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

En route to where you are going.

Can we rename this thread "Let's offroad / DJ's journal"?

reported as a good suggestion to site boss, hoping it will be actioned soon.

going forward it should be a next step to be actioned.

Pretty sweet film available free to view online today:

http://www.anthillfilms.com/notbad/

just finished watching that, pretty good

http://mattjonesmtb.wordpress.com/

gone

On Friday I am going up to Gisburn for 3 days of offroading and then Tuesday to Thursday next week will be near Dalby for more of the same.

Anyone want to join up with us for a day of riding?

I have stupidly won a bid on Elixir CR brakes without reading the description properly; its these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Avid-Elixar-CR-Mag-disc-brake-/181183266225?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&nma=true&si=LpMr5joXk8xr0TJXVf%252BKO6YxgA8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

As it says there the rear one is seized. I did basic google research and most of it says, take the pads out, push the pistons back and re-bleed. I got a message from buyer saying that he doesent exactly know what is wrong as he didnt bother with it but he mentioned that it may need caliper rebuild kit. I cant really judge without seeing it. Anyone with more experience?

Not sure about Avid brakes, but all brakes are pretty similar. I had to excavate all 4 pistons from a set of Hayes brakes I had, it involved a lot of swearing but I got there in the end. I took the caliper apart so that I was just working on one piston at a time, attached the track pump to force the piston out, I reached 175psi before it let go, cue piston flying past my head, bouncing off the wall behind me and landing at my feet.

TL:DR - It can be a lot of dicking about. If you don't enjoy dicking about your lbs may be better suited. Or put them back on the bay

^ cheers! I dont mind dicking about. I am just new to disc brakes thats all :)
With all the #RoadieDouchebag-ing going around is there an MTB specific shop you recommend?

I'm not London based so can't help you there sorry.

thanks!

anyone want to buy my Alpitude frame? or some Pro 2 Evo wheels? Before I change my mind!

PM'd

Amey - fixing faulty hydraulic disc brakes is a bit hit and miss, and I've rarely heard anything good about Avids to start with. Not that they don't stop you, more about that servicing / bleeding is a right pain. Maybe cut your losses?

I could also have a look at them for you, bring them to norths or something.

Centrally the least crap option for an MTB specific shop is probably the cyclesurgery with an MTB angle - I think it's the spittafields one. Failing that I'm sure there's one down south somewhere, or you could try something like Pedal and Spoke in dorking.

Fitzrovia? Bobby/marc/jamie in Kinoko?

Dunno, depends if any of them fancy dicking around with hydraulics. There are more fun bike jobs - they may just price you out of it because it's horrible, time consuming and parts will need to be ordered if required.

ah ok, I guess I'll do the basics i.e. take the pads out, push the pistons back and re-bleed. If that doesent work just put them back on ebay or somethin ..

Could just be air in the hose. If you are lucky ;)

The pads should move fairly smoothly without a massive amount of force. The only new parts that will be needed are the pistons and seals. IIRC Avid pistons cost about £15-20 for a pair. There really is nothing else to the caliper.

^^ thats what I am hoping for.

Also would such mint condition calipers have serious problems that cant be solved with basic pad/piston pushing and re-bleed is what I am thinking ..

Judging by that ebay photo they look to be in good condition, so yes, it seems unlikely that the pistons would be corroded or anything like that.

Road salt is very good at seizing up pistons, but there's not a hint of corrosion on those bolts that I can see.

I think it was a set of Nines that I fixed. The rear was the one I first noticed was borked, then when I fixed the rear I noticed how bad the front was.

My experience of Hayes brakes basically says to keep away at all costs. Service costs are ridiculous and modulation doesn't exist.

need advice on forks its between rigid and suspension;

Rigid contenders are:
On one carbon
On one Monocoque
Exotic carbon
Hylix carbon

Suspension (just one so far):
Rockshox Recon Silver TK Coil

Will be going on this frame:
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/GT-RUCKUS-SS-SINGLE-SPEED-MOUNTAIN-BIKE-MTB-FRAME-GREEN-MEDIUM-XC-/00/s/OTY4WDE2MDA=/z/7RkAAOxydwZR5-wT/$T2eC16RHJHEFFmUF1dP1BR5-wTIWJg~~60_12.JPG

I want rigid to save on weight and maintenance tbh.

Edit: Budget is £150-ish