Mtb recommendations please...

[Numnut]

There’s not enough adjustment in the derailer to allow me to use the lower ring with the tyres. Either that or I’m not very good at adjusting it.

Either way, I’ll either use them as is without being able to use the lower ring, or get them off and sell them and get a 2.25 set of nobby nic.

[Numnut]

Guy at work has a 32 tooth single chain ring I can have. Hopefully I'll be able to get it fitted tomorrow and then all the front mech can come off and those nice tyres can go on no problems and I get less to clean!

I've also got a 180mm disc coming for the front which should help nicely - though I'm still really impressed with the clarks front brake set. It might not be up to it going down a mountain (it might, but I've not tried), but for how i'm using it, I can stop pretty quickly and that'll do me.

[lostboy]

@Ditchfinder no worries, thanks for checking!

Popped some new tyres on today, Schwalbe Hans Dampf. These look like they’re going to be much better for the mud - they’re 2.35 wide which fits, but my front derailer now rubs on the tyre in the lowest ring which isn’t great.

Still deciding whether to sell them/send them back and get a 2.25 or just keep them and use the 2nd & 3rd rings at the front. The 2nd ring is a 32 and the largest is a 42 I think so I’ve still got plenty of gears
options.

Narrower tyres are always better for mud. 2.0 Specialized Storm Control or 2.0 Bontrager Mud X (or Team Mud or whatever they're called this year) are by far and away the best mud tyres (both can be run three seasons if you don't want to change) and are perfect for the kind of riding you're doing.

[Numnut]

Nice one, cheers for that I'll take a look. There seems to be more tyre variants for mtb than there are for motorbikes!

[lostboy]

Three different wheel sizes (although 26" is disappearing) and loads of fashion moves from narrow to wide to wider etc. all makes for a ridiculous selection. None of it alters the fact that narrower tyres work better in the mud because they cut into it and grip beautifully and when the tread is as well designed and spaced as the two I've suggested. Somehow they still roll fine on hardpack/gravel (even tarmac) but shed mud beautifully when you're riding through the shite!!*

*they shed mud SO well you WILL need very good mudguards & glasses!!

[Numnut]

*they shed mud SO well you WILL need very good mudguards & glasses!!

I'm already caked in mud when I get to work, and when I get home.

[Numnut]

The 603 is still being used for the work commute, and it's still loads of fun. I've been looking at more expensive hardtails/full-sus bikes, but I'm not sure I really need one.

Importantly, I got some nice bright orange grips! But I've also got rid of the front mech and it's now single ring which keeps cleaning time down. It got a new chain and cassette too - I did want to go up to a 9 speed, but that would've meant getting a new shifter too so that can wait. It's a 30t on the front and an 11-34 on the rear - that's pretty much ideal for what it's being used for at the moment.

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The front brake was being weird too, almost juddering like the disc was warped or loose. It turned out the suspension needed a 'service' as there was too much movement in the fork legs. These are low-end forks, so a service entails getting the forks apart and replacing the plastic sliders. Super easy, cheap and barely took any time. I popped some new dust seals on too. There's still some movement there, but it's a lot better than it was and I'm not sure how much more I can expect from the forks.

Old ones

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New ones

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[weeksy]

Nice job fella... it's amazing how capable bikes are, even not expensive ones..

However it's even more amazing just how amazing the expensive ones are too

[Numnut]

Yeah, I’m tempted to take a full sus bike out from the lbs just to see what I’m missing. I’m not sure it’d end well for the wallet though!

[weeksy]

Yeah, I’m tempted to take a full sus bike out from the lbs just to see what I’m missing. I’m not sure it’d end well for the wallet though!

It depends really... A decent one is just way more plush, comfortable and 'nice'. Think about some of the tractor track ruts, they're still slightly bumpy, but way way less so. The downside is that a full sus is a bit heavier of course.. unless you're moving from say your current bike to a £3000 FS then it could be the same or lighter.

Most of us have done the HT thing and most of us ride FS on here.... there's a reason. Although i recall you're a fair bit younger than most of us.

[Mr Moofo]

I still have both - every now again I go out on then HT to convince myself they are lighter, and more connected to the terrain.
But the FS, whilst heavier, is much nicer to ride esp on anything bumpy
If I was doing gravel tracks, fire roads, etc I would go HT .

[Numnut]

At the moment it’s mostly bridleways, tracks along fields and through woods, so basically mud… I think the ht is probably the correct choice, but smoother is nicer and I’m spending a lot of time bouncing off the saddle! If the 790 sells I’m not 100% I’ll get another bike so I might have some cash to waste on a fs…I’m in my 40s so comfort is definitely a consideration!

[irie]

Thing is that with FS the bumpier trails are more fun because you don't get thrown off the saddle and you're hooked. Don't ask me how I know.

[weeksy]

Thing is that with FS you look for bumpier trails because you don't get thrown off the saddle and then, bingo, you're hooked. Don't ask me how I know.

I warned you all years ago. MTB rules.

[irie]

Thing is that with FS you look for bumpier trails because you don't get thrown off the saddle and then, bingo, you're hooked. Don't ask me how I know.

I warned you all years ago. MTB rules.

Bought my Fuel EX FS in early January last year after riding a sons old Trek FS. I also have a 12 year old Gary Fisher Big Sur.

Edit: 12 year old.

[weeksy]

It says a lot to me that we've had 2 glorious BH days and yesterday I was out pedalling with my lad, today I'm out with mates.
That's not to say I don't like riding my motorbike, because I do. But it's not the same like

[irie]

Agree, was really nice to be off road in beautiful quiet countryside having fun, and about 19C. This is what we did (would have gone downhill quicker if we'd done them before).

[Mr Moofo]

^ FFS what is wrong with metric ?

[irie]

^ FFS what is wrong with metric ?

Will ask my riding buddy to put it in metric next time for you.

[Mr Moofo]

^ FFS what is wrong with metric ?

Will ask my riding buddy to put it in metric next time for you.

Much appreciated - 1972 dontyhaknow ...