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

Set screw EBBs, as found on the Charge are generally fine if kept greased once in a while. The main issue with them is people over-tightening the screws/bolts and distorting the BB shell.

The only other problem I'm aware of is when they are adjusted too often. This can cause tracking on the EBB from indentations from where the screws/bolts are really close together, which could cause it to slip.

I'd prefer gears for riding in Wales

Wimp.

What do forumengers think of the Charge Cooker SS.

I'd prefer gears for riding in Wales but don't love cleaning/breaking/fixing them, I think I could live without them. I'd rather have reliable parts than light ones.

If your planning on riding up anything steep and technical and your not super fit then you will do a lot of pushing without gears.

^ This :-(

That's why I like a frame which gives me the option of running gears when I'm feeling weak.

Though I don't mind getting off the bike and pushing now and again.

You can ride most man made trails on SS with a moderate amount of fitness. I've done Afan, Nant yr Arian, Gwydr, Cwmcarn and a few others all on SS. The parts I walked are the exact same parts that I and 90% of other riders walked. There are times when I wished I had the gear to push me faster down but not having the risk of bending the derailleur is enough for me. I tend to ride my own trails as I dislike most of the man made stuff. A lot of it is around tight roots and rocks which has managed to bend two dropouts.

I never saw the point of the granny ring on an XC bike. If I was ever going slow enough to use it I might as well have gotten off and walked, often enough it was easier to walk.

I live in Wales. There are no flat roads.

I live in Wales. There are no flat roads.

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I guess the choice depends on how much dismounting bothers you. I'd rather spin up slippery or steep stuff sure, but I really don't want a geared drivetrain to maintain, and protect when travelling.

Steel cogs and £5 chains are what I'm after.

.

Welsh roads are stunning. The problem is they often lead to Welsh towns.

< thatswelshist.gif >

They do also leave Welsh towns.

I'm just jealous because I have no hills.

^^ But you might not.

Weary singlespeeders become organic welsh pate, frozen and sold back to posh London deli's.

?

I will be doing both mountain and 'big steep biking'. Without gears.

Dinner sounds weird.

You can ride most man made trails on SS with a moderate amount of fitness. I've done Afan, Nant yr Arian, Gwydr, Cwmcarn and a few others all on SS...

Where you based in Wales? Fancy being my personal trainer?!

∆ This

I live a mile away from Cwmcarn trail. I'm not a persuasive person though so often struggle to get myself to go for a ride.

I've ridden Cwncarn and Afan on 38x18. Both were in the summer and quite dry/packed/fast though. 32x18 would have been better for me.

I'm using 32x16. I'd change down if I didn't intend to get properly fit again this year.

Beinn 24" and My Sanderson Soloist. I'm liking it lots.

A bigger frame.

thanks but err that's a 25" !

thanks but err that's a 25" !

You sure about that Nick?

It doesn't look it :-/

You sure about that Nick?

It doesn't look it :-/

it's dipping a bit under the winter bulk - and there seem to be a lot of folks that dislike it.
Not sure what I'll be using it on - prob Bucks offroad sportive and possibly Aston Clinton. I've a fixed mtb and hardtail as well
not sure about budget but would prefer not to spend more than I did on the bikes

You sure about that Nick?

It doesn't look it :-/

Bare - Yes, it's huge ! Those trees are giant redwoods !
the lad I got it from was 6ft 7 and it was set up for him.