Reply to: Bike for work

[Spacecadet]

If they are going to be locked all the time, then get rigid forks.

Seems the most (if not all) mountain bikes come with front shocks these days. Can't say it's a development I'm happy with!

[snaw]

Bugger.

So the canondale isn't available in my size on the sale site, so evans won't price match.

Q2.

I can get a 2011 spec rockhopper & a 2010 spec rockhopper comp for about the same price :

2010
Specialized M4 fully manipulated alloy frame, fully butted, ORE DT, externally relieved HT, forged dropouts w/ replaceable derailleur hanger, disc only
REAR SHOCK
FORK
RockShox Dart 3 SL, 80/100mm, 1 piece magnesium lower, alloy steerer, adj. reb. damping w/ LO and preload adj., size-specific spring rates, disc only
HEADSET
1-1/8" threadless, loose ball
STEM
3D forged alloy, 7 degree rise, 31.8mm clamp
HANDLEBARS
Butted alloy riserbar, 25mm rise, 660mm wide, 8 degree back sweep, 7 degree up sweep
GRIPS
Specialized Enduro, dual compound Kraton, no flange, 131mm
FRONT BRAKE
Avid BB5, mechanical disc, 160mm G2 Clean Sweep rotor
REAR BRAKE
Avid BB5, mechanical disc, 160mm G2 Clean Sweep rotor
BRAKE LEVERS
Avid FR-5, alloy, two-finger linear pull
FRONT DERAILLEUR
Shimano Altus, 34.9mm clamp
REAR DERAILLEUR
SRAM X-5, mid cage
SHIFT LEVERS
SRAM X4-R trigger
CASSETTE
SRAM PG-830, 8-speed, 11-32t
CHAIN
KMC X8 w/ reuseable Missing Link
CRANKSET
SR SunTour, Octalink spline
CHAINRINGS
42S x 32S x 22S replaceable
BOTTOM BRACKET
Shimano BB-ES25, Octalink spline, cartridge bearing, 68mm x 118mm
PEDALS
Steel cage, composite body, 9/16"
RIMS
Alex RHD 26", pinned, alloy double wall, eyelets, 28h front and 32h rear
FRONT HUB
Forged alloy, hi/low flange, double sealed, ground race, machined disc mount, 32h
REAR HUB
Forged alloy, double sealed, ground race, machined disc mount, cassette, 32h
SPOKES
2mm (14g) stainless
FRONT TIRE
Specialized Fast Trak LK Sport, 26x2.0", 60TPI, wire bead
REAR TIRE
Specialized Fast Trak LK Sport, 26x2.0", 60TPI, wire bead
INNER TUBES
Schraeder valve
SADDLE
Specialized Rockhopper XC, Body Geometry, 143mm width, front and rear bumpers
SEATPOST
Alloy two bolt, 12.5mm offset, micro adjust, 30.9mm

2011
FRAME Specialized M4 fully manipulated alloy frame, fully butted, externally relieved HT, forged dropouts w/ replaceable derailleur hanger, disc only
FORK SR Suntour SF11-XCR-DS-26-LO-SP, mag. lower, 30mm steel stanchions, hyd. damping w/ lock out and custom tuned spike valve
HEADSET 1-1/8" threadless, loose ball
STEM 3D forged alloy, 7 degree rise, 31.8mm clamp
HANDLEBARS Butted alloy riserbar, 25mm rise, 8 degree back sweep, 6 degree up
GRIPS Specialized Enduro, dual compound Kraton, no flange, 131mm
FRONT BRAKE Avid BB5, mechanical disc, 160mm G2 Clean Sweep rotor
REAR BRAKE Avid BB5, mechanical disc, 160mm G2 Clean Sweep rotor
BRAKE LEVERS Alloy, linear pull
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Altus, 34.9mm clamp
REAR DERAILLEUR SRAM X.5 8sp Mid cage
SHIFT LEVERS SRAM X.4 trigger
CASSETTE SRAM PG-830, 8-speed, 11-32t
CHAIN KMC X8 w/ reusable Missing Link
CRANKSET SR SunTour, Octalink spline
CHAINRINGS 42S x 32S x 22S replaceable
BOTTOM BRACKET Shimano BB-ES25, Octalink spline, cartridge bearing, 68mm x 118mm
PEDALS Plastic platform, toe-clip compatible, reflectors, 9/16"
RIMS Alex RHD 26", alloy double wall, pinned w/eyelets
FRONT HUB Forged alloy, hi/low flange, double sealed, ground race, machined disc mount and flange, QR, 28h
REAR HUB Forged alloy, mid flange, double sealed, ground race, machined disc mount and flanges, cassette, QR, 32h
SPOKES 2mm (14g) stainless
FRONT TIRE Specialized The Captain Sport, 26x2.0", 60TPI, wire bead
REAR TIRE Specialized The Captain Sport, 26x2.0", 60TPI, wire bead
INNER TUBES Presta valve
SADDLE Specialized Rockhopper XC, Body Geometry, 143mm width, front and rear bumpers
SEATPOST Alloy two bolt, 12.5mm offset, micro adjust, 30.9mm

Whaddya reckon?

[hyperD]

Got one of these babies, so have avoided the inevitable titanium kneejoints I would have had surgically implanted if I carried on doing the commute with a mountain bike to do the 30 mile daily run to the clientco.

I'm no cyclist officianado, but the difference from mountain bike to road bike is extraordinary.

[vetran]

thanks, makes sense.

[JamJarST]

excuse my ignorance but why?

Well it adds unnecessary weight, is poor quality at that spec and takes away some of your pedalling power unless you lock it out which negates the benefit anyway. If you were going to do some real offroad rideing then fine, but it is only a 75mm travel fork anyway so pretty rubbish for that too.

[vetran]

excuse my ignorance but why?

[JamJarST]

I used to have a Globe back before Specialized split the range into sit up & beg and slight off road.

Advised by my local bike shop (Stows which seem to employ enthusiasts) that this was the closest replacement and I explained what I was going to ride on. The shocks would probably spend most of the time locked off, I like a hard ride.

If they are going to be locked all the time, then get rigid forks.

[vetran]

I used to have a Globe back before Specialized split the range into sit up & beg and slight off road.

Advised by my local bike shop (Stows which seem to employ enthusiasts) that this was the closest replacement and I explained what I was going to ride on. The shocks would probably spend most of the time locked off, I like a hard ride.

[JamJarST]

Good to hear about your full conversion to capitalism.

Looks like I killed another thread.

Anyone have any comments on the Specialized crosstrail?

Nothing wrong with it per se, but why do you want a bike with a suspension fork (only 75mm travel at that) for towpaths and road?

[vetran]

Good to hear about your full conversion to capitalism.

Looks like I killed another thread.

Anyone have any comments on the Specialized crosstrail?

[snaw]

Snaw good to hear you are still about, how are you finding the lefty politics in Singapore? They helping the poor and looking after the little man? Oh sorry they are a bunch of capitalists I bet you hate it there?

Nope, couldn't give a toss - it's not my country, they can govern it any way they want, the locals don't give a sh!t anyway, all they're interested in is making money (Suits me, I'm raking more in here permie than I ever did as a contractor in the UK). There's a bit of a backlash against foreigners coming in, taking all the juicy jobs, getting paid too much money and causing the pricing of housing to go up.

It works generally, I do shudder at some of the things I see here, but the locals accept it,when in Rome. Plus I do give my maid a day off a week, unlike a lot of the locals who give them nada and send them out at 11pm to clean the car when their work in the house is done for the day

[vetran]

I'm seriously considering a crosstrail. I had a Globe with the naff round pedals but some thieving tyke nicked it. Yes and before you ask IT WAS LOCKED UP they cut the leash and took it with them Barstewards.

(Sorry its the first question everyone seems to ask, No I didn't say to the Plastic Police I reported it to "Yes I left a £400 bike unlocked because I believe you solve all crimes instantly just like you did with the three burglaries and the trailer theft which coincided with the circus leaving - where all I got was a crime number - oh are those doughnuts in your Tesco bag? Would have thought as you are on duty you didn't have time to go shopping?")

Loved my Globe it just kept ticking regardless of how I abused it. So its Specialized all the way.

Anyone want to convince me a crosstrail is a bad idea for towpath & road about 10 miles a day and 6ft / 18stone -yes there is a lot of me to love! advice appreciated.

Snaw good to hear you are still about, how are you finding the lefty politics in Singapore? They helping the poor and looking after the little man? Oh sorry they are a bunch of capitalists I bet you hate it there?

[Moscow Mule]

I've got a Rockhopper - a few years old now - very happy with it. I don't use it for road riding, but you can lock the forks for road use.

Me too, a 2006 pro. Cost about £350 on Ebay, needed new brake pads, and about two hours worth of servicing.

[mudskipper]

I've got a Rockhopper - a few years old now - very happy with it. I don't use it for road riding, but you can lock the forks for road use.

[JamJarST]

Umm, I miss the variety and frequency of decent live music, mates (Obviously), and that's genuinely about it. Life really is great out here, not perfect, but if you've a young family it's not too far off it (Apart from Singapore drivers, they're selfish, moronic twats).

I love Singapore and I would move their in a heartbeat. May well do so when my daughter is a bit older and can visit me for longer than a weekend.