New to cycling

[blueoval]

I want to have a crack at building a Track/fixie. I know you can do a basic 'Cell' Bikes one for about $400. But yeah would love to be able to build one and then go to the Velodrome for some track fun.

[FairmontGS]

Originally Posted by GUTLES

Rode through a Booze Bus last night & got breath tested, lol. Anyone else had this before?

Yes, a couple of times now. Usually Canterbury Road on my Sunday morning ride down to Kurnell.

[FairmontGS]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

What is better? To increase the distance with each ride or to keep the distance the same and increase the average speed?

I have a set series of runs that I like to do (mainly because they keep me off the road). I tend to try and beat my times instead of riding further. One of my favourite training runs is Centennial park in Randwick.

[MAGPIE]

Looking at getting a new MTB, can anyone offer advice on good brand/model...

Hardtail 29er (or 27.5)

Currently looking at

Scott Scale 740 or 735 and

Giant 2015 XTC Advanced 1 29er

Giant 2015 Anthem X 29er (Full Susp)


Never ridden a full suspension, should I consider, I spend a lot of time on road getting to the tracks that I ride.

Trawling the internetz for bikes is quite mind boggling

[RG]

Join up (if you haven't already) over at rotorburn, great source of information.

Ride them all and see what suits best, for that money a decent shop will probably loan you a demo bike. Whereabouts are you?

[mcnews]

I had a hardtail Norco, probably about a $1250 bike eight years ago. Was a bit of a truck really.

Early this year I replaced both my roadie and MTB, with a Giant Defy Advanced 0 (road) and Giant Anthem Advanced 27.5.1 .

While my roadie was also about 8 years old it was still a great bike, Avanti Kona. Thus my move to the new roadie, carbon with electronic shifting etc. was nice but not a quantum shift in performance really and I am not really any faster.

The new MTB is an absolute revelation. I would never go back to hardtail MTB again. All I can tell you, is that in my personal experience, and while I am no MTB expert. The Giant Anthem Advanced 27.5.1 has completely surpassed my expectations by a country mile. It does everything better, gets grip on climb with shock in climb mode without no real loss of power (and i do big climbs, recent one was 2000m of climb on a 50km ride), descends like a magic carpet ride with shock and fork flicked over to descend, or when just doing short bits of both provides a good balance with the suspension on trail, I can flick modes while on the move now with practice. Brakes are awesome. So many times I think I am crashed for all money and somehow the bike saves me, I really can't fault it.

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by mcnews

The new MTB is an absolute revelation. I would never go back to hardtail MTB again. All I can tell you, is that in my personal experience, and while I am no MTB expert. The Giant Anthem Advanced 27.5.1 has completely surpassed my expectations by a country mile. It does everything better, gets grip on climb with shock in climb mode without no real loss of power (and i do big climbs, recent one was 2000m of climb on a 50km ride), descends like a magic carpet ride with shock and fork flicked over to descend, or when just doing short bits of both provides a good balance with the suspension on trail, I can flick modes while on the move now with practice. Brakes are awesome. So many times I think I am crashed for all money and somehow the bike saves me, I really can't fault it.

Thanks just the sort of info I was after, have been trying to steer away from full susp (mainly due to ignorance) but thought it was something I should be looking at.

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by RG

Join up (if you haven't already) over at rotorburn, great source of information.

Ride them all and see what suits best, for that money a decent shop will probably loan you a demo bike. Whereabouts are you?

Thanks, will check out rotorburn.

I'm in NZ.

[RG]

I dare say you'll be fine finding a demo bike or even a demo day then. Giant put a few on.

[mcnews]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Thanks just the sort of info I was after, have been trying to steer away from full susp (mainly due to ignorance) but thought it was something I should be looking at.

I think they key probably is you have to be looking at mid-upper end of bikes to get the good suspenders that really make them worth while. I think my Anthem Advanced 27.5.1 is a bit over 4k.

[RG]

It's arrived and put together. Just need to find the leak in the front tyre, damn tubeless.

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by RG

I dare say you'll be fine finding a demo bike or even a demo day then. Giant put a few on.

Yep there's one coming up, good timing.

[SumoDog68]

Attachment 85282


My MTB for many years was Kona Caldera (Hardtail) - last year local shop offered a day test ride on Giant Trance 29 XO - I bought it the next day.
Most of my riding is either on the road or gravel track ( on my other bikes) but for mtb decent dually is simply fantastic.
In theory it makes you a lazy rider with regards to line picking as it rolls over most things in comfort :-)

[SumoDog68]

Originally Posted by blueoval

I want to have a crack at building a Track/fixie. I know you can do a basic 'Cell' Bikes one for about $400. But yeah would love to be able to build one and then go to the Velodrome for some track fun.

Many well priced used exaples around - I picked up nice surly steamroller that I use for commuting for that sort of $.

[Captain Stubing]

There must be something in the air, for new bikes... I went out this morning to have a "look" at bikes, and found a bike that grabbed my interest...

A Lapierre Pro Race 229 hardtail, with Rockshox XC-30 lockout forks, Shimano Deore shifters with SLX derailleurs. It felt pretty light compared to the other bikes on display, and even worse, it was marked at half price!


I'll be taking it out to get dirty later this afternoon, after I've finished driving the kids everywhere!

[MAGPIE]

Anyone heard of Cube ?

Specs seem ok ?

Specifications:

Colour: black anodized
Frame: Aluminium 7005, AMF, Triple Butted, ETC 4-Link
Size: 16", 18", 20", 22
Fork: Fox 32 Float 29 CTD O/C, tapered, 120mm
Rear Shock: Fox Float CTD, 200x51mm, Climb/Trail/Descend mode, LV air canister
Headset: FSA Orbit 1.5E ZS, top zero-stack 1 1/8" (OD 44mm), bottom zero-stack 1 1/2" (OD 56mm)
Stem: CUBE Performance Pro, 6°
Handlebar: CUBE Rise Trail Bar Pro, 720mm, 9°, 15mm Rise
Grips: CUBE Race Grip, 1-clamp
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT, RD-M781-SGSL, Shadow 10-speed
Front Derailleur: Shimano XT, FD-M781-A, direct mount, Down Swing, 3x10-speed
Shifters: Shimano Deore XT SL-M780-I Rapidfire-Plus, direct attach
Brake system: Shimano Deore XT K-M7851 hydr. Discbrake (180/180mm)
Crankset: Shimano XT, FC-M782, 40x30x22T, 175mm (180mm for largest frame size)
Wheelset: Sun Ringlé Radium AM 29 wheelset, QR/QR, 32 spokes
Front tire: Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.25
Rear tire: Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.25
Seat: Selle Italia X1
Seatpost: CUBE Performance 31.6*400mm
Seatclamp: CUBE Varioclose 34.9mm
Shock: hardware top: 30x8mm, bottom: 22x8mm
Weight: 13.75 kg

[GUTLES]

Got myself a new Topeak Fuel Tank Bag for my Phone & Asthma Inhaler. Ditched the light I had for a more compact Cygolite Expilion 800.

This photo is at my parents driveway.

[BradEL]

Just been getting back into some more serious mountain biking after having a year or so off. Went up to the forest today and hit up some good downhills,
bike needed a good clean afterwards

[Captain Stubing]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Anyone heard of Cube ?

Specs seem ok ?

The specs look like a Cube AMS bike that sells for just over 3k at 99 Bikes. The web reviews for Cube seem good.

[MAGPIE]

Sorry I missed putting the model name on there, it's a 2014 Cube Sting 120 Race 29.

[mcnews]

I have ridden a Cube MTB in Austria as a rental so not a higher end model but it was pretty good I thought. Hopefully the dealer support etc. is good here.

[blueoval]

Pics of me and my ride with the local club over the weekend.

[prydey]

Nice one Shav, i saw you but didn't really get a chance to chat. maybe next time.

[blueoval]

Yeah same. At least you made it to the start. Was a perfect day for it.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by blueoval

At least you made it to the start.

and the finish

[blueoval]

haha, yeah I had that coming. :P

[DBourne]

From this morning's commute.

How's the serenity by SgtBourne, on Flickr

[Captain Stubing]

Went for a ride this morning with a mate to catch up...

[GTpilot]

Cadel's Great Ocean Road Race opened for entries to the peoples ride today (for those who had pre-registered).
I've entered the 107k ride, can't wait!

Anyone else here doing it?

[blueoval]

Im not entering but your in for an awesome ride on the GOR.