Ask Fatdoc - the MTB technical thread (Read 80452 times)

cofe · October 02, 2009, 08:26:05 pm

i need to replace the middle and granny rings on current chainset (race face). i've been told to get middleburn. anyone have any opinions on what's good or should be avoided?

Yossarian · October 02, 2009, 08:42:09 pm

I've heard great things about the new Renthal stuff...

cofe · October 02, 2009, 08:45:36 pm

interesting, didn't know you could get em yet. article in Dirt about Renthal last month.

fatdoc · October 02, 2009, 08:54:32 pm

not too sure on this bling chain ring stuff..

I'd get raceface... taken ages to wear em out

cofe · October 03, 2009, 05:51:42 pm

went with middleburn hardcoat, and slick shift in the middle. plus new cassette and chain = silky drivetrain at the moment. not sure how long it will last...

Yossarian · October 04, 2009, 09:51:18 am

I need to get a new spring for my Kona before next weekend's DH action. Any idea where to get one?

TF Tuned have got some fancy BOS ones for £45. Wiggle and CRC don't seem to have any at all!

fatdoc · October 04, 2009, 07:35:35 pm

Job done.

I'm keen for one.

Hurry, the post seems to be slow at the moment

Norton Sharley · October 05, 2009, 03:35:59 pm

Just seen this. Middleburn last well John, much better than Shimano anyway's.

Renthal kit should be good based on motorbike experience.

chappers · October 10, 2009, 10:52:59 pm

my surly long haul trucker is finished...i love it.

cofe · October 13, 2009, 12:33:10 pm

i'd like to stick some 2.3 tyres on the bike. i don't think i can go bigger with clearance. i've been very happy with the WTB Weirwolf 2.1s and they do a 2.3 but i wondered if anyone had any other recommendations?

Norton Sharley · October 13, 2009, 12:39:56 pm

Maxxis High Rollers without a doubt. Kevlar beaded should do you but get the softer compound if you want ridiculous grip or 60a harder compound for longevity.

fatdoc · October 13, 2009, 12:46:24 pm

Quote from: Norton Sharley on October 13, 2009, 12:39:56 pm

Maxxis High Rollers without a doubt. Kevlar beaded should do you but get the softer compound if you want ridiculous grip or 60a harder compound for longevity.

Nevangels without a doubt.

Better than High Rollers, they are more progressive when sliding out... also come in various compund options. I run 2.35 on back of AM & DH bike... super soft & 2.5 ojn DH front. I would go back to High Rollers now.

Joepicalli · October 13, 2009, 12:57:10 pm

Hi all money spending time, maybe... I have seen some Pike 456's for 350 sheets. They have 95 - 140 travel. Now two things:
1 my current forks are Manitou blacks with 90-120 travel will the extra travel fuck up my geometry?
2 Are Pikes any good?

cofe · October 13, 2009, 01:00:37 pm

Quote from: fatdoc on October 13, 2009, 12:46:24 pm

Nevangels without a doubt.

Quote from: fatdoc on October 13, 2009, 12:46:24 pm

I would go back to High Rollers now.

eh? get your story straight. is that a yes to high rollers then, or a no?

Yossarian · October 13, 2009, 02:43:06 pm

Intense Edge FRO Lite

I have these on my AM bike and they're great...

cofe · October 13, 2009, 02:55:03 pm

you wouldn't believe how many different tyres i've been recommended by different people in the last few hours....

SA Chris · October 13, 2009, 03:20:16 pm

Quote from: cofe on October 13, 2009, 01:00:37 pm

eh? get your story straight. is that a yes to high rollers then, or a no?

This coming from a medical professional. I quake.

john horscroft · October 13, 2009, 03:26:41 pm

Quote from: cofe on October 13, 2009, 02:55:03 pm

you wouldn't believe how many different tyres i've been recommended by different people in the last few hours....

Well, I feel compelled to pile on the agony. Get yourself some Specialised John. I'm a big fan of the Captains and the Purgatorys look good too. Been using Spesh tyres for a couple of years and I loves them.....

john horscroft · October 13, 2009, 03:30:05 pm

Quote from: Joepicalli on October 13, 2009, 12:57:10 pm

Hi all money spending time, maybe... I have seen some Pike 456's for 350 sheets. They have 95 - 140 travel. Now two things:
1 my current forks are Manitou blacks with 90-120 travel will the extra travel fuck up my geometry?
2 Are Pikes any good?

What are you riding Joe? I went from 130 Manitou Black on my Scott MC50 to 145 Nixons and it was a major improvement. Slackened the head angle a bit and stopped the bike being so twitchy. Doesn't mean it'll dio the samd for you obviously, hence my original question. How's your current rig ride?

fatdoc · October 13, 2009, 05:13:13 pm

sorry..

typo.

i wouldnnnnnntt go back to high rollers now..

those intenses are OK, esp in mud.

all round tyre.. nevangels. word.

Norton Sharley · October 13, 2009, 09:27:20 pm

I'm riding Nevagals now despite the High Roller recommendation. Will be going straight back to High Rollers. To be fair they are both good sets of tyres and I've no real complaints regarding the Nevagals except that they don't slide out as progressively as the High Rollers. I reckon me and the 'Doc need to go for a sliding session

I also liked Schwalbe Fat Alberts. But got them given to me and wouldn't pay that much for them.

I hate Spec tyres, but there you go. You pays your money, and gets punctures.

If you're going for some fatter tyres consider getting some wider rims. They make a huge difference to the way the tyre performs and prevent the tyre rolling off the rim, especially if you run low pressures. DT 5.1's come recommended.

cofe · October 13, 2009, 09:29:49 pm

decided to give high rollers a blast, despite other recommendations (minions, big earls...). hopefully they'll be here for the weekend as i might even ride my bike and not climb. blasphemy.

cofe · October 13, 2009, 09:30:50 pm

p.s. i should say thanks to people for the feedback/advice too. as ever, plenty of it. nice one.

fatdoc · October 13, 2009, 10:05:44 pm

Quote from: Norton Sharley on October 13, 2009, 09:27:20 pm

I'm riding Nevagals now despite the High Roller recommendation. Will be going straight back to High Rollers. To be fair they are both good sets of tyres and I've no real complaints regarding the Nevagals except that they don't slide out as progressively as the High Rollers. I reckon me and the 'Doc need to go for a sliding session

I also liked Schwalbe Fat Alberts. But got them given to me and wouldn't pay that much for them.

I hate Spec tyres, but there you go. You pays your money, and gets punctures.

If you're going for some fatter tyres consider getting some wider rims. They make a huge difference to the way the tyre performs and prevent the tyre rolling off the rim, especially if you run low pressures. DT 5.1's come recommended.

5.1s are the narrowesrt rims I'd ever use. quality XC / AM rim

there aint no better.

FBSF swears by fat alberts...

I can see why.

Joepicalli · October 14, 2009, 09:12:32 am

Quote from: john horscroft on October 13, 2009, 03:30:05 pm

Quote from: Joepicalli on October 13, 2009, 12:57:10 pm
Hi all money spending time, maybe... I have seen some Pike 456's for 350 sheets. They have 95 - 140 travel. Now two things:
1 my current forks are Manitou blacks with 90-120 travel will the extra travel fuck up my geometry?
2 Are Pikes any good?

What are you riding Joe? I went from 130 Manitou Black on my Scott MC50 to 145 Nixons and it was a major improvement. Slackened the head angle a bit and stopped the bike being so twitchy. Doesn't mean it'll dio the samd for you obviously, hence my original question. How's your current rig ride?

Its an '04 Enduro. It currently rides way better than I do. The extra travel will as I read it slacken the head angle at full extension and tighten it up at the other end. The question is for a given head angle what is the maximum ridable fork height? I realise in asking this that to some extent this is personal but there must be maximums and minimums.