Follow Twitter Button

Tuesday 23 June 2009

Stumpy Project Update 1

From Stumpjumper Hardtail Project

The hardtail project bike has now started with the frame cleaned up. It wasn't too bad, just wanted a little sparkle to get it completely clean whilst I wait to source the next few parts.

I picked this up with bottom bracket, Cane Creek headset (although past experience with CC isn't fantastic up to now) and the seat post/clamp all included. Weight on the scales 'as is' 1950grams. Note: that includes the piece of string holding the headset on :-)

I have the intention of adding XT components throughout as I don't think I need to go up to XTR, however, we'll have to see what eBay has to say on that and when XTR parts are the same price as XT I'll probably go for XTR.

I also want to make it as light as possible with the budget, but think I'll be wise to buy good forks, and wheels/hubs as the expensive items. I'll go for either 90 or 100mm travel on the front as this matches the geometry the bike is designed for and wouldn't want to upset that too much. Think Fox F100 RLC would be a good choice or Magura Durin Race? All depends on who's got them available when I'm looking to buy. Will possibly aim at nearly new or slightly used as this should drop the price by approx £200.

Brakes - I'll probably stick to the same as the Stumpy FSR so that I only need to keep one type of spare pads in stock and the bleed kit can be used on both etc. Just makes sense and the Elixir are fantastic anyway.

I'll keep a photo blog of the build, expect it to take 6 to 12 months for the cash to materialise and not spend it on things like holidays instead. Plus the garage needs the lights wiring in to help with seeing what I'm doing in Autumn/Winter, and could do with a bike stand...so eyes peeled!

More to follow as and when I make changes. Photo blog here

Sunday 21 June 2009

Wharncliffe Explorer Version - June 09

From Wharncliffe June 09


Our first trip to Wharncliffe Woods after just way too much excesses from the night before needed further exploring to find the right trails.

This time out, Nick and I managed to start and stop enough times to check and find the trails on the map, hit the big downhill section and survive (some guys told us it was the Steve Peat section), then continue on to find the rest of the 18km loop. I even managed to get TrailGuru working again and here is the link.

We started in the upper section, parking on the Greno side carpark and heading right into the rooty/twisty trail in the trees. The first thing that hit us was the amount of standing water and large puddles on the trail, which definitely hit us all over. No rear crud guards so mud caked us pretty much immediately. This was way more than what we'd come across at the previous trip, seemed to be just on account of the tress providing a lot of shade and shelter so the ground never really dries out.

After following the first section of impassable rocks (second time made this no better, still about impassable for our novice status) we stumbled across the right path, the downhill mountain bike trail maintained by Singletraction. This is very rocky and offers two starting points side by side (one much more steep than the other), but these both still rideable, just need some balance and balls. Definitely need balls. We opted for the lower starting point but followed it down through a couple of berms and lots of rocks strategically placed to get air if you wanted. Everything was rideable though if you didn't want to jump it, which proved lucky at some parts where the front wheel seems insanely low compared the rest of the bike when going over a drop off, it appears a consequence is a slightly buckled front wheel now.

After that, the trail hit some of the long uphills we'd seen before and then progressed much further along the top at a good speed, photos opportunity here which we took.

The trail then flowed round and onto the Trans-Pennine Trail before heading up over a very long uphill, 100mm travel and lockout selected to get up it clean.

A great workout for the legs and now we're better placed to ride it fully without trails maps all over the place.

Friday 12 June 2009

To get a head or not?

To get a head or not? That is the question.

After just short of 6 months time since buying the bike, the head set has been making some quite serious 'clicking-I'm-not-okay' type noises whilst out on the trails, and after help with the service guys, the forks had been sent off for elimination from our enquiries.

Forks confirmed to be okay (Mojo did some extensive fork testing), so the only thing left is the head set. I wouldn't expect this to fail after such a short time, or normal off-road trail centre type riding. So, here's the dilemma, should I opt to upgrade the head set now to something like a Hope or Chris King set (retailing about £85 to £95) or just get the same head set replaced under warranty.

Something as good as the Hope or Chris King sets will definitely last forever (stainless steel races), and easily for the length of time I expect to keep the bike, but could it be a waste of cash and that I just got one-off rogue standard head set? Cane Creek is the head set in already and normally they hold up well. For example, Andy's is not showing any signs of wear and they're identical bikes with same miles on the clock...

We'll wait for the standard replacement to be fitted under warranty and returned this weekend, I'll make a decision from there. The Hope and CK stuff does look bling though...!

(BTW - New video on Vimeo of Whinlatter & Grizedale)