Bicycle Brahs Part 2 - The Lance Armstrong Ball (literally bicycle)

[MtnJax]

was having a blast on the trail today. in the middle of pulling a full on, knee-dragging type turn (or felt like it it anyway) and my back tire slid out from under me. for whatever reason, that trail does not like me at all. broken deraulier, flat rear tire, crazy raccoon family and now the crash.

[Simo2007]

Sup brahs?

I posted on here a while back about buying a hardtail- in the end I did buy the Cannondale Trail SL4, mainly used it for trail riding (Cannock Chase for UK brahs) and occasional XC and canal path riding. This summer I'll do the same, but I've sold the Cannondale now and I'm after a full suspension rig. I don't particularly want to spend above £1500 ($2400), but if it is worth spending the extra for Rock Shox Pikes up front and dropper post etc then I may go higher.

The one that catches my eye at the moment is the Canyon Nerve AL 7.9 at under £1400:



I'm also considering the Lapierre Zesty TR 329 at £1400:



I've also heard the Rose Granite Chief 1, Giant Anthem X1/X2 and Giant Trance X1/X2. Would anyone be able to offer advice?

Will rep tenderly.

[KRANE]

Put my bike on the bus for shipping and so far its lost in transit. Have been trying to get in touch with the station all week, but so far no luck. Thing is, the maximum insurance for bus any shipping is only $1,000, so you take a chance to save cost. Hope I didn't make a mistake.

The best way for me to do it with my combo tool is to get it into position so you can step on it with some leverage.

The MT has a connection point that would not have withstood that much force. It needed a tool made out of single solid piece of metal.

[hardbodyman]

Put my bike on the bus for shipping and so far its lost in transit. Have been trying to get in touch with the station all week, but so far no luck. Thing is, the maximum insurance for bus any shipping is only $1,000, so you take a chance to save cost. Hope I didn't make a mistake.

Dayum. How much is bike worth?

[KRANE]

Dayum. How much is bike worth?

Well $1,500 for the bike but I optioned it to $2,000. Nowhere near what some of the guys here pay for their bikes but an awful lot for me (aka, I can't just write a check for a new one). I hope its just sitting in the back of a warehouse somewhere.

My research said they're pretty good about bike transport and I did confirm the handler loading it in a separate compartment away from the general luggage.

[Rawp0wer1O1]

I need to start riding more than once a week

Last sunday 39.9mi @ 14.9
Today 44.1mi @ 14.4

pretty flat land only around 300ft gained on both trips

[goblin6]

Sup brahs?

I posted on here a while back about buying a hardtail- in the end I did buy the Cannondale Trail SL4, mainly used it for trail riding (Cannock Chase for UK brahs) and occasional XC and canal path riding. This summer I'll do the same, but I've sold the Cannondale now and I'm after a full suspension rig. I don't particularly want to spend above £1500 ($2400), but if it is worth spending the extra for Rock Shox Pikes up front and dropper post etc then I may go higher.

The one that catches my eye at the moment is the Canyon Nerve AL 7.9 at under £1400:


I've also heard the Rose Granite Chief 1, Giant Anthem X1/X2 and Giant Trance X1/X2. Would anyone be able to offer advice?

Will rep tenderly.

You're looking at Trail bikes but do you even need that? There's some XC bikes that will weigh a couple pounds less. Also determine if you want 650b or a 29er. You can by a dropper later so that shouldn't be a concern. Pike is definitely worth it and you should buy a bike that comes equipped with it. Fox 32 damper is pretty chitty. The new Rebas come with the Dig Valve so you can just RCT3 damper and have pike like performance if you don't mind the limited travel.


Between the Nerve and Zesty I'd personally choose the Nerve mostly because of the shimano parts specs.

[Auxe]

Still sick with I don't know what

Planning on 30m today

Do you guys know how much data strava uses when it's running? I don't want to wreck my data plan

[Simo2007]

You're looking at Trail bikes but do you even need that? There's some XC bikes that will weigh a couple pounds less. Also determine if you want 650b or a 29er. You can by a dropper later so that shouldn't be a concern. Pike is definitely worth it and you should buy a bike that comes equipped with it. Fox 32 damper is pretty chitty. The new Rebas come with the Dig Valve so you can just RCT3 damper and have pike like performance if you don't mind the limited travel.


Between the Nerve and Zesty I'd personally choose the Nerve mostly because of the shimano parts specs.

Thanks brah, yeah will definitely be hitting some mountainous areas over the summer in the UK so I want a rig that can stand some abuse thrown at it. Not overly fussed about something being a couple of pounds less, me being 230lbs wont make much of a difference on that front I don't think. Can't decide whether a 650b or a 29er would be better hence my post, I'm now aware that Fox 32's aren't overly great. Looking at the Nukeproof Mega TR 275 (2014 model) now- could be my best option with my budget:

[SpyderTT]

Damn, that's fast as hell. What average do the other brahs in here have on their rides? I'm like in the high 13's on a 25mile ride. Barely started riding in February. My average was in the 11's for a couple weeks and slowly started creeping up. I thought I was doing good til I read this chit. Lol

I've only been riding for a few weeks, so my best is 12 mph on a 20 mi. ride.

Same here, I'm basically in the same range.

I'm usually between 10 and 12 on 10-30 mile rides. I was excited the other day when I averaged 18 on a two mile segment.

I think the fastest I've averaged over 10+ miles is 15 when I had been bike commuting for a couple of weeks.

Don't get discouraged brahs, a lot of it depends on the bike and clothing. Tighter fit, more aero, but don't get hung up on that. I ride a ton and have been riding seriously for over a decade with 20,000 plus miles. Riding is groups is a huge energy saver also, just keep at it and the speed will come.

As Greg LeMond has said, "It never gets easier, you just get faster"

I'm literally moving farther away from work so that I can get more training miles in. What is happening to me?

#dedication

Don't get discouraged. You are making progress so you are doing well. That speed is pretty par for the course for an actual race. There are strategies that you can use in a race that you can't use when you're alone to get your speed up. Now, you're not going to bump from 13mph to 25mph but you can get there if you want to and are willing to put the work in.

#realtalk

Gj man. I will rep you when I get the chance. I finished the last crit I was planning to do. Did alright. Pack finish. I was just happy to stay up right with no mechanical failures this time around.

Now it's on to road racing for the rest of the season.

Racing is totally addicting.

I raced yesterday 2 40 minute crits which was more of a circuit course than a crit. 1.5 miles with a 114 foot climb each lap. I got 3rd place in the elite 4/5 and won $20. I then raced the Open cat 5 and got second place winning some merch. Super awesome day of racing except for in between my races when a teammate went down hard chipping some teeth, breaking some fingers and suffering some road rash. The team rallied together and took care of his gear/wife/kids and showed how awesome a good team can be.

Also, this was after putting out 260 miles the week before.

was having a blast on the trail today. in the middle of pulling a full on, knee-dragging type turn (or felt like it it anyway) and my back tire slid out from under me. for whatever reason, that trail does not like me at all. broken deraulier, flat rear tire, crazy raccoon family and now the crash.

Ballin, looks like a fun day. But seriously, it's all part of the fun of biking and having good stories to tell over post ride beers.

[Joska]

Thanks brah, yeah will definitely be hitting some mountainous areas over the summer in the UK so I want a rig that can stand some abuse thrown at it. Not overly fussed about something being a couple of pounds less, me being 230lbs wont make much of a difference on that front I don't think. Can't decide whether a 650b or a 29er would be better hence my post, I'm now aware that Fox 32's aren't overly great. Looking at the Nukeproof Mega TR 275 (2014 model) now- could be my best option with my budget:

[img]http://www.ubyk.co.uk/static_files/catalog/full_images/384917z.jpg[/ig]

That is one ugly@ss frame...dear lord. Doesn't it bother you guys when they mix SRAM and Shimano components for the two derrailleurs? Can't stand it for some reason.

Looks wise the Canyon is my favourite.

[TheStender]

As Greg LeMond has said, "It never gets easier, you just get faster"

I'd like it to get easier if I stay the same speed.

[BuildUpNow]

Thanks brah, yeah will definitely be hitting some mountainous areas over the summer in the UK so I want a rig that can stand some abuse thrown at it. Not overly fussed about something being a couple of pounds less, me being 230lbs wont make much of a difference on that front I don't think. Can't decide whether a 650b or a 29er would be better hence my post, I'm now aware that Fox 32's aren't overly great. Looking at the Nukeproof Mega TR 275 (2014 model) now- could be my best option with my budget:

650b or 29er depends on your riding style and the terrain. generally 650b will be more agile so better for tight switchbacks and if you like to catch some air. Downside is less stability and if you choose a poor line or hit something like a rock or root you're more likely to crash. 29ers can steamroll obstacles so can be harder to pop off things and catch air. Also can have larger turning radius and momentum of wheels makes it harder to turn. Larger wheels can also flex more. But they roll over chit so you choose a bad line or hit a rock and you'll be less likely to crash. Also carries speed well so if you have lot of flowly trail which the UK does have. Bad is it can carry a lot of speed downhill so you have to be on brakes which also hampers suspension and traction. It'll come down to your riding style on which bike you choose. Also geo of bikes can affect how the bike handles. There's a lot of great 29ers that handle well too.

Suspension wise you might be better off with RockShox. Fox does offer dampers at a reduced rate but that might not apply to the UK. With Rockshox you can buy the damper and rebound valves from a number of sites. $200 or so to upgrade a fork instead of having to buy a $600 one.


ChainReaction has some clearance sales so since you're UK you might want to check there. Lots of bike companies that copy split pivot designs of US bikes but don't have to deal with patents since they don't sell in North America. So look at brands like Cube and the likes. Also need to decide on suspension design and if you want vpp or dw design. By design they can pedal well but only in certain gears so if you go single then they can lose performance and you're better with 4/faux bar designs as the shocks will help with pedal bob.

That is one ugly@ss frame...dear lord. Doesn't it bother you guys when they mix SRAM and Shimano components for the two derrailleurs? Can't stand it for some reason.

Looks wise the Canyon is my favourite.

Yes. SRAM sucks. Had x7/x9 components and the derailleurs are crap. Srsly less durable than the alivio line. Sram XX or X0 are quite nice tho. But Shimano SLX or even the Deore line now are a good value and durable.

[Joska]

Yes. SRAM sucks. Had x7/x9 components and the derailleurs are crap. Srsly less durable than the alivio line. Sram XX or X0 are quite nice tho. But Shimano SLX or even the Deore line now are a good value and durable.

Good to know for the next buy.
Ideally my next upgrade will be XT all around, realistically probably SLX front, XT rear with SLX shifters. Still reading about forks, but probably anything will be quite noticable after my SR Suntour XCM HLO...

[BuildUpNow]

Good to know for the next buy.
Ideally my next upgrade will be XT all around, realistically probably SLX front, XT rear with SLX shifters. Still reading about forks, but probably anything will be quite noticable after my SR Suntour XCM HLO...

XT rear with shadow clutch and SLX- front, shifters, 2x cranks, rear cass and brakes is what I run and I'm happy with it.

[Simo2007]

650b or 29er depends on your riding style and the terrain. generally 650b will be more agile so better for tight switchbacks and if you like to catch some air. Downside is less stability and if you choose a poor line or hit something like a rock or root you're more likely to crash. 29ers can steamroll obstacles so can be harder to pop off things and catch air. Also can have larger turning radius and momentum of wheels makes it harder to turn. Larger wheels can also flex more. But they roll over chit so you choose a bad line or hit a rock and you'll be less likely to crash. Also carries speed well so if you have lot of flowly trail which the UK does have. Bad is it can carry a lot of speed downhill so you have to be on brakes which also hampers suspension and traction. It'll come down to your riding style on which bike you choose. Also geo of bikes can affect how the bike handles. There's a lot of great 29ers that handle well too.

Suspension wise you might be better off with RockShox. Fox does offer dampers at a reduced rate but that might not apply to the UK. With Rockshox you can buy the damper and rebound valves from a number of sites. $200 or so to upgrade a fork instead of having to buy a $600 one.

ChainReaction has some clearance sales so since you're UK you might want to check there. Lots of bike companies that copy split pivot designs of US bikes but don't have to deal with patents since they don't sell in North America. So look at brands like Cube and the likes. Also need to decide on suspension design and if you want vpp or dw design. By design they can pedal well but only in certain gears so if you go single then they can lose performance and you're better with 4/faux bar designs as the shocks will help with pedal bob.

Yes. SRAM sucks. Had x7/x9 components and the derailleurs are crap. Srsly less durable than the alivio line. Sram XX or X0 are quite nice tho. But Shimano SLX or even the Deore line now are a good value and durable.

Thanks for your advice bro, seems as though a 29er would maybe be better suited to UK terrain. Most of my friends here ride 29ers and a mate of mine in Switzerland swears by 650b, so it's going to be a tough choice! I think I need to look around some more and try out some rigs- I've been keeping a close eye on ChainReaction the Nukeproof is on there that I posted a few posts back. I was unaware of the crappy-ness of SRAM components, looks like I'll stick to SLX-XT groupsets or a mixture thereof. Really appreciate the advice, thanks again!

[camaleom]

Booooom!!!!

zofingen race report!!!!

http://luisrauldefreitas.blogspot.co...-zofingen.html

[nattyuser]

Damn, that's fast as hell. What average do the other brahs in here have on their rides? I'm like in the high 13's on a 25mile ride. Barely started riding in February. My average was in the 11's for a couple weeks and slowly started creeping up. I thought I was doing good til I read this chit. Lol

Finally got my new shallow drop bars installed with LizardSkins bar tape and a new crank with 165mm arms. Haven't ridden it yet but I'll be taking it out today or tomorrow to test out the new setup. Want to see how the shorter crank arms feel.

I've been riding for a few months on a single speed bike (42 tooth chain ring and 17 tooth freewheel).

Been pretty consistently riding an average of 16mph on 10-15 mile rides. Last few rides have risen close to 17mph though. I ride a hilly area though, so I don't know what my average would be on a flat road. Probably close to the same if you think about the speed I come down a hill I've just climbed.

[KRANE]

My research said they're pretty good about bike transport and I did confirm the handler loading it in a separate compartment away from the general luggage.

Finally went to pick up my bike today from the bus station. I asked the guy behind the counter how they treat bikes since it had been there for several days. I asked him did they stack them and he was speechless.

Since it was shipped in a bike box, I showed him the Do Not Stack label but he was all like this:




Nevertheless, a quick check of the bike showed it was none the worse for wear. Of course I'll have to give it a critical inspection after assembly and before I ride again, but at least it wasn't completely destroyed, or lost.

[TheStender]

I love getting PR's on segments when you're not even trying to.

[Rambostyne]

Did a 61-mile ride Monday to take advantage of the 78 degree weather. A mere 36 hours later I'm wearing winter gear again to commute to work in 39 degrees this morning.

[TheStender]

Had to change my first tube. Blew one up since the pump I have sucks and doesn't tell me the pressure. Needed to be changed anyways. Hope I did it right.

Also noticed it's probably time for a new tire too.

[hardbodyman]

Had to change my first tube. Blew one up since the pump I have sucks and doesn't tell me the pressure. Needed to be changed anyways. Hope I did it right.

Also noticed it's probably time for a new tire too.

Did it take u a while? I took off my tire off quite a few times to check the integrity of the tire due to glass and metal debris. So when I had a flat it was MUCH easier than the first time I tried.

What tire width size are you guys running on road bikes? Stock was 23c. Glass put a big hole on rear tire so bought a 25c for rear and left the 23c up front for a couple hundred miles. Lbs had a 50% off sale so bought a pair of 23/25 (23tread, 25volume) and I'm liking them so far. I like that I can run them at a bit lower psi, really makes a difference in comfort. My bro was really against the idea of riding 25c cuz I guess it wasn't pro lol despite all the pros now using 25c. But after riding my 23/25 tires he's giving it a second thought.

[TheStender]

Did it take u a while? I took off my tire off quite a few times to check the integrity of the tire due to glass and metal debris. So when I had a flat it was MUCH easier than the first time I tried.

It took longer than it should have. If I had to do it again right now I think it'd take half the time.

[soznotnatty]

starting to ride bikes now since my work is a rideing distance away..
i know its bad but i havnt owned a bike since i was about 6 so im really new into riding,
i bought my self a fixed geard road bike so far loving it, its fun as f*ck

[DatPass]

starting to ride bikes now since my work is a rideing distance away..
i know its bad but i havnt owned a bike since i was about 6 so im really new into riding,
i bought my self a fixed geard road bike so far loving it, its fun as f*ck

Welcome brah, the most important thing is just getting out there. You'll find that general happiness gains are incoming.

[KRANE]

starting to ride bikes now since my work is a rideing distance away..
i know its bad but i havnt owned a bike since i was about 6 so im really new into riding,
i bought my self a fixed geard road bike so far loving it, its fun as f*ck

That won't last. Fixed gear is trendy but isn't very practical over time and distance. It is great, however, if you just want to test the waters before you invest a lot into the sport.

[hardbodyman]

That won't last. Fixed gear is trendy but isn't very practical over time and distance. It is great, however, if you just want to test the waters before you invest a lot into the sport.

Been thinking about getting a fixie as a beater bike for going to bank, haircut, etc... and especially rainy days but So. Cal has such few rainy days I can't justify it. Also, I can't imagine running the same gear for hills/downhill/flats. I need to stay in my optimum cadence zone. Jk jk lol Just talking like a roadie lol. But yeah, I can't picture myself riding a fixed gear over a large distance. Feel like it would wreck my knees.

BTW, how's ur bike KRANE? Everything in good shape?

[EISOBAX]

has anybody ever cycled with a sprained ankle? fuk i went moutain climbing a couple of days ago and sprained my ankle, its not to bad, i can walk on it and its just a little bruised, but i have a 500km mtb trip this week that i can't miss, i took my bike out today for a little ride to see how it feels, it hurts to walk but not to cycle weird enough, im just afraid that the 500km might be to much for my ankle, any tips?

[Auxe]

My average speed is 13 mph, but that's due to road and traffic conditions much more so than riding capability. Maybe if I found some vast open road, but I live in the city and there's just too many obstacles to avoid to maintain any higher speed rate than that.

Even crossing the causeway, the road becomes so chopped up at points it will vibrate your connective tissue right away from your bones. Given that, my average really doesn't tell me a whole lot.

My average speed when on a 10-20 mile commute = 14-15 mph and 11-13mph if its heavier traffic
Average speed riding down to the shore/solo ride on empty roads = 16-18 mph if not a steady 20~ for parts