Bicycles!

[choneofakind]

I got the mountain bike out! I went to Royalview, which is not a very technical trail, but it's flowy and fun. I figured that would be a good outing for the first ride of the season. I had a a great time. The trails were in great condition.

My video came out well also! The woos of NE OH were actually all green and beautiful like I love.

Link to original page on YouTube.

[Apex]

Nice! I got to take my HiFi in to get the brakes bled. I have yet to get a kit for it. Call me lazy.

[choneofakind]

lazy

[Apex]

Maybe I'll get video of my taking my roadie on the trails. LOL

[choneofakind]

How hard is bleeding brakes on hydraulic MTB brakes? Can't be bad. Doing the brakes on my ninja wasn't bad

[Apex]

Shouldn't be bad. Bleeding car/motorcycle brakes are easy...and I have what I need for it. The MTB...well...I'll get around to getting what I need. Maybe next season. lol

[massacremasses]

Will it be weird if I wore my dirt bike helmet riding trails? Hahaha

[Jono]

Naw. It will help build up neck muscles.

[Apex]

Downhill riders wear it all the time.

[Aurodox]

Decided to go for a ride today. While going on my usual route, I found a dirt road that I've passed many times and decided I'd follow it. It ended up connecting me back to my normal route about a quarter mile down, but the road itself was about 8-9 miles. It was definitely a nice detour and a nice change of scenery. I'm currently at McDonald's enjoying a power aid before I head back.

TL;DR I love my trip computer

[Alex]

I hadn't even realized MTB brakes would ever need to be bled?

[choneofakind]

Disk brakes come in two flavors: mechanical and hydraulic. Both offer their own advantages over the other, it's really up to the rider's preference. I have no experience with the hydraulic variety, but from what I've read, they should be bled once a year or once every other year. Just like the chain and cassette, it's a regular maintenance thing.

Ever felt a disk brake after some hard trail use?? Those puppies get hot yo! I bet they can boil the fluid for downhill riders.

This reminds me, I need to pick up another bottle of DOT5.1 and a clean piece of hose so I can re-bleed the hell out of my front ninja brake. I think I got some air in it from turning it upside down when I installed my tapered bearings...

[massacremasses]

my back one is making noises... like a weird grinding... why is that?

[Aurodox]

Originally Posted by massacremasses

my back one is making noises... like a weird grinding... why is that?

MY guess would be that your rotor is warped/wheel isnt aligned so the brakes are rubbing the disc at a certain spot of the wheel turn. If its rubbing constantly, you may want to try to give the line some slack?

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by Aurodox

MY guess would be that your rotor is warped/wheel isnt aligned so the brakes are rubbing the disc at a certain spot of the wheel turn. If its rubbing constantly, you may want to try to give the line some slack?

no its only when I brake hard. All I did was put the wheel on, when I bought the bike it came with the frame and wheels off. I think I hooked up the calipers, but I dont know how I could have done it wrong. Its only the rear too. They are both squeaky but the rear one just sounds bad...

[choneofakind]

It's disk brakes right? Of course it's going to make some grinding noises. Think about what it's doing.

If it worries you, post a quick video for us.

[massacremasses]

ill have to try and take a vid. It doesnt sound normal. What can I use to get them to stop squeaking too..

[choneofakind]

Nothing. They're disks. They squeak. Don't put anything on the disks or pads, or you'll end up with brakes that don't work. (experience speaking here)

[Apex]

The high pitched squeal is an annoying trait of discs, but it is what it is. I take the pads off and clean/scuff them on occasion.

[massacremasses]

hmmm maybe ill take the calipers off and take a look.

[Apex]

Originally Posted by massacremasses

hmmm maybe ill take the calipers off and take a look.

Yeah, sometimes small things will get stuck in the pads, like a rubber brake pad. Mine can squeal a lot. After a clean, they tend to quiet down for a while.

Sometimes just hitting it with brake cleaner can work as well.

[choneofakind]

when mine squeal, I just go race around and brake from high speed to a stop 3 or 4 times quickly. It heats the heck out of the disks and pads, and usually wears/burns off whatever's stuck on there. Works for me.

Every now and then, I'll resurface the pad on some fine grit sand paper if it's really stubborn.

[massacremasses]

I hit them hard and theyll stop for a bit.. or the front one will. But if I hit the rear it does that weird grinding.

[Apex]

Are the pads still good? Some CX racers running discs had then fail before the race ended. Apparently the sand accelerated the wear severely. If it is sandy where you ride, then you will need to maintain your brakes more frequently.

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by Apex

Are the pads still good? Some CX racers running discs had then fail before the race ended. Apparently the sand accelerated the wear severely. If it is sandy where you ride, then you will need to maintain your brakes more frequently.

na i ride on the road most of the time.. lol. idk ive been have problems with the rear caliper pretty much since Ive gotten it. Its probably me though.

[Apex]

Well grinding when you apply the rear brake just sounds odd to me.

First off, what brakes are you running? Some of the low end mechanical, like the Avid BB5, compress from only one side. There is a mechanical adjustment on the caliper itself to set pad depth. Also check and verify that a pad did not fall out. If the pad retainer bit the dust, it is possible that you are only using one pad. I've seen that happen before. The other side may simply be the piston (if hydraulic or BB7) grinding into the disc. I'd check to verify.

[Apex]

I've been riding MTB's for a while now. I have been neglecting my 1.5. I'm thinking of taking it off the rack in the garage, tear it apart, clean/lube, and get it out for a ride. I know I will feel like I am flying compared to the MTB. Due to that fact, I'm kind of not wanting to take it out. lol

[choneofakind]

I'm running Hayes MX4's. They're low end ones (only compress from one side) but I'm not worried about upgrading to BB7's (heard great things about them) because they still work great for me.

Only thing I still don't like about my MTB is the fork. But that's not in the budget right now I'll just buy a better bike later and continue riding the piss out of this one. It's the best bang for the buck on full suspension XC bikes in my humble unbiased opinion. I'm in love with it.

[Apex]

My Specialized HRS is horrible. I refuse to take it out on the trails anymore. I would constantly bottom out the front fork, and I was still babying it.

That is why my HiFi has taken over the off road duties. The HRS is merely a "comfortable" bike now. Heck, I took it 160-miles recently, I know it can do it. I did have to keep messing with the X4 drive-line though The RD kept moving on me. I sum that up to cable stretch. That was the first good and long workout that bike ever got. I do love the BB5's on there. Simple and work great. I doubt I'll upgrade to the 7's until these take a dump. Knowing these brakes though, they will work for a LONG time.

[choneofakind]

That's the best thing about basic components: they never seem to break. Sora and X7 user here. No issues other than my own little 'accidents' breaking them.

[Apex]

Yeah, as annoying as the X4 system is, the things is robust. It has never left me stranded. And I will never swap out the mechanical brakes for hydro's. I have even been thinking about moving to a solid fork...but I like the comfort too much. LOL

[choneofakind]

seeeennnd mmmmeeee yyooouurrr REBAAAA!!

[Apex]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

seeeennnd mmmmeeee yyooouurrr REBAAAA!!

The stock HRS fork is a piece of junk. It is only really good for road riding and being a big paper weight.

[Apex]

I did some pricing. I found a "heavy" CroMoly front fork. I suppose that when people see all the carbon stuff out there, this would be considered heavy. It is a Surly Karate Monkey Rigid. It has disc brake tabs and eyelets for front racks. It is only $110 and weighs in at 2.6lbs. I ride with the stock fork locked out most of the time, so going rigid would not be all that bad.

The stock SR Suntour fork is just under 6lbs. This would be huge savings on the front end.

However, I am rather torn. I really do like riding this bike on short trips because of the front suspension. I suppose I will have to think about this a lot. Plus, when I jump some curbs, the suspension does help. Ugh...save 3lbs, or not....is it worth it?

I contemplated on selling my roadie and getting a CX bike, but that is extra money. It would be nice to be able to run a thicker tire, but is it worth the headache and money? I think I'll just hold onto the roadie. Maybe set it up for commuter duty. I could ride it to get to church in a fast manner. Need to figure out if I want to use my PowerGrips or clipless pedals. decisions decisions....

[Jono]

Okay, so I am currently looking for a new mtn bike. I currently ride a Gary Fisher 'Trek' Tarpon. It's a good beginner bike but I am ready for a new ride.i budget is $1500 and under. I want a 29er hardtail with hydraulic disc brakes. And the best front fork in this price range.

Just got back from riding a Trek Mamba and it was alright. They didn't have one in a 19" frame which I currently ride. It didn't feel too big but I think it would be more difficult to ride on tight trails. I like my 19" frame. So this bike had a coil front fork. It was nice but not the best.

Then I went a rode a Giant XTC 29er. It felt nice and was a Large frame. Similar in size to my Tarpon. It had an air front fork. But it cost $400 more than the Trek. http://http://www.giant-bicycles.com.../#technologies

What do y'all think? Which bike would you get? I am sure I could order a 19" mamba if I decide on it.

What other bikes should I check out? I was going to test ride some Specialized bikes but they didn't have any bikes in my size. Told me 2014 models would be in end of this month. Going to check out some Scott's tomorrow.

[headshrink]

I used to have old-school Magura hydraulic rim brakes. They were awesome. I don't imagine they were as awesome as hydraulic disc brakes, but the hydraulic lines made it easier to modulate, and required less muscle for heavy downhill braking.

I don't think they make them anymore.

[choneofakind]

Air fork is good! Why so picky on Hydraulic disks? Mechanicals are so much easier to adjust and maintain.

[MattS91]

Hey, new here but here is what I ride. Looking to trade my mountain bike for a fixie.

[choneofakind]

Looking good Matt!

[MattS91]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Looking good Matt!

Thank you, just did a 30 mile ride this morning with the cervelo.