some weight, which is part of why I want to ride more. I used to ride every day when I was a teenager (I’m 36 now), but I’m finding it tough to get back into the habit.

On a positive note, I recently got a new bike—a Saracen Mantra Elite—which is really cool, so that’s not the issue!

As the weather turns cold and crap I massively struggle with this as well. Just don't enjoy riding in cold miserable weather!