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off-topic: climbers who ride bicycles |
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25-Apr-2015 8:17:24 PM
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I had no trouble at all with flat tyres or anything on the bike.The only thing I did was put oil on the chain now and then. There is not really much to go wrong with a fully rigid steel bike.(Niner MCR) I ran Maxxis Crossmarks, tubeless with Stan's sealant. Yes Dalai I am sure there are lots of Bindi's out there but the sealant works well. Watch out for loose fencing wire and do a course on how to open a gate. There are about a hundred gates rarely with the same opening mechanism. Biking Bethany's Blog has a good read about a speed attempt on the Mawson Trail.
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24-May-2015 9:55:53 PM
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On 9/04/2015 dalai wrote:
>I'm solo bikepacking the ~900km Mawson trail next month.
Trip report?
... With photos or it never happened.
Heh, heh, heh.
;-)
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24-May-2015 10:16:19 PM
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Have to get around to putting together a trip report, but may be a little while as I raced today and will be flying up to Queensland next weekend for the first round of the National CX series...
Was a great time away and through some amazing scenery. Weather could have been a little nicer during the first week but got to ride the whole trail and can happily report not the one flat!
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25-May-2015 12:51:01 PM
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Dalai,
Some tips to ensure maximum epicness in your TR.
Best,
Pi.
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25-May-2015 3:37:16 PM
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Nice! Much Epicness will be included / embellished where necessary. :-)
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26-May-2015 7:51:36 AM
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Well done Dalai. I'm looking forward to your epic TR;)
I liked the link PI...
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1-Jun-2015 10:03:06 AM
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Mikey,
I'm sure you could add a second chapter to the article with some climbing specific tips. I'm always impressed at how exciting you can make climbing seem (with me of all people!). If you weren't busy saving screaming houses from burning people I'm sure you could make it as a journalist in a cheesy climbing rag.
Lots of love,
Pi.
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31-Jul-2015 10:02:17 AM
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Stayed up late and watched the last several Tour De France stages...
Unbelievably gutsy efforts on the part of the participants, though I come away still shaking my head at the idiots who crowd the uphill section from about 10 km to 7km* before stage 20 finish, to a smoke (from flares) filled single track, dodging flags, idiots, etc.
Hard to imagine gasping for breath after 130+ km of hard attacking riding, & during the final steep uphill some f******s (self moderated) effectively shoving smoking flares in near-vicinity of your face.
Even as a tv spectator I found it hard to see the line ahead and could almost feel the smoke stinging my eyes(!), ... as viewed from the camera-person view-from-rear of some riders, perspective.
Given the money involved in the event (wholeistic speaking), I reckon the organisers should give the competitors a better go of it regarding that sort of thing...
(*Effectively the roadside barriers started about 7km out).
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31-Jul-2015 9:36:33 PM
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Rod, I agree w/r/t poorly behaved spectators. However, you missed the worst of it. Richie Porte copped a punch, Froome a cup of piss. Last year a spectator tried to give a rider they liked an (uninvited) push, forcing him to unclip from the pedal and momentarily stop as he lost balance; which immediately ensured he was no longer in contention for the stage win (won by an Aussie, Michael Rogers, so I won't complain too loudly (however Rogers was odds on to win anyway I reckon)).
Its weird and slightly baffling to me how the cycling media and public play favourites, and Team Sky/Froome is most definitely not a favourite. Similarly the way some riders caught glowing are cast as the devil, and others forgiven quickly.
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1-Aug-2015 5:01:07 PM
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I hope none of this (what you describe), is in the future of climbing...
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2-Aug-2015 12:19:26 AM
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I'm sure there is a correlation between the behaviour and the money in the sport (I don't mean prize money, but the entire economy of the sport). Lucky for us, competitive climbing is one of the most boring activities know to human kind (almost diametrically opposed to normal climbing in this regard) so I have hope that we won't have issues like that.
Mind you certain historical events on Yosemite make me think we are pretty capable of tipping shit on each other with any need for so called 'fans' to intervene.
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17-Aug-2015 1:42:10 PM
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A post to access the chocky brains trust...
I am just starting to do some homework research on mountain bikes with a view to upgrading my ancient one some time in the future.
The plethora of options available is somewhat overwhelming and I'd like to narrow the field somewhat.
So...
Can anyone suggest some good Australian websites where I can read reviews/opinions on mountain bikes so I can educate myself?
Can anyone suggest sites to keep an eye on with a view to buying a second hand mountain bike once I have narrowed my choices down?
My only criteria at this stage is having front and rear suspension, disc brakes and a sturdy frame.
The riding I have been regularly doing is about once a week, usually around 30 km, half of which is uphill on firetrails and then return back downhill on single track that isn't overly technical.
I am hoping to score something two or three years old that cost around $3k to $4k when it was new, for a reasonable price second hand...
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17-Aug-2015 2:45:16 PM
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>
>I am hoping to score something two or three years old that cost around
>$3k to $4k when it was new, for a reasonable price second hand...
Rod, I don't think you need to spend that much. I bought a Trek on sale last year for well under $1000 and am very impressed with the quality to price ratio. No rear suspension, but front suspension, disk brakes and solid frame.
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17-Aug-2015 4:30:01 PM
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Rod,
I can't make any particular advice w/r/t mountain bikes. At least not from experience.
However a few places you may find a 2nd hand bike:
bike exchange
A mate of mine is addicted to a victorian cycling buy sell swap facebook group. I don't use facebook and can't give you a link, however.
Sometimes gumtree is worth a browse.
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17-Aug-2015 9:14:31 PM
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Plenty in that range available rod. The trick is narrowing it down to a few different potential models, in your size range. Work out your size range, it's important.
try the NSW MTB trading post on Facebook. Get added as a group member and just see what comes up. https://www.facebook.com/groups/153836381463646/
You'll be after a 2013+.
Probably get a 29" wheelset model.
In that bracket, maybe carbon frame.
Consider, as examples:
Santa Cruz Tallboy
Trek Superfly
Giant Anthem
HTH
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17-Aug-2015 10:24:17 PM
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Its like choosing between a falcon or a commodore.
Get a 29er.
See if you can rent or borrow a duel suspension for the day first before buying one. maybe you like it, maybe you don't. Can be very smooth for cross country, but your center of balance shifts around a fair bit. You want the balance nice for good landings. Duelies can be heavier than a hard tail (but you're so strong, that wont matter).
Carbon is great, particularly if you have lots of money to throw around, but keep some money up your sleeve to fix/buy a new frame periodically if you stack regularly (If you don't stack regularly, then you aren't trying hard enough).
The little things make for a good ride. Disk breaks are good, lockable suspension and partial lock out is good, as is a seat post that can raise and lower .
I would go mid range on the running gear, as you want something that gives good performance, but also something strong enough to last. Kind of corny, but there are three important aspects in selecting bike parts, strong, light, and cheap - choose any two of those
All this can be yours for your price range
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18-Aug-2015 7:59:56 AM
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Flowmountainbike.com is Aussie and has a few reviews.
As well as what's been suggested earlier, it's also worth checking the for sale section of rotorburn.com, though from memory you have to jump through a couple of hoops to get access. That might only be to post, and a lot of what's there is also on the Facebook MTB trading post.
If it's not overly technical then a good 29er is probably the go. I'm a fan of 26" wheels, but I also like tight and technical riding. There are bargains to be had in 26" gear as everyone moves to 27.5, but it's really not that much of an issue. Frame design is far more important than wheel size.
I'd be thinking about something with about 100-120mm of travel, minimum Deore kit but probably XT or Sram X9 or better, RS or Fox forks. You're probably looking at 10sp at the back, but don't overlook an older 9sp in good nick - the upgrade is reasonably cheap, and you could even got to 11sp if you felt like it. There are other possibilities, but that's going to be the basic spec. I'm guessing with what you've suggested you're looking at a budget of $1.5-2k.
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18-Aug-2015 9:51:58 AM
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Thinking about it, you won't be able to get a non-disc brake bike in the bracket you're looking at. Which is a good thing.
As Dr Nick says, both rotorburn and the FB page are your best bets. I have bought a fair whack of gear from both over the years. Good bargains go QUICK on the FB site.
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18-Aug-2015 10:36:06 AM
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I wouldn't try to get a second hand dualy - what ever you save, you'll wind up spending on new parts and maintenance. MTBs get pretty thrashed and if it's for sale, that's probably because it's worn out.
For regular 30km off road riding, you want something sturdy - preferably with lifetime warranty and a good service deal.
In short - buy it new from a reputable dealer and you will be get all the perks.
Most bike mechanics that I know aren't con artists, they will be totally honest and find the right bike for you (they love it like you love Aid)
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18-Aug-2015 9:02:23 PM
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On 25/05/2015 dalai wrote:
>Nice! Much Epicness will be included / embellished where necessary. :-)
Did you ever finish the TR Dalai?
Regards,
Pi.
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