help, been unfaithful to HOBBY

I'd have thought it very important to lower the weight of everything on your wheels as it is all unsprung mass (talking about FSR stump jumper)

 

sorry was referring to hard tails - yes if you have a double bouncer then the cutoff point moves from the axle to the pivot point.
that said the point of lowering wheel weight is better acceleration (you have less inertia so can spin it up faster) whereas on a db'er it's going to be suspension efficiency. so slightly different purpouses - you'd still get an overall benefit in acceleration lowering rim weight on a db'er it's just that the squish would make it less effective than on an ht unless you had lockout or propedal etc.
i'm not a big fan of db'ers at least on the majority of trails i ride - i'm not into dh or freeride etc.

 

It's defo a boys toy thing for me. The bike is far superior to myself I just adore beautiful engineering, on anything. Be it cars, bikes, hifi, or even just a kettle.

It's not about speed for me though. It's about the sheer enjoyment. I simply love light bikes. Hacking along, being able to pop a jump over stumps and roots is great fun.

Btw, my wheels are over engineered if anything (http://www.mavic.com/ewb_pages/v/vtt_produit_roue_crossmax_sl_disc.php?gamme=vtt) The last place I want weakness is in the wheels when I land! Light stuff is best reserved for other areas like posts, seat, bars etc, unless you don't do jumps of course. I had a go on a bmx at the weekend, which weighed more than my full size MTB, suprisingly. Although mine doesn't feel light now, it's all the others that feel damn heavy to me.

I did have an even lighter bike eight years ago. It was less useable in rough stuff though, being a hard tail trek. It had carbon tri spoke wheels and carbon frame, twist shifter, rear mech only, XTR v brakes, titanium x-lite everything. It was too light though, lacking half the strength my current ride seems to have. Good for smooth cross country but NOT a playbike by any means!

 

kub, i can respect the boys toys angle

do you ride clipless or flatties? i ride flatties as clipless scare me stupid. have only just got the hang of hopping over stuff (very low stuff at present) very satisfying the first time you clear a log blocking the trail that would have had you off and pushing before.

what size tyres are people using aty the moment - i've tried a few fast rolling narrow ones to try and save weight but always go back to my trusty 2.1 fire xc pros as they provide a nice compromise between grip and speed. the only reall concession i have consciously made towards lightness is using slime lite tubes, they aren;t condom style inner tube light but they are far lighter than standard slimes and i can still (and have) pull thorns out of them - have a bit of goo spray out and keep riding without resorting to a puncture repair kit or spare innertube. the rest of my kit is all chosen for robustness, convienience, ease of maintainence or bling factor.

 

I used to have spd for my trek. Now my s-works is a plaything for the woods, so I use DMR Ltd edition flatties. I should have bought silver ones, but they looked so cool is gloss black when new. Now they're the only part of my bike with scratches on. Oh well. I'll get them sand blasted over the winter to bare metal.

Tubes are specialised heavy rubber. Tyres are specialized pro 2"

P.S holding the newly removed front XTR brake/shifter stuff now - it weighs a ton

 

I used the panarecr 2.1 fire xc pro for a while but I switched back to tubed after a couple of ****ty experiences.

I've found the Continental Vapor is a good alrounder (IMO). They aren't the ideal winter tyre (better IMO than Fire XC), they aren't the ideal low resistance tyre (better IMO than Fire XC) , they aren't the best in summer (NOT better than Fire XC), they aren't the lightest either (NOT better than Fire XC), but I'd say overall they are the best compromise tyre I've tried. Also note - some people feel the Vapor shouldn't be used on the front wheel. Continental dispute this.

 

Why not remove the rear?
The front brake is much better at stopping you, the rear brake just helps the wheel skid along doing no real breaking. Where as the front wheel can stop you very quickly without skidding if you can apply the breaking force properly.

 

Because I drop into vert mud ramps. The last thing I'd want to do is touch the front brake, as it would be a suicidal face plant.

I agree to remove the front brake for road use is silly.

P.S

Don't forget a light bike stops much quicker than a hefty one anyway

 

greg - the panny is a tubed tyre - although there may be ust version i'm wary of tubeless as aparently they are a bitch to fit and if you DO get a puncture, fixing them is a pita. plus my rims are standard.
my rear panny is getting a bit sketchy now so i think i might give the vapours a try when the weather turns. or is there somethign better?

kub,
where do you do your riding - there are some mentalist playgrounds very close to where i live (chicksands and woburn) although i only do the saner bits chicksands has some mad 'shore style stuff that makes my blood run cold whenever i pass it....
woburn is dirt jump paradise - not much for my style of riding (that we found) but if you are into dj and dh then worth a trip.

 

Not wanting to override your local emporium's advice, I think the Vapor is definitely worth trying and especially on the rear. The best things about it: very resiliant, chunky effective climbing traction in moderate mud and icy conditions, predictable slide, throws out crud very well considering its not a specialist winter tyre, rolls well on roads and paths.

I found the Fire XC was considerably less good at traction in moderate muddy conditions, roll resistance was worse, but traction in sandier/gritty surface was better. It didn't collect crud but then it didn't offer much grip in cruddy conditions IMO.

Neither are ideal for heavy slop.

 

Could you translate that for us non-clued up types?

 

must... control... rant... about... no... helmet.... honestly is looking cool worth it or is there another reason?....
have a read of this http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=111566&highlight=helmet+accident

***WARNING CONTAINS GRIM PICS OF BLOKE WITH A TUBE STICKING OUT OF HIS HEAD TO DRAIN PUS***

i dunno about unfit - i think i'm reasonably fit but was firmly put in my place by stereo mic the other week so know i have a way to go. the trick is to keep riding rain or shine...

greg,
hmm conditions where i am are mostly sandy with some mud bogs so a real mixed bag, probably why i like the panny's so much as they seem suited to my local conditions. they do tend to bog right down in mud though - usually i jsut change down and spin through . grip on sketchy corners would be nice though - they seem to climb well on sand but lateral grip on the stuff is a bit touch and go - could be that they are getting a bit old now though.

 

Having been a relatively "insane bmx'er" I suffered some really rather serious injuries and I always wore a helmet.

Please start wearing a helmet.

 

I get too hot. Having a camel back is a pain as it is. I know I should get a helmet but where are the cool ones? I saw a guy wearing a matt black thing, like WW2 minus the rim. No logo's on it, so no idea who makes it. I just wear ripped jeans and a tee.

I'll look into helmets!

Do not click, unless you don't mind shocking gore:

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/6769/bikecrashal4.jpg

 

I'm note sure posting that pic is a good idea - AUP and all.

Listen to me. Just for a moment - forget about "cool helmets", start thinking about brain damage.

There are several "cool" helmets on the market and I'm not talking about immitation Nazi stormtrooper stylee.

Look at SIXONESIX or Bell. Consider a full face lid if you intend to increase your jumps and drop offs.

I used to use a full face when bmxing and I can tell you that saved me from breaking my jaw or fracturing my cheek bone on at least six occasions. I also had concussion twice and that was with a helmet on. Let other people make the mistake due to not feeling "cool".

 

I like the matt black Bell you posted. However is it heavy, as it look so.

What about this, as my local Bike Trax has them. Full face, but light...

http://www.met-helmets.com/ProdottiDet.jsp?idrub=293&idcat=13

Or they have a stronger one...

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=15954

 

Too graphic. Edited for you.

Helmets are a must have.

I've been using Fire XC Pro 2.1s this summer, and I'm not too impressed. My autumn-spring tyres are Trailraker 2.1s which are totally superb in the mud. They rattle and drag on hardpack and roads (rougher tarmac suits them better than smooth...). However, the Trailrakers are seriously scary in loose gravel... I think the design that allows them to dig down in mud basically catches marbles in gravel.

 

Looks very nice. I think considering your investment in a light steed that would be a better bet for you. Do make sure you try it on as different brands seem to suit different head shapes right across each respective range (i've probly got a funny shaped head)

 

I've ordered that Bell. Seems like a bargain price and it's virtually the same weight as the spez. My noodle will be safe now. Thanks for that link!

 

Bell make lids properly - used to use one on my bmx. Good move (I think they look superb too)