That Blur LT is very nice. If I was going to have only one bike I'd look at Blur LT, that new Pace 405, Santa Cruz Heckler (bombproof) or the Specialized Enduro, Turner 5 Spot or Cove Hustler. All bikes that would be fantastic round here but perhaps not the nippiest possible uphill.For shorter travel bikes I think that I'd be very tempted to stick with my Santa Cruz Superlight. Its simple, light, reliable and easier than a hardtail on rough uphills or even flat gound.You're welcome to have a ride on it if you like - riding as many bikes as possible will help you decide what it is you want from a bike. Definately for you FatKid, as you're new to the game
Fatkid's looking at 2 bikes in a month... could of sworn sometime recently he said the marriage was sooting him dear looks like he intends to lay down the law with the missus from the outset
Doc tell what to buy I'm no good at choice.
Quote from: fatkid2000 on April 21, 2008, 10:33:24 amDoc tell what to buy I'm no good at choice. Only thing better than spending your own money on new toys is spending someone else's money.
Quote from: SA Chris on April 21, 2008, 03:55:09 pmQuote from: fatkid2000 on April 21, 2008, 10:33:24 amDoc tell what to buy I'm no good at choice. Only thing better than spending your own money on new toys is spending someone else's money.i'm Sooooo looking 4fward to this SA Chris,if the weather's shite on sunday in scootland.... where i'll be.... i was thinking driving north to laggan (wolftrax) would kill me to get home.... so i'm considering going south and doing glentress (not done anything in the north, no navigation to speak of & i must be the only mtber on in the UK that hasnt been there), then was gonna limp home, via a 3 hr kip in a layby..... have you any other venues that i could consider??
Go to Glentress. Do the black. On your white Whyte! Was all that travel adjusting why you were so slow on Sunday? hehe
Quote from: Norton Sharley on April 22, 2008, 12:44:04 pmGo to Glentress. Do the black. On your white Whyte! Was all that travel adjusting why you were so slow on Sunday? heheThus spake the expert. If you are at all knackered or hungover, just be aware that it has some hard climbing. On a full susser you should be fine on the rocky descents, on my hardtail my arse was in tatters.
Cheers, Fatkid. That'll be a good contact if this Simeon guy can't help me. Did Winnats a few times last year, but before I had a compact, so it was a struggle (although I was riding a stealth cheat gear - I had a 38 tooth small ring which just helps that little bit). Still found it epic at the top, when the 38-25 ration was still seeming a bit too ambitious. Its just that little bit too long to be possible in a oner without some serious bearing down! Monsal Head (or Mam Nick) is a path in comparison, but both are probably good training for the gradient. I was about par on Winnats, for every time I'd have to stop to prevent cardiac arrest, I'd have a good go where I'd do it alright. It is a proper good hill, that one!Whilst still on about road issues, I got a copy of a recent Top Velo magazine whilst in France recently which has a huge weight weenies section, including a review of a 4.5kg Schmolke bike and a test of 6 bikes that weight 6.5kgs and less. Makes all our kit suddenly seem, well, a bit heavy?!?!
PercyThe lad I ride with is a physio who specialises in knees. I'll speak to him and then pm you the best contact details for him.We will be out tonight I think starting from Hathersage at 5pm if anyboby is available. Probably be fairly gentle as I am still feeling pretty ropey from a cold, but I need a to get a few miles in.Superlight is a classic single pivot design. Probably not the last word in sophistication, but its reliable and it works (I'm not lending it to Fatdoc). I think that with the modern pro-pedal style rear shocks it probably works a lot better than my old version. If you want something similar but burlier then the Heckler gives more strength, weight and 5 inches (might be 5.5 inches actually). Either frame will cost around a grand. A Specialized or Marin will cost a lot less. Whether its worth it or not is personal preference (and depends how long you are likely to keep it or break it). A friend of mine who rides a lot got rid of his Specialized because it was costing him a fortune in pivot bushes/bearings. I've changed mine once in 6000km on the Superlight for £18. It needs doing again though at the moment.
It was awesome riding in the Peak last night - everybody seemed to be out on their bikes and it was a beautiful evening. Made being cruised past by Malc Elliot and his training buddy all the easier to take!How was Winnats, Fatkid - did you finally have to put your bike in the small ring?!?!