The Bicycle Thread

[tyjay]

Colour is metallic green looks black from some angles
Always used toeclips there just second nature now
Spd can't get away with them

Upgrading the shifters to xt next, fron mech to xt/xtr and dropping from 3x10 to 2x10, in fact could quite easily use 1x10 as the times it's goes into the granny ring and large ring is minimal.

[wod]

Nice.
A couple of things:
Unless you ride a lot at night on busy roads, you should take the wheel reflectors off. They unbalance the wheel and can felt at higher speeds as a sort of throbbing.
Not sure if it's just the photo, but the angle of you saddle looks quite sloped downwards. Experiment with the angle quickly to find your optimal angle or face sore bum!

Also, did they get you to sit on the Bontrager saddle tuner and thus give you the correct saddle? Bontrager saddles come in a variety of different widths and use a pad to determine your size. You sit on it and it reads out a colour code which matches to your ideal saddle profile/width. Bontrager unconditionally guarantee your satisfaction if you have used this and will swap it with a different saddle size until you are happy. If you haven't done this, I highly recommend it - I've just done it myself to get a Bontrager Affinity R - which is actually a road saddle, but it's lighter than the MTB ones for the same price.... not sure if this was a good idea or not - the cut out at the back might snag while flossing crack on the downhills - guessing your evoke saddle is probably what I should have got, but my bike is pretty heavy so any reductions are good.

I wont be riding it on any roads at night, if i do i will buy some decent lights.

I was going to take the reflectors off anyway as they will just be in the way and the ones on the handlebars and seat.

the seat was sloped down from when i got it in the shop, i don't find the seat uncomfortable at all.

the Bontrager saddle tuning not heard of this the shop didnt do anything like you have mentioned.

The disc brakes are rather good didnt expect them to stop you like they do and i've already had a look at upgrades for them

I now want to buy a decent bottle n cage and a mini pump, i like the look of this

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bontrager/air-support-mini-pump-ec017727#BVRRWidgetID

[charlesr]

Argos hyrdration pack ?12 - a friend has this and for the money it's unbeatable. I have a far more expensive 3L camelbak which is great for long treks and has loads of storage, but that argos one is perfect for short blats because it's lighter and thus more comfortable.

Bottles have a tendancy to eject themselves while hitting the rough stuff.

The bontrager pump looks good though.

[wod]

i was wondering about these hydration packs and wasnt sure if i could get a decent one with space for a mini pump and tools etc

also has the valves on bike tyres changed as it looks different to what i'm used to think its one of them presta ones thats on my trek.

[charlesr]

That pump you linked to does both - always buy presta inner tubes because they fit into any wheel, whereas schraeder (the fat valves) only fit in wheels with the big hole.

I advise putting the mini pump on the frame - there are times you want to ride for 40 mins and not bother with water till you get back to the car or whatever, but you should always have a pump, spare inner tube and tyre levers.

[charlesr]

I recommend a Topeak saddle bag for keeping tools (allen key set, tyre levers, spare chain link, chain breaker, inner tube, multi-tool e.g. gerber with pliers, spoke key) << that lot should get you home from the most common problems on the trail. I think that's a medium sized bag - there are bigger and smaller. I've had my Topeak for 10 years and it's pretty much as new, even though it has been hanging under my saddle all that time, getting caked in crud and soaking wet on the outside (I spray it off with the hose).

[charlesr]

Search back through the thread for my amazing bike light advice.

[charlesr]

Ginger tosser: What do you gain with a hybrid that an mtb can't do? Just narrow big wheels?

[wod]

charlesr, thank you very much for your advice and help, i think i'm starting to be a pain in this thread. I havent had a bike for over 5 years and it showed yesterday my fitness level is just shocking.

I will look into those saddle bags those were what i was meaning i had seen them in the bike shop and had got confused with the hydration bags etc.

[Ginger Tosser]

Ginger tosser: What do you gain with a hybrid that an mtb can't do? Just narrow big wheels?

I mainly commute, so a MTB is probably overkill for me. I could turn my GT into a hybrid (sort of) by fitting road tyres - a hybrid should be a bit faster though (due to gearing).

[nonny]

Have you guys got any advice on electric bikes?

I've got a Polygon CX1.0 hardtail MTB which I love and use to commute daily to work and back (about 4km through Sydney CBD). I've got a few hills to contend with which normally wouldnt be an issue except I've recently put my back out playing football and though the recovery is slow I've noticed that cycling every day doesnt exactly help either.

As such I've been toying with the option of upgrading to an electric mountain bike just to aid me in my commute but something I could equally turn off and cycle un-assisted on weekends around the park on the flat to keep my fitness up. I realise quite a few of you will probably shun the whole notion of having assistance but the fact is I'm not getting any younger (38) and it I figure it would be nice to have the option.

What I've been looking at recently is the BH E-Motion Neo Xtrem or Cross which has the battery integrated into the down bar and is removeable to charge away from the bike. The Xtrem is actually not that far removed from my current ride in terms of component spec but obviously having the electric pedal assistance is the whole reason for considering it.

I dont want a goofy looking electric fold-up, I want a MTB that acts like a MTB but has electric options. I also am a bit reserved about buying an electric conversion kit with a massive battery hanging off a standard bike because I think it looks a bit pants even if it is significantly cheaper. It also seems most of these DIY kits are for front wheel drive when surely rear wheel would be better as the front tends to not always be on the ground half the time (at least the way I ride!).

Any thoughts or reccomendations appreciated. Right now I am just looking around locally to see what is out there and see if anywhere does hire/try before you buy. The Neo models run $3k here which compared to my current bike at $650 is steep but if it lasts another 10 years and aids me to continue cycling instead of using public transport and the car then I am all for it.

[Anpanman]

Couple of pics last night out in our woods right state I was in lol

Fantastic looking bike, really smart.

Glad it all worked out for you and you're now enjoying it - good one!

Gives me the confidence to do the same.

[SuperBeatBoy]

Can anyone recommend decent mud guards for my Cube Acid? I'm just getting filthy on my commute to work.

[charlesr]

Where are you getting filthy? Back. Face. Legs. All?

[SuperBeatBoy]

Everywhere, lol.