mountain bikers - best way to secure new grips ?
#31
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There's another Chris who works @ Sky TV here in Livingston. He's been going there for 7-8 years and a seriously mad mountain biker. He's been all over the world competing.
His bike's got one big gear and he races up the Black route in no time. I've only really used my bike on the roads, but it's usually 20-30 mile stints.
I'm usually away hillwalking at the weekends, but I'll give you a shout when I plan to do down. We're taking about heading down after work (well 4pm anyway) once the nights get longer and if the weather's good.
Stefan
His bike's got one big gear and he races up the Black route in no time. I've only really used my bike on the roads, but it's usually 20-30 mile stints.
I'm usually away hillwalking at the weekends, but I'll give you a shout when I plan to do down. We're taking about heading down after work (well 4pm anyway) once the nights get longer and if the weather's good.
Stefan
#32
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Glentress - what's it like?
It's superb - good enough to encourage me to drag my old '96 Kona out of the garage and get back on it after some 5 years of inactivity.
There's 3 main routes - blue, red and black. The climbs are fairly similar on all three (there's just more of 'em on the red/black) and all have varying levels of single-track downhills, varying from sweeping fast ones on the blue, to intermediate/technical on the red, and some pretty tricky stuff on the black (some of which I've done, but I've not done all of the black route yet).
It's well-managed - with good sign-posting to keep MTBers off the pedestrian/equestrian routes, and also to keep those pesky ramblers off the MTB single-tracks.
There's also some X-Trail stuff to challenge most people, and if you're really into hardcore downhilling you can go to the European downhill championship course 4 miles away in Innerleithen.
Oh, and the Hub, a shop at the bottom car-park, sells the most heavy-duty, greasy and lovely cakes you'll ever have after a good ride. It's run by two ex-competition DH riders (girlies) and is very good, selling all sorts of bike bits & pieces.
Altogether very good, IMO.
Check out the following links:
The Hub In The Forest
Bicycle works (local bike shop)
Forestry Commission
MTB Review
#36
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Yeah, but we're talking about MTBs, not women.
Besides, I've ridden in the Brecon Beacons before, and whilst they're not bad, they're not a patch on what I've ridden up here so far.
Besides, I've ridden in the Brecon Beacons before, and whilst they're not bad, they're not a patch on what I've ridden up here so far.
#37
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They have women in Wales
I did some great rides when up in North West Scotland last year, but have so far failed to convince mrs mooseracer that we should move there she just doesn't understand................
I did some great rides when up in North West Scotland last year, but have so far failed to convince mrs mooseracer that we should move there she just doesn't understand................
#38
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I believe they call them 'valley girls', but they're nearer to your SN ID namesakes.
Anyway, it could be worse - at least you've got some decent riding near you. Consider this: you could be in Central London.
Anyway, it could be worse - at least you've got some decent riding near you. Consider this: you could be in Central London.
#40
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Nothing wrong with tearing through The city /embankment at 5am sunday morning. When you have the place to just you and a few mates...
And your on this beauty!!!!!
#44
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Pics of the XC steed to follow Mark, my increasing (age related?) sense of self preservation is making me seem to end up on the trails more often than the hills these days!
#45
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http://www.thebicycleworks.co.uk/glentress/
looks good to me Thinking about jacking the job in and doing a self build up that way.
looks good to me Thinking about jacking the job in and doing a self build up that way.
#47
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Nice green bike. I have to say, I've no idea how you lot lug those huge heavy full-suss bikes all the way up mountains.
We've been keeping our eye out on PlotSearch and other such things, plus we've notified all local agents that we're interested in plots, and we look in the local press too. There really aren't many about. We've spoken to a lot of people, including locals and agents, and they all say "Plots? Around here? You'll be lucky!".
Not sure why there aren't many houses on the market at the moment. Could just be the war, etc. But houses here get snapped up so fast you have to be pretty quick. And the lack of houses doesn't affect PP - they're pretty strict about that.
We've been keeping our eye out on PlotSearch and other such things, plus we've notified all local agents that we're interested in plots, and we look in the local press too. There really aren't many about. We've spoken to a lot of people, including locals and agents, and they all say "Plots? Around here? You'll be lucky!".
Not sure why there aren't many houses on the market at the moment. Could just be the war, etc. But houses here get snapped up so fast you have to be pretty quick. And the lack of houses doesn't affect PP - they're pretty strict about that.
#48
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lol it only looks heavy It's actually lighter than my old Zaskar. Difficult to shoulder though
Your experiences regarding building plots are duly noted though
Your experiences regarding building plots are duly noted though
#49
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You shoulder the bike? Pffff. You should be riding it the whole time.
TBH, I couldn't have a bike weighing more than 25lbs - and since I won't be spending 5k on a bike anytime soon that makes mine a hardtail.
Have a look at John Sale - they've got more plots than anyone it seems (i.e., they've got four ). A good indication of the massive selection of houses on the market at the moment can be seen at BSPC's website.
TBH, I couldn't have a bike weighing more than 25lbs - and since I won't be spending 5k on a bike anytime soon that makes mine a hardtail.
Have a look at John Sale - they've got more plots than anyone it seems (i.e., they've got four ). A good indication of the massive selection of houses on the market at the moment can be seen at BSPC's website.
#53
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Marko
yep its real clean. Ive just rebuilt it. Also when you have a frame as valuable as this you take care of it!!!!! Still building my Full suspension...
yep its real clean. Ive just rebuilt it. Also when you have a frame as valuable as this you take care of it!!!!! Still building my Full suspension...
#55
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Going to Brecon in a few weeks to try and teach the wife a few tricks!!Just built her a nice TREK Alpha 14 inch. With my old R/S IndyC's and some nice Ovation/mavic wheels. This weather is great for riding.
Still Love the Avid mec brake.... No more "Hope" the brake will work!!!!
Why cant Hope build stuff like they used to????
Still Love the Avid mec brake.... No more "Hope" the brake will work!!!!
Why cant Hope build stuff like they used to????
#56
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Never tried disc brakes - although after a few close calls on muddy downhills at Glentress (due to water on the rim) I'm starting to see why they'd be beneficial.
For the moment, though, my XTR-vees will do the job nicely (particularly as I'd need to get new hubs, changers and levers in order to fit discs). So many new toys, and so little money.
For the moment, though, my XTR-vees will do the job nicely (particularly as I'd need to get new hubs, changers and levers in order to fit discs). So many new toys, and so little money.
#58
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Andy Mid: How about Harlestone Firs and Salcey Forest?
Check out the main UK Index at MTB Review - it's got loads of good suggestions. Good to see an entry there for Caesar's Camp which is where I used to ride 4-5 days (and nights, when I had my nightsuns ) a week.
Check out the main UK Index at MTB Review - it's got loads of good suggestions. Good to see an entry there for Caesar's Camp which is where I used to ride 4-5 days (and nights, when I had my nightsuns ) a week.
#60
Not read the whole thread but why dont you use what us motocross boys use.Renthal Grip glue?Slap some on,grips go on nice and easy,leave for a few hours and hey presto firm grips.
We usually use lockwire also cos we normally have to pick our bikes up many times after crashes
We usually use lockwire also cos we normally have to pick our bikes up many times after crashes