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Post by crummy on Aug 15, 2008 11:00:24 GMT 10
I am not using the rubber rim strips, the stans wheels had the stans tape and I used the stans valve. The other wheels (american classic) I have teflon rim tape and I used the stans valve to convert them too (just not at the same time). The teflon tape is light and very strong, and cheap, I have used this tape on all my wheels.
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Post by crummy on Sept 17, 2008 16:32:35 GMT 10
I was thinking I should give a review of the "underarmour" shirt I use.
I have a long sleeve summer weight or "heatgear" fitted shirt which I commonly wear under my jerseys throughout the cooler months. I bought it back in the winter of 06 as an extra layer and it has been hard working ever since. Its wicking properties have ment that I have been able to ride in it from cold morning starts right up to warm days.
The most recent ride, the Angry Dr, it kept the chill off for the early morning stuff and when things started to heat up, the shirt easily wicked away the sweat and as a bonus protected my arms from the sun, I believe they are 30+ rated.
Other highlights included wearing it at the Scott last year as my base layer. It didn’t come off over that whole period! Another occasion was the Noosa Enduro with a chilly 12 degree start temperature and a forecasted max of 19 degrees. I didn’t get uncomfortable through out either race.
The shirt has been abrasion resistant to this point, it bears no scars from tree glancing and tumbles in the dirt.
Got to say, if this one wears out or starts to smell, I will purchase another.
[glow=red,2,300]ADDED May 2010[/glow]
Seems the washing method I have recently used has damaged the elastic side of the material, both shirts I have now are no where near as firm fitting.
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Post by crummy on Sept 22, 2008 16:21:20 GMT 10
Enduro Seals and DIYMTB Servicing.
I have had both my fox forks serviced by DIYMTB and fitted with Enduro seals now.
Last year after the Scott my 140s had leaked and potentially sucked in a couple of kg of Stromlo dust. Dissatisfied with the previous servicing carried out a couple of months prior by a large distributor and service centre, I was keen to keep the forks in good nick and looked away from the authorised service centre.
DIYMTB only had the fork for a couple of days, cleaned out the muck that had become of the oil and removed the not so good seals. The fork came back clean and sporting a bright set of blue dust seals. How did it all feel? To begin with the seals felt a little tighter but now 300km+ later, is it called "plush"? There has been no seepage of oil and have running smoothly during 8hr and 100km events.
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Post by crummy on Sept 25, 2008 13:53:51 GMT 10
Enduro Seals and DIYMTB Servicing continued.
A month or so back my 100s started to have excess oil escaping from the fork. Satisfied with the last DIYMTB servicing and Enduro Seals, had the fork serviced. It was ready to pick up a day or so later with a report of the conditions inside the fork.
The fork was clean and sporting those nice blue Enduro Seal.
The fork seems to work just as well as when I received it. There has been no leaking oil, and a couple of hundred of km later, the forks are well dirty but still have smooth travel.
Just one thing on the service DIYMTB could use plastic or nylon implement to remove the external dust seals as not to mark the fork during the removal. It is only missing a couple of small spots of paint.
All and all I am quite satisfied with DIYMTB servicing and the Enduro Seals they use. Consider this local alternative next time you need your forks looked at.
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Post by crummy on Oct 7, 2008 14:46:19 GMT 10
Mongoose Canaan Team.
The best bits I thought of this bike are the choice of components. Like Fox 100 RLC fork, stans no tubes rims, ringle dirty flea hubs, top of the line avid ultimate brakes and those carbon nanotubes in the bar and seat post.
This bike is comfortable to ride It is long and lean, just what I am told you need for an xc/enduro machine. When climbing there is minimal movement through the rear end and with the flick of the switch on the rear shock it can just about be lockout. The bike performed very well on the downhill sections, I could even pedal through the chop.
On inspection after purchase it was discovered sections of the frame not welded to a high standard. The frame ended up failing at the seat tube to top tube weld. The seat tube cracked from the weld to half way round the tube, it then followed the tube grain down the seat tube to as far as the seat post was fitted (approx. 170mm, well within the seat post limit). Basically the seat moved in a rearward direction towards the rear wheel, the pivot point being at the bottom of the seat post, taking the seat post clamp and a section of the seat tube with it.
The other big issue is the rear shock mount bracket on the down tube which could start cracking around the weld in. Not so good on a nice long ride. I spoke to an engineer who identified the possible reason, apart from the ultra light material. It could be that during the manufacturing process the material was not returned to its original temper after being stressed by the weld.
While on frames I have received the replacement. It has an extra gusset on the shock mount and also where mine failed. This has restored my confidence in the frame, it is good to see the manufactures can adapt as the issues arise. Its first big test will be another solo attempt at the Scott/Corc 24, don’t forget to say hi as you pass me.
The bike performed very well for the period prior to the failure and I expect it the new frame to perform outstandingly for many, many more rides. Realistically this bike has the potential to be the best value for money high level enduro/xc duelly out there.
[glow=red,2,300]Added post Scott24[/glow]
So I rode the bike at the Scott24, it is the most comfortable bike that I have ridden at an enduro. It never felt heavy and always moved in the direction I pointed it. All the parts worked as they should for top of the line gear. It is one good bike.
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Post by crummy on Nov 14, 2008 10:14:01 GMT 10
How good are arm warmers?
I have been using a cheap set that I bought before the Scott. So for my training rides in the evenings, I chuck them on to warm up and if necessary pull them off for the rest of the ride. I like keeping warm. These arm warmers have a fluffed fleece on the inside and a reflective logo on the forearms.
I also used the warmers for a short time at the Scott, for that early morning riding.
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Post by crummy on Dec 15, 2008 12:01:41 GMT 10
The Review, XTR Wheelset (rim-brake specific, front only)
With its scandium rare metal aluminium constriction, minimal spokes and flashy red spoke nipples, the wheel nicly matched the red and black bike it was on. Running a standard tyre made tubless on the UST ready rim, a low pressure of 20psi kept the dirt from the alloy. Although not tested to their limits, they seem capable of most xc situations. When weighed, they felt lighter than my stans wheel and probably were with the coverted tyres (I have LUST tyres on the stans) and lack of rotor.
[glow=red,2,300]ADDED[/glow]
The wheelset has been up tubeless, one wheel UST and the other a converted standard tyre.
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bozz
Novice
EAT IT
Posts: 32
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Post by bozz on Dec 16, 2008 6:16:08 GMT 10
Are you running the wheel set on the Goose?
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Post by crummy on Dec 16, 2008 12:00:37 GMT 10
Are you running the wheel set on the Goose? No, they are Donnas killer wheelset. |
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Post by crummy on Mar 11, 2009 15:00:02 GMT 10
Check out page 1 - Gel Reviews for the latest.
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Post by crummy on Apr 29, 2009 13:24:41 GMT 10
RJays Vortex Helmet
This helmet raises the benchmark for XC/trail with 22 well placed vents. It combines a neat retention system and in-molding. In-molding of the plastic shell to the foam creates a very strong structure, most manufactures use this method now. It use to be that top-end helmets really did weigh less and suck air than cheaper ones but not anymore. Yes the Vortex is fairly light and well ventilated, there are helmets that cost twice as much that come close in all respects.
However the overall retention and chin strap system doesn’t have the same sense of quality as top-end helmets. I have utilised this helmet across a variety of situations from the short daily commute to XC and 24hr races. On a tight budget this helmet provides sleek styling and the fit is comfortable and secure.
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Post by crummy on Sept 8, 2009 20:20:44 GMT 10
Troy Lee Design XC Gloves
Full finger gloves for most weather conditions. They breath well and unrestrictive. These gloves are comfortable around fingers and across palm. My first set of these gloves have been used daily for well over a year. There is evidence of heavy use, the gloves have worn through on the inside of the thumbs and expected signs of wear across the palm.
I purchased my second set of TLD XC gloves this year. It was around this time I found the injected rubber across the glove was irritating my index finger knuckle. After using a different set of gloves through the cold of winter, I took to the TLD gloves with a sharp implement to remove the rubber around the index knuckle. The irritation is no longer.
These gloves can just about do everything you need mtb wise.
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Post by crummy on Sept 8, 2009 20:21:14 GMT 10
DZNUTS
Since a wet solo 24hr race early in the year I have been troubled by light chamois rash. The rash becomes most evident during longer rides and enduros. Dznuts is a high viscosity chamois cream that I received a sample of and a warm marathon in QLD recently was a perfect place to put this product to the test.
The official instructions were simple, drop your shorts, apply cream directly or to dry chamois, be a champion and enjoy the ride. I applied a liberal amount as directed before the ride. Then spent the next five and three quarters of an hour attempting to enjoy my first marathon on a hardtail.
The blunt end at the end of the marathon was a positive result by the cream, with no evidence of chamois rash. All smiles here.
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Post by crummy on Sept 8, 2009 20:21:39 GMT 10
Wiley X Sunglasses
With the extra protection of a "Face Cavity Seal", removable foam insert, and a shatterproof lens. Wiley X look to be the perfect eyewear for cycling.
During though testing on the bike the thicker arms of the glasses were not compatible with my helmets and sat uncomfortably on my ears. The thick arms with and without the seal also hinder peripheral vision, a hazard when commuting or transiting via asphalt to you local dirt haunt.
Apart from these hindrances Wiley X offer a stylish and functional eyewear option. Lenses can from clear through to tinted, photocromatic and prescriptions. They also pride themselves on fitment, offering a wide variety of models. At the time of picking up the glasses, I tried on up to four different styles to check the best comfort and seal of the foam.
These glasses can meet the needs of us as mtb riders but can be used in many other sports, on the moto or in a workplace.
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Post by Lewy on Sept 11, 2009 16:31:15 GMT 10
Troy Lee Design XC Gloves Full finger gloves for most weather conditions. They breath well and unrestrictive. These gloves are comfortable around fingers and across palm. My first set of these gloves have been used daily for well over a year. There is evidence of heavy use, the gloves have worn through on the inside of the thumbs and expected signs of wear across the palm. I purchased my second set of TLD XC gloves this year. It was around this time I found the injected rubber across the glove was irritating my index finger knuckle. After using a different set of gloves through the cold of winter, I took to the TLD gloves with a sharp implement to remove the rubber around the index knuckle. The irritation is no longer. These gloves can just about do everything you need mtb wise. Have to agree with you on this one Mr Crummy. I have 3 pairs and have been wearing them since 2004. Big colour choice too. I have to say though, that people that wera the pink ones, and are not female, are a little strange ;D |
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