Rudeboy, when was the last time you went out to a nightclub, 1988?

:?

Badlywireddog, you SURE your Mav is 23.5lb with a DUC on it? Mine is just over 26lb with a DUC, and a pretty light build. OK, I could lose 1lb off the wheels and tyres, maybe a tiny bit off the pedals and the saddle, and XTR cranks a bit over XT, but 23.5lb for an ML7 with a DUC sounds VERY light if you ask me!

Just cleaned my bike (with lots of warm water) and everything then froze up on it! Hmmmm.

Hopefully it’ll thaw out in the morning! :?

Maverick ML7 weighs just over 26lb
Genesis Altitude 853 Hardtail just under 26lb

Both could be lighter, mainly the wheel department, but I don’t like flexy light wheels (I run Mavic 819 UST rims, VERY stiff rim).

DH bike was about 37lb, but it’s been dismantled now as I rarely used it.

Depends on the riding you’re doing really. If you’re not doing big dropoffs, or coming up short on doubles, or doing anything extreme really, your weight won’t really be an issue. People forget that it’s Force that breaks things, so your weight won’t really matter compared to a guy half your size doing big drops, if you get me.

If it’s just XC riding, they’d be fine. Personally, I’d never reccomend Carbon bars for DH use though anyway, even though I use them on my XC bike, it’s the problems involved with lack of impact resistance with Carbon. Not so much of a problem on an XC bike, but on a DH bike an ally or steel bar will bend whereas a carbon bar is gonna snap in a nasty way if you crash hard!

In my opinion, MBR and MBUK would do well to make their mags more about the ride, and less about the equipment. I don’t buy these mags that often, but I do occassionally. They’re better than they used to be in fairness, but there’s still a lot of hang up over the equipment sometimes. I actually bought the current edition of MBR cos I was interested to read about the Pitch Vs Prophet (sorry, now I’m contradicting myself, but I’ve not seen anywhere else that’s compared contrasted these 2 excellent hard hitting trail bikes), but have flicked through the rest of the mag too. The response to the guy asking about Singlespeeds was a bit off if you ask me. Personally, Singlespeeding isn’t for me, but the guy obviously knows it is for him so why waste print by telling him not to bother? Still too many elitist views coming through if you ask me.

At least MBR now recognises you can have as much fun, if not more, on a good £1500 bike as you can on one costing 3 times as much! Hallelujah. Cos yes, to most people, £1500 is a lot to spend on a bike still, whereas they see it as budget!

For what it’s worth, I think Dirt manages to capture a few things very well, and it’s certainly a lot broader spectrum than it was years ago. They have become more about the just getting out and riding, cos it’s fun, than the mainstream mags. But Singletrack still wins IMHO.

That’s not saying I’d not change anything in Singletrack, but it would be slight refinements rather than total overhauls. On the grouptests of equipment, maybe a little more technical info, and any test results, could be included as each review is very subjective rather than being objective in my view. I appreciate that might take more time and effort to review products and report them in this way though, but it would be good.

Another thing I think could be improved as I feel it lost its way a bit is the “Fish out of water” articles. This was always the first bit I’d read, it’s interesting reading about someone doing something totally alien to them. Again, I appreciate there’s only so many things a small group of people can do, but open it up a bit, ask the forum users for ideas, hell even volunteers, I’d be up for it! Christ, I’d have a go at pretty much anything, and I’m sure writing about my poor attempts at trying something new would make for funny reading for most!

Also, one thing I’d like to see perhaps is more “rides with readers”. Perhaps every month, one forum regular could show someone from STW towers round their local trails, and the STW guy/lass could report back on what they found. Certainly I’m sure there would be no shortage of willing volunteers, and it could only serve to strengthen STW’s reader base?

Get more readers to review products too. I don’t think that Intense Tracer VPP has had a long enough review yet, give it to me for a few months, I’ll fill a few pages about it :wink: (This is a joke by the way, and again I’m aware of the contradiction with my opening statement. I’d just like a free Intense Tracer for a few months please!)

By printing more money, they’ll be driving inflation and devaluing assetts. Which will be great for some people, and crap for others.

What the government is doing now though, cutting interest rates, trying to promote even more spending (when no banks are loaning, and nobody has any spare cash except those that don’t want to spend it cos they’re sensible enough not to!) and generally crossing their fingers it will work, is even more stupid and is probably hurting more people and for far longer than a bout of hyperinflation ever would do!

The Zimbabwean economy is an example of hyper inflation gone to the extreme, but then it’s hardly a stable government so that’s the big issue there. Done right, a bout of hyperinflation can help big time (though some will of course lose out relatively), though of course going too far “the other way” is as bad if not worse than doing nothing.

Personally, I’m never going to be able to afford a house (even when I get a new job) on my own unless we go through a sustained period of high inlfation, so I of course am hoping that this happens. Besides, fair enough to those that invested in property wisely and have done well out of it, but those that believed it was a bubble that was never going to burst need their wake up call!

Seen a Full Build Santa Cruz VPFree for £750 in good nick the other day.

Most of it is good kit on it too, the only real budget item is the Junior T forks, but you could sell those for £100 and get some second hand 888’s for £250 probably.

Can’t go wrong with a Bighit though I suppose. Though depends where you’re going to be riding, if it’s flatter courses you may be better off with a lighter, shorter travel bike, like an SX trail perhaps.

Air contracts when the temperature drops.

Check the air spring pressure, you might find in the current sub zero conditions the pressure is lower than when you set it.

coffeeking, the Whyte fork did indeed have a J type axle path (of sorts), but this was designed into it. Seeing as the fork ran on linkages not dissimilar to the way in which a modern VPP frame works, you could design pretty much any axle path into it you desired, if starting with a clean sheet of paper that is.

Regarding the success and disappearance of Whyte’s full sus bikes, I think (though can’t say for sure) that the Whyte designs became a bit of a victim of their own success. Marins sold LOADS as soon as they’d taken Jon Whyte on to design a frame in around 96/97, and have continued to do so over the years. The problem to an extent is one of snobbery, and Marin’s being fairly ubiquitous has meant that those seeking something of a higher price tag and more unique don’t want to buy off the person who designs full sus bikes that sell for under £1k, if you see where I’m coming from.

There’s also the total integration factor to take into account. People like to change/tinker/upgrade their equipment to suit. With the Whyte PRST design, that’s it, you’re stuck with the frame/fork combo. If it suits, great, if it doesn’t you can’t change it!

Another thing to consider is that from what I know, Jon Whyte was pro long travel suspension on XC bikes, so as soon as the ability to use a long travel yet lightweight fork became available (the Maverick DUC32), he designed a bike for XC use that would use it (The Whyte 46). This pretty much made the PRST obsolete, as it was as light, if not lighter, had adustable travel, was more conventional (better?) looking.

Then there was of course the image. This one I can definitely say is justified, if a little harsh, as every Whyte PRST I have EVER seen has been piloted by a man of at least 50 years of age. Sorry, but they were seen as an old man’s bike, and that’s just not cool!

The linkage fork thing is one of those things that has never been properly perfected really. In theory, there are many advantages, but the only people to have persevered with the design for more than a couple of years are BMW on their motorbikes. Others have tried, but none as successfully as BMW. And BMW motorbikes are VERY expensive. Conventional forks are much cheaper to make/design/install, and work perfectly well enough for 99.9999999% of the population! Put it this way, have you ever seen a linkage fork on a MotoGP bike, or a Motocross bike, or even any DH Mountain bike? All of which the suspension is much more critical on than an XC Mountain bike.

Regarding coffeking’s comment about the rate of improvements happening, he’s right to an extent, though things have happened a bit quicker on MTB’s. From the mid 90’s when the Proflex design with its elastomer springs was hi tech, to by Y2K where full sus bikes with 6 inches of usable travel or more both ends were available. Since then it’s been more of a trickle effect, but just as when V brakes appeared, and then discs did, the instant improvement was great. Since then better brakes are on the market, but they’re not significantly better compared to the distance between canti’s/V brakes/Discs.

Trustyrusty. If you’re looking for an old full sus frame to Singlespeed, forget the Klein Mantra (they were crap!) and look for an old Orange X1, or better (1 1/8 headset, not 1″, and ally frame not cromo) an X2. Or possibly one of the Trek Y bikes.

Don’t quote me, but I believe it’s after 12 months.

“Look Sweetheart, I’ve told you not to pester me whilst I’m working, I’ll see you later alright!”

thefallguy – Member

generally people who don’t like tubeless haven’t tried it

And they’re generally the ones who seem to get more punctures on their innertubes than us tubeless users! This they argue is more convenient than changing tyres! :|

Dunno about you, but whilst I’ve got 2 or 3 sets of tyres I use, generally they tend to stay on for a minimum of 2-3 months at a time (ie. summer tyre, winter tyre, spring/autumn tyre) so why does it matter that it takes an extra 5 minutes to change a pair of tyres over once every few months compared with saving punctures on every ride!

Mind you, other people puncturing does give me a nice excuse to stop and enjoy the scenery :wink:

Where’s SingleSpeedStu? His bike’s certainly the nichest hardtail!

Same experience as shortbread_fanylion here.

It’s very good for the money. Certainly when you put it up against some of the competition at over twice the price, you wonder where the extra money is going. It consists of one Seoul P7 4 core LED emitter, which I believe (though correct me if I’m wrong!) runs at approximately 12 watts.

It’s not the brightest light in the world, but it’s certainly plenty bright enough, and I don’t know of anything close to it in price that’s as bright (that’s bike specific at least). I prefer the floody beam myself, though I have ordered a Cree R2 250 Lumen (same LED as the Exposure Joystick) torch from deal extreme to go on my lid to provide a bit of extra light “where I’m looking” if you get me.

OK, a deal extreme P7 torch is going to be pretty much the same light, and half the price, but it’s also significantly more of a faff. The Airbike SL2 light battery is 3x 18650 Li-ion cells i believe, which means the 3 hour run time on full beam is realistic. Personally I could not be doing with stopping to change the battery over every 45 to 50 minutes (fully discharging a Li-ion cell damages them a bit) whilst on a ride, what a ballache!

Oh, and the Airbike is one of the lightest lights (as in weight) on the market, it’s less than 400 grammes all up and that’s including 3 Li-ion cells. Those P7 torches are about 300 grammes without a battery in.

Tubeless is definitely worth it. Whether you go for UST rims, or use rimstrips, or ghetto method, it’s definitely a whole lot better than using inner tubes.

Why? Well, cos if you’re using sealant (as you should be) then thorn punctures are a thing of the past!

Best bet is to use tubeless (or tubeless ready) tyres whatever method you go for, they’ve got a tighter bead which makes them easier to inflate.

mrmichaelwright – Member

solomanda has done it, he’s a girl

Wetting myself with laughter! He will be amused when he reads this :wink:

Met the woman that came 2nd in the 2007 Mega race (dunno where she finished in 08) in a Pub the night before the qualifier. Obviously a bit quick mind, sponsored by Trek and all.

Liking the comment about it being no harder than anything you could find in the Peaks. OK, possibly certain bits in isolation maybe, but string the whole lot together in over an hour of total abuse of mind body and soul, and approximately 2500m total vertical descent! Show me where this trail is in the Peaks, I’ll pack my bags up now as I’m moving there! :P

Oh, and qualifier track much tougher than the actual Mega track, though mega track is longer it’s less intense.

Richyb – Member

Re: WD40 obviously I know not to get it near brake pads, but it also strips grease and disperses water doesn’t it? and most people seem to reckon its not much of a lubricant at all more of a solvent, so would it really be so bad to get it on brake pads?

Try it, you might like it :wink:

Personally I like to keep my brakes as contaminant free as possible in order to make sure they work their best!

Just re-read this whole thread and noticed this…

Conor – Member

If I can meet women (3!) over the internet, anybody can!

PMSL

I’m saying nothing :oops:

Except that they’re all bonkers that is!

*Just off to measure a piece of string*

Right, I have the answer, approximately this <——————————————————————————> long.

Sorry, it’s one of those. Look after it and it’ll last a lifetime, ride it for purposes more extreme than it was intended and never service the bearings or pivots, and it may not last a year!

Oh, and the Bonty Muds (very good tyres, I use them) are exceptionally tight on rims, and DT rims are about the tighest rims out there! Don’t worry, I have to use tyre levers and a bit of force too.

You have to use the aquare brackets with “URL” in them

And for the record, I am single and happy with that – I’ve had enough trauma from you men to last me a life time :wink: :lol:

Dear oh dear oh dear, I’ll get my miniature violin out, and play a tune just for you. Show me a man that hasn’t had enough trauma off women to last a lifetime, and i’ll show you a liar! hehehe

FWIW, I think the girlies have organised the ride cos they don’t like fixing their own punctures. They figured if 100 Chivalrous men turn up, any puncture will be greeted by a queue of said gentlemen with pump in one hand, spare tube in the other, ready to fix that flat in no time :wink:

(Tongue VERY firmly in cheek by the way, before anybody says anything!)

Back on topic

Aleigh, what’s your email address? I’ve spoken to Cinnamon Girl via email about the ride, I’d like to come, it’s just a question of finding any mates to come along too really. Unless you know other people in my area that might be going that I could catch a lift with.

rocketdog, you’re welcome to her mate! Though in fairness, I wouldn’t wish her on my worst enemy. Madder than a box of frogs!

I lived there for a year, only towards the end of it did I find anyone that rides in Leamington (other than at the 4X track that is).

Best bet is to get down to John Atkins Cycles, and have a chat with the guys in there. I’m sure they’ll be able to point you in the direction of some guys that go riding regularly.

Alternatively, if he can be bothered to get up to Coventry, the guys from Godiva Trail Riders are a great bunch. Again, I only found them a couple of months before I left Cov, but for the 2 months I rode with them they showed me lots of trails. They ride every Wednesday evening pretty much, and usually stop and have a beer in the pub afterwards.

http://www.godivatrailriders.org/

nickc – Member

Matters lees about the suspension design, and technology, and more about the end users ability to understand it, and how to set it up properly, which given how lots of folk jabber on about on this web site still hasn’t improved much over the years

Good point well made.

My comments were assuming everything was setup correctly. Though of course this is rarely true.

It’s all too often I’ll see somebody on an expensive bike with 5 or 6 inches of travel, but they’re only ever getting half of their travel cos they’ve set it up too firm cos they don’t want it to bob too much under pedalling (buy a shorter travel bike then!). The classic one though is rebound damping set WAY too strong, so it takes almost a full second for the shock to extend fully from being compressed.

After all you’re a woman?

Honestly, you’d be surprised. Have heard stories of mugs full of cold water with a tea bag in being microwaved by some women! One ex GF of mine was so inept in the kitchen, the only thing she knew how to cook for herself was Cheese on Toast!

I was on about then :wink:

I think full sus MTB design is less of “which is better/more efficient” now than it is a “horses for courses” excercise. Much as people run Crank Bros/Shimano/Time/Flat pedals as their personal choice, or SRAM/Shimano gearing, I think full sus design has become more about how well it translates to the individual rider rather than everyone.

I’ve ridden lots of different suspension bikes over the years, and have had lots of praise for certain designs and criticisms of others. But I will say the single biggest important factor in suspension design (putting the shock out of the argument) is the main pivot placement. Too low and it will bob constantly (even with a Horst link), too high and you’ll get ridiculous pedal feedback and chain growth, too far forward and the wheelbase extends too much, too far back and the rear wheel arcs too much making it inefficient at absorbing bumps.

Now I’ve owned Horst Link, Single Pivot, Linkage Driven single pivot (or Faux Bar as people like to call it), URT and hybrids of URT (like the Maverick) in the past, and have ridden a few VPP bikes too.

What’s my personal preference? Like I said, it’s more about the main pivot placement than anything else from my experience.

One thing I will say though is if URT is so crap, how come Maverick’s ride so amazingly!

Bushwacked, have emailed you

aleigh – Member

that used to be me years ago – now i’m quite happy to wear a coat and semi-sensible going out gear :lol:

Pictures, we need pictures! :P

aleigh – Member

if you’re that close you can pop in for a cuppa! :lol:

Just the other side of Cheltenham.

The question is do you make a good enough cuppa? :wink:

CountZero, that’s cos the Geordie lass you work with has now passed the crest of half way to 30 from 20. At 24 she’d have been with them! :wink:

RudeBoy, you’re probably not wrong. The blue one is the same colour anyway, it must be true!

aleigh – Member

i’ll let c_g answer that – she’s been getting loads of emails!

unlike me *walks away sobbing* :cry:

That’s cos she posted her email address up!

Stick your email address up and I’ll bother you some if you so desire :wink:

Oooooh, and you live in Swindon, not that far from me!

mrgibbons

From a guy who for whatever reason finds it hard to meet ladies, honestly, please please please don’t make the situation worse. If he is actually a good friend, try to help him out by going out of your way to introduce him to as many single girls as you know, get to know what types he likes etc etc. That way you’ll be able to be more proactive. The last thing he needs is your pisstaking, or a sympathy shag off the local bike!

Honestly, as a single person the most annoying thing in the world is smug coupled up friends who think taking the piss out of you for being single is fair game. Why, cos generally you make the situation worse, cos you’re actually compounding any self confidence issues that person has! Help him by upping his confidence enough to chat to ladies he likes.

And FWIW, I spent most of uni with the same GF, but when we split, I found uni was probably the WORST place in the world to meet potential partners. Everybody was more concerned with getting hammered and having promiscuous sex than forming any kind of relationship, and neither of those appealed that much to me!

Glennister is actually a proper Cockney isn’t he? Seem to remember an interview with him on Chris Moyles show on Radio 1 earlier in the year where I was surprised to hear how different he sounded to his Character Gene Hunt.

Good actor though!

Prog Rock, in a nightclub? 8O

In which alternate reality? :wink:

Here’s a few up to date remixes of old classics that are more like it:

I Feel Love
Chime
Cafe Del Mar
The Nighttrain

Anyone else in a dancin’ mood?

What’s your budget and any specific requirements?

Much as I love Mac’s, DO NOT GET A MACBOOK AIR! They’re gash!

Overpriced, under specced, and all for what? I computer that’s 19mm Thick when a Macbook is only 25mm, and has the same footprint. Honestly, everyone I know that’s into Mac’s is disgusted Apple even considered the Air, let alone released it!

What’s wrong with your old MacBook that a bigger hard drive and more RAM wouldn’t fix anyway? If it’s only a year old it’s still going to be plenty good enough.