Saturday 17 April 2010

Managed to source some bolts this morning for the rear brake (too long though so I had to cut them) and got the P7 ready to go.  

Took it up to Whinlatter and did both loops...... It was bleeding awesome.  

It took me a while to get used to the sram gears at 1st, i'm used to the dual action shimano ones (where you can push/pull the trigger) so I had a bit of trouble on the 1st climb.  
I'm also going to have to get used to such a light front end too! i'm used to the weight of the domains, so I had to stop yanking the front end up over obsticals... caught me by surprise a few times!  

Anyways, +ve's...  

Frame: wow. all the "its a lot of money for a not so special frame" has been completely overruled. The shock absorbance on the rear stays is superb, I hardly felt any trail buzz through my legs/butt. You could also feel a tad bit of flex, but it just felt like the frame was adapting to the trail.  

Forks: best forks i've ever used by a country mile. They are...... I can't even describe. Absouloutely bloody brilliant. Combined with the monkeylight CNT bars, I had almost no vibration/buzz through my arms... is the 1st time i've never had arm pump at the bottom of a long downwards section!  

XT Brakes: I really don't understand the hate for XT brakes. They were faultless all day, bloody brilliant stoppers!  

Overall the bike is light, nimble and very capable on the downs.... couldn't ask for more!  
I'm grinning from cheek to cheek, its been a great day! :D 

just a few snaps from the day :)

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Monday 5 April 2010

Long time no see!

Been quite a while since I posted on here!
Been uber busy with work, cars and deciding what I want out of my bikes and I just haven't had time!

1st off - I have a new, more bike friendly car! Yay! It's a little pug 206, but it's much easier to carry my kit in with the bike on the back!

2nd - the NS Surge has been sold!! Well I say sold, I've split everything and all the parts have gone different ways! This has helped fund the now GORGEOUS P7 and I've got a bit left over to start saving for the next build!

3rd - as said, the P7 is almost finished!
All I'm waiting for is my brakes and saddle and it all just needs putting together... Oh and Orange have the wrong front dérailleur size listed on their site so I've had to return one and I'm awaiting the replecement :)

Off to Scotland for the 5 year (gulp) anniversary with my GF, so hopefully I'll have everything up, running and ridable within 2 weeks!

I canny wait!

Monday 8 February 2010

The P7 Progress....

So, time for an update!

The P7 build is going well... and it looks like its going to be a cracking little trail bike!
Not going silly on the spec, keeping it reasonable and suitable for the frame.....
Rev forks are a perfect match in colour so I'm really please about that! The XT crankset looks top notch too!
Wheels are XT hubs with DTSwiss DB spokes build onto Mavic xm719... nice and light but nice and strong!

Sunday 31 January 2010

Gisburn take 2!!




I woke up this morning to a street full of snow and I was utterly utterly pissed off!
I'd originally planned to ride Llandegla in North Wales, but the sudden snowfall rendered the trails there unrideable :(

So after a lot of umming and aaarrring I phoned my brother in law to check the conditions around longridge/clithero..... NO SNOW!!!

It took me around 30 mins to find the start of the trails. I'd totally forgotten where to go and I was riding blind until I noticed the signs! Doh!

Anyways, the trail conditions were great considering the time of year and the snowfall we've had. All of the volounteer sections were immaculate, great to ride on!
The highest point was rather muddy and claggy so I ended up walking the last part of the climb :(

From then on it was plain sailing.. some great trails and some great views :)

I've uploaded 6 vids to youtube too!