Middle Pack

Will I ever go back to running as much? Have to say probably not. A great bike and I wish I could give a decent review of it but as I have so little experience owning decent bikes I feel it unfair. Suffice to say it is damned fast and great fun to ride although the back end does kick a fair bit.

Done just shy of 200 miles in the first two weeks that I have owned it, however I have now decided to take off the computer as I am only checking total miles. I am experiencing a different type of tired than from running as you can really notice the difference between a battered impact tired from running to the general dull ache of biking.

Also managed to get myself to Dalby on Sunday and have another go at the Red route that I did a couple of months ago. Set off from the bottom car park and the first section up to Dixons hollow I was bouncing and pinging off rocks all over the place. A quick stop to deflate tyres and then I was setting off with a bit more speed.  I managed to get stuck in a pack of 4 lightweight full suss bikes for the next section. Bit of banter and I tried to hang on downhill whilst not running into the back of them on uphills. As most of it was sharp downhills then I was probably going as fast as I dare.  As soon as the flat ground re-appeared I was off then up the adders back climb, with them just a distant memory.

I had my first major bail soon after as well. A head over the bars moment, a bit of blood but the most important thing was the bike wasn’t scratched! Really my own fault for hesitating on a drop and ending up going too slow. From there it took a good 5 minutes to get any decent speed up without hanging on the brakes but I soon got most of my confidence back on all apart from the steeper stuff.

Dalby is surprisingly a lot bumpier than I initially remember (I was on a full suss). Not very tricky or rocky, just loads of little bumps and roots that can shake you around a bit. Once the tyre pressures was sorted I was good to go though. Finally managing the whole route in 2 hours 11 minutes.

Enjoyed that as a good workout, pretty annoying timing that the physio has told me to start running again. So I supopse I need to put my bike down for a day and give it a go?

Well it arrived Tuesday in a big box at work. The bloke who signed for it didn’t believe a bike was in the box. I just couldn’t belive it had finally arrived.

I hummed and arrghed about which forks to get. Rockshox Reba Race or the Fox F100’s. Both mean little to me apart from fox are white and expensive and the Rockshox not so expensive and black. Finally decided white was the way to go.  Technically I think I wouldn’t have noticed any difference as I class myself as a keen bimbler when it comes to bikes. So decided on the expensive forks as I would never buy them new so probably my only chance to get a pair. I have to say I am very happy I did so far.

Been on a few rides of a couple of hours and so suprised at the difference in riding from my old bike. Whoever said it is not the bike but the rider obviously hadn’t rode my old bike. I find that I scare myself at the speed I can quickly get up to on singletrack.  Climbs are a joy, especially short sharp ones! I cannot wait for a longer all day epic on it and then see how it fairs but I am reckoning it will be great for that as well.

So now I am looking at a few races to have a pop at? Maybe the brownbacks series at Lee Quarry or possibly the Gisburn Enduro although any other suggestions welcome?

So now I have a new bike, anyone fancy a ride?

I have the go ahead to buy a new bike! I have done my time on a heavy old bike and spend the last 3 years on a £30 hardtail. This has stopped me wanting to enter some adventure races, trailquests or even enduros.

After much internet searching I have narrowed my search down to a few bikes.

First up is the Merlin Malt 4. A sexy bike, race ready and UK specific i.e it can handle mud! If you have been out on some of the trails recently round Yorkshire you will realise the importance of this.  I am really struggling to see any cons to this bike at all? Great reviews, cool white looking and would also be a reasonable all dayer.

Second choice is from the same company, much the same kit but a different frame. The Rock Lobster Tig Team. A hardtail with great reviews. Slightly heavier than the Malt but maybe a  bit more robust and more leaning towards an all dayer than you can rag around than a racing steed. Initially I was looking at the steel frame but with none in current stock, the  smooth look of the black frame and the comments on forums then the Easton frame it is.

Now these are my two favorites, but there is more in contention.

The Edinburgh Cycles Shadow Mountain is another keen choice. They are bringing oput an 09 model shortly and the kit cannot be sniffed at and it is a keen looking lightweight bike. It would probably not hold value well but with the kit spec then the possibility of just swapping out frames is a possibility. A lot of bike for your money but can I wait?

Others I thought of but I think I have now discarded are the Scott Scale 50. I feel the spec ain’t great and I am paying for name. GT Zaskar is another that is a sexy bike but I cannot help feel that I prefer some of the others I have mentioned.

Can anyone else think of other options for a speedy xc bike that is suitable for racing, but also suitable for speedy trail riding?