Geekzone Cycling Thread

Forums › Sports › Geekzone Cycling Thread

1 | ... | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | ... | 58

7772 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7412

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#2957832 22-Aug-2022 14:18

mudguard:

Oh I'm fairly certain it will grind away in the 42t, next is 37t which I think is close for the Zee (maybe a max of 36t?). I went down and had a look and there's not much slack if the suspension moves much, which is reasonably unlikely if I'm in that gear! So I just have the limit on the 37t, so nine speed I guess!

I'm yet to do more than ride round the block, need to get the rear brake aligned properly as there's a little drag.

Yeah I thought Zee was limited to a maximum of 36T

I have seen Zee and Saint Derailleurs on 11-42 cassettes, but have never known how well they worked. Of course you can always get a Wolftooth hanger extender, but I don't know how good they potentially are.

https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/products/roadlink

Bike looks great, by the way! Really nice refurbishment/restoration.

I have always had a soft spot for the older rigs (as evidenced by my refusal to move beyond 26" machines.

Handsome Dan Has Spoken.
Handsome Dan needs to stop adding three dots to every sentence...

Handsome Dan does not currently have a side hustle as the mascot for Yale

*Gladly accepting donations...

mudguard

2328 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1250

#2957854 22-Aug-2022 15:10

Handsomedan:

I have seen Zee and Saint Derailleurs on 11-42 cassettes, but have never known how well they worked. Of course you can always get a Wolftooth hanger extender, but I don't know how good they potentially are.

I actually have ten speed Saint on my main bike, 11-42t and use a One Up cage. It works really well, maybe not as crisp as the 11 speed I have on (yet another) project bike but gave me the range boost I wanted.

Handsomedan:

Bike looks great, by the way! Really nice refurbishment/restoration.

I have always had a soft spot for the older rigs (as evidenced by my refusal to move beyond 26" machines.

All my bikes are still 26". That said, I ordered a Stumpy Evo (29er) last year. Due December this year. I felt standards finally settled enough, plus I've just bought a house so it's kind my last new bike for awhile. My newest is eight years old!

I should probably line them all up for a family photograph one day. Then my Specialized Enduro secret will be out (five plus maybe another frame).

geoffwnz

1722 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1580

ID Verified

#2961575 31-Aug-2022 15:14

How did I miss this thread?

Wheeled my 1998 Mongoose NX9.7 out of the back of the garage last year and started getting some mileage on it since I'd over capitalised a brake and drivetrain replacement to bring it into the current century. Mostly because of the difficulty in getting the older parts now. So it ended up running a 1x11 XT drivetrain, Magura Trail Sport brakes, and things like grips, seat etc got updated. The Marzocchi Bomber Z1's got a full service (seal kit from Shockcraft).

Went for a couple of 40km rides at Taupo with Dad on his Trek e-bike which kickstarted this years riding efforts where the aim is to balance ultra marathon running with endurance type mountain bike events.

A family discussion led to three generations of the family entering various bits of the Taupo Cycle Challenge event. Both sisters entering the round the lake, Dad on his e-bike doing the 60km MTB and me doing the 85km MTB. Mum is taking my nephews on the 16km Lakesider event. So that'll be a fun day for all. (Definition of fun may vary).

With all the riding, YouTube surfing for tips and tricks etc, the idea of updating the bike had been brewing in my head for most of the year. That, coupled with discovering Enduro being essentially rally on a bike (timed stages and touring stages) and being endurance based, I think I found my thing.

So the pin was pulled and a 2022 Trek Slash 7 now resides in my garage beside the Mongoose. 170/160mm travel with Rockshox Yari up front. Significantly different geometry to the Mongoose which, in 1998 was a high end DH rig, and is now significantly outclassed by the Slash even though it's "only" an Enduro bike. :-)

A couple of weeks of playing musical parts to get the best kit on the Trek and the Mongoose remaining usable as a training bike and I've got two fully functional bikes. A pity the weather hasn't played ball much, so every ride has been either avoiding the fun trails or very slow due to how slippery they are. So I have yet to get a decent comparison on trail speeds between the two.

The riding I have done, mostly around the Upper Hutt area indicates that the Trek is way more stable at higher speeds. It just feels planted while bombing down gravel access roads at 40-50kmh. The Mongoose would do the speeds but was a lot more twitchy by comparison. Both the older geometry and the 26" wheels vs the newer geometry and 29" wheels.

Looking forward to the trails drying out so I can play some more along with building the endurance riding.

Last weekend I popped over to the Wairarapa from home in Upper Hutt, up to Te Marua, over the Incline to the Cross Creek carpark and back. Just a casual 65km ride. :-)
The sign at Cross Creek said 1 hour to the summit and 2 hours to Kaitoke, so I took that as a personal challenge despite being 32km into the ride. 40 mins up to the summit and 1 hour 7 to Kaitoke including a few minutes to refuel at the top. Can't imagine why I had no power left in my legs for the return ride home from Kaitoke though. So strange. :-P

MotorDrive Rallying

Handsomedan

7772 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7412

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#2968662 15-Sep-2022 15:17

So...got a couple of bike stands from The Market a few weeks ago - I liked them enough to get two more.

Our bikes that are living in the garage were simply leaning against one another and were in danger of getting scratched stanchions or frames (lots of sharp pedal pins etc to do damage if bikes fall over or are nudged the wrong way).

These

They're really quite good and for just over $50 each, they're pretty reasonable.

I haven't had much luck getting the bikes to stand up on the back wheel, but they are awesome for simple stands and also double as a simple workshop stand.

Much better for organising the bikes and it's nice to simply roll them in and out of the garage instead of moving one before the next one can come in.

Handsome Dan Has Spoken.
Handsome Dan needs to stop adding three dots to every sentence...

Handsome Dan does not currently have a side hustle as the mascot for Yale

*Gladly accepting donations...

Handsomedan

7772 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7412

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#3003604 30-Nov-2022 13:02

Just picked up a new helmet, to suit the kind of riding I am now doing: Bell Super 3r MIPS

Super 3R Mips

As you can see from the pictures, it's convertible.

It's only real downside is the fact that it's not DH certified, but as I don't race DH that's not an issue for me.

The beauty of this helmet is that it can easily convert from a full-face enduro helmet to an open face trail helmet with 3 easy to use clips. This can be done even when the helmet is on. It comes complete with a GoPro compatible (breakaway) mount on the top of the helmet (already attached out of the box) and a couple of different sized cheekpads for comfort/sizing purposes. Secures with a standard clip under the chin and the usual dial at the nape to lock the helmet in place.

So now, instead of a trail helmet and a full-face, I have one helmet to rule them all. Great for bike park and forest.

It's comfortable, light and protects the noggin. And I got it nearly half price in Black Friday sales.

Handsome Dan Has Spoken.
Handsome Dan needs to stop adding three dots to every sentence...

Handsome Dan does not currently have a side hustle as the mascot for Yale

*Gladly accepting donations...

elpenguino

3577 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2940

#3003627 30-Nov-2022 13:59

Do you convert it on the fly e.g. open face up hill and then clip on the chin guard before tackling the verticals?

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

Geekzone

Want to support Geekzone and browse the site without the ads? Subscribe to Geekzone now (monthly, annual and lifetime options).

geoffwnz

1722 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1580

ID Verified

#3003628 30-Nov-2022 14:01

elpenguino:

Do you convert it on the fly e.g. open face up hill and then clip on the chin guard before tackling the verticals?

Enduro racers are known to do such things, yep.

MotorDrive Rallying

elpenguino

3577 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2940

#3003671 30-Nov-2022 16:24

geoffwnz:

elpenguino:

Do you convert it on the fly e.g. open face up hill and then clip on the chin guard before tackling the verticals?

Enduro racers are known to do such things, yep.

Neat. I have wondered if I should get such a thing but it might only encourage me to try to go faster with hilarious results for anyone watching.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

Handsomedan

7772 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7412

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#3003964 1-Dec-2022 10:52

elpenguino:

Neat. I have wondered if I should get such a thing but it might only encourage me to try to go faster with hilarious results for anyone watching.

I've actually found that I am throwing myself off steeper descents and bigger drops of late - it helps that I now have a super-enduro long travel bike, so having a full-face gives me a touch more confidence.

Next things will be elbow pads and a chest/back guard. They can come later after I have seen how the summer progresses at Skyline.

In answer to the earlier question - yes this helmet can be converted (in either direction) on the fly. It's easy and quick to do - even wearing gloves.

It's super-light, really comfortable (especially with the two sets of cheek pads that allow for adjustment) and so well ventilated, it makes my old open face trail helmet feel very enclosed.

I'll likely leave it as a full-face when doing Bike Park laps (gondola access), but at places like Riverhead and Woodhill, may use it mostly in open-face guise, with the chin bar in my camelbak pack for the more risky/gnarly descents.

Handsome Dan Has Spoken.
Handsome Dan needs to stop adding three dots to every sentence...

Handsome Dan does not currently have a side hustle as the mascot for Yale

*Gladly accepting donations...

geoffwnz

1722 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1580

ID Verified

#3003976 1-Dec-2022 11:03

I've added the above helmet to my wish list. :-)
May go test fit one next time I'm near a store with stock. Currently running a Bell trail helmet already so I know the brand is a good fit.

Speaking of Enduro bikes. Just took mine (Trek Slash 7) round the Taupo MTB Challenge 85km course on the weekend. Nothing like doing things the hard way. :-P But the bike was more than capable and saved my butt a few times when my confidence exceeded my talent. 6 hours 31 mins in the saddle.

MotorDrive Rallying

Handsomedan

7772 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7412

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#3003981 1-Dec-2022 11:11

geoffwnz:

6 hours 31 mins in the saddle.

My angus hurts just thinking about it!!

Handsome Dan Has Spoken.
Handsome Dan needs to stop adding three dots to every sentence...

Handsome Dan does not currently have a side hustle as the mascot for Yale

*Gladly accepting donations...

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

elpenguino

3577 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2940

#3004172 1-Dec-2022 15:26

Handsomedan:

geoffwnz:

6 hours 31 mins in the saddle.

My angus hurts just thinking about it!!

Took me a while to twig what you meant there ! Heck yeah, that's a long time in the saddle, especially if there's much hill work.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

Technikhaus

54 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 22

ID Verified

Trusted

#3004173 1-Dec-2022 15:29

Handsomedan:

Just picked up a new helmet, to suit the kind of riding I am now doing: Bell Super 3r MIPS

*SNIP*

So now, instead of a trail helmet and a full-face, I have one helmet to rule them all. Great for bike park and forest.

It's comfortable, light and protects the noggin. And I got it nearly half price in Black Friday sales.

I have this same helmet that I purchased for my electric scooter, absolutely love it.
Now that I've been riding my road bike more I've been using it for that too, just without the chin bar.

Just replying to add another +1 to recommending it!

Quic NZ Referral link & use R718095EZEOOC at checkout for free setup

geoffwnz

1722 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1580

ID Verified

#3004174 1-Dec-2022 15:36

elpenguino:

geoffwnz:

6 hours 31 mins in the saddle.

Took me a while to twig what you meant there ! Heck yeah, that's a long time in the saddle, especially if there's much hill work.

Of the 81km, it felt like 79 of them were uphill. It's only been 25 years since my last mountainbike race. I guess I forgot how much uphill time XC based events tend to consume. That and my biggest race back in the day would have been Karapoti at a mere 50km.

MotorDrive Rallying

mudguard

2328 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1250

#3004224 1-Dec-2022 15:56

geoffwnz:
Of the 81km, it felt like 79 of them were uphill. It's only been 25 years since my last mountainbike race. I guess I forgot how much uphill time XC based events tend to consume. That and my biggest race back in the day would have been Karapoti at a mere 50km.

I did the 40k ish a few years ago on a very heavy bike. Full Camelbak of tools and water. Baggies and flat pedals. Everyone took off like rockets. I almost vomited up Grinder. But I finished and repaired three other racers' chains!

On the full face debate, I'm definitely leaning towards a lightweight version with a permanent chin bar. I still have a DH helmet for shuttles but have to the point where they are making them light and ventilated enough to wear all the time.
However the goggles/glasses debate will come up...

1 | ... | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | ... | 58