Mountain Biking general thread

[ZedLeg]

Was back at work yesterday and I’m still cycling.

Today was the first really dicey day for ice. Finally remembered to order winter gloves but Evri fumbled it and they aren’t here yet.

[Zonda_]

I'd really like to get into mountain biking, I just don't know anyone who does it. There must be some local groups as we have loads of decent routes.

[dinny_g]

Just get out and explore - find your own routes.

Local Library will have maps of all green ways and bridle paths you can use.

[ZedLeg]

Looking through trails people upload to Strava is worthwhile too.

[dinny_g]

Yep, that's a good idea...

Sort of a 21st century version of my dinosaur suggestion

[ZedLeg]

I like it as I’m not really into group riding. I like to explore.

[dinny_g]

Darn Tarnation Whippersnapper!!!

[John]

Like many bike manufacturers/retailers Brompton look to be having a tough time, profits down form £10.7m to £4600! Although they've never been cheap a large part of their range do look pretty expensive now.

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/brom ... -continues

[Rich B]

Like many bike manufacturers/retailers Brompton look to be having a tough time, profits down form £10.7m to £4600! Although they've never been cheap a large part of their range do look pretty expensive now.

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/brom ... -continues

"This decrease in profit margin is primarily due to the miss in budgeted sales by the Group, and the delay in being able to respond with a reduction in costs due the committed and fixed nature of a number of them,
" he explained.

i can imagine this twat in board meetings…

i expect the growth of e bikes, hire bikes (and WFH) has done them no favours. The sort of people who’d take a train for 15 miles and ride their brompton the last 5, have probably moved to just riding proper ebike the whole way or using a lime/borid bike for the last bit.

Looking at the brompton e-bike offerings - they look embarrassingly shit.

[John]

A work colleague had an electric Brompton and had a recurring problem where it would lose all power when riding and refuse to turn back on. Numerous trips to the dealers haven't fixed it and he's now beyond caring. I doubt he'll buy another Brompton of any type.

[Jobbo]

I have a friend with an electric Brompton and he loves it. I gave him a lift home once because he had a puncture but it’s been reliable. It’s not bad value really.

The G-line was launched in 2024 and that will have cost them a fair bit to develop. I wondered if it would sell; I suspect it probably isn’t doing as well as they hoped. I’ve not read much about it, but I’d be tempted - a folding bike which I can take on holiday which is usable on unmade trails is appealing.

[Rich B]

I have a friend with an electric Brompton and he loves it. I gave him a lift home once because he had a puncture but it’s been reliable. It’s not bad value really.

The G-line was launched in 2024 and that will have cost them a fair bit to develop. I wondered if it would sell; I suspect it probably isn’t doing as well as they hoped. I’ve not read much about it, but I’d be tempted - a folding bike which I can take on holiday which is usable on unmade trails is appealing.

what sort of holiday would you take it on?

[KiwiDave]

I'd really like to get into mountain biking, I just don't know anyone who does it. There must be some local groups as we have loads of decent routes.

I can guarantee there are some local groups, but choose wisely - if the forums etc. are anything to go about, MTB peeps are the biggest bunch of bitching whiners there are. That to say, you're beyond the age where you'll ever have any talent on an MTB, so just approach it for the fun and the joy of being outside. If you can find some older types who do it for the same reasons you'll be sweet.

I would say while the comment below is correct...

Just get out and explore - find your own routes.

... riding with some experienced people or spending some times on basic trail techniques is almost necessary. None of us are young any more and we don't bounce so well. I realised during our wintertime while riding in Rotorua and trying to do some rides with my partner, how much basic stuff there is to learn. Weight positioning, use of brakes, pedal positioning, when to get out of the saddle etc. in order to be safe riding anything more than bridle paths. I never gave it a second thought, but I'd locked all that stuff in like 30yrs ago as a teenager, riding assuming I'd come off every ride and trying out all the tips and tricks in MBUK. You need to get some of the basics locked into muscle memory when you start going off road or you're likely an accident waiting to happen.

[Jobbo]

I have a friend with an electric Brompton and he loves it. I gave him a lift home once because he had a puncture but it’s been reliable. It’s not bad value really.

The G-line was launched in 2024 and that will have cost them a fair bit to develop. I wondered if it would sell; I suspect it probably isn’t doing as well as they hoped. I’ve not read much about it, but I’d be tempted - a folding bike which I can take on holiday which is usable on unmade trails is appealing.

what sort of holiday would you take it on?

Stick it in the boot with the suitcases when we go to Devon or Wales - anywhere by car. I’ve done that many times with my normal Brompton.

[jamcg]

I'd really like to get into mountain biking, I just don't know anyone who does it. There must be some local groups as we have loads of decent routes.

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/19kPS8 ... tid=wwXIfr

Mate of mine runs this group, he also puts YouTube and TikTok videos up under the same name, he’s a really friendly guy, billingham based so not a million miles from you. If nothing else he’ll be a good source of advise for local areas good for beginners

[Rich B]

I have a friend with an electric Brompton and he loves it. I gave him a lift home once because he had a puncture but it’s been reliable. It’s not bad value really.

The G-line was launched in 2024 and that will have cost them a fair bit to develop. I wondered if it would sell; I suspect it probably isn’t doing as well as they hoped. I’ve not read much about it, but I’d be tempted - a folding bike which I can take on holiday which is usable on unmade trails is appealing.

what sort of holiday would you take it on?

Stick it in the boot with the suitcases when we go to Devon or Wales - anywhere by car. I’ve done that many times with my normal Brompton.

fair enough, i get that. i can imagine people doing that if they had one (i can’t see anyone buying one for that).

[DeskJockey]

I can see the appeal of something that folds down into a small space if you need something to nip around on while away. With four bikes on the back and one on the roof, we don't travel light.

[Jobbo]

what sort of holiday would you take it on?

Stick it in the boot with the suitcases when we go to Devon or Wales - anywhere by car. I’ve done that many times with my normal Brompton.

fair enough, i get that. i can imagine people doing that if they had one (i can’t see anyone buying one for that).

I think your final comment is pretty accurate - I haven't bought one despite thinking it would be good for that purpose I do fancy a new bike this year - always good to inspire you to go out and use it - but I don't think a G-line would win out over a lighter new eMTB based on the amount I'd use either of them.

Also, despite the Brompton looking like it folds up pretty small it still takes up a fair bit of space in the car boot, so taking even a normal one is a compromise. A G-line is bigger when folded; can't get away from that when the wheel size has been increased. So it's more compromised; maybe better as a bike for my use but harder to justify taking space from other luggage.

[John]

I've bought another bike

For the last month or so I've been casually looking for a used folder to leave in the motorhome. Although Brompton prices have dropped they are still more than I wanted to spend plus I've been looking at bikes with 20" wheels for a bit more comfort and stability rather than the 16" of the Brompton. I've previously owned a Brompton (I still have my world championship medal ) and although you get used to the ride, they are twitchy and pot holes can be the start of a bad day.

This is what I bought, a Tern Verge D9. Obviously it doesn't fold down as small as a Brompton but the ride is much better and it is pretty quick too.

[DeskJockey]

I've been pondering what to do about the wheels on my gravel bike. They're tubeless and I can't get them to hold air consistently. I don't use it much over winter, so it just sits.

Tried to inflate it on Saturday, but both tyres went down within a minute or two. I think I'll give it one more go at getting them resealed, but if that still doesn't work, I'll switch to inner tubes.

It'll get more use over the coming months, and I can't be bothered having to sort out the tyres every time I want to ride it.