Saw these on Facebook Marketplace the other day. Definitely no way he’s trying to shift a load of stolen kit.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/profile/601167604/?ref=permalink

Anyone up for a STW group hug equivalent of stupid messages until he gets fed up and removes the listings?

Pretty sure you can load bikes upright in a Yeti FWIW.

Do it do it do it. I picked up a brand new but second hand Norco Bigfoot last year for £400, and the owner even threw in a Giro Chronicle helmet (seemingly as new as the bike) a cheap multi tool. It didn’t come with a dropper but I had a spare in the toolbox that was the correct diameter.

I was looking for something a bit less Gucci to keep the filth of my 29” Cannondale Habit in the winter months and it’s been a hoot. It’s sufficiently different to my Cannondale (130/140 vs. rigid) that I see it becoming a year-round squeeze. They climb and grip like nothing else and once you get them up to speed they’re unstoppable.

Word of warning though. EVERYONE wants to talk to you about it when they see you, and the reaction from kids is priceless (“That’s awesome!!” / “Daddy, why has bike got SUCH BIG WHEELS?!?”). The most common reaction from those who’ve ridden it is how well they pedal.

It’s worth noting that the way to ride a bike has changed a fair bit compared to 10 years ago too. Whereas before you’d always be looking to get your bum waaay back to avoid an OTB when things got a bit sketchy, modern bike geo means you want to be in the ATTACK!!! position a lot more. At first it’s quite unnatural, but you soon learn how much better the bike works with a bit of weight over the front tyre (and realise that actually no, you’re not just about to go OTB).

Also, dropper. Also, shoes.

So much useful advice on here. Once again the STW community proves itself. Thanks guys.

I’m definitely thinking BMX rather than dirt jumper. I’ve got one of those in the back of the garage that doesn’t get used much these days. My primary motivation is around learning a new skill and building up techniques that will hopefully transfer to better riding on the trails. Also, given the current lockdown restrictions, being able to just arse about locally rather than hitting the trails will be a bonus.

I’ve already got a few watches and saved searches going on eBay. Usefully, it seems that BMXs haven’t been hit quite so hard by the COVID tax. I’ll keep you all posted on whether it gets traded for a Porsche.

This is also useful info. In my total ignorance I’d assumed you either had super-trick race machines and <everything_else> and that it was all much of a muchness. I might offend a bunch of people by saying this, but I just didn’t think there could be that much “tech” in a BMX and certainly hadn’t considered that there’d be a BMX equivalent of a BSO

Thanks for the tips on TT lengths, CroMo and brands. There are some WeThePeoples for sale near me for a bit more than that Voodoo but still a lot less than a pair of tyres for the Porsche.

Really at the moment all I’m looking for is something to practice manuals and a little bit of what I believe the kids call ‘Jibbing’ but I guess much like learning to mountain bike on an Apollo, I’m probably much more likely to stick at it if I’m not riding a gate.

There’s this term we use in interwebs design called Banner Blindness. I hadn’t even noticed it until this thread brought it to my attention.

Yeah, I was going to suggest an old SC Chameleon, but then I had a look at prices. Madness. Pre lockdown you could get a nice mid-school spec for about £200. Forget that now!

Everything’s hitting silly prices – maybe time for me to dust off and flog the Dual Slalom bike I’m never going to ride again.

As others have said, most likely he’s trying to work out how much flex there is in his quote.

Chances are he’ll make more money quicker through an honest days work. I really wouldn’t worry about it in the context of this encounter, but if you feel your bikes are easy to pinch generally, maybe think of this as a timely reminder to install that hard point.

Thanks for the replies. Seems like it’s perhaps as straightforward as the online guides sergeant then.

Yeah, actually forking (no pun) out for a litre of fork oil and a tub of SRAM butter when I only need a 15ml and a finger of grease is gonna be the painful part.

Thanks for the recommendation on not replacing seals too!

Funny. Round my way I’d say that mountain biking *is* the new golf.

This doesn’t reflect my interpretation of the sport at all. It’s always been a fringe thing. Look at films like Mud Cows, Sprung and New World Didorder from back in what this chap would probably call “The Day”. The only difference now is that we can go a lot faster, uplifts are a thing, and some people care about Strava.

Most of my riding is solo, but in most of the places I ride, if I did have a serious off a fellow mountain-biker would probably find me soon enough.

I push myself a bit when riding solo but certainly try more stuff that’s on the edge of my comfort zone when I’m with others who are there to pick up my crumpled body and ask me if I’m alright (mate) / reassure me that my bike’s okay.

I have nothing to suggest in way of camera recommendations, but I can offer the following

1) People will cut you up on the roads. Often. In most cases this isn’t deliberate – it’s because they’re not very good at dealing with / passing cyclists. Don’t react when they do. Just let it go, otherwise you’ll end up a very angry person.

2) If you do end up in a situation where someone’s threatening physical violence, make it really clear that you’re not intimidated by them. Don’t get emotional, and make it clear that you have no interest in deciding who’s right or wrong. Meanwhile be prepared for them to try and take a swing at you, and if they do, make sure you absolutely leather them. Most people – especially those who talk big – don’t expect to get punched in the face. As soon as they see that’s a possible outcome of their inability to keep their emotions in check, and that the person they’re shouting at might be the person delivering said punch they often back down. Also, most people are really sh*t at fighting.

Naturally though, violence is a last resort and the taking the first option of defusing the situation by showing you’re; not emotional, not apologetic, not threatened, and not threatening is the best option. Whoever’s shouting at you will likely run out of steam, realise that they look like a crazy person shouting at a (calm) cyclist, and wheel spin off in their £379-a-month 2.0 diesel in some desperate attempt to show you and all who’re now watching that they’re still the alpha.

3) Actually, I do have advice on the camera front. Don’t bother. As much as I have respect for the Police, they’re stretched and if you present them with the evidence of an angry man hitting you, complete with reg number, what do you *really* think the result will be? Unless Mr Angry Man is a known crim and Plod are looking for _something_ to stick him with so he sees time, chances are that the worst Mr Angry Man will get will be a little visit and some finger wagging. To re-iterate, this isn’t a dig at the Police – I have the utmost respect for anyone that does the job and a few of my close friends are serving front-line officers. It’s just the reality of a world where they’re stretched following years of cutbacks.

iTunes. Apple’s insistence on not just killing it with fire is akin to being forced to run your Porsche on Ling Long tyres. Just awful. The iOS Podcasts app gets an honourable mention too.

Link helps, huh…

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/components/pedals-cleats/dmr-v12-flat-mtb-pedals–white_490216

ETA. Actually, if you don’t mind red, they have the 20psi model in stock.

I hear good things about these. Which are currently out of stock, but they have a 15psi model which _is_ in stock for about £105

https://www.klarstein.co.uk/Kitchen-appliances/Coffee/Coffee-machines/Passionata-20-Espresso-Machine-20-Bar-Capuccino-Milk-Foam-Silver-Silver.html

Also, yeah. You can combine the two. They’re connected off the same car park if you approach from Woburn Sands itself.

What’s left of Longsdale is still good, and rideable. Danesborough is pretty sloppy in places (or at least it has been for the past few weeks) and is good, even though some bits have been tamed recently. I know the trail fairy’s have been working hard to work out rebuilding Longsdale. Back woods is a no-no at the moment due to friction with the locals.

Of course there’s always Rushmere just round the corner, which is a bit more XC-ey.

Is it just who thinks that, from looking at the video footage, he could’ve done a lot more to avoid running into the side of that car. There must’ve been a good two or three seconds where he would’ve been observing that a car had pulled out and had obviously not seen him.

My Hypnos Bedstead One is one of the best things I ever bought. It was a bit spend at the time @ c. £1k, but is a veritable bargain now at half that:

https://www.mynextmattress.co.uk/hypnos-bedstead-one-mattress

It’s not to firm, not to soft…

Slight thread hijack, but my Cannondale came with Ardent’s and I’m not that impressed with them. They just don’t seem to do anything particularly well. My defaults for replacing them were going to be a 2.5 DHF up front and a 2.3 DHF out back, however I’ve no experience with Minions. Maybe I’m just drinking the Koolaid, as they say.

I think it’s fair to say that most mid-range and upwards bikes come ‘OEM’ with Maxxis tyres, with cheaper stuff running WTB Trail Boss’ or similar. Don’t see much else OEM which could also contribute to why most folk you see out and about are running on Maxxis something-or-others.

Wasn’t the general consensus last time on this that the time spent driving to somewhere to exercise should be less than the time actually spent exercising.

So me driving to my local woods to ride is fine, but a six plus hour drive to ride the Borrowdale Bash is probably not on.

Woburn back woods..?

Watching this thread, as I’ve got SLX 11sp on my trail bike, but currently hooked up to a horrible 11-46 Suntour cassette though and I have to say I think the cassette really lets it down.

The 10sp Deore on my other bike shifts much better, but not sure if that’s down to the Shimano cassette, or that it’s 10sp 11-42, so less range for the mech to contend with.

So, but of a thread hijack there, but what I can say is that I’m not sold on Sram’s cheaper 12sp stuff. It’s always felt a bit plastic-ey and shifting nowhere near as good as the Shimano equivalent at price-point, and I gather the SX cassette is a bit of an anchor. That said, If you’re planning on riding through the winter I’d probably hold off a bit until replacing drivetrain components unless it’s absolutely hateful to use.

At least it is / was being used in anger though. Rather that than some retro garage-queen sitting on NOS panaracers that only gets taken to the pub on dry days.

Not exactly the same level of high-end, but my ‘96 Lava Dome (a bike I lasted after as a sixteen year old) is currently running semis and being used as a commuter.

Amen on the uphill stuff. I’ll be honest, I’m a bit tempted every time I see lads out on their eBikes!

The cynic in me sees a different story. You’d acknowledged yourself that you’re not the most techy of people. Is there a chance that your LBS is trying to talk you into buying a new bike, when in fact there’s loads of life left in your Genius?

To answer the question directly – hardtails these days are massively capable, esp. and you’ll be amazed at the stuff you can hit with confidence you’ve not ridden one since 2005. The benefits are true too – less to go wrong, better bang for buck vs. a full sus rig, lighter, easier to maintain, makes you ride better, climbs better.

If it were me though, I might be taking the Scott to a different bike shop for a second opinion.

I have a new fleet addition! Norco Bigfoot. First impressions (i.e. riding it up and down my street last night after picking it up from the seller)… My cheeks are going to hurt from grinning. And yes, it rolls and rolls and rolls.

Now need to work out how to set tyre pressures, as the gauge on my Joe Blow starts at 20psi

Okay, I think I’m sold. Off to eBay. Can’t wait to report back.

Cookeaa will be pleased to learn that I also have saved searches for moustache wax, fedora hats and cravats.

I had no idea tubeless was even possible, by my the way. Presumably that’s not advisable on drilled rims?

Thanks for the feedback all. Liking the overall vibe that’s being shared by owners. Up for something that’s capable but still gives that grin factor.

Opinion seems split when it comes to climbing though. I’m not expecting xc whippet performance but definitely looking for something that I can ride for a three or so hours (inc gassing / looking at sections talking about how “that’s doable”) without permanently dreaming of uplifts or battery assistance. I get that they just roll over anything in your way, but will they climb in a similar way to a ‘regular’ bike, or will I be a wheezing mess every time I hit something with a bit of an incline?

Sorry,

Is this still available? Wots ur best price? Swaps for a mini-moto with cash my way?

Is this still available?

So, a bit uncool, in some cases a bit lardy, but they ride well and are well built.

Count me in!

Have you tried putting the serial number on the back of the crown into the Trailhead site. This should at least tell you what RS think the fork spec should be.

https://trailhead.rockshox.com/en/search/

Does your brake have a servo? How much force (psi) are you exerting with your index finger.

Answers to these questions should help you identify whether braided hoses for bicycles offer a genuine performance gain, or are in fact just snake oil for people with cash burning a hole in their pockets.

A shoelace does the same job. And metal tyre levers? No, thanks.

Slightly pathetic of Fox in my opinion. It’s not like Fox are losing trade because of Slik’s products.

The theory with Asymmetric rims is that it lessens the dish and therefor evens out forces being put through spokes on the drive / non-drive side making them stronger. Could all be marketing BS though.

The rear triangle on my Cannondale is offset, which means you can take a normal rim and dish it in such a way that it’s “Asymetric” to a normal wheel, which is another way around the problem, but it means I buy new wheels I need to get the rear re-dished before it’ll fit.

Why seat tubes and seat posts are round and not square. When would you ever want the nose of your saddle to sit at anything other than 0 degrees?