Let's offroad / mountain bike / mtb / ride dirt

Cut the bottom of a plastic water bottle and fit it as a cap. Might need to try a few bottles before one tight.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/sports-water-bottle-pink-650ml/_/R-p-329273?mc=8606025&c=PINK

I find the Elite Fly MTB to be absolutely fine. Can't complain about it.

Thinking about changing a pivot bearing in that is making my eyes twitch, yet I still want one.

Speaking of which, I'm now the proud owner of a Nicolai pivot axle removal tool, if anyone finds themselves urgently needing to borrow one

I'm pretty impressed with the weather sealing on my frame though. It's 6 years old and it only needed two bearings and one rubber seal replacing. I'm assuming the bearings were the original factory installed ones too, as all the grease was still clean and bright blue like in their manuals

Prototype sustainable pivot hardware spotted at the Stone King Rally.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct5tZtYthox/

Wow! No idea how that would ride, but it sure is pretty!

https://flowmountainbike.com/features/the-handmade-bicycle-show-2023/

Is a 60/70mm dropper worthwhile on an XC bike? Looking at lightweightish (if possible) 27.2 options for a dropper and not sure if with that little travel I might as well just ride a straight post?

Totally worth it. I ride loads with my seat down only a little bit, only reserving full drop for stopping at traffic lights super steep bits, which are incredibly rare on my rides.

Thanks, that’s helpful. One of them (Fox transfer SL) seems to only either be fully up or down which I’m not sure if I’d be ok with. Bikeyoke does 80mm so maybe that’s the one

If you've never used a dropper before, then you may not miss having the infinite adjustment in between up and down. Saying that, I'd likely go for the BikeyYoke, as I've been very happy with my longer travel version :-)

I don't really like bottles on MTBs. Much prefer camelbak or framebag bladder. Easier to drink from, less likely to get covered in shit.

Wee 8 mile ride last night, just 1750 feet of climbing. I fucking love this bike.

Can’t help but feel there’s a better tyre choice for the summer tho, anyone got any suggestions for dusty trails that aren’t so lightweight that all the rocks will murder them?

1 Attachment

I've survived an entire year including a season of winter dual races on 2.6" Mezcals (the grey sidewall version).

My default is forecaster rear and DHR on the front, seems to work most places.

I think once you hit the horrible slippery stuff there are miniscule differences in tyres. I just run high rollers all year.

Cathkin Braes now has a bench...

1 Attachment

Oh thats lovely. RIP fella..

looks like my next gravel bike is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAakRP_FCMc&ab_channel=JonesBikes

Is that a Seahorses reference?

I wasn't involved in the bench and think it's a lovely thing. You can see all of Glasgow sitting there.
Let Glasgow flourish

Interesting that lux auto terminology is intersectional with bike marketing.
Dentist downcountry

howdy just put an old SC Heckler up for sale in the classifieds in case anyone here is interested :)

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/388130/#comment17042118

Brake standards have been around too long. It's about time we got a new one.

https://www.patentguru.com/US20230166807A1

Not quite a new standard as such since it looks like it'll still use post mount calipers. But will require manufacturers to make frames with a new mount.

They’ve certainly had more success with their universal derailleur mount than Shimano have had with their direct mount, and certainly had a better strategy.

I feel like they’re angling for a sustainability angle here with a mount that if you crash and hit your calliper it won’t write off your frame.

I guess we’ll see what happens but they’ve certainly got a fair old share of the top end of the MTB market with their AXS system. Where is Shimano Di2 now?