MTB Etiquette

[Scallops]

Some advice from the MTB fraternity please....I have just bought myself a bike, and have already been given a few tips....

1. No lycra
2. No lycra
3. no lycra

:D

So I'm wondering what to wear! I'm thinking of cheating and using my trusty bib and brace knicks, under a pair of shorts :angel:- but what do you wear as a top?

Also - I took my Elite biddon holders off my (for sale) roady - is it kosher to use these on a MTB or do all the cool kids just use a camelback?

[isuzurover]

Personally, I wear MTB shorts. Cost me about ~$50 from here:
Shorts DH & Freeride (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=1081)

They have an inner liner that does the same job as lycra.

I use a camelback - much easier to drink from offroad. Plus you don't have to worry about the rattling out of the holders in the rough stuff.

What bike?

[weeds]

lol, make sure you wear lycra when riding with JohnR.........

camel back is the go, plenty of water along with spare tubes, pump, tool kit, car keys, mobile etc

opps forgot, i wore my nicks under shorts when i first started.....

[Scallops]

What bike?

Trek Elite 9.9 SSL. I got a great deal from the University of Queensland Bike shop - It's my 6th bike from 'em and will go nicely with my OCLV Madone 5.9. I'm selling my other road bike as I can't fit them all in the bedroom! :p

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/1434/elite99ssl.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/593/elite99ssl.png/)

[rainman]

I usually wear normal shorts over nicks except when doing big mountain epics at a reasonable pace. Shorts flapping around over long distance becomes plain annoying. A couple of us have managed to prove that shorts turn into a parachute at high speed and knock about 5 km/h off around the 70km/h mark.

I second the Camelbak advice, but if you plan on doing some really big rides or races water bottles come in hand so you can carry water on your back and electrolyte and/or energy drink in the bottles. Keep hold of your carriers it you have good ones.

Word out on the street (or perhaps the trails) is that you might be hooking up with the Masterbikers shortly Scallops :cool:. If we know which week end that is going to be I'm sure a few of us will be happy to fore go the shorts for the afternoon and wave our tight a$$es around in front of JR to put him off his game.


James.
(Yesterday's action) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/masterbikers/sets/72157627418113335/)

[Killer]

Turncoat!:mad::D

Cheers, Mick.

[Scallops]

[quote=rainman;1535089

Word out on the street (or perhaps the trails) is that you might be hooking up with the Masterbikers shortly Scallops :cool:. If we know which week end that is going to be I'm sure a few of us will be happy to fore go the shorts for the afternoon and wave our tight a$$es around in front of JR to put him off his game.


James.
(Yesterday's action) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/masterbikers/sets/72157627418113335/)[/quote]

:D Gotta love a nude ride....My old bike club (UQ) did one at 5.00am down Park Road a few years ago....I still have no feeling in certain areas. :eek:

And Yes - I'm keen to get out with the Masterbikes crew! I had a GF Cake a few years back - bent the forks on Nirvana (Daisy Hill) chasing after some champion Qld CC riders I used to ride with....so I'd like to be a wuss and get the feel of the new bike first. :angel:

Then I need to work out how to join up, cos the link Guy sent me directed me to a blank Flickr page...

[bell1975]

You'll find some top quality and long-lived gear across the ditch in NZ. Try these guys (http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product-detail-DOU-SHO.htm). My wife and I have probably 20-30 items of Ground Effect gear between us - their merino stuff is most impressive. Their Reservoir Dog (http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product-detail-RES-BAG.htm) has served me well for approx 8 years now. And with the exchange rate NZD>AUD this gear will be even better value.

Another company that make awesome gear, albeit not MTB specific, is Cactus Climbing (http://www.cactusclimbing.co.nz/). Some of their bags are ok for bike use.

Noice bike too. I reminisce about the singletrack I used to have at my back door in Nelson, NZ...I must check out the trails around Gap Creek one of these days. Any suggestions?

[rainman]

Unfortunately our MTB trail offerings are pitiful compared to what NZ has. Still, we are lucky in Brisbane with so many forests within easy reach of the centre of the city.

If you want to try out Gap Creek, the best place to start is the Gap Creek Reserve car park off Gap Creek Rd. It's basically in the centre of the trails, so it's easy to do loops out and back and bail out whenever you feel like it. It's a bit hard to describe exactly which trails you should hit, but it's pretty hard to go wrong.

If you ever want to be "shown around" just shout (or PM me if you like). There are a number of us on the forum who live very close.

[bell1975]

Excellent, thanks for the offer...just have to sort out my herniated disc/sciatica before I can how a leg over the old Stumpjumper.

My wife and I were spoilt when we lived in the UK too: Lake District NP/Skiddaw at our back gate and many miles of bridleways, etc to ride. There's a good reason why my bikes are either in pieces in the shed or on a static trainer...there's not a road or track around Murgon that I've found worth riding unfortunately.


Unfortunately our MTB trail offerings are pitiful compared to what NZ has. Still, we are lucky in Brisbane with so many forests within easy reach of the centre of the city.

If you want to try out Gap Creek, the best place to start is the Gap Creek Reserve car park off Gap Creek Rd. It's basically in the centre of the trails, so it's easy to do loops out and back and bail out whenever you feel like it. It's a bit hard to describe exactly which trails you should hit, but it's pretty hard to go wrong.

If you ever want to be "shown around" just shout (or PM me if you like). There are a number of us on the forum who live very close.

[Rayngie]

NZO Dobbies for shorts, best thing out there, pretty much any 'sweat wicking' top will do, just nothing tight...Lycra is fine for night rides when only in your own company.

If in Sydney, bring the bike and i'll get you out around Manly Dam, less then two mins from my place and a sweet ride..

Ray

[rainman]

There's a good reason why my bikes are either in pieces in the shed or on a static trainer...there's not a road or track around Murgon that I've found worth riding unfortunately.

Ah yes, but around Murgon you should have enough land and the means (ie ready supply of tractors and timber) to create your own trails and Northshore!

[Scallops]

Bike shop rang to tell me it's coming in tomorrow for the build. They are also going to do a fit. I was a bit surprised about that, as I know a professional fit is standard when setting up a road bike, but I was unaware the same applied to MTBs - they didn't do a fit when I bought the Cake a few years back...:confused:

Now to pedals....I thought I still had my old egg beaters, but they're not here....so the shop is doing a deal on a set of XT pedals - $50.00. I ride Times on my Madone - do the XT's have any float?

Anyhow, I'm as excited as a 4 year old on Christmas morning - I'll post up some pics once the beast is safely home.

Thanks for all the advice guys - might need to freak out JR and co for just a bit in my lycra before I find some kit....:D

[rainman]

XT pedals are a good solid choice. The eggbeaters are a bit lighter but they tend to get bashed about quite easily. And yes, there is float, and probably a lot more than you are used to on a roadie, but you kind of need it. I can't remember if you can get cleats with different amounts of float for MTB, but your pedals will probably come with the standard SH51 cleats anyway, which is what nearly everyone uses.

Fitting for a mountain bike is far less common because you're always standing, sitting, and moving about; not sitting in the one place for extended periods like on a road bike. For such a rigid purposeful machine as your's it's probably a good idea, and the bike shop should be offering it anyway seeing as you're forking out a fair amount of $$$$.

[isuzurover]

Now to pedals....I thought I still had my old egg beaters, but they're not here....so the shop is doing a deal on a set of XT pedals - $50.00.

I assume you mean the M770?

Personally, I like the stability of a semi-platform pedal ( M647 ) over drops/jumps/downhill.

If you don't want a platform, you may be better off sticking with the times as you are used to them.

[Edit - your road times are probably completely different to XC times?)

[brend0n]

good advice that no Lycra....

Like people here have suggested i wear knicks under light bike short. Camelback.

I also use fingerless gloves on longer ride (office hands ;))


I run crank brothers mallet pedals cause i can still take the bike up to the shops without having to change shoes and prefer stability for jumps/drops too

[Scallops]

I assume you mean the M770?

Personally, I like the stability of a semi-platform pedal ( M647 ) over drops/jumps/downhill.

If you don't want a platform, you may be better off sticking with the times as you are used to them.

[Edit - your road times are probably completely different to XC times?)

Not sure what the model code is - they just said someone ordered XTR pedals, these came in, he didn't want them - insisted on XTR, so they're doing me a deal...they'll be 2011 XT pedals though...

...I kind of regard the rigid sole of my shoe as a platform itself, so not sure if I'd prefer a bigger pedal surface; guess I'll try the XT out and see - glad to hear they have plenty of float, It'll save my knees...and yes - my road Times are completely different to XC Time pedals!


good advice that no Lycra....

:D This advice is completely understood and taken onboard!

Like people here have suggested i wear knicks under light bike short. Camelback.

Thanks....I'll likely do the same as my days of racing are well and truly over (and never started on a MTBB)

I also use fingerless gloves on longer ride (office hands ;))

Yep - I always wear fingerless gloves too - thanks for your advice. :)

I run crank brothers mallet pedals cause i can still take the bike up to the shops without having to change shoes and prefer stability for jumps/drops too

[rainman]

M647s on a 9.9 SSL :eek:. That would be like a gymnast in army boots...... umm, yeah, I guess that could be a good thing :angel:....... No! I'm suggesting this would be a bad thing.

Hmmm, I'd better stop (think unsexy thoughts, think unsexy thoughts, JR in lycra).......

[Scallops]

M647s on a 9.9 SSL :eek:. That would be like a gymnast in army boots...... umm, yeah, I guess that could be a good thing :angel:....... No! I'm suggesting this would be a bad thing.

Hmmm, I'd better stop (think unsexy thoughts, think unsexy thoughts, JR in lycra).......

:lol2:

[isuzurover]

M647s on a 9.9 SSL :eek:. That would be like a gymnast in army boots...... umm, yeah, I guess that could be a good thing :angel:....... No! I'm suggesting this would be a bad thing.

Hmmm, I'd better stop (think unsexy thoughts, think unsexy thoughts, JR in lycra).......

:D Fair enough. Depends what you want to do with the bike I suppose... My first (serious) MTB was a G.Fisher Big Sur, which ended up with a 130mm travel Marzzocchi (sp?) fork with a 20 mm axle.

Suffice to say it was optimised for going down rather than up!

Personally, even on a hardcore XC bike I feel unstable with tiny pedals...


Now - please don't let me interrupt your dreams about Gymnasts in army boots...

[Scallops]

This isn't so different from the roady world! :D Maybe it's sacriliage actually putting XT's on an otherwise full XTR group bike! :p But hey - I can always just scrawl in an extra "R"....;)

[Scallops]

Went into UQ to pick up my ride this arvo after work - but left empty handed...:( The good news is that the bike is absolute filth - I went weak at the knees when I saw it :)

But the shop is having trouble with routing the cables (which are inside the frame) and reckon the rear shifter mechanism is defective. Brand new XTR defective - WTF?? :confused: Anyway, they are ordering a new shifter so hopefully I'll have the bike soon.

Hey - If you haven't seen a Trek Elite 9.9 SSL then wait till you do - it is absolute porn, the shape of the tubes...the carbon wheel set...with white spokes....blinged bling everywhere you look...God, I need to take a cold shower! :blink:

[bell1975]

Ah yes, but around Murgon you should have enough land and the means (ie ready supply of tractors and timber) to create your own trails and Northshore!

Ha! Yes, this is true. If I did this I'd be needing to quadruple my income protection insurance I think...

I recall riding at some of the "MTB parks" like Glentress and Peebles in Scotland - they had some seriously monster platforms and north-shore style ramps. I also remember fairly consistently riding the chicken runs around the worst/best of them!


Went into UQ to pick up my ride this arvo after work - but left empty handed...:( The good news is that the bike is absolute filth - I went weak at the knees when I saw it :)

But the shop is having trouble with routing the cables (which are inside the frame) and reckon the rear shifter mechanism is defective. Brand new XTR defective - WTF?? :confused: Anyway, they are ordering a new shifter so hopefully I'll have the bike soon.

Hey - If you haven't seen a Trek Elite 9.9 SSL then wait till you do - it is absolute porn, the shape of the tubes...the carbon wheel set...with white spokes....blinged bling everywhere you look...God, I need to take a cold shower! :blink:

Taken delivery yet? Got the pedals sorted?

[rick130]

Some advice from the MTB fraternity please....I have just bought myself a bike, and have already been given a few tips....

1. No lycra
2. No lycra
3. no lycra

:D

So I'm wondering what to wear! I'm thinking of cheating and using my trusty bib and brace knicks, under a pair of shorts :angel:- but what do you wear as a top?

Also - I took my Elite biddon holders off my (for sale) roady - is it kosher to use these on a MTB or do all the cool kids just use a camelback?

WTF ??

I always wear lycra bibs and always have ?
As did the blokes I used to ride with back in the Blue Mts ?
Hell, most did back when I started.

I have dual bidons and use them, (el cheapo cateyes, but you never lose a bottle) but I have a Camelback as well for longer rides :D

re pedals, always used Time ATAC's. (even on the roadie :angel: )

Not the lightest, but probably still the most reliable clip-less pedals.

[Killer]

Come on Scallops, where are you? Give us a report, hang on... I seem to remember that when he picked up his Puma he went AWOL for ages as well.:D

Cheers, Mick.

[Scallops]

Sorry! Yes - got the bike 1 week ago. It's sad but I actually went a little weak in the knees when I saw it. :p Oh - said that above! I've riden it to work each day, stretching the cables, bedding it in...gees I enjoy riding it!

Kat and I are riding from Moore to Bernakin together tomorrow. :)

And I'm with you Rick - I say bollocks to no lycra! It might be ugly, but I'm comfortable!

[bell1975]

Sorry! Yes - got the bike 1 week ago. It's sad but I actually went a little weak in the knees when I saw it. :p Oh - said that above! I've riden it to work each day, stretching the cables, bedding it in...gees I enjoy riding it!

Kat and I are riding from Moore to Bernakin together tomorrow. :)

And I'm with you Rick - I say bollocks to no lycra! It might be ugly, but I'm comfortable!

Apologies for the shameful thread dredge but I'm thinking of Inc's server space..why post a new thread and waste 3Mb.

Hey Scallops (sorry forgotten your real name...).

How's the Trek been for you?

Did you know that QRail have been ripping up all the rail lines further up than Moore?

If my info is correct they have started on the line up near Tiaro (Scaryborough) and they have just gone through us here in Murgon. Apparently they will be done in Kingaroy by years' end.

Sooooo, if the Council here gets their poo together they could actually extend that ride for another 40+ kms.

It's fairly mundane riding but as a means of getting in some time on the pedals without seeing bitumen/cars/trucks/dropkicks sitting inside 2t of steel at the ready to put you into a wheelchair or coffin, it wouldn't be too bad.

Even for me at the moment it would be great if they could 'maintain' 2.5kms either side of the main street of town and slash it/spray the weeds along it so that it becomes a 10km out/back running route.

I'm going to scroll up again after I post this and check out the bike. It was truly a piece of art when I saw one last year in Brissy.

[Slunnie]

WTF ??

I always wear lycra bibs and always have ?
As did the blokes I used to ride with back in the Blue Mts ?
Hell, most did back when I started.

I have dual bidons and use them, (el cheapo cateyes, but you never lose a bottle) but I have a Camelback as well for longer rides :D

re pedals, always used Time ATAC's. (even on the roadie :angel: )

Not the lightest, but probably still the most reliable clip-less pedals.

Same, always wear Lycra but it also depends on how comfortable you are with yourself and if you're out for the riding. By far the better clothing for riding rather than parachute clothing. If you're commuting or riding to the pub then thats a different story. Biddon holders, Specialised have got a beauty out now that holds the bottle at the top of the holder rather than 1/2 way down and so far have never dropped a bottle with one - but thats on a TT bike using Xlab on the rear and in the aerobars rather than the MTB. They're about $20ea.

[rick130]

Biddon holders, Specialised have got a beauty out now that holds the bottle at the top of the holder rather than 1/2 way down and so far have never dropped a bottle with one - but thats on a TT bike using Xlab on the rear and in the aerobars rather than the MTB. They're about $20ea.

Ta, the Cateye's are sort of the 110/130 of the bidon world, functional but not, err, aesthetically pleasing to most eyes :angel: They look pretty ordinary on the roadie.

Not sure about adding a Specialised bit to a Cannondale though :D

[Slunnie]

Ta, the Cateye's are sort of the 110/130 of the bidon world, functional but not, err, aesthetically pleasing to most eyes :angel: They look pretty ordinary on the roadie.

Not sure about adding a Specialised bit to a Cannondale though :D
True, I had some reservations about fitting them to my Cervelo too... but at the end of the day it was what worked that mattered for me. Sometimes I cant afford to eject drink bottles.

[newlandyowner]

I can second the ground effect gear, onto my second pair of shorts in 12 years. Great to deal with and stand by their product. Good quality riding gear that has had some thought put into it.

I don't use a camelback, I'd prefer not to ride with one, feels so much better without it.

Also try wiggle.co.uk. Make sure it's the UK site and not AUST site. They do some wicked deals and parcels arrive quicker from the UK than from Eastern states to WA!!

[rick130]

Lets continue the thread dregde :D

I too like the small amount of Ground Effect stuff I have, and wear the merino singlet for everything, not just biking ;)

[Slunnie]

I can second the ground effect gear, onto my second pair of shorts in 12 years. Great to deal with and stand by their product. Good quality riding gear that has had some thought put into it.

I don't use a camelback, I'd prefer not to ride with one, feels so much better without it.

Also try wiggle.co.uk. Make sure it's the UK site and not AUST site. They do some wicked deals and parcels arrive quicker from the UK than from Eastern states to WA!!

Wiggle is fantastic!!! Through the .au site all of my orders have come from the UK.