Jesus!

Wanderer78

Hurrache wrote: »

I may take the lazy route so. Cheers.

theres certainly no harm in checking out the climb yourself, but very few do it, i found walkers on it before, but those trails are really great fun, i ll probably never do that climb again. ive done half days and full days, im finding the full days to be the best, as you can do things at your leisure, missing the odd uplift, you will find yourself tiring late in the afternoon though. theres probably no harm in starting on the green, then moving slowly up the ranks as the day progresses, the blues are a lot of fun, i spend a lot of time on them

Top Dog

I could be wrong, but I think the day pass (with no uplift) is something like €8. You can also buy single uplift at something like €3 a go. I'm heading there for the first time this coming Sunday. Full day uplift cost me €40. I'll be on my lowly xc hardtail so will start our on the green and try progress through the day. I've been known to take my bike on trails it really wasn't intended for ��

I also have a Trek Remedy booked for their demo day so that should be a really fun hour!

Hurrache

Look forward to hearing how you fare!

I'll be riding a hard tail too, sure it focuses your mind on improving your handling over letting the bike soak it up. That's what I tell myself anyway.

Top Dog

Hurrache wrote: »

Look forward to hearing how you fare!

Walked about 80% of the trails this evening to see what I'm in for tomorrow, and can already tell it's gonna be fun. Green and Blue I expect will be where I spend most of my day. Blacks are a maybe (New Black should be ok) and I might leave the jumps for the full sus.

Will report back tomorrow

Top Dog

Sorry for leaving it so long Hurrache, but this is the first chance I've had to sit down to the computer since we got home on Sunday.

BPI was brilliant. Even though it was my first visit, and as such I was tackling the trails pretty blind, I had a whale of a time. Started off on Green, then moved on to Blue, New Black & Blue Jump trail. All could be done on a hard-tail once you weren't an idiot, and were great fun. As the day progressed I found myself getting slightly more confident in my abilities including getting a tiny bit of air on the jump trail. :cool:

There was a Trek Demo weekend while we were there so I got to try the Remedy for an hour before lunch, and then the Slash for the last hour of uplift. I didn't really gel with the Remedy (the one time I came off a bike all day I was on it) but I think a lot of that was due to having the brakes backwards to what I'm used to so I grabbed a little too much front brake at one point which threw me off. Enjoyed the Slash a lot more, which had the brakes the way I'm used to, but an hour wasn't really long enough to form an opinion (and it had a sticky dropper which was annoying).

Uplifts run in 2 sessions - 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm. The park is open from 9am-6pm so when the uplift isn't running you're welcome to use the Enduro climb to access the trails. I walked it on the Saturday, and yeah, its steep in parts. I didn't try cycling it Sunday as the uplift was just too tempting to skip. Truck runs on average 4 times an hour, meaning a possible 24 uplifts over the course of the day. I ended up using it 22 times! Between my own bike, the 2 demo's and the uplift, I clocked just over 56km over the course of the day. :eek: Legs were pretty tired by the end of it, but then I'd done 50km in Portumna on the Friday so was probably to be expected :pac:

We stayed overnight on the Saturday, along with a family in a caravan and a lad I know in his recently converted van. Handy waking up on-site. Toilets were left open for the night, but there was no electric hook-up (not that we needed it). Cost us 10 each. Everything else is priced as per my previous post - cheaper to pre-pay online rather than on the day.

Already looking forward to a return visit - my wife saw how much I enjoyed it and suggested going back for the full weekend of my birthday in June

Hurrache

Thanks for the write up Top Dog, very informative. All I need to do now is rob a day out of the Easter holidays to swing by. I saw that they had camping there and with the right group of people I was thinking it would be great to stay. no point in doing it with people who aren't too into biking or are able to spend a day out on the trails.

I think I'll take the Enduro trail a couple of times to get the training in, and then splash out on the individual uplifts so I can spend the rest of my time there having the fun without the pain.

Hurrache

So got out there this morning, what a great place they have. I went with the uplift after checking out Strava and what the times were like on the enduro climb. There was only one sucker appearing on Strava who done the run all day yesterday, and I actually know him, he'll get a slagging next time I see him. He done it about 5 or 6 times!

There's more routes than they have on their site and I didn't have the ability to go beyond the blue trails. I had plenty of bravado and confidence to attempt them but my skills were in no way a match so I erred on the side of caution.

Lots of people and families camping there in their camper vans and the little kids were kept entertained on the various pump tracks.

Really worth a visit if you're any where near the place, or even make a weekend out of it.

MediaMan

Anyone know, or even have a rough idea of, the torque setting for the pivot bolts on recent Trek Fuel or Remedy bikes? The main pivot bolt on my Fuel EX 8 (2019 model) has come loose and I want to tighten it at least roughly to spec.


I checked the manual and it gives torque settings for pretty much everything except the rear suspension. Elsewhere in the manual it helpfully suggests to "tighten the bolts to the torque specifications" .



I don't want to go with the generic torque specs based on bolt size as I imagine the pivots, being moving parts, are very much a special case.

Icyseanfitz

anyone have any idea when shimano are officially putting the new 12 speed stuff up for sale, my sram eagle derailleur is fcuked and i am sick of eagle and its finicky to setup bull****

Tenzor07

14th of June will be for sale online..

xxyyzz

Icyseanfitz wrote: »

anyone have any idea when shimano are officially putting the new 12 speed stuff up for sale, my sram eagle derailleur is fcuked and i am sick of eagle and its finicky to setup bull****

You'll probably need a new hub because for some Stoopid reason they are only licensing the microspline design to a limited number of companies. Even hope aren't allowed use it. So far it's just Shimano and dt Swiss

Icyseanfitz

from the little research ive done it seems like it will work with eagle cassettes so hopefully i will be grand

Tenzor07

Though Bricks and Mortar shops are saying at least another month for XT 12 SPD

Peter T

Recently installed a dropper post on my bike and lord god does it change your rides. Picked up a brand X off one of the mtb facebook groups, had only been used as a test fit by the previous owner. Pretty easy to install (besides routing the cables internally). A must have in my opinion. Also picked up a pair of FiveTen Spitfire's from CRC on sale. Have only worn them twice but both in wet conditions, feet stay solid on the pedals now and dont move around which is a big bonus going over rough terrain on the hardtail. 2 Very successful purchases

rizzodun

A dropper post is one of those things you don't think you need until you finally get one, then you wonder how you ever did without.

Peter T

One of my favorite podcast channels with Danny MacAskill for this episode https://wearelookingsideways.com/podcasts/100a-danny-macaskill . Plenty of surfers, climbers, skaters, snowboarders and the like in other episodes if any of that tickles peoples fancy

Eamonnator

I completed a Red C survey this morning.
Part of it was about Coillte, there was a comment section at the end, about what Coillte could do to improve. I recommended that they provide more facilities for mountain bikers.
You're welcome.

Wanderer78

Eamonnator wrote:

I completed a Red C survey this morning. Part of it was about Coillte, there was a comment section at the end, about what Coillte could do to improve. I recommended that they provide more facilities for mountain bikers. You're welcome.

Hope you hounded them on the insurance industry, on how it's fcuking up our fun, and businesses of course

Eamonnator

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Hope you hounded them on the insurance industry, on how it's fcuking up our fun, and businesses of course

I serpently did, 100 cement.
I got quite a lot off my chest.

Tenzor07

Eamonnator wrote: »

what Coillte could do to improve. I recommended that they provide more facilities for mountain bikers.

I don't think we should rely on a semi-state who's primary mission is planting and harvesting of pine trees, and processing them into paper and wood products.

Outdoor recreational sites on state(coillte) lands should be managed by a separate entity with a focus on everything from walking, horse riding to mtb. The popularity of the coillte sites has exploded in the last 5 years, every weekend, sites around Dublin can barely cope with the level of car parking so it shows just how busy they are, and this needs to be managed properly.

iwillhtfu

I think this forum needs a "mb's 'no such thing as a stupid question' bike maintenance thread"

Anyway here seems as good a place. Has anyone ran a 29r frame with a 650b set up? I'm interested in getting an on one hello dave frame from planet x but they're 29r and without opening any can of worms I'm not interested in going 29r and I'm really only interested in this frame as a long term build. Appreciate there are loads of other very good frames for similar money but they won me with the raw look.

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FTOOHD/on-one-hello-dave-frame

Biopace

I'd say a low BB would be the biggest issue, would you run it as 650b with plus tyres?

iwillhtfu

Biopace wrote: »

I'd say a low BB would be the biggest issue, would you run it as 650b with plus tyres?

Yeah I was thinking that's the only real difference but google tells me all kind of madness, plus tyres might be an option alright and my fork will take a plus tyre.

Biopace

I was running 650b 2.6 plus tyres (Conti Barons), I seem to remember the overall height difference to 29er 2.3s was only about 8mm.

Lemming

Is it just particular frame you fancy iwillhtfu? If you're looking for a steel 27.5 hardtail, Cotic bikes sell their BFE frame for about £500-ish, and Airdrop bikes (another Sheffield number) are selling their Bitmap frames at a reduced price of £349 at the moment. On the other end of the scale if you have £900 spare, 18 bikes have their No.7 frames available.

iwillhtfu

Lemming wrote: »

Is it just particular frame you fancy iwillhtfu? If you're looking for a steel 27.5 hardtail, Cotic bikes sell their BFE frame for about £500-ish, and Airdrop bikes (another Sheffield number) are selling their Bitmap frames at a reduced price of £349 at the moment. On the other end of the scale if you have £900 spare, 18 bikes have their No.7 frames available.

Yeah it's more of a something down the line I fancied. I have a commencal Meta HT AM on order which is plenty enough for a hardtail but I also have an ohlins fork I wouldn't mind sticking on a frame at some point so there's no major panic.

I was mad keen to get a cotic but they've stopped making 27.5 and moved everything over to 29r. I also looked at ragley frame but have since gone off them in favour of a longer slacker build.

iwillhtfu

Biopace wrote: »

I was running 650b 2.6 plus tyres (Conti Barons), I seem to remember the overall height difference to 29er 2.3s was only about 8mm.

yeah they seem to work out that it's an 18mm drop in bb height and then you could probably claw some back with tyre choice.

Lemming

iwillhtfu wrote: »

I was mad keen to get a cotic but they've stopped making 27.5 and moved everything over to 29r. I also looked at ragley frame but have since gone off them in favour of a longer slacker build.

The link I sent you for the Cotic BFE is for a 27.5; or that's what it says. I know they have a BFE max which I thought was just a plus size tyre thing but now that you mention the 29er thing I'm not so sure [regards the Max].

The airdrop Bitmap is definitely a 27.5, as is the No.7

iwillhtfu

Lemming wrote: »

The link I sent you for the Cotic BFE is for a 27.5; or that's what it says. I know they have a BFE max which I thought was just a plus size tyre thing but now that you mention the 29er thing I'm not so sure [regards the Max].

The airdrop Bitmap is definitely a 27.5, as is the No.7

I just took a look there and it is I thought they had moved from 650b altogether but it was just the soul they were winding up. They might be back on the cards so.

The air drop max is lovely and obviously very popular they're sold out. Probably a bit to steep a price though for a whim.

Peter T

"I have a fork so must build a bike" What about a Ribble HT 725 ? Stumbled across a pic of one yesterday. Looked good, no idea about ride or quality :pac:

covey123

Lemming wrote: »

Airdrop bikes (another Sheffield number) .

Their Edit full suss is a tasty looking bike!
Any feedback on them?

iwillhtfu

I got a reply from planet x and they don't think there'll be any issues they've a few custom builds in 650b

Lemming

covey123 wrote: »

Their Edit full suss is a tasty looking bike!
Any feedback on them?

Other than positive reviews online, I've not encountered anyone personally with one in Sheffield (yet) despite them being a Sheffield-based company so can't really say either way. I hadn't heard of them until they turned up at the annual Sheffield Urban Dual Slalom race a few years ago.

Biopace

covey123 wrote: »

Their Edit full suss is a tasty looking bike!
Any feedback on them?

I have a V1 Edit, brilliant machine, probably too much bike for my meagre skills, but was massive fun when I was using it.

covey123

For any trail builders out there,came across this,looks like a good deal;

https://www.fireprotectiononline.co.uk/wildfire-rakehoe.html

xxyyzz

Btr fabrications make the ultimate trail tool. It's expensive but you could honestly go to war with it. It's best suited to loamy forest conditions. https://www.btr-fabrications.com/products/trail-tool/

Peter T

The title of this thread is very fitting when I read the price on that. Will make my own when the time comes

Wanderer78

Peter T wrote:

The title of this thread is very fitting when I read the price on that. Will make my own when the time comes

We just use standard tools, pick axe, shovels, loppers, bushmen, rakes etc

Peter T

Same whenever I've been out doing maintenance with the gang. There's been a trail tool like above to hand but rarely gets used

covey123

Wanderer78 wrote: »

We just use standard tools, pick axe, shovels, loppers, bushmen, rakes etc

A mattock is definitely worth picking up if you don't already have one, really makes short work of digging

Wanderer78

covey123 wrote:

A mattock is definitely worth picking up if you don't already have one, really makes short work of digging

Yea we have one, some job

Plastik

Haven't been to Djouce for 2 weeks, Coillte have been busy. The last bit of XTC where it drops onto the fireroad is gone, and the entrance to Phantom & Benchcut covered over with a timber stack.

rizzodun

Plastik wrote: »

Haven't been to Djouce for 2 weeks, Coillte have been busy. The last bit of XTC where it drops onto the fireroad is gone, and the entrance to Phantom & Benchcut covered over with a timber stack.

Count yourselves lucky in the East, when they fell you usually have more trails and a few different places to ride.

When they fell where I am it can pretty much mean nowhere to ride at all.

mrsoundie

https://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/home/569899/injured-mountain-biker-airlifted-to-hospital-from-slieve-bloom-mountains.html

The bike was probably not the best for the intended purpose.

bogmanfan

mrsoundie wrote: »

https://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/home/569899/injured-mountain-biker-airlifted-to-hospital-from-slieve-bloom-mountains.html

The bike was probably not the best for the intended purpose.

Looks like a Halfords job, or equivalent. Front wheel totally deformed.

I really like those trails, but they are very fast, so potential for a big crash if it goes wrong.

Peter T

Not even a quick release front end. Looks like something you'd get collecting tokens from your ready brek

mrsoundie

Peter T wrote: »

Not even a quick release front end. Looks like something you'd get collecting tokens from your ready brek

It was the pads for brakes that got me.

Flippyfloppy

:O

Wanderer78

mrsoundie wrote:

The bike was probably not the best for the intended purpose.

Fcuk sake, maybe stupid health and safety info really is needed, for the Darwin awards class! Ffs!

Lemming

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Fcuk sake, maybe stupid health and safety info really is needed, for the Darwin awards class! Ffs!

I saw an excellent piece of signage at a particular trail-head in Hamsterley forest (Durham, ye olde place of eye-sight tests by driving ... ) that besides the usual "this is a red/black/whatever grade" trail stuff, it also had contact information for the nearest hospital. That bit of information alone would make most people pause and reflect on their abilities, their bike, the weather, etc.

But then again, given the bike in question was a BSO with wide tyres, perhaps something less subtle is required to aid the minds of less introspective or observant folks. Perhaps an initial trail feature (for example a drop-in with no chicken line) that that comes with a warning sign that if you cannot ride what is in front of you at the very start of the trail, then this trail is likely beyond your abilities and thus not for you.