The Shiny New All-Purpose MTB Thread
Posted by: matthewr on 10 May 2004
Becuase having one called "Paging Matthew" is starting to annoy me.
My question is: does anyone have any experience of using petrol station jet washers to clean one's bike? I've never done it as I've always heeded the dire warnings about getting water in your bearings, forks, pedals, etc. and everything rusting up a few weeks later. In practice, and presuming I don't blast my bottom bracket directly, how likely is this to cause any actual harm?
The reason I ask is that living in a 4th floor flat with no garage and no secure storage I have a real problem when my bike gets dirty and it would be a million times easier if I could come home via a petrol station and get most of the mud off.
My previous bike I used to, I kid you not, clean it in the bath with the shower. However, with disk breaks meaning wheel removal is not very practical, this is not an option anymore: So unless I can use a jet washer I am faced with endless hassle and lectures about mud in the hallway from the woman in my building who thinks she owns the place.
So any ideas for getting my bike clean very quickly gratefully received.
Matthew
Posted on: 14 May 2004 by Steve G
Just got confirmation that the Cotic was posted today as well (due to arrive tomorrow), plus my wife is picking up an XT chainset and BB for me this morning. With any luck Sunday will be bike-build day!
Tomorrow is the Inbred's last run with me then, on the approach to a couple of Munros off the A93.
Posted on: 14 May 2004 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Matthew Brownnutt:
I wear lenses too. It would probably be sensible to sort something out. I just don't want something that looks too outlandish or is too expensive.
The ones I use were pretty cheap - £30 or so I think. The last pair lasted me about 6 months before I lost them (put them down on a ride and forgot about them until I was a long way further on and it would have involved a lot of climbing to get back to wear I left them) so I wouldn't spend a lot of money on a set.
Posted on: 14 May 2004 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Matthew Brownnutt:
quote:
my wife is picking up an XT chainset and BB for me this morning
You get your Wife to pick up your bike bits for you. I'm impressed.
I had no choice in the end, however I spun it on the basis that it was the last bit I needed to convert her bike to 27-speed! Not that she'll actually be getting any XT of course....
I'd hoped to get away without her noticing the Cotic frame arriving however it looks like that's going to happen tomorrow while I'm off hillwalking! Best get my excuses figured out soon.
Posted on: 14 May 2004 by matthewr
I also wear contact lenses when riding mainly to save my glasses from being blasted with mud and grit. I almost always wear glasses partly for protection, to stop my eyes watering on downhills, to help "see" the ground, etc.
My Briko collection is something like this:
You can browser an enormous selection of sports glasses and get an idea of prices at
www.the-eye-shop.com although I have never actually bought any from there.
Matthew
Posted on: 14 May 2004 by matthewr
He he.
All bike glasses look fine as long as you remain within 1.5m of your bike. Move out of that circle and you instantly look stupid and run the risk of being mistaken either for Bono or else David Duval.
Matthew
Posted on: 14 May 2004 by Mekon
You know, the trails are bone dry up on the downs. There's no excuse for you, Alex, and whoever not to head down sooner rather than later. I dunno if I will be able to keep up with you guys tho', as my helmet doesn't have a visor.
Posted on: 14 May 2004 by matthewr
It's not so much the mud as a) getting there, and more significantly getting back, from North London without a car and b) being utterly humiliated as I have to get off and push at the first slight incline.
Up until a month ago I had no literally no excercise in a year since becoming diabetic and am staggeringly unfit.
Matthew
Visor Free but Fat
Posted on: 14 May 2004 by ErikL
Helmet: Cheap Giro with visor
Jersey: T-shirts, long sleeve and short sleeve. For chilly days- a very old zip-neck Patagonia underwear top and a windbreaker vest with reflective strips and lower back flap (I think it might have those back pouches too).
Shorts: A variety of run-of-the-mill baggy khakis, some cargo some not. No special underwear.
Gloves: Thrashed Fox (or AXO?) full-finger for most rides, Pearl Izumi roadie gloves for hotter days.
Waterproofs: I've never worn any waterproof gear on a recreational ride but I if I did it would be my formal dress coat- a semi-stretchable backpacking/climbing shell.
Shades: $6 from the rack at Target.
Footwear: The cheap Diadora SPDs all the mags had on their "best buy" lists 5 years ago. I use short black socks (no chili pepper or chainring logos). Post-ride I wear old Birkies.
Shoe Fact: 10 pairs of shoes, including a few Puma Californias, made-in-USA running shoes, and 2 pairs of work/dress shoes.
Posted on: 15 May 2004 by Mekon
Had run over the downs, and up the downslink today. The B17 was as plush as ever.
Posted on: 15 May 2004 by Mekon
Apparently the missus' Tacana was as brutally harsh as ever.
Posted on: 15 May 2004 by Mekon
If you are grabbing a neoprene chainstay protector, consider an anti-chainsuck plate at the same time. I've all but lost my ability to endoturn->pivot a 360. I managed a couple beyond 270, but nothing smooth. Pulled a lovely wheelie -> coaster -> (sketchy)manual -> hop over a log tho'.
Posted on: 15 May 2004 by matthewr
I've been in the pub watching West Ham. There were no 360s performed.
Forecast is good for tomorrow and will be heading out and at least towards Epping.
Matthew
PS I have been reading about the 7stanes projects in teh Southern Scotland/Borders area where Steve lives. It does look brilliant and with lots of trail building going on this year it seems to be getting better and better
I think Steve should try one of these and report back:
Tweed Valley V-TrailHardrock Trail, DalbeattiePosted on: 15 May 2004 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Matthew Robinson:
PS I have been reading about the 7stanes projects in teh Southern Scotland/Borders area where Steve lives. It does look brilliant and with lots of trail building going on this year it seems to be getting better and better
This area will be a mountain biking Mecca.
quote:
I think Steve should try one of these and report back:
http://www.7stanes.gov.uk/website/oldsite.nsf/ByUnique/INFD-5S3LMX
http://www.7stanes.gov.uk/website/oldsite.nsf/ByUnique/ACHS-5RPFUL
The first one is the Glentress Black. I haven't ridden 100% of it yet but what I have is great, apart from the Deliverance climb.
I'll be visiting Dalbeattie at some point this year for sure. Several of my group have been and enjoyed it. At the moment some of them are saying the the best XC course is the new Innerleithen one.
I used my bike on the approach for a hillwalking trip. 7 miles of cycling, 10 miles of walking, 1000 metres of ascent, 2 munros and 2 tops. First sunburn of the year as well - does that mean summer is here?
Posted on: 16 May 2004 by matthewr
I made it as far as Epping Forest. Although by the time I got there I had enough oomph left to ride up one hill then back down it and home.
The obligatory photo:
I did stop off at Eastway on the way which has a bit of nondesript MTB "trail" and an old BMX track on which I fell off:
It's about a 3 hour round trip to get there and although it's mostly off-road via the towpath and parkland, it's hardly the most exciting route. Which means I probably need to get a train at least some of the way, or else get a lot fitter.
Matthew
Posted on: 16 May 2004 by matthewr
Alex,
Never really been an SPD man as, although I rode them for a couple of years in the mid-90s, I never felt happy being clipped in. AFACIT all they do, a modest increase in efficiency notwithstanding, is make crashes more likely and almost always more painful.
They also pretty much rule out any attempt to learn bikes skills and tricks. I was trying a few endos today (with exactly zero success) which is something you just can't do when clipped in unless you can already do them and/or are very brave. Even the odd hop off low walls, small jumps, etc which, while I am no Nyquist/Mirra/Mekon, I wouldn't even try this clipped in.
Besides SPD pedals on a Stiffee is a bit like having a really cool pair of jeans and then wearing brogues
Matthew
Posted on: 16 May 2004 by matthewr
I had (and still have someone) a pair of those. They always seemed like not as good as proper SPDs and they are certainly not like proper flats (the sort with pins).
In the riding up hills thing I don't know about your Cove but mine has 2.5" tyres @ about 50-60psi which renders all notion of efficiency moot. I also hate SPDs on technical climbs as if you come off they make it almost impossible to start up again.
It's worth trying some flats if you get the chance. I think you might be pleasantly surprised and unless you are a hardcore XC/Epic rider/racer I think they are the best all-round pedal for most people.
Matthew
Posted on: 18 May 2004 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Matthew Robinson:
The obligatory photo:
Nice bike but I'm not convinced by the red pedals, cranks and grips. My daughter also reckons any white bike is "scaffy" (I'm told that's a derogatory term) so she's happy that the Inbred has gone.
Posted on: 18 May 2004 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Matthew Robinson:
Alex,
Never really been an SPD man as, although I rode them for a couple of years in the mid-90s, I never felt happy being clipped in. AFACIT all they do, a modest increase in efficiency notwithstanding, is make crashes more likely and almost always more painful.
I'm exactly the opposite. I switched to SPD's a couple of years back and now I don't feel comfortable unless I'm clipped in.
quote:
Besides SPD pedals on a Stiffee is a bit like having a really cool pair of jeans and then wearing brogues
I did a MTB skills course with Emma Guy at Glentress. She was riding a Cove Stiffee with spd's and I'd have to say she's a damn sight cooler than you...
Posted on: 18 May 2004 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Matthew Robinson:
In the riding up hills thing I don't know about your Cove but mine has 2.5" tyres @ about 50-60psi which renders all notion of efficiency moot.
Is that a "jumpy" thing then? 50-60psi on 2.5" tyres sounds very, very high as one of the benefits of large volume tyres is that you can run them at lower pressures. I use 2.3" tyres on a couple of my bikes and run them at 35psi.
Posted on: 18 May 2004 by Mekon
quote:
From Fat-BMX
Next to dangerous crashes where kids are still connected to the pedals when their entire bike is upside down, the whole shoe deal is just stupid. You can't walk on them in a normal way, they look stupid, and you always have to think about bringing the shoes to go ride somewhere. It's time to get back to the flat pedals.
Throw all them clicky shoes in the bin.
Posted on: 18 May 2004 by matthewr
"Is that a "jumpy" thing then? 50-60psi on 2.5" tyres"
No it;s a guess -- I have no idea what pressure they are at.
"Nice bike but I'm not convinced by the red pedals, cranks and grips"
The marginal cost of picking the colour was £800.
"My daughter also reckons any white bike is "scaffy""
Judging by the frequent "Cool bike Mister" comments I am fairly confident that my bike gets a thumbs up from The Kids (with whom I am down) so I think we can put your daughter's opinions to one side (lovely though she no doubt is).
"She was riding a Cove Stiffee with spd's and I'd have to say she's a damn sight cooler than you"
Girls + Bikes is like Girls + Guitars and is impossible to compete with coolness wise.
But I am willing to bet there are a lot more Stiffee's with flat pedals than SPDs.
Mekon said "and you always have to think about bringing the shoes to go ride somewhere"
The reason I initially switched back was becuase I hated not been able to just jump on my bike. After switching I can't think of a single reason why I should use SPDs -- they just seem like a dumb idea on a mountain bike. I think really it's just a hangover from early days when MTBs where unduly influenced by road and cycle-cross and racing and SPDs were seen as not as dumb as clips and straps.
Matthew
Posted on: 18 May 2004 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Mekon:
You can't walk on them in a normal way,
I can in mine.
quote:
they look stupid,
When you're as fat and ugly as me then (even if it were true) stupid looking shoes make little difference. Mine just look like trainers anyway.
quote:
and you always have to think about bringing the shoes to go ride somewhere. It's time to get back to the flat pedals.
Throw all them clicky shoes in the bin.
If you're a BMXer or only use your bike for commuting to work then perhaps.
Posted on: 18 May 2004 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Matthew Robinson:
"Is that a "jumpy" thing then? 50-60psi on 2.5" tyres"
No it;s a guess -- I have no idea what pressure they are at.
50-60psi would be fine for the road but probably a bit skittish off-road. With 2.5" tyres I'd be running 30-35psi.
quote:
"Nice bike but I'm not convinced by the red pedals, cranks and grips"
The marginal cost of picking the colour was £800.
It's only money - and it wouldn't cost £800 to change them...
quote:
"My daughter also reckons any white bike is "scaffy""
Judging by the frequent "Cool bike Mister" comments I am fairly confident that my bike gets a thumbs up from The Kids (with whom I am down) so I think we can put your daughter's opinions to one side (lovely though she no doubt is).
They'll be "chav" kids then - your bike probably goes with their shellsuits and burberry baseball caps...
quote:
"She was riding a Cove Stiffee with spd's and I'd have to say she's a damn sight cooler than you"
Girls + Bikes is like Girls + Guitars and is impossible to compete with coolness wise.
But I am willing to bet there are a lot more Stiffee's with flat pedals than SPDs.
Quite possibly.
quote:
Mekon said "and you always have to think about bringing the shoes to go ride somewhere"
The reason I initially switched back was becuase I hated not been able to just jump on my bike. After switching I can't think of a single reason why I should use SPDs -- they just seem like a dumb idea on a mountain bike. I think really it's just a hangover from early days when MTBs where unduly influenced by road and cycle-cross and racing and SPDs were seen as not as dumb as clips and straps.
I think you need to live and let live a bit as far as pedals go. If you're riding street or north shore then yes, spd's would be madness. If you're riding XC etc then SPD's make a lot more sense, especially in hilly areas. In my group every single one of us has switched to spd's and prefers them to flats for the sort of riding we do.
There is no right or wrong - some people prefer spd's, some don't.
Posted on: 18 May 2004 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Matthew Robinson:
SPDs were seen as not as dumb as clips and straps.
I met a chap last week riding in the Pentlands with toe-clips and straps. Very odd, especially as I know he rode SITS last year so must do a fair amount of MTBing.
Posted on: 18 May 2004 by matthewr
"It's only money - and it wouldn't cost £800 to change them..."
I think I can probably find something I'd rather spend £100+ on than changing the colour of my chainset.
Anyway I quite like it and it matches the stickers.
Matthew
