Crummy Reviews

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American Classic Wheelset

I have been riding on a set of Classic wheels for a year now. They are the upgrade from the Mavic 117/Deore wheels the NRS had come with. I was after a lighter set for my racing as the Deore hubs were packing it in. The Deore hub seals couldn’t keep the grit out, after multiple wet rides and rebuilds the bearing races were pitting and balls loosing their shine.

Classic hubs have been used by many racers, I found Saul Britton had used them and offer good lightweight characteristics. The hubs came drilled to the 6-bolt standard and had large sealed cartridge bearings. The Classic rear hub has an expensive but not obnocshis ratchet sound that gives low drag coasting.

The rims have a deep dish profile, they have been straight and light. The deep profile of the rims has led to many rock marks and scores, this could be due to the soft material used. The rims are laced using the three cross pattern and DT spokes making it very easy to replace spokes or nipples. I found the American Classic nipples a little brittle during a 6 month re-tension and rebuilt both wheels with some more durable nipples.

Weighing just over 1500g these wheels are very light and have a quick acceleration feel to them. I have used them in many different races and found them to be durable enough for rough and aggressive use, maybe not for those over the 90kg. These wheels are a nice set and have rolled very well up to every start line including Dirtworks, Noosa Enduro, Scott 24 and SCUM events.


[glow=red,2,300]The latest is I have converted this wheelset to "Tubeless".
Utilising a stans-notubes kit and UST tread. Perfect![/glow]

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Fox 2007 Float 140 RLC and 2008 F100 RLC

I had the opportunity in 2006 to purchase which ever fork I wanted. It was to replace the Judy’s the NRS had come with after massive arm pump from my first Dirtworks 100 (thanks Lewy for the ticket, Rats for skipping out on the 100 and finding a very long shortcut back). With a little research it was decided on the improved Float RLC.

The fork came with a square crown, a reinforced arch, more travel and a different dropout design. It features many tuneable dials with rebound, lockout and low speed compression. A pedal platform can be created by tuning in the lockout threshold or turned up to create a solid lockout. Has been simple to achieve full bump compliance as the fork has a smooth action in compression and dampening (plushness?). Utilising the low speed compression dial it is easy to firm up the fork to stop the fork from diving under brakes.

I have found the Float RLC fork precise and confidence-inspiring, with the ability to eat up the roughest line with ease on the downhill. The only issue is that it has been reluctant to use its 140mm of travel even on the biggest landings. From club to 24 hour races the fork has for-filled my lightweight, long-travel needs.

F100 RLC

Being the racier and newer version the F100 has been skimmed of grams with a lighter crown and lower profile arch. Once again the setup of the fork was a breeze, I used a similar pressure and dial clicks as the Float. The fork has again a great feel and action,
accurate steerage and total travel can be achieved. The RLC dials are easy to adjust for specific terrain, the lockout and threshold make for a pedal platform or full lockout on the fly.

I am looking forward to putting the F100 through the same riggers as the Float. It already has the characteristics of a great racing fork.

[glow=red,2,300]I have recently fitted the F100 forks to the old NRS to bring the front-end back to XC-race 100mm instead of all-day-epic 140mm.
The bike feels great with the forks and the forks continue to perform outstandingly.[/glow]

[glow=red,2,300]Both forks now have Enduro Seals and have been serviced by DIYMTB[/glow]

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Soon will be a review of some Deore level parts. Becouse they are worth it!

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Deore level Components

It is not always about the more expensive products, some of the most reliable and race worthy bits can be found in the Deore level of components. You often find the trickle down effect of technology where XT and LX parts are seen in the Deore level.

Deore Hollowtech Square-taper Crank. This gives you an idea of the age of these cranks, they required tightening a couple of times after installation to seat the taper securely. It hasn’t been necessary to tighten them since. These cranks have taken a pounding on rocks and logs. They lost their stealthy black paint job on a memorable wet Coondoo race. The chain rings have also performed incredibly with only a middle ring change. Despite all the scars and hardships over the years, the Deore cranks have continued to be a great recreational and race worthy power delivery system.

Deore Chains 8 and 9 speed. An easy 3000km on a chain through wet and dry conditions.

[Lewy]

How does Hollowtech work on square taper. I dont think I have seen that before.

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Apr 14, 2008 14:36:54 GMT 10 Lewy said:

How does Hollowtech work on square taper. I dont think I have seen that before.

Your probably thinking hollow BB,
The cranks are not fully solid, but use the hollowtech system to maintain strength and reduce weight.

[Lewy]

Yes you are correct. I was thinking of my LX Hollowtech cranks with the hollow BB

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St Albans 50 and 100km.

The 50.

Great opener for those interested in a bit of distance.
All fire trail and dirt roads, not to technical, could catch a few out with the rocky terrain.
One big up hill, one big down hill and heaps of little ones of both.
Great views if you get a chance.
You can get eaten by the roady and sprinter types if you don’t watchout.
Good little ride.

The 100.

A solid distance ride for those who have a full day to play with and plenty of energy.
Includes plenty of fire trail and dirt roads, has some tarmac sections. Some sections are of a technical terrain type and the second 25km holds water fairly well.
Three fair climbs and a couple of crazy descents, a mass of little and moderate ones of both.
I am sure there are great views, just don’t remember those bits.
Roadys get their chance but mostly for those with fat tyres and a bit of distance experience.
A very good way of doing your first 100km.

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Wellgo Pedals

They came cheap with a set of shoes. I had no idea what I wanted, all I knew was that you must have pedals to go with the shoes. The style may have been a little bulky a bit like shimano clip less with a small frame/cage around the outside. They have been usable and adjustable, utilising a simple allen-key adjustment. The adjustment was done individually for each side of the pedal.

They worked faultlessly and were raced on, then used daily on the commuter. It wasn’t till about a year or so ago that they failed for the first time. The front tang from one side of both pedals came away, leaving only one side of the pedals useable much like a road pedal. Just recently a tang from the useful side gave way during a training ride at Cabbage the second failure.

These pedals worked well of many years and I have finally used them to destruction. Three years of use, fair value.

[pile]

Re the wheelset:

Which Classic set are you using - the Terrain or the 350?

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I have the 350's, I beleive they are the lighter version of their mtb wheels.

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Gels "The Reviews"

Gu vs Pb vs Endura vs Hammer vs Enervit

Gu? Gels? Was my first couple of questions as I entered the enduro scene of MTB. A Gu packet came complementary with my entry, so I chucked it in my backpack with my real food. Since then my eyes have been opened to a wider variety of carb gels. These three gels are just the ones I have tried and are readily found throughout supermarkets, sports-stores, bike-shops and supplement-stores.

GU - I supose is the industry standard. They are available in multibles of flavours including ones with caffine. The packets are easy to carry and are of an appropriate size. The substance inside is a little on the firm side and does require a good couple of mouthfuls of water to get down. I have used these gels on and off, due to availability and cost. Do they work? They seem to have a small positive effect.

PB - I tried the PB gels as they were on sale at a supermarket and they came in a fair bit cheaper than the GU. My first reaction was how better they were than the previous gels. Sure the satchel was a little harder to open but the material was more liquid and easier to get down. These gels are not as sweet as many of the others and have a small variety of flavours including one with caffine. I used these gels all of last year including my solo stint at the Scott 24. Do they work? These gels I have found work for me, the taste isnt to sweet, the effects have a small lag but are always postive and feel considerable. Made in Australia.

Endura - I tried these gels as they were available through the shops that support our club and have been working my through a box since early in the year. Endura gels I found from the first tasting to be highly sweet, so that you have to wash it down with water. The material is similar to the Pb gel in viscosity and is easy to open and consume. There are a small variety of flavours and I beleive they are made in Australia. Do they work? The effect is positive and like the previous gels doent take long to absorb, I just find them a bit to sweet.

[glow=red,2,300]ADDED[/glow]

Hammer - As Lewy pointed out there are many gels out there and since I didn’t really like the overly sweet taste of the previous gel, I ducked in to see the local supplement store to grab a few Hammer gels. These gels open easy and the viscosity like many others just right for consuming. It seemed to fill the spot for carb intake and the effect was not negative. The flavour I tried became a bit to trying after multiple hours on the bike, apple and cinnamon might not be me. These gels came out cheaper than the Enduras.

[glow=red,2,300]ADDED in March 2009[/glow]

Enervit - I trialled a new carb gel recently. Enervit Sports Gel, I managed to aquire these gels from a local rider who wasn’t going to use them, going real cheap too. As these are on the very expencive side of the gel spectum and are packaged in brightly coloured packets in a few different flavours. They aren’t readily available but can be found in selected cycle shops and online. The gels open fairly easy and the viscosity is like many of the other gels, just right for consuming in a fast nature. How did it work? It didn’t seem to hit the spot. The flavour I tried had a highly tangy/acidic taste, almost throat burning. There didn’t seem to be an energy lift after consuming the gels. At close to double the price at RRP of most gels these are not for the light stomach or wallet.

[Lewy]

You should give the Hammer Gels a go that Trevor in East Nowra.

They taste good and seem to work ok and cost $1.80

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Shoes - Have been riding in Shimano but aquired some of Northwaves latest.

Raptor Carbon by Northwave

The look: Black and gold.
The fit: I had to go a few sizes up from the shimano size due to the small fit. So far this shoe has been comforable, up to this point has only been used for short (<2hrs) races. Like the old shoe this one also has three adjustable straps, two velcro and one with a fancy multi and micro adjustable ratchet strap.
The performance: I never realised how stiff they made the soles of cycling shoes till I put these ones on, with a carbon sole the shoe and pedal almost become one. This probably means that there is more power directly applied through to the pedals. I have already had to run in the shoes, for around a km. The shoes handled the task, I felt and probably looked awkward (more than my normal gumby self).

[glow=red,2,300]The shoes had a hiccup[/glow] - the clip that holds the inside part of the top strap could handle the stress and jumped off during my warm-up before Coolendel race 1. A little black plastic clip, gone lost in the sandy twig laden part of the track. I managed a work-around using a disc calliper spacer, two bed roll clips and two zip ties. My pedal had to be spaced out to compensate for the added width.

Shimano M180

The look: Black or was it black with silver highlights, well they are black with highlights of dirt and sock now.
The fit: I had to go a size up from the prefered length of shoe to handle the width of my foot. Being my first cycling shoe they have always felt comfortable. With two velcro straps and a ratcheted top strap adjustments were never a problem. Wearing them for 24hrs and many 8hrs straight have not highlighted any fit isses for me.
The performance: These shoes have performed well for many years, they have been used daily for my commute and only had a couple of small short falls. These falls included the ratchet cracking at the attachment point, which was easly repairable by replacment of the ratchet with a new item.

[Between the Tape...]

Jul 9, 2008 15:01:35 GMT 10 crummy said:

Shoes - Have been riding in Shimano but aquired some of Northwaves latest.

Raptor Carbon by Northwave

and..........