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Questions And Answers
This is a new section to the site in where you can e-mail me with any thoughts, questions or worries and I will try to put up a response to you on this page. This is a bit like the letter and Grime time section in MBUK except you don't with prizes!!!
Having just put this site up a couple of months ago, I have been flooded in e-mails asking me questions. I only had enough time to put these but if you sent an e-mail then it should appear very soon. Thanks to all the people who did for making this page possible.
Q - I am looking to buy a pair of triple clamp forks for around £300. Can you recommend a good one. (Tom Mason)
A - Well Tom, if you are not worried amount the amount of travel then go for a top quality RockShox XLC giving you around 4" of travel. If you want a cheap downhill (almost) type 6" of travel then you might just want to get a pair of ShockWorks DH1 forks for a little £199! What a bargain! If you really want the ShockWorks then either go to Supercycles.co.uk or phone them on 0115 9509950. If you want brand name forks over travel then you might be able to get the Jr T's for £359 which gives you 5"!!
Q - I do a lot of trials riding and I am looking for a riser bar that will not bend when I do big drops and that! I have been looking at the likes of the World Force bars and the Club roost Go faster bars! (Paul)
A - If I were you I would steer clear of the Clubroost. They are not the best on the market. I bought a pair and without the brace on you could bend then doing an endo. If you like the brace then they are fine but the World Force are much stronger. Also have a look at the Azonic WF risers and the X-Lite G-force DH as these are really strong too.
Q - I am into jumping and I want a new frame. My last one snapped on landing so it has to be bloody strong. What do you think would be good. (Damien Carter)
A - I would go for something like the Azonic DS1 or the Planet-X Jack Flash. They are both capable of hardcore jumping. If price is a problem then go for the DS1 or a very cheap DDG Shooter!
Q - What forks should I buy! (anonymous)
A - A little vague aren't you! I don't know, a pair of Monster T's for all I care!
Q - Do you know of a bash guard for under £15! I have looked everywhere but have found nothing. (Dean Rogers)
A - Bash guards for under £15 are hard to find indeed. Have a look at the Vario guard in the news section. It might just be what you are looking for.
Q - When will the new Orange Zero be out! I really want to get one. They look kick ass. (Chris)
A - There is no set date for the Orange Zero at the moment. They will be out for sale but not until the frame is checked over entirely.
Q - Do you know everything about bikes. If yes, are you super man!! (Craig F)
A - No I don't know everything about bikes, and even if I did, No I'm not Superman!!
Q - Do you think I should buy a box stem or a normal stem? (Luke D)
A - Box stems are much stronger but are a lot heavier. They are quite cheap though. I have a box stem and it works well so buy it!
Q - How do I get my grips to stick? (Sean Wall)
A - Use hair spray or spray paint. With hair spray, make sure you put the grip on quickly otherwise the hair spray with set and you won't be able to do anything with it.
Q - I'm thinking of getting a set of 2000
Judy race, I have been told they are
adjustable from 63,80,100mm travel. What travel do the come with standard ?
How hard is it to change the travel ? (Mick K)
A - They come with 80mm standard but I don't know how to adjust the travel. As far as I know (on RST's) there is a twist button on the crown of the forks but I don't know whether it changes travel.
Q - Can you get Bomber Z5 Flylight in matt black? (Simon)
A - Yes! You can also now get them in red and silver too!
Q - With no price limit, what is the best trials bike to buy? (Matt)
A - Do you want a MOD or standard? MOD, the Monty. Standard, Either Ashton's Cannondale or Hawyes' Giant. Also look at the Akigg's Pace
Q - Where can I get a
pair of Kona Project 2 rigid forks. A couple of months ago these were everywhere for £50. Now I want to buy a
set I can't locate any. Does anyone know where they can be found? (bin bag)
A - The Kona project 2's can be bought from just about anywhere mail-order or on
websites. The place I have seen them in most is Sunset Bikes. Give 'em a ring on
02920 371321 or go to www.sunsetmtb.co.uk.
Q - I always owned a GT (still own a Zaskar alongside my
Rocky), but after what happened to a friend of mine I'll think twice before buying something from them again.
My friend bought an 18" white Xizang in Oct 1999. Now 3 months ago his frame cracked at the lower chainstays
(where the little reinforcement tube connects both lower chainstays), so he went back to our LBS for warranty.
Sadly for him, GT stopped making Xizang frames as of jan 2000 I believe and THERE WERE NO FRAMES in stock. The Dutch importer
asked around, but they cannot get hold of a replacement Xizang frame. They (the Dutch
importers guys/girls) offered GT's high-end fully frame as a replacement, but being used
to a Ti hardtail, my friend doesn't really want this. I hope for him that GT will be able to resolve the matter, but our
trust in the company has been shaken (not stirred) dramatically. Isn't there a law that dictates companies to be able to warrant
products well after having taken them out of production? If so, GT should have some Xizang frames left, hopefully they have not
been reserved for the US only. (Dennis)
A - If you can't get hold of the GT Xizang then why don't you have a look at the other GT hardtail frames on the market. There are a lot of good ones out there. I don't think there is a law about manufacturers keeping a few of the out of date products but it was a nice thought. If you now don't like GT then look at other company's bikes.
Q - I’m going to buy my first full suspension bike and I am looking for
suggestions.
I’ve been mountain biking for about a year. I’m riding a hardtail now with a
suspension seatpost but it’s beating me up on downhills.
I’m looking for the most comfortable bike I can find in the £500 -£1500 range.
Performance and light weight are definitely secondary to comfort. I am not going
to race. I don’t know too much about components but I guess I’m looking for long travel suspension. I don’t think I want a carbon fiber
frame or disk brakes.
I have absolutely no brand or component preference. I’ve read a little about the K2 3.0 and Disco Monkey, Schwinn S-40 and Cannondale Super V 400 but I
don’t know if they are designed for comfort or performance or both.
I’m 5’ 10”, 160 lbs, 45 years old and in good shape. I ride mostly at Chickopee
and Bull Mountain in Georgia. I am definitely not an equipment snob and in fact would like to buck what is trendy.
Thanks very much in advance for any advice that you can give me. (Dave)
A - Well Dave. The bikes you mentioned are all good apart from the Disco Monkey.
It is really a rubbish frame. It is not designed for comfort. The Cannondale is
a bit too professional for a person who is not going to race as well as being about £2000. You mentioned
Downhill. If you do that sort of riding have a look at the Kona Moko-Moko. It is
a really good long travel bike for all sorts of riding. It has a plush rear end
making it amazingly comfortable. It is
just under £1300.
Q - I have just found a 98 GT LTS2000 and a 99 Marin Attack Trail , any comments about them ? Which one is better ? Thanks for your help ! (Dan)
A - The Marin Attack and the GT LTS are both good bikes for very little cash. If you want me to choose. GT LTS 2000 as it is just like what Steve Peat used to ride in 1996. It is still a good bike so buy that one. The Marin is not bad but doesn't compare to the GT.
Q - Have you found a way to get Hayes disc brakes to stop
squeaking.
Please help it's driving me crazy. Thanks in advance ( Steve Peat!)
A - Just one or both squeaking?
Try lots of stuff. Sometimes degreaser does the trick, sometimes brake cleaner, sometimes rubbing the rotor with a scotch brite pad
helps, be creative. If they still squeak then check the pads are level with the
rim and are not worn out. Of course, everything needs to be tight, check all caliper mounting
bolts and rotor to hub bolts first.
Don't forget to E-mail in with any more questions you want answered.
