Incoming! The blue bouncer. Whyte G-170

[Mr Moofo]

Something I thought I would never hear. Mr Weeks is happy and content with his mountain bike !!

[weeksy]

Something I thought I would never hear. Mr Weeks is happy and content with his mountain bike !!

I do wonder if i could get it better of course, something like getting the shock tuned... it's a coil so the shockwiz is no use... but it certainly feels fine and happy.

Brakes, grearing etc all fine...

If only i could make the rider 10% quicker !

[Beancounter]

That's got some big solid drops on it!

My issue really is hitting them too slowly. I end up having a fear moment instead of powering into them.

In my defence, that trail really is pushing my boundaries so being cautious is all I can muster

How does Insufficient Funds compare to Vicious Valley? I've done IF and agree the drops are enough make you think twice. Last time I rode IF was when we were there with @Couchy and I think @millemille prior to the first lock down. I enjoyed and managed to complete the drops but only because @millemille was giving me sound encouragement that they were easy to do.

I was out at BPW a couple of weeks ago with some work colleagues, it was their first time at the park so we kept to the blues. I've got a hankering to go back in between Christmas and NY to session the reds.

[weeksy]

That's got some big solid drops on it!

My issue really is hitting them too slowly. I end up having a fear moment instead of powering into them.

In my defence, that trail really is pushing my boundaries so being cautious is all I can muster

How does Insufficient Funds compare to Vicious Valley? I've done IF and agree the drops are enough make you think twice. Last time I rode IF was when we were there with @Couchy and I think @millemille prior to the first lock down. I enjoyed and managed to complete the drops but only because @millemille was giving me sound encouragement that they were easy to do.

I was out at BPW a couple of weeks ago with some work colleagues, it was their first time at the park so we kept to the blues. I've got a hankering to go back in between Christmas and NY to session the reds.

Less 'tech' but if you ask me, it's tougher.... but depends on your strengths.

Book it and we'll come play fella. You'll have to face the child of embarassment of course though.

[Beancounter]

My issue really is hitting them too slowly. I end up having a fear moment instead of powering into them.

In my defence, that trail really is pushing my boundaries so being cautious is all I can muster

How does Insufficient Funds compare to Vicious Valley? I've done IF and agree the drops are enough make you think twice. Last time I rode IF was when we were there with @Couchy and I think @millemille prior to the first lock down. I enjoyed and managed to complete the drops but only because @millemille was giving me sound encouragement that they were easy to do.

I was out at BPW a couple of weeks ago with some work colleagues, it was their first time at the park so we kept to the blues. I've got a hankering to go back in between Christmas and NY to session the reds.

Less 'tech' but if you ask me, it's tougher.... but depends on your strengths.

Book it and we'll come play fella. You'll have to face the child of embarassment of course though.

I remember doing VV with you a couple of years back and thinking it was a bit tougher, mainly because there was a steep, rocky chute which in the wet was just like skiting down ice. Think I was on the Meta at the time.

[weeksy]

Bit of a random morning after a night of lying on sofa watching racing from Lee Valley velodrome.

As I was watching I was browsing the www between races and thinking about the upcoming race in 2 weeks at 417.

Something that came to find was my bar setup on the G170 and I ended up raiding the spares box and going crazy with bars and stem setup.

The bike had 35mm diameter bars, which are stronger and stiffer, but not always in a good way. The stiffness can end up as harshness. So I had some 31.8 diameter bars and a stem and they've now gone on with slightly narrower bars which I hope as they're also a little lower, will give me better front end feel and turning for the race. That's my theory anyway.

I'll also take a 2nd set of bars next weekend for practice to see which I prefer.

[weeksy]

As well as experimenting with bars as above (which have been fine) and riding position, i've also been trying other small tweaks. The latest of which was brake lever position. Closer to the bar and far softer in feel. Sadly due to my brakes being a little basic i don't have a proper span/reach adjuster setup, so it's just 1 thing which is basically a barrel grub screw that moves the throw point in/out. But i've found i'm liking them softer than i expected.

I did try one of my lads mates bikes the other day which has a nice set of Hopes... Mmmmm they're yummy and feel lovely !

[Mr Moofo]

Have bought them yet?

[weeksy]

Have bought them yet?

No, currently i don't have the cash mate.. plus if i buy them for any bike it'd be more likely to be the Sworks than mine as he can justify them more than me.

[lostboy]

As well as experimenting with bars as above (which have been fine) and riding position, i've also been trying other small tweaks. The latest of which was brake lever position. Closer to the bar and far softer in feel. Sadly due to my brakes being a little basic i don't have a proper span/reach adjuster setup, so it's just 1 thing which is basically a barrel grub screw that moves the throw point in/out. But i've found i'm liking them softer than i expected.

I did try one of my lads mates bikes the other day which has a nice set of Hopes... Mmmmm they're yummy and feel lovely !

Dug my Cotic HT out of the garage for the first time in a couple of years on Saturday - I've been doing too much roadie stuff - blobbed some chain lube on the chain, stuck some air in the front tyre (the rear was fine), did a circle of the close to test gears (Shimano) and brakes (Hope) and all were perfect. Went off and had a great ride. I was very surprised that the brakes didn't need a bleed - and how great they still felt as a result. I'm a big fan of Hope stuff.

[weeksy]

Due to having given away our spare tyre I needed to find another replacement. Up into the loft and it's looking quite low on stock.

Specialized Butcher grid was about the best. Barely used and nice tread. So decided to whip the Minion DHF off the rear of the G170 and fit the Butcher.
The spare DHF will be the emergency race rubber for the lad, so makes sense for him to have the better tyres though. I am going to need to invest in some more though in the hear future, both for me and for the lad.

[lostboy]

So decided to whip the Minion DHF off the rear of the G170 ...........

Any reason you're running a DHF on the rear? I know Maxxis say it can be used on the rear but that is what the DHR is for.

I don't use Maxxis so am intruiged!!

[weeksy]

So decided to whip the Minion DHF off the rear of the G170 ...........

Any reason you're running a DHF on the rear? I know Maxxis say it can be used on the rear but that is what the DHR is for.

I don't use Maxxis so am intruiged!!

I didn't like it on the front, didn't want to waste it.

But I've now learned, it makes bugger all difference at my level

[lostboy]

Fair enough!

[weeksy]

HAving a minor shock debate on the G-170. Not for performance reasons but for water bottle reasons.

The Marz Bomber coil is ace and i've got no issues... but it does mean i've got the smallest water bottle in the world. 400ml is as big as it gets and that's only with a relocator bracket. I know it doesn't sound a lot less than 650-700ml that i'd be able to fit with a non reservoir shock... but it would deffo make some aspects a bit nicer out this summer i think.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125085242167 ... 1438.l2649

A reasonable enough shock that... less than £100.... not sure there's any real downside to the discussion.

[weeksy]

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/gear/acces ... 66965.html

That may solve all discussions.

[Taff]

I like that idea as I've got the same sort of problem on my Whyte and Cannondale, I usually carry a back pack but would rather not on local rides if everything can be mounted on the bike.

The only downside I can see is that mud is on the lid in the fifth picture which wouldn't be such a problem with my wider down tube.

[weeksy]

I like that idea as I've got the same sort of problem on my Whyte and Cannondale, I usually carry a back pack but would rather not on local rides if everything can be mounted on the bike.

The only downside I can see is that mud is on the lid in the fifth picture which wouldn't be such a problem with my wider down tube.

one Ebike rider did have the cage rub on his frame, check the last page of reviews... i'm sure a bit of electrical tape will sort that.

I'm kinda used to wiping off the mud pre drink.

[Mr Moofo]

So decided to whip the Minion DHF off the rear of the G170 ...........

Any reason you're running a DHF on the rear? I know Maxxis say it can be used on the rear but that is what the DHR is for.

I don't use Maxxis so am intruiged!!

I didn't like it on the front, didn't want to waste it.

But I've now learned, it makes bugger all difference at my level

Maxxis say that DHF and DHR can both be used on the front and back - hence I have no idea what F and R stand for. Doesn't matter really as my DHF rear bearing came away and my DHF managed a rip the size of the Grand Canyon on its third outing ..

[weeksy]

I've got a couple in the pile. The lad is running his on the back.... but i'm wondering if we should fit it on the front instead of his Shorty for the 417 race... even 1s off his time in the race would make a potential difference of 3-4 places up the leaderboard if we can get it without him having to try any differently. 2.5s and he's on the podium.... so using an invisible gain to get that would be an absolute bonus.