Looking online for a lightweight HT 29 and debating selling my Charge Cooker, however I just cant see my taking the £250-300 the Charge is worth as a price to sell it for. It's a good bike, it works, goes, rides and has fun really well... I just can't see how that's a fair price for it... but in reality, that's all it's worth, even upgraded !
So for the first time EVER, the N+1 argument makes some sense. But when would I actually ride the Charge..... I have the Spearfish here too... plus the rowing machine... So the Charge is unlikely to see the light of day again !
Or spend the money upgrading the charge to get it nice and light?
Singlespeed it. Then you have another type of bike to ride, and if you're like me there's a chance you'll ride it more than your shiny new bike.
Not possible really to get it lighter. Even with my Hope/Crest wheels installed it's still pretty chunk. I've got Reba dual airs which are 1850gr installed, the only thing I could drop on it to lighten it is to change to 1x10 but that's only really going to give me 400/500gr at a push. It just seems to be quite a weighty frame.
Anytihng else and I'd have to throw a load at it and replace cranks, shifters, mech etc.
Ok then, as per cheezepleez, this will make a great basis for a ss. And then get a another hardtail. Win win 🙂
I'd love to be able to SS, but you know what, I'm too old, too fat, too unfit and really really can't do that !
But when would I actually ride the Charge....
During the year when the weather is & the trails are, filthy rotten.
Save the other for dryness.
I've consigned one of my bikes to Slop duties.
I'd love to be able to SS, but you know what, I'm too old, too fat, too unfit and really really can't do that !
i'm old, I definitely weigh more than you, I live in a hilly area, SS is doable, it's enjoyable, it changes the way you read trails, I'm on a 29er running 32x20
the one simple truth of SS is....
everyone walks (at some point)
SS and rigid forks. You'll take 2 or 3 kilos off the bike. Riding it will take more than that off you 😉
Singlespeed is perfect for the Ridgeway out from where you live. Once you get up the main hill it's just gradual slopes. None of the climbs are bad, you can even sit and spin most of them . I've got a 20 mile loop with only 1200ft ascent round our way. Plus the winter grinding paste is pretty grim round here.
Edit: Big_n_daft- round here there is nothing you can't get up on SS. It's very undulating and flowy, not harsh.
Sorry for the hijack, but bhat lightweight 29HT are you looking for, I'm selling my rather nicely specced KTM Area Carbon HT
I'm on 36-19 and live down the road from you, you may be older, but I'm fatter and less fit!
[shameless plug]Buy my FF29 frame[/shameless plug] 😀
N+1 doesn't mean you need one new bike, it means you ALWAYS need another bike. A re-adjusting of mindset is required, I think 🙂 Then it'll make more sense.So for the first time EVER, the N+1 argument makes some sense
Another vote for single speed. Chuck some rigid carbon forks on it if you want the weight down further and gear it so you can get up the hardest hill you're likely to encounter in the filthiest weather. Repurpose your existing chainset to singlespeed with a cheap shimano steel chainring. Hope bb for minimal maintenance. You'll spin out on the flats but who cares. I love my ss winter snotter and am rarely found with gears unless it's dry.
Your charge will be a perfect winter bike to be abused by mud/grit/snow etc. Keeps the new bike nice for longer, and prolongs the life of your old riding buddy.
After 2 winters of abuse, it'll cost more to repair than to replace so it can go in the skip and the cycle starts all over again.
Same with my Cove Handjob. Lovely bike, but never gets used since I got a Big Top.
Already have a Genesis IO, so no point single speeding it. Ebay? Nah, it'll just stay in my garage. Shame really.