I had brake issues with my new bike I think because they were bedding in but then I did what jedi say’s and it was fine (make sure you undo the right bolts though otherwise it can be messy :oops:). Does your bike shop offer a free service within a certain period of purchase? Maybe you could get it sorted that way.

It’s ok emergency over I think I’ve fixed it. I just took the maxle apart and the wedge at the lever end is worn and wasn’t spreading properly. I’ve greased it and refitted the wheel and it’s tight again now. I think I just need a new wedge (hopefully).

Any tips on future hub bearing replacement gratefully received though.

Thanks.

Yeah I forgot to say which hub but just edited it. It’s a Specialized hub which I think came off a Pitch like the Pikes did. I’ve checked the maxle through the hub and it’s tight there with the wedges working and I’ve checked it in the forks with the wheel off and it’s tight there too. Do the spacers just pull off?

I’ve not ridden an Anthem but my 2009 Trance X is a great all rounder especially since I put Pikes on it. I’ve heard Anthems are really good but I’m not sure I would trust one as much as my Trance when things get very steep and techy downhill. I’d imagine the Trance’s geometry would make it less twitchy than the Anthem although the Anthem would be lighter and faster on xc. Depends what sort of riding you do I suppose.

hainman

Was it a maxle compatible hub? How did you tighten them up?

kaesae

Is your stout hub a maxle one like mine? I can’t see any rubber seals just 2 spacer things, one sticking out each side.

OK thanks. It’s a Specialized hub. I’ve just tried the maxle in the wheel on it’s own and in the forks on it’s own and there’s no play like that. Only when the whole lot is assembled is there play in it. Do the end parts (cones?) on the hub pull off with pliers? Will I need to replace these parts too?

Bump.

Nice. Does anyone have a grid reference for where it starts at?

A few drinks might help you get into the ‘zone’.

I put my Pike ones in with the slot underneath. I think it might be better that way so gunk can’t collect in there but I’m not sure. Check first. Try phoning TFTuned if that’s where you bought them. I would have phoned them but they were shut today.

I put them in the freezer and I think they wanted to go in a bit easier then. They’ll definitely not be coming out in a hurry that’s for sure!

The forks are back on my bike now and feel amazing. Thanks for your help everyone.

Thanks everyone for your on-line tech support!

I hate it when this happens. I went to my favourite bit of techy, fast natural singletrack the other day to find a bulldozer has been through it and it’s now pretty much a vehicle track. I got on to the council about it and they say the track is for getting materials in for rebuilding the path which seems crazy to me. The damage it’s caused to the woodland is massive. They would have been better off getting a professional upland path team in to do the job by hand and maintain the natural character of the path whilst dealing with the drainage problems it had. Now it just looks like the Somme.

Thanks! I have another question too. When I cleaned out the lowers there were 2 rubber pads that I think came out of the bottom of the left (spring side) lower. Should there be one in each lower or are they both supposed to be in the same leg. They look like shock absorbing things to me so I’m thinking there should be one each side to protect the bottoms of the stanchions?

Thanks Jordie. I was wondering if there’s products which are the same but just under a different name. I’ve got some spray on brake cleaner stuff which smells like alcohol but wouldn’t risk using it if it’s not the right thing.

There’s some amazing riding round Stirling. Andrew Gannel Hill in the Ochils is a really nice decent and there’s other places too. Ask the bike club like TJ suggests.

Thanks. I can get it online easy but not quickly enough. Thanks alex I’ll try Maplin or maybe another electronic shop if I can find one that does it nearby.

Ride technical stuff as well as some of my friends. They always seem to clean stuff I didn’t think was possible.

Manual for more than 2 seconds without crashing afterwards.

Yeah a bell is the answer and they’re fun although mine doesn’t work well when it’s got water in it as it just goes ‘dink’ which can be embarrassing.

I carry dressings and bandages as I reckon it might be handy for patching up gashes and stuff and supporting broken bones. I think I have some tubes of sterile water too.

I thought it was for the same reason as Proline say’s above.

I went for the Thule roof option and have been very pleased with this system. I think it’s probably easy enough for most of us to lift the bike up there and they are very sturdy. I’ve not been sad enough to work out fuel consumption with the bike on the roof but I’m sure there will be some kind of impact. If I’m taking my bike a very long way I’ll stick it in the car (sorry) but if it’s just a couple of hours I’ll put it on the roof. Just don’t forget it’s there. I nearly did once at a Burger King drive through (they have an overhanging roof which is sneaky) but remembered just in time.

I expect the rear mounted ones are good too but I was worried someone might shunt it or the straps might damage the car as I don’t have a tow hitch.

I’ve been obsessed with a few sports in my time like cricket, tennis, badminton, petanque but I don’t think I would give up mountain biking. As long as you’ve got a few hours to spare, you have a bike, some trails/road and your health then why give it up? Well I suppose that’s your answer there ‘poor health’ is the only thing that would stop me.

I found myself in the middle of a pheasant shoot this afternoon whilst trying to ‘find’ my way down through a bit of woodland. Luckily I escaped undetected with my head intact.

seosamh77 – Member

Looks like a good adventure. Will you let us know what it’s like? I did some cycling just north of there at Glenbranter and opposite Benmore botanic Gardens in the summer which was ace.

I’ll be going up a local hill tomorrow to get above the fog if it’s still hanging about. Can’t wait!

This sounds very familiar to me. I spend much of my cycling time exploring new areas only to come away disappointed but if I didn’t then I wouldn’t have found the few bits of really good riding that I have found.

I don’t really mind pushing up hills though as the thought of a good descent the other side gives me more motivation.

It’s basically a plastic tube thing full of holes and some oil.

Haha! Maybe the plastic thing is a spare salad strainer for out on the trail.

Thanks Oggles.

Superstar components do some nice ones

I got some nanotech flats from Superstar Components and they’re great with some nice scateboarding trainers from tkmaxx. I upgraded forks, stem, bars, rear shock, tyres, wheels in that order but that’s what me and my bike needed at the time.

Think what kind of riding you want to do and where your bike needs upgrades the most and take it from there would be my suggestion. I’ve found that upgrading major parts has made a much bigger difference than I thought and is definitely worth it.

Ok thanks. Are they the cheapest?

Thanks. I think I’ll struggle to find the match live but I’ve found the Radio Humberside Commentary which they always block on the BBC site.

Thanks! Hopefully I’ll find the Hull City Barnsley match in there somewhere.

Looks like fun. It’s a lot of work trail building isn’t it? I’ve been building one through some woods and it’s been taking ages cutting back all the veg and doing all the drainage and digging and stuff.

Did the owner have ‘eye of the tiger’ playing on his ghetto blaster?

fasthaggis – Member
Giant

Just picked up a new hand built set from big Al at Wheelcraft (legend).
I got a free cup of coffee,the offer of some cake and told to bring them back for a free tune up once I have bashed them round the trails.

The wheel builder I spoke of was indeed Big Al at Wheelcraft and I opted for his wheel over one from CRC. He trued my front wheel for free while I was there and I was also offered coffee and cake! I always enjoy the trip out to Wheelcraft and I’m very impressed with my new wheel.

I was gutted when I took my old Astra down the scrappy. It had been vandalised and needed some other major repairs. I got a puncture on the way to the scrap yard and just kept on driving it. By the time I got there I had no tyre left and arrived with a clankity clank with it all smashed up it was a sad sight. Everyone at the scrappies had a good laugh though.

I’m not surprised he was saying ‘I’m glad I’m still walking’ soon after saying ‘I don’t know what’s going to happen’! I suppose someone has to do it.

I was going to get some but was warned off them by friends who have broken them quite easily. Having said that, these friends are quite heavy and ride hard so maybe it’s a weight/riding style thing. Plenty of people say they’re great.

jojoA1 – Member
GIantjaunt, what size do you need? Our branch had some in when I was last there, I’d be happy to see I’d they have yours in and forward them on to you.

Thanks! I’m about 34″ waist if they’ve got any left.

edhornby – Member

I’ve got a pair of the winter gloves too and they’re great and some of the padded shreddies but not tried the other stuff.

I know a few guys who beast me on 35lb + bikes

Yeah happens to me too and I thought I was fairly fit. I’ve given up trying to make my bike lighter because it’s too expensive and I need beefy wheels for a lot of the riding I do anyway. Maybe you could get some lighter wheels built for xc if you can afford it?