Mountain Biking general thread

[Jobbo]

I have an irrational dislike of SRAM. Conversely Shimano can do no wrong, despite the mess which the breaking cranks on the road 105 groupset.

[DeskJockey]

I have an irrational dislike of SRAM. Conversely Shimano can do no wrong, despite the mess which the breaking cranks on the road 105 groupset.

I'm the same. Power of a brand, eh?

My gravel bike has a GRX 810 group set and it is a delight to use.

[ZedLeg]

I’ve always used Shimano, I only stuck with the microshift on this bike cause I’m trying not to spend a lot of money on it.

It really is shit though, I’ve currently got it cycling through 4 of the available 9 gears without slipping the chain and that’s the best it’s been in the entire time I’ve had it.

I think the adjustment screws work themselves loose, I’ve been tempted to loctite them

[dinny_g]

Adjusting derailleurs always reminds me of Fr Ted trying to tap out the small dent in the car he borrowed.

You start off with a quarter turn of one of the screws and within 5 minutes, it's...

[ZedLeg]

Accurate tbh, after the first adjustment you might as well just guess

[mik]

I've adjusted movement limit screws many times, but only done a "full adjustment" (to address situations where you are in gear X but the bike is trying and sporadically managing to select gear Y) a few times. Followed youtube vids and it worked every time .

[dinny_g]

My view on that...

[ZedLeg]

I have successfully installed a gear set from scratch on another bike before, which is why I’m convinced that it’s not a me problem and the derailleur is broken.

[simon_g]

One of the best tools I’ve bought is a derailleur hanger alignment thing. Easy to bash a derailleur and it puts it out a bit and shifting just isn’t quite right.

Now that wiggle/CRC are no more you probably have to go to China but 100% worth having.

[mik]

Now that wiggle/CRC are no more

Whaa?

I knew about Wiggle, but CRC too?

[DeskJockey]

They got into a lot of trouble and were selling things off a silly discounts to get some cash in.

A friend got a set of wheels and tyres for a good deal less than half the cost of the wheels alone.

[ZedLeg]

Yeah I’ve been struggling to figure out where to get stuff from recently. Fitted new grips last week and I’d just got them off a random shop on ebay.

[simon_g]

Now that wiggle/CRC are no more

Whaa?

I knew about Wiggle, but CRC too?

They merged in 2016, they were effectively selling the same stuff from two different websites out of a massive shared warehouse. Went into administration last year when a big backer pulled out of funding them and ultimately sold to Mike Ashley for considerably less than their wanky rebrand and less useful website redesign had cost.

I tend to shop around Tredz, Merlin, bikeparts.co.uk (who are local so handy to pick up) or whatever google finds.

[John]

On my way home from work I was getting a very slight resistance every few pedal strokes so made a note to clean the chain and cassette over the weekend and have a look. I generally give the chain a quick check and lube most weeks and keep an eye out for any damage or wear.



That would have been annoying if it had let go climbing one of the steep hills.

[mik]

That would have been annoying if it had let go climbing one of the steep hills.

Could have been far worse than annoying.

Chain snapped on me when I was about 13. Was standing up at the time applying full force at speed. First I smashed my buts on the cross bar,, then wobbled desperately whilst trying to steer and hold my bodyweight on my arms as my feet dragged along the road, before hitting the kerb and breaking my fall on the pavement / hedge.

It was sore.

[John]

I shouldn't laugh but

Sorry

[KiwiDave]

I forgot about this thread, but I guess I should add that after not really riding for 18 months+, while I've been in Rotorua (house renovations in Auckland) I've been out riding in the bike park here every weekend. I know I liked biking, but I wasn't prepared for how damned good it feels to be out riding again, and how much I missed it all week when I was working. Absolutely fucking loving it.

Must now keep up the habit when I get back to Auckland. It's over an hour's drive to the nearest bike park there which dampens the spirit somewhat, but I need this in my life.

[dinny_g]

Get yourself a camper van T4, T5 etc so you can make a day of it.

Get there early, ride for a few hours, back to the van, make coffee, lunch etc. Chill for a bit then go again…

Plus, you’ll also own a camper…

[Rich B]

i’ve become mildly obsessed with vans recently - we went up to Dyfi bike park last month and we hired a van, it was so useful and the idea of having one that i could sleep in too (maybe a pop top) would be perfect. i could take my boy out on riding adventures more easily too as he gets older.

we went to chicksands yesterday and i had my ebike on the roof and a mates ebike in the car and it was so much hassle. it’s 10x worse when it’s wet and muddy.

i reckon im going to go for a van and sports car combo next - maybe £20k for each - something like a T6 and an elise.

[KiwiDave]

I have to admit I've been trawling our local eBay alternative for vans. All the Euro stuff (VW Transporter, Merc Sprinters, For Transits etc.) are all ruinously expensive to buy and run here. And that basically leaves Hyundai and Toyota - nobody buys the Hyundais because their dealer support is woeful which basically leaves Hiace. Trying to find one of those which hasn't been ruined by couriers is hard work, without buying new.

But I have been looking at these: clicky Not sure if they'll be big enough, might have to see if I can try my bike in the back of one.