Who knows their mountain bikes?

**steve_t** · 15th March 2011, 16:28

Big gear riding is part of the training regime recommended for the round taupo ride. It develops power/strength.
While there is reasonable overlap of gear ratios, riding some MTB parks will soon show you why you need the spread of gearing

**Blackshear** · 15th March 2011, 16:43

Originally Posted by steve_t

Big gear riding is part of the training regime recommended for the round taupo ride. It develops power/strength.
While there is reasonable overlap of gear ratios, riding some MTB parks will soon show you why you need the spread of gearing

I love my 9 speed downhill fully 26" front 24" rear :P

**steve_t** · 15th March 2011, 16:50

Originally Posted by Blackshear

I love my 9 speed downhill fully 26" front 24" rear :P

Do you go to Woodhill and get the shuttle to the top?

**k14** · 15th March 2011, 16:51

Originally Posted by sil3ntwar

Can't say i fully understand why a MTB needs 27 speeds.

Well I raced the motatapu on Saturday and probably used at least 23-24 of the gears. There is a bit of overlap so you actually only have about 15 or so different ratios, overlap stops you having to change front chain ring often if you are on some rolling terrain. The amount of gears you need depends on the type of riding you do. Here in Central Otago I do everything from flat riding on rail trail to 1300m ascents (and decents) to rolling XC type. I would be lost with anything less than 27.

**sil3nt** · 15th March 2011, 17:29

Girlfriend just rang me up to say bikebarn has 50% off MTBs. Forgot about that store. Wonder which bikes though. Had a look on their website and two bikes appeal to me (after yet more research ie googling).

The Marin Northside
http://www.bikebarn.co.nz/Product/E1...T_Trail_Series
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/catego...ide-trail-8536

And the Marin Bolinas Ridge
http://www.bikebarn.co.nz/Product/E1..._Mountain_Bike
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/catego...as-ridge-10096

So off to yet another bike store tomorrow. Then there is that place called rocketbikes which has always seemed a little cheap so might avoid it.

**Latte** · 15th March 2011, 17:32

Originally Posted by Blackshear

I love my 9 speed downhill fully 26" front 24" rear :P

Sounds like a bighit!

And shuttling at woodhill? really?

**Blackshear** · 15th March 2011, 19:09

Originally Posted by steve_t

Do you go to Woodhill and get the shuttle to the top?

Only been to woodhill a handful.
Didn't know there were shuttles there, you takin the piss?

**steve_t** · 15th March 2011, 21:23

Originally Posted by Blackshear

Only been to woodhill a handful.
Didn't know there were shuttles there, you takin the piss?

I've only been there a few times myself but remember seeing vans with bikes headed up the hill. A mate suggested it could be a shuttle but a second thought is it was probably for a downhill competition. I have some mates that helicopter to the top of mountains to snowboard down so figured it might be the same, but I can't see anything on the Woodhill or Redwoods website about it. I reckon it could be a good money maker

**MisterD** · 16th March 2011, 08:23

Originally Posted by k14

There is virtually no advantage of a single speed. People do them more for the challenge involved in riding one, they have special races just for people on single speeds. Anyone riding one is a nutter in my books

I resemble that remark!

It's a zen thing dude...there's just something about the simplicity of a singlespeed bike, you get none of that chain clatter and chatter from the gears and whatnot, shed a heap of weight and it makes riding a bike fun like it used to be when you were a kid - you just get on and pedal.

Round somewhere like woodhill with only quite short ups and downs I'm as quick on my 26er ss with all of 65mm fork travel as anyone on a fully - it's quite funny really, they blast past on the downhill, fail to put any distance on you on the flat, then there's this kind of pause and a bunch of clicking while they decide which gear they need and I just stand on the pedals hammer at the hill and byyyeeee!

The 29er will be going round Colville next year, I'm not mad enough to attempt that on one gear...

**ac3_snow** · 16th March 2011, 09:48

Originally Posted by sil3ntwar

What is the advantage of a single speed? I can only think of weight saving.

advantages would have to include:
much extra awesomeness!
extra sexiness
and allround simplicity..ness!

**sil3nt** · 16th March 2011, 10:04

Ok just went to bike barn. Very close to getting this http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=cinder_cone

Just sorting funds.

**steve_t** · 16th March 2011, 10:11

Originally Posted by sil3ntwar

Ok just went to bike barn. Very close to getting this http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=cinder_cone

Just sorting funds.

Did u test ride? Make sure you're happy with the brake feel. Read a few mixed reviews on the Juicy 3 brakes

**sil3nt** · 16th March 2011, 10:21

Originally Posted by steve_t

Did u test ride? Make sure you're happy with the brake feel. Read a few mixed reviews on the Juicy 3 brakes

Not overly worried surely they can't be worse than my rim brakes which squeak so loud im sure i wake the entire neighbourhood every morning.

Brakes are upgradable!

From what i can tell the frame is good and so are the forks and rims.

**MisterD** · 16th March 2011, 10:27

Originally Posted by sil3ntwar

Ok just went to bike barn. Very close to getting this http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=cinder_cone

Just sorting funds.

Good call! I had Konas back in the late 80's / Early 90's...think I even had a Cinder Cone at one point but I went through a spate of thefts in Newcastle...really well sorted and thought out bikes.

An air fork on a $1000 bike is a good deal indeed (same model as on my 29er), and don't worry about the brakes, my Juicy3's are outtasight better than the V brakes on my SS!