After a season of cross racing and thinking there was times my cross bike was a bit less than up to the gloop, got me thinking I should set my under-used MTB to be a bit more XC friendly… First plan is to replace the beefy wheel rims with a mavic 717 or similar, then fit a rigid carbon fork (exotic cycles version?) during cross season/winter then back to my old faithful coil sprung RS pikes in summer. Plan B is to sell the Pikes in favour of a ligher XC fork (SID?) then keep it as a lighter build all year round – at expense of my Chamelon’s hardcore jumptastic abilities (the bike, not mine!). Any thoughts about using a rigid set up? Would it be daft to go for a flexy fork (the 20mm bolt through pikes are solid) just to save 2lbs?
Hi Folks – as per the calendar it’s the annual mulled wine and mince pie ride on Wednesday. It’ll be a shortish ride followed by some friendly chat and munchies. No obligation to ride, you could just come along for the food/drink!!
So as we don’t end up with a mince pie mountain and mulled wine loch of leftovers can you post up or email if you’re intending to come along. Cheers.
Hi there – posting a message on behalf of Jacqui. Thinking about a Christmas bike ride & pub trip for Tuesday. A short ride then head to the Burnbrae or just go straight to the Burnbrae?
For those who are thinking of venturing out while the snow is still here, you may want to invest in ice tyres. Marky Mark and I headed out for what proved to be a terrific ride around Howood and Gleniffer Braes in the snow and ice. The cycle track out was like boilerplate in places though nothing stopped us in our tracks. Only taking a break and putting a foot down did we realise how slippy the trails were. Would it be worth going out with normal tyres? Hmmm, not sure. Where the paths are well trodden, it’ll be a slow and nervous plod with scope for lots of elbow ground interfaces.
As for the ride, it was great to try somewhere new to me adding in some familiar sections round Glennifer Braes. The snow and ice made for a really fun day out with the clear winter light making for great views.
Pics on the link below.
At the end of the ride, we popped into Thomsons Cycles in Paisley. Good to see a familiar name back in the game. I noticed that for those who may be looking and are currently experiencing the “sorry, we can’t get ice tyres from suppliers until next year” faff that I found last year, they have a set of Conti 240 Spike Claws in stock. I know that Big Al at Wheelcraft had a couple of pairs of Schwalbe Spikers in the last time I was in while Kev at Escape Route had a couple of pairs in when I was in a few weeks ago. I know Luke got his from Alpine earlier in the year but I’m not sure if they have any in stock.
If you are swithering about getting a set, they are absolutely worth the money if only to get out on blue sky days like yesterday.
I’ve been wanting to learn how to build wheels for years, eying up Edinburgh Bike Co-op’s course and reading various bits and pieces. While I can replace spokes and true battered hoops, putting one together from scratch seemed a black art. Earlier this year, I bought a copy of The Professional Guide to Wheel Building, by Roger Musson of Wheelpro. Reading it left me thinking can it really be that easy, and scouting about for parts to build a spare set of wheels for the cross bike. Continue reading
Went to Comrie Croft in the end. When I was there in summer (i.e. pishing doon), the mud made the ups, downs and alongs all pretty unrideable. It was waaaaay more fun with a bit of snow and hard ground. The trails are super steep (terrifying) and pretty technical. There’s not loads of riding but if you go round a couple of times, there’s also some other, gentler stuff nearby that’s quite nice. Might go back sometime soon and give ben chonzie a go, if anyone is keen for that.
Back home now looking forward to some time on the bike,stepped off train in glasgow (mordor) more like.Crunching.slipping and sliding up path to house. Deep deep depression ,please tell me trails are rideable.
Has anyone been out locally or anyone heading tuesday/wednesday night???
I need to get away from the city, shops and bloody greyness and try and get my mojo back!
Weather looking lovely for sunday with sunshine but cold weather predicted, so I’m heading up to Aberfoyle for a ride.
Won’t be doing Mentheiths as will be a unrideable mudfest, but going to head into the forest towards Ben Lomond on the LochArd side. So, some big climbs, fast descents and some hidden single track.
These guys have just been in touch with me: http://www.epicbleedsolutions.com/. They do their own Avid bleed kits for £13, I’ve seen genuine Avid kits for £40 now, and if your bike is cursed with Avid brakes, you need a bleed kit ;~) Shimano bleed kit (with syringe, which even Shimano don’t supply) for £5, complete with 50ml of Shimano mineral oil.
Also worth taking a look at their resource section where you will find instructions and videos for bleeding many different makes and model of brakes.
