The biking thread

[Greycap]

As they say, the best front derailleur is no front derailleur.

That I can fully agree with, of course with the exception of needing a very wide gear range as the steps between gears become stupidly big pretty quickly. An excellent choice in cases such as mine though where speeds are constantly high enough to be able to run a close ratio cassette. Mine is essentially a cyclocross bike disguised as a MTB at the moment.

I have to ask though, how's the chainline setup?
I assume the chain runs pretty straight from the chainring to the center cog on the cassette to avoid bad cross-chaining? Unlike with a front derailleur setup were the choice of chainrings corresponds to which rear cogs are best suited to avoid cross chaining.

A bit on the small cog side, throwing a wild guess I'd say that the best line is on the 6th or 7th out of 10 but it fits the intended use perfectly as I mostly use 7th to 9th anyway with 6th and 10th being exceptions already. Needing lower than that means that I'm either right at (or already past) the breaking point or climbing a hill very rarely encountered so a slightly unoptimal chainline is one of my smallest problems.

 

[Shaun]

Mine is essentially a cyclocross bike disguised as a MTB at the moment.

Yeah I thought it looked odd in the picture for a MTB, looking at the specs confirmed it.
Apart from the obvious of one chainring the cassette would be at home on a cyclocross or road bike for that matter.

A bit on the small cog side, throwing a wild guess I'd say that the best line is on the 6th or 7th out of 10 but it fits the intended use perfectly as I mostly use 7th to 9th anyway with 6th and 10th being exceptions already. Needing lower than that means that I'm either right at (or already past) the breaking point or climbing a hill very rarely encountered so a slightly unoptimal chainline is one of my smallest problems.

Ah good, sounds like a nice compromise and have most bases covered when needed. 👍
A 11-28T cassette with a 36T chainring gives a very wide choice for most circumstances.

Many people don't think of their cassette enough when buying a bike.
The normal terrain you ride needs to be taken into account. Personally I'd rather have close gears that I'm going to use than a massively wide cassette that I won't use.

When I purchased my new groupset I put a lot of thought into what would suit me best considering most of the terrain around here is pretty flat.
Ended up going 50/36 compact cranks as I'm honest enough with myself in saying a 53/39 is above me anyway.
Cassette I chose 11-25T (11 speed) to suit the flatish ground but also gives me very close gearing. With that combo I'm pretty much covered for anything except some really steep climbs that I don't really encounter. If I were to plan a cycling type tour that was going to involve steep climbing I would probaby buy and put on a 11-28T cassette to give me that safety net for climbing.

 

[Greycap]

Yeah I thought it looked odd in the picture for a MTB, looking at the specs confirmed it.
Apart from the obvious of one chainring the cassette would be at home on a cyclocross or road bike for that matter.

Indeed, it began life as a perfectly normal 2x10 geared hardtail 29er but now it's a weird mixture of a MTB, a hybrid and a cyclocross. Then again a hybrid is a MTB with road parts and a cyclocross is a road bike with all terrain capability so I guess the mixture isn't so weird after all. And who cares if it's weird if it fits the rider's needs.

The stock gearing was 36/22 in the front and 11-36 in the rear - for a XC "go fast" bike. Who the hell needs a 22-36 gear? I might be able to understand it on some mud crawler but not on a cross country weekend racer. Even my full suspension 26" trail bike has 40/28 in the front and 11-28 in the rear, if I come across a hill I can't climb on 28-28 chances are I'll have a hard time walking it up while pushing the bike. Not to mention that traction becomes a problem long before that or I'm in serious danger of somersaulting backwards.

 

[DustDriver]

I have a 3x10 gearing, but noticed that I stopped using the small cog at the front.
It's just so much easier to get up a (short) steep climb when you use a bigger gear (if the leg muscles can take it)
Losing traction doesn't have such a big effect, the front stays down and it's over sooner

 

[Pako]

👍

👍
I did a quick search on Strava to add you by guessing the user name of Pako.
Search came up empty though as there are a few variants of Pako there, I found a Pako Pako with no rides yet and thought that may be you. If you don't mind/want to share your username here or via PM and I'll add you, your call if you want to share your info.
I can be found on Strava under Shaun C (Lara, VIC, Australia).

Found ya.

 

[Fazerfan]

EDIT

 

[W3H5]

When I bought my road bike I set out to get something that would be great for high speed but also not murder on the hills. Somehow I settled on a 8 speed cassette (not sure of the tooth range) and two quite different sized front rings; one large one a bit smaller than normal. I've not seen anything like it on a new bike since so I'm wondering if my mechanic had changed the stock set up before the bike was sold to me.

 

[Pako]

A short after work ride. 4.2 miles, 812 feet of rise at 4100feet of elevation. 38 minutes on sore quads from mega squats yesterday. Great ride though.
https://www.strava.com/activities/144103809

The bike:

 

[phillgt2002]

Nice view. Wish I didn't live in urban areas, wanna experience the back road, 'fresh' air kind of ride.

Broke my hand so no cycling for a month or two

 

[W3H5]

Yeah, nice scenery, @Pako. Looks like a great place to get away from it all and just pedal around for a bit of a workout.

I'm lucky enough to live next really close to some spectacular trails into the wild but have yet to get onto any of them. Do have this to look forward to for when I get around to picking up a mountain bike (can day hire a decent Trek hard-tail or Kona full-suspension for pittance here):

Pics from some local bike tour service, not my actual pics, I don't look anything like a woman or bother with elbow pads or hotpants.

 

[Shaun]

When I bought my road bike I set out to get something that would be great for high speed but also not murder on the hills. Somehow I settled on a 8 speed cassette (not sure of the tooth range) and two quite different sized front rings; one large one a bit smaller than normal.

I would guess the chainrings would be 50/34 and the cassette in the range of 12/25 or thereabouts.
To find it on the chainrings it's easy to spot by looking for the stamp on them, cassette can also be found as it's on the lock-ring which can be a bit tricky to see behind the frame though. Most Shimano cogs for the cassette are also stamped, alternatively if you were that bothered about knowing the ratios and couldn't find the stamps, the teeth on each cog can be counted.

I've not seen anything like it on a new bike since so I'm wondering if my mechanic had changed the stock set up before the bike was sold to me.

It is an odd combination for Shimano Tiagra of that vintage so it's quite possible.
All Shimano road stuff now from Sora up is at least a nine speed cassette.

For anyone who's interested, the holy grail of all things Shimano can be found here and here.

@Pako
That seat looks way too comfortable.

 

[Emptyone]

I should really take more pictures when out, those are pretty good 👍

Best I can offer is this a month or so ago (Yes that is a horrible resolution):

@Shaun you should check out http://veloviewer.com it makes Strava all pretty and stuff, gives a load more info and heat maps, 'tis a good thing. Also Pako in case you were wondering who the other follower was ...

 

[Shaun]

@Shaun you should check out http://veloviewer.com it makes Strava all pretty and stuff, gives a load more info and heat maps, 'tis a good thing.

Oh yeah thanks for reminding me, Neal told me about it a little while back and it slipped my mind. Will check it out.👍

Also the Giro has been good to the Aussies to date both as individuals and Orica Green Edge.

 

[Emptyone]

Also the Giro has been good to the Aussies to date both as individuals and Orica Green Edge.

It has been amazing, Michael Matthews had a sensational first week, having the maglia rosa, but he's out now because of injury, as is Luke Durbridge. Evans is doing well so far, hasn't even fallen like Quintana, but the next week is the interesting one. Might try and get a couple of those mountains in in the summer.

 

[Pako]

@Pako
That seat looks way too comfortable.

What can I say, the seat and the basket is for my wife. It's her bike after all. I should be taking delivery of my bike today and it promises to have a shoe horn for a seat. No more comfort riding for me.

 

[Shaun]

@Pako
Ah very good, looking forward to seeing pics of the bike after the previews. 👍
Good to hear about the shoe horn saddle also as that encourages dancing on the pedals out of the saddle.

 

[Pako]

The wait is driving me nuts!

Last update:
7:15 am On FedEx vehicle for delivery

 

[Pako]

The wait is driving me nuts!

Last update:
7:15 am On FedEx vehicle for delivery

Here it is, after I put all the pieces together.

2013 epic marathon carbon 29
With pedals weighs 24.4 lbs on the bathroom scale.

 

[W3H5]

That is a pretty bike.

Makes me miss my bike, which, unbelievable is still being held in a Chinese shipping depot because my step-mother, in her haste to get the thing shipped, neglected to state which country it was going to and the idiots can't fathom that Chiang Mai is right next door in Thailand, uneducated fools. They've now asked for additional holding charges before the bike will be forwarded. An additional £70. Pay day is still over a week off, too. Oh well.

Bloody China Post. Should have paid the extra for DHL or TNT. It's my own tight ass fault I guess.

 

[Shaun]

Bike looks great @Pako 👍
All the recent pictures of these nice looking MTB's almost makes me want to get one.

Out of interest what is light for a MTB?
In comparison to a road bike that's an anchor. Obviously an unfair comparison though due to suspension, disc brakes and everything else being that bit more heavy duty.

Gee @W3HS you must be getting real itchty for a decent ride by now.
I somehow thought your bike was back in your possession.

 

[W3H5]

It was on it's way but never quite made it here. I expect I may have to wait another 2 weeks to a month for it.

There are tons of hire shops on my street so I could hire a mountain bike for a few bucks if I really wanted to get out but I would have to give it back and that's the part I'm not keen on. Once I get riding, especially commuting, on a bike I just don't want to stop.

 

[TB]

Went on a staggering 2 mile bike ride today!

Which is amazing considering last week my son didn't want to practice riding at all and now we're cruising around local parks.

Next goal: Not needing to load up and drive the bikes to the park first.

 

[W3H5]

Next goal: Not needing to load up and drive the bikes to the park first.

Cheater!

 

[TB]

Cheater!

Trust me. I'm itchin' for the days when they can stomach 20+ mile rides but at 10 and 8 (and coupled with biking a grand total of 3 times around the block before today), that's going to be a bit! I was impressed as hell at how they did!

 

[alpacaflip]

Well it is a bit late of a response, but I had a great ride last Sunday at Mountain Creek Bike Park. The little adjustment I made to my rear shock had me going faster than I ever have. I even hit some jumps that I have never hit before, flying 20-25ft feels so awesome. Also later in the day I was taking a break with my friend, (because we were there for about 6hrs and tired) and Aaron Gwin and Mitch Ropelato went flying by us. Haha it was wild. My hands were swollen the next day just from so much riding.

By the way my Yeti is about 50+ lbs, but it is a tank these days. It's a 2003.

 

[Shaun]

Went on a staggering 2 mile bike ride today!

I have a similar issue with my kids. Goes a bit like like this.

Kids: Hey dad can we go for a ride.
Me: Sure let's go.

At the first sighting of a park the question comes.

Kids: Can we go and play in the park for a bit?
Me: I thought we were going for a ride but ok just for a little bit.

After about half an hour.

Me: C'mon kids can we get back on the bikes and ride.
Kids: We're a bit tired now can we just go home?

End result about 3km of riding, cunning little so and so's they are.

Anyway the weather can be oh so cruel at times.
Rode for about 50km today virtually into the wind the whole way with just a couple of short respites.
Oh for that elusive day when the wind continually turns in your favour.

 

[Pako]

I've totally given up on getting anything out of the "family" rides other than the hopeful chance that you are providing some nurturing and bonding of kid to bike on road. To get any real riding benefits, you would almost have to get one of these:

Not sure how it will work on some of those tight switch backs. When they say Mountain Bike fun, they must be talking about nice wide track groomed trails. Could be cool for some longer road rides though.

I've done the trailer thing but it just acts like a parachute behind the bike. The kids are also totally disconnected from the experience. Seems to be ok though for those really little guys.

My daughter, age 9, soon to be 10 says she wants to go on a ride later today. We'll how it goes.

 

[Sprite]

@Pako I could do with one of those trailers for my other half as she isn't confident on roads.

In another note I saw this and thought it was fitting this thread.

 

[W3H5]

Those tor riders are a super tough bunch. I suppose if you have the mettle to get through a 250km ride at race pace then a few cuts and grazes are not much to whine about.

 

[W3H5]

Bump. Sorry.

I've stumbled across one of these:

I can't say it's that exact bike but a bloke at work has a Kona mountain bike with front suspension collection dust and wants rid. He's told me to make him an offer so I am considering buying this. I'm pretty much sold on it just depends if we can agree on a good price.

It needs a new chain and tubes because it's been sitting and has got a bit of minor rust but I'm told nothing serious, the guy is an aircraft engineer so I'm taking his word for it. I'll ask for some pics from him and then see what comes around. He's just started in my office so if it's duff he can't hide from me and he don't mind me paying it off whenever I can afford it (next week hopefully).

I've spoken to a few roadies and they tell me the Thai roads destroy road bikes when used on a daily basis; the way I would be using mine. A mountain bike will take some punishment so I think I can safely say I'll be picking this up once a price is agreed.


Edit: my mistake, it's a Mongoose not a Kona. Still, an entry level commuter mountain bike like picture above. Don't know why I thought it was Kona...