Today I rode my bike, my "good" bike' the Fuel EX 9. Cracking ride too!
It's been a while since I rode offload with gears, and decent forks, and rear suspension, and you know what, I think I have missed it. More than once, generally after dropping the saddle for a bit, I proclaimed my love for it. After 7 months of singlespeed fun on my Carrera Fury (that's a bit to big) it was like putting on an old pair of gloves.
An old pair of gloves that needs a new set of chain rings if any of you have any suggestions by the way. XT Hollowtech II crankset.
Everything just worked, it went where I pointed it pretty much despite the substantial amount of filth to be embraced. It set off like a scalded cat when asked, and my legs would allow, and let me pick my way down or power my way up the filthiest, gloppy sections of trail you would ever want to meet. The Jones Big Earl Wet up front is a beast better suited to a tractor but the skinny, worn, semi-slick Jones XR at the back never ceases to impress. It somehow manages to be slippy, drifty fun and fast rolling on road sections, but also puts the power down in pretty much all conditions as well as the chunkier rubber my mates ride. A magic trick I am happy to not question :-)
In short I had a lovely (and statistically unimpressive, as proved by the Strava link) evening. I embraced the filth, and although riding bikes is pretty much always great, riding a great bike, my great bike, makes it even better.
http://app.strava.com/rides/6594533 (not sure how this will work as I am on the mobile site and it isn't offering me a description or anything).
Hi Chris, I got a EX8 I like it but I find it doesn't take the hammering the old Orange P7 does without things wearing out fairly quick. It's in bits at the moment as I give it a right good service.
ReplyDeleteWas just looking at your post and remembered, tonight also told me I REALLY want an uppy-downy post of some description, especially now I have bent the seatpost collar QR lever moving the saddle around.
ReplyDeleteIf we are talking chain rings here I find that all this garbage about 7075-T6 Hard anodised aluminium a bit of a sales gimmick.
ReplyDeleteYes 7075-T6 aluminium is 'aircraft grade', but when the hard anodise goes down a whole 5um thick, you'll be through to your very expensive 'aircraft grade' aluminium within a couple of spins and if you put a load of power in too, all you'll see is your chain ring shark fin by the end of the year.
My advice (which you can take or leave) is to go with a steel chain ring. Yes they are ugly and cheap, but it'll last 3 times (plus) longer.
Glad the weather is picking up for my cycle fun too :)
Set of steel rings does seem a most likely proposition, don't think I will stretch to the XT middle ring with its composite carrier and steel teeth mix, little bit expensive, so Deore, here we come (online offers notwithstanding)
ReplyDeleteI got Deore on the Orange P7 and XT on my EX and I can't tell the difference. Basically I think a good chain and a nice bit of oiling goes a long way.
ReplyDeleteProblem is, everywhere that sells cheap bits appears to be out of Deore middle rings in 32t flavour. 22t granny is out there but the price doubles when you leave the plain Deore level! Still looking anyway.
ReplyDelete