Mountain Biking

floatindolphin · 27 Jan 2020 at 12:06

Got hold of a 1994 Kona Fire Mountain for this years races

Found some reissue Smoke/Dart tyres! best tyres ever!

got to have a Crud Catcher!

Dave's Chain Device off my old Bear Valley SE

I also found that the original seat post had been chopped right down. Could only find this Thompson one that'd fit. Reissue Flite saddle too

I'm just waiting on a new headset before I can take it out for a proper ride. Will have a quick blast round Cannock to make sure it's all good then will take it back to my old haunts in North Wales.

Will be riding it in the Dyfi Enduro in May

TallPaul_S · 27 Jan 2020 at 16:38

Brilliant. :cool:

I spot a set of onza barends too

floatindolphin · 27 Jan 2020 at 16:52

ah yeah! and them!

Wanted X lite but couldn't find the right ones

Lakeland · 28 Jan 2020 at 21:09

Oh what a bike, I remember the first time I rode one of them and it was like riding on air with a 30mph tail wind! Beautiful.

rhysduck · 29 Jan 2020 at 00:11

Bike Park Wales was foggy this weekend!

floatindolphin · 29 Jan 2020 at 14:56

Nice Shan 05!

I've got one of the Yellow ones hung up in my shed

Begbie · 30 Jan 2020 at 08:31

Jealous!

Currently booking up for April

Been twice since coming moving back to the UK, it's so good!

Still got your shan?

iMacMart · 10 Feb 2020 at 16:35

Gents

What do we all use for cleaning our MTB bikes post rides, I've seen a MUC-Off brushes in Halfords but wanted to see if anyone had any other recommendations before hand, also lubrication once cleaned

Thanks

Lakeland · 11 Feb 2020 at 07:42

I take a battery pressure washer with me that’s about as powerful as an average hosepipe, as soon as the ride is over I wash off the mud and just leave it as is, then I look after the drivetrain when I get home.

Skillmister · 11 Feb 2020 at 08:21

Lakeland said:
I take a battery pressure washer with me that’s about as powerful as an average hosepipe, as soon as the ride is over I wash off the mud and just leave it as is, then I look after the drivetrain when I get home.

Same. I got one recently and it's a game changer

Skillmister · 12 Feb 2020 at 20:12

It's time to buy a new hardtail. I've done 3000 miles on my Voodoo Bizango that I bought in October 2016 for £400 :eek:

I feel like I've had my moneys worth and deserve an upgrade!

The question is budget. My max is £2000 but if I don't need to spend that I'd rather spend a bit less and spend some on kit (could do with new shoes, spare shorts etc too) and save a few pennies towards the inevitable new road bike in the near future.

I want something cross country oriented. I have a full suss for trail centres, big mountain rides like Snowdon etc. The hardtail will be used for longer rides and multi day bikepacking mostly. I don't want anything with "aggressive" geometry or big travel. I need to be able to ride it all day comfortably like I can on my current Bizango

I like the look of Canyon but not sure about ordering without being able to at least sit on one first.

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/mounta...hmenfarbe=BK/WH&dwvar_2424_pv_rahmengroesse=M

I did also come across the new carbon Bizango which looks like pretty unbelievable spec for a grand. Bit heavier and forks not as good though? Have to admit I have a soft spot for them after some of the rides I've done on mine!

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/moun...o-carbon-mountain-bike---s-m-l-xl-209438.html

I think ultimately most big brands will do a bike that meets my needs in my budget but anything in particular I should be on the look out for?

Begbie · 16 Feb 2020 at 17:35

Skillmister said:
It's time to buy a new hardtail. I've done 3000 miles on my Voodoo Bizango that I bought in October 2016 for £400 I feel like I've had my moneys worth and deserve an upgrade!

The question is budget. My max is £2000 but if I don't need to spend that I'd rather spend a bit less and spend some on kit (could do with new shoes, spare shorts etc too) and save a few pennies towards the inevitable new road bike in the near future.

I want something cross country oriented. I have a full suss for trail centres, big mountain rides like Snowdon etc. The hardtail will be used for longer rides and multi day bikepacking mostly. I don't want anything with "aggressive" geometry or big travel. I need to be able to ride it all day comfortably like I can on my current Bizango

I like the look of Canyon but not sure about ordering without being able to at least sit on one first.

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/mountain-bikes/cross-country-bikes/exceed/exceed-cf-sl-5.0/2424.html?dwvar_2424_pv_rahmenfarbe=BK/WH&dwvar_2424_pv_rahmengroesse=M

I did also come across the new carbon Bizango which looks like pretty unbelievable spec for a grand. Bit heavier and forks not as good though? Have to admit I have a soft spot for them after some of the rides I've done on mine!

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/moun...o-carbon-mountain-bike---s-m-l-xl-209438.html

I think ultimately most big brands will do a bike that meets my needs in my budget but anything in particular I should be on the look out for?

Thought about a gravel bike, and adding more versatility?

I've just got one, and I'll probably get rid of my hardtail now and just keep my full susupension bike. You also won't need a road bike either then....

Skillmister · 16 Feb 2020 at 18:28

Begbie said:
Thought about a gravel bike, and adding more versatility?

I've just got one, and I'll probably get rid of my hardtail now and just keep my full susupension bike. You also won't need a road bike either then....

I have been considering it but a lot of the stuff I want to do on the hardtail I don't think would be as good on a gravel bike... Routes like the lakeland 200 etc. I'm not sure a gravel bike adds versatility in this instance. More like compromises to meet somewhere in the middle of road/mtb needs. I can understand getting one instead of a straight up road bike though

I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with the Canyon Exceed after speaking to someone I know who has one (too small for me to bother trying it though) and given it won't have very wide tyres on it should cover the "gravel" side of things quite well and I will probably get a road/gravel bike later in the next year too

robj20 · 16 Feb 2020 at 18:46

I like a few of the canyon bikes but press fit BB is a no no for me.

Skillmister · 16 Feb 2020 at 18:53

robj20 said:
I like a few of the canyon bikes but press fit BB is a no no for me.

How come?

robj20 · 16 Feb 2020 at 19:54

Skillmister said:
How come?

Creaky never stay perfect for long IME.

Begbie · 16 Feb 2020 at 20:06

Skillmister said:
I have been considering it but a lot of the stuff I want to do on the hardtail I don't think would be as good on a gravel bike... Routes like the lakeland 200 etc. I'm not sure a gravel bike adds versatility in this instance. More like compromises to meet somewhere in the middle of road/mtb needs. I can understand getting one instead of a straight up road bike though

I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with the Canyon Exceed after speaking to someone I know who has one (too small for me to bother trying it though) and given it won't have very wide tyres on it should cover the "gravel" side of things quite well and I will probably get a road/gravel bike later in the next year too

Yeah fair enough, that lakeland 200 looks pretty awesome.

I wouldn't be phased by the pressfit, IMO. Some good long term reviews on the grail without any creaking issues.

Plus you can always replace it with a PF30 threaded bottom bracket if it does become bothersome.

Skillmister · 16 Feb 2020 at 22:57

Begbie said:
Yeah fair enough, that lakeland 200 looks pretty awesome.

Did half of it last year and a similar 100 miler with the jennride both epic.

kefkef · 21 Feb 2020 at 19:48

It’s arrived!

Thekwango · 21 Feb 2020 at 20:32

kefkef said:
It’s arrived!

That’s hella purdy.