Psychotext
Member
My front brake kept completely dying after each uplift yesterday. Took about 50 pumps to get it to come back. Frustrating.
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Bicycle age
- Thread starter elrechazado
- Start date
Burp its ass.
Psychotext
Member
Yeah, I'm going to do a ghetto bleed when I get a min. Just can't be arsed. 
jakonovski
Member
I probably should've told that I want them for marathon races that are 50% gravel road and 50% slippy forest with roots and rocks. Smooth rolling is a must or the whole thing becomes terrible. Good thing is I already have a pair of 2.0 Beavers for riding in early winter, so if the combo works I'll get a 2.2 tyre and if not, well, nothing lost except a bit of elbow grease.
I'm also riding on a hardtail (the full susser is too cumbersome even with fast tyres).
Did my biannual MTB-ride to remind myself why I'm a roadie. Chose the Norwegian highlands for the occasion, more specific the old gravel road (Rallarvegen) used to build the railway between Oslo and Bergen. The ride is a bit over 50km where you start at 1222m, ride up to 1343 and then it's all the way down to sea level at the end of a fjord.
Mostly hardpacked gravel, but there are technical rocky sections where the gravel has been washed away, and even some snow patches. I didn't take many pictures this time, so they're stolen from the web.
Mostly hardpacked gravel, but there are technical rocky sections where the gravel has been washed away, and even some snow patches. I didn't take many pictures this time, so they're stolen from the web.
21 turns down to the valley that takes you to the fjord
I removed the cassette completely at lunchtime and had a thorough look at the whole arrangement. The spline and hub seem A-OK (Shimano SLX), the cogs themselves seem absolutely fine (Shimano XT), and the spline 'grooves' and corresponding cog cut-outs are sharp and unworn, but until the lock ring is torqued up there is a bit of play in the cogs.
I fitted a brand-new cassette to my hardtail a few months ago but can't remember how 'loose' it was until tightened down.
TarpitCarnivore
Member
looks awesome, and am super jealous.
Wanted to try it this year, but will probably wait until next. It's on the bucket list for sure! But... I kinda want to climb up again, too.
Psychotext
Member
That 21 turn valley thing looks like a great climb. I wonder what the KOM is.
Given the prices on the train, I'd definately do the climb in reverse as well if I had time, my mother wasn't with me and the local brewpub (ægir) didn't tempt me even more.
That 21 turn valley thing looks like a great climb. I wonder what the KOM is.
Here you go: https://www.strava.com/segments/1790632
Mmm... Gears performed flawlessly tonight. Cassette solid. Weird.
My balance was all over the shop though. I wiped out three times and fell into one bush while stationary.
Edit: ooh, forgot. Encountered a spooky dude dressed all in black standing in the middle of a singletrack deep in the woods. Had to slowly ride around him as he just stood there staring at me, totally still. He had patent leather shoes on.
My balance was all over the shop though. I wiped out three times and fell into one bush while stationary.
Edit: ooh, forgot. Encountered a spooky dude dressed all in black standing in the middle of a singletrack deep in the woods. Had to slowly ride around him as he just stood there staring at me, totally still. He had patent leather shoes on.
Psychotext
Member
TarpitCarnivore
Member
The itch to get another bike is building. Unfortunately for you trail lads I don't think it'll be a mountain bike if I do it.
I don't think so. He looked old and had nothing in his hands
apart from a big knife.
It's not the type of thing you want to encounter deep in the woods at twilight.
I'm still riding through clouds of Pokemon players on the coastal path at Black Rock though. Those fuckers can't park for shit and jam up the parts of the path with their shitty little tricked-up Saxos.
That's OK - it leaves more trail space for the rest of us!
My next-door neighbour is a MTBer but bought a carbon Cannondale Jimmy Farthing a year or so ago on the 'advice' of his brother. He moans about it all the time, saying he comes back less fit than when he started. I think his wife insisted as it's quicker and cleaner. Naturally, I take the piss at every single opportunity.
TarpitCarnivore
Member
I want one, just don't know if I I'd ride enough to justify dropping $800-1200 on it. Since I do so much of my riding in the early AM I can't exactly go trail riding when it's pitch black.
Psychotext
Member
Yup, night riding is awesome.
Unrelated, Olympic Time Trial course looks slippy as hell.
Unrelated, Olympic Time Trial course looks slippy as hell.
So long as you don't meet knife-wielding maniacs.
Changing the subject, did you buy a pair of those Zoic Ether lookalike shorts from eBay in the end? I continue to be impressed with mine.
Psychotext
Member
On the day you told you me about them. Not arrived yet.
TarpitCarnivore
Member
But then I have to DRIVE somewhere which eats up more of my time as I'm already on a tight schedule.
Anyway, took out my old aluminum race geometry bike this morning and damn it felt nimble & fast, but so friggin stiff. Every bump and dip just shot right through me. Made me miss steel + 32c real quick.
Anyway, took out my old aluminum race geometry bike this morning and damn it felt nimble & fast, but so friggin stiff. Every bump and dip just shot right through me. Made me miss steel + 32c real quick.
I keep assuming people live near great trails - my bad!
I must have got lucky and ordered just before a bulk shipment went out as I'm sure I had mine in a few days - certainly quicker than some UK deliveries seem to take.
You can't seem to buy the original Zoic Ethers over here any more - these £12 knock-offs probably cornered the market.
I've been thinking of buying a second set of the old (better) design but the originals still look brand new..!
Anyone using an 11 speed Shimano Cassette / Derailleur tried using a KMC X11 Super Light 11 Speed Chain with it yet? If so how was the longevity? Do the spaces on the side get clogged with dirt?(using it in a MTB application)
Wanting opinions if it is worth the extra $30-40 over a XTR/Dura-Ace 11 chain.
Wanting opinions if it is worth the extra $30-40 over a XTR/Dura-Ace 11 chain.
I haven't noticed a difference in wear or life with KMC and Shimano, but I've only tried them both in ten speed setups, not 11. For what it's worth, my vote is no
I haven't noticed a difference in wear or life with KMC and Shimano, but I've only tried them both in ten speed setups, not 11. For what it's worth, my vote is no
Great info, thanks both of you.
Had to take my bike back to the shop - gears were fucked - of the 3 on the front, I could originally select all 3, but after a ride I could only select 1 and 2, which translated to gears 2 and 3, and the back 9 were ticking away for a while before it actually changed gears & sounded a bit ropey.
Hopefully I can get it back tonight, otherwise I'm gonna have to catch the bloody train home.
Hopefully I can get it back tonight, otherwise I'm gonna have to catch the bloody train home.
Psychotext
Member
Sounds like a little cable stretch. 2 minute job.
Just got a message that it's ready to pick up, which is good.
Is that something I could easily learn to do myself?
Where should I be getting cables from? Anything obvious to look for/avoid when purchasing?
It's normal adjustments needed for a new bike after a few rides.
All part of the shakedown..!
Any decent shop will at least give you a free tuneup if you buy a bike from them. I got two years service with one of my bikes (excluding parts of course)
TarpitCarnivore
Member
I love being good friends with the bike shop I frequent. I get so much stuff done without having to pay a dime or if I'm pay I'm basically just paying for parts & throwing them some food
Ahh OK - I'll jump on youtube and look for some guides on what to do - all I've been told really is that I need to give it a good clean & lube up all the move-y bits.
Also been told to deal with the fact that there's a bit of a creak - that also had me worried at first
edit: I keep forgetting to take a photo of it in the wild, so here's a shitty warehouse pic while I remember:
Endorphineforeverybody
Member
Hi Bike GAF. Im having a few questions. First the "situation ". GF and I are planning to do a bike tour next summer (Europe) we both need new bikes. We would like to transport the tent and everything with us. I did some research and was looking in this thread for some advise. I would like to get a bike which should also handle some trails and i can have some fun with. Maybe somebody can help me. EU btw. Price Range 1-2k For my GF should not be more than 1k. Also when do you think is the best time to buy. Thx for your Help
PS: Looked at Surley Bikes(i like the troll) would this be a suited bike? and KTM.
PS: Looked at Surley Bikes(i like the troll) would this be a suited bike? and KTM.
Sure, at least if the trail riding in question isn't so rough that you feel like you need suspension.
If the tour itself is going to be mostly on pavement, gravel, and/or very hard-packed dirt, consider running supple slicks such as these rather than the mildly-knobby tires that come on the bike; you might boost your speed a little and get a smoother, quieter ride.
For comparable sorts of bikes at much lower cost, consider looking for vintage rigid mountain bikes. The ones from the 80s are sort of like beefed-up stretched-out touring bikes, often featuring pretty a decent variety of bosses and holes for mounting stuff.
TarpitCarnivore
Member
Psychotext
Member
Velo, and some amazing performances.
Also, it's a bit more hardcore than your standard Jimmy stuff.
Also, it's a bit more hardcore than your standard Jimmy stuff.
If they're not making any noise or otherwise have obvious friction, they're probably fine. If you're concerned, drip a little lube on the pivots every few months. They really shouldn't need constant maintenance though.
If you get any lube on the brake pads, declare your bike destroyed and use it as an excuse to N+1.
frontieruk
Member
Hmmmm my new bike does seem to be squeaking and I do like the look of that cyclocross
Endorphineforeverybody
Member
Thx for the reply and help. I thought i will get a suspension for the front. Great tipp with the old bikes, will have a look.
Sorry to ask again. When do you think is the best time to buy? Winter? Spring?
Not sure about your country, but we're approaching the best time to buy with the announcement of 2017 models and the stores wanting to get rid of their 2016 models.
TarpitCarnivore
Member
Go tubeless, you'll be happy during thorn season.
The other day I got home from a ride and there was a staple sticking in my tire. Pulled it out slowly and just spun the wheel. After a few rotations there was no more leaking.
Yeah, a mate in California says he pulls cactus spikes from his USTs after every ride and hasn't had a puncture in two years.
I'm looking at new bikes again - must be a 'flip' day (or is it 'flop')?
The time to go tubeless is now, friend. You won't regret it.
Endorphineforeverybody
Member
Thank you, will look out for this.
Psychotext
Member
Aww yisss you beautiful track hammering bastards.
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