Mountain Biking general thread

[John]

As it is now lighter in the evenings I've started riding to work a couple of days a week again. I've hardly used a bike over winter so fitness is down and waistline is up I'm hoping to rectify both but advancing years certainly slow gains down.

[drcarlos]

As it is now lighter in the evenings I've started riding to work a couple of days a week again. I've hardly used a bike over winter so fitness is down and waistline is up I'm hoping to rectify both but advancing years certainly slow gains down.

The worst thing after a layoff for me is always the ass pain after the first few rides, no matter the saddle you always have to harden your ass up. After my building work (couldn't get the bikes out) and medical layoff I haven't been on a bike since last June. After doing the way.of the roses again a year ago this week its a bit of a let down. Anyway hopefully another couple of weeks and I'll be healed enough to ride again and maybe the weather will turn nice.

[John]

Ah yes, I'd forgotten about that. I don't have much natural padding but it did stop after the first week.

[Ascender]

Just get yourself an e-bike, sorted!

I've been running in the borders much more this year and have been surprised by just how many e-mtbs I've seen on the more "casual" trails and areas. I wonder what percentage of all sold are now e-bikes.

[John]

Mine is an ebike but it’s only low assistance, a bit like having the wind behind you on a climb

[ZedLeg]

Here, can someone recommend a comfyish saddle that doesn't look like a piles cushion?

My usual choice is killing me on a daily commute and I don't want to wear padded undershorts as neither taking my trousers off at work or sitting all day in something that feels nappyesque appeals.

[Jobbo]

I have various different saddles on my bikes. One of the least comfy looks the comfiest (Brompton). All depends on the rider I think. And wear shorts with a pad.

[mik]

Here, can someone recommend a comfyish saddle that doesn't look like a piles cushion?

My usual choice is killing me on a daily commute and I don't want to wear padded undershorts as neither taking my trousers off at work or sitting all day in something that feels nappyesque appeals.

I wonder how much earlier you could leave via the time saved through the day by actually wearing a na…., never mind. Get yourself into Alpine Bikes or similar - I’m sure they’ve been asked this question before and can probably let you test-bounce a few.

[ZedLeg]

Oh, I didn't know Tiso has bike shops. That's a good shout Mik, I always liked wandering round their Rose St shop when going out to shops was still a thing I did.

[mik]

Alpine Bikes were independent - had a shop in Gt Western Road where I got my first Trek. Tiso bought them over around 2007-ish.

[ZedLeg]

I don't think I've been in a bike shop in 20 years tbh. There used to be a good indy in Penicuik that I went to but they shut.

[mik]

Also worth looking into gel seat covers? Can get them on line pretty cheap.

[ZedLeg]

That is the aforementioned piles cushion.

I'm too much of a tart to put something that ugly on my bike.

I tell you, the tension between suffering for fashion and getting old and soft is real

[Mito Man]

isn’t the correct technique to get naked, sit on a bit of cardboard, then measure the gap between the 2 indentations from your ass bones. Then you can order a seat which snugly fits your gooch.
Or maybe the man in Halfords was just trying to violate me

[jamcg]

[ZedLeg]

Maybe a stupid question but I can't get a straight answer from google.

My bike has a 1x9 Microshift gearset and I hate it. The derailleur is a piece of shit.

I'm looking at swapping to a Shimano XT set which will be 1x12, can I keep the same wheel hub and crankset or will the cassette/chain preclude that?

[Jobbo]

Maybe a stupid question but I can't get a straight answer from google.

My bike has a 1x9 Microshift gearset and I hate it. The derailleur is a piece of shit.

I'm looking at swapping to a Shimano XT set which will be 1x12, can I keep the same wheel hub and crankset or will the cassette/chain preclude that?

Almost no chance the 12-sp cassette will fit on the splines which hold the current 9-sp cassette, unfortunately.

If you can get the 9-sp cassette off, here's a video very clearly showing the 12-sp XT splines:


ETA: this video indicates it wouldn't be possible; your 9-sp will almost certainly be the traditional spline size rather than the microspline required for 12-sp. But you may be able to find decent 11-sp to fit:

[ZedLeg]

Cheers Jobbo, that’s what I was looking for. I may just look for a second hand Shimano 9 speed set up.

[Jobbo]

You could potentially find a 1x11 Shimano set up which fits - or even an SRAM 12sp.

[ZedLeg]

Was never a big fan of sram either tbh. I think those early gripshifts put me off.