[Jagungal]

Hey kenwrightjr, my understand is that a shorter stem makes steering more sensitive or twitchy, while a longer stem slows it down. So increasing the physical distance between the bars and the fork also “moves them further apart” in feel as well.

But, this has to be taken into context with the angle of the fork. A steeper angle (like a road bike’s) also makes steering more sensitive and twitchy, while a slacker or flatter angle (more like a motorbike’s) slows it down. Older bikes have steeper more vertical forks and long stems, while newer bikes have flatter more raked out forks and shorter stems, so in a way the “sensitivity” of the steering is the same. But the newer geometry almost universally improves the feel, traction, and quality of the overall handling.

The offset of the axle, called the fork rake, is really important too, but that generally can’t be changed, so people don’t talk about it. Interestingly, the Santa Cruz DH team reckons that the perfect stem length for handling is about 50mm too, and is a consequence of the rake and head angle of their downhill bikes. Generally, the 30-60mm range would be normal.

[Jagungal]

One thing I feel doesn’t get mentioned much with plus bikes is the weight of the wheels. Usually there’s a short comment in a review like “the big tyres are a bit harder to get up to speed but you don’t notice it once you’re moving”. No doubt this is true for a fit and powerful experienced rider, that has the skill to carry momentum everywhere, but I’m a skinny guy that’s crap at carrying speed, so really noticed it out of every corner and up every little climb when I demoed a Norco Torrent. (I’ve also heard the wheel weight can especially catch up to you after a few hours, but I didn’t get to ride it long enough to confirm that) So personally I went into that demo day pretty set on a plus hardtail, and actually came out thinking about a full suss instead.

But I think the point shouldn’t be to go for a full suss, but rather that the demo day changed my mind. So yeah, if possible, get her to try both!

[Jagungal]

“I know I don’t make 5 times as much as I did back then, but the price of the bike is certainly 5xs more”

This is maybe the heart, of why a lot of people feel bikes have gotten more expensive. While the prices of equivalent hardtails have been keeping pace with inflation, wages and salaries haven’t, due to increasing inequality globally. So while bikes and other products seem to have gotten more expensive, they’ve actually stayed about the same value, while employers have been able to give you less, simply by neglecting to give you a raise.

The other thing is that ALL THE BIKES you see ridden and tested by journalists, pros, and enthusiasts, are carbon fiber superbikes. Pinkbike finally and begrudgingly rode the Marin Hawk Hill due to popular demand, gave it a mediocre review, and then went straight back to reviewing carbon wheels that cost more than that ENTIRE bike. Perhaps if there were more “Regular Bike Reviews” for aluminium only bikes with Deore-level groupsets…but the manufacturers aren’t interested in this, and only provide top-end dream machines for review. “THIS NEW $8000 CARBON TRAIL BIKE IS AMAZING!! (And by the way, comes with a cheaper lower-specced aluminium model….you know, if you don’t really care about mountain biking).

One of my mountain biking mentors – who is a serious enthusiast who races at a high amateur level – told me any new bike he gets, has to have a carbon frame, fully adjustable suspension with LSC dials etc (which in effect means top-end Fox factory etc), and Shimano XT minimum. Boom, you’re in the 6-7K price-range. The instructor on the clinic I took last weekend, casually told my friend he should buy a burlier, more trail oriented bike, as he was riding his XC bike to its limits…from atop his blinged-out Santa Cruze, which would have cost about a FULL QUARTER of my friend’s annual salary.

I personally kind of hate carbon fiber. I think in some ways it’s the worst thing ever to happen to the bike industry, in terms of creating a whole new level of exclusivity and elitism. Yes, I hate it because I can’t really afford it. Yes, I am resentful that you can afford a nicer bike than me (and own a house and a nice car). Sorry, but it kind of sucks.

[Jagungal]

A friend bought a bike-in-box online, and I was pretty impressed. The online store claimed that they unpacked every bike and had a local mechanic check it before they re-packed it for final delivery. I believe it. Came with a free cheap multi-tool and pedal wrench too!

Now on the other hand, I recently needed a commuter bike, and bought a cyclocross bike from an Australian physical bike shop chain which was down the road from me (we’ll call them “99 Problems”). I was happy with the price, which was a good discount from RRP as last year’s model.

I picked the bike out online and went in, pointed at my phone and said “This one”. I basically sized myself in the end, as the guys in the shop didn’t seem to have much idea. So I walked out with my shiny new bike, and decided to go straight for an afternoon ride to get to know it. Then the problems started.

• The headset was loose (both the carbon steerer plug and the main bolt).
• The cranks came loose and essentially fell off about 7km into the ride. I pushed/coasted the whole way back home standing on the seatstays.
• When I took it back to the shop the next day, the mechanic was “away” for the next 4 days, so I had to wait almost another working week to get the cranks tightened
• Also, my fancy receipt from the shop had a checklist indicating that apparently these things had been checked. Suuuuure they had mate.
• I was offered no discount on any accessories (supplied my own pedals out of the parts box, paid full price for a lock)
• Finally, they’d given me the owner’s manual for a completely different brand of bike!

I ordered my own crank and torque tools to cover all the issues so I could fix them myself next time – from an online store which has great service – and decided since the “LBS” had added absolutely no value, I may as well buy online next time!

[Jagungal]

I think E-bikes are great. But we need to be firm that they’re a new category of two-wheeled vehicle and trail user.

I got to have a brief ride on a stranger’s Levo at the trailhead the other week. I’d read so much about how “there’s no throttle, it’s a subtle assistance, it’s just like you’re having an awesome day with really strong legs”. But after a few cranks, I absolutely had the sense that a motor was driving the wheels, and that the cranks were the throttle. I worked out that I could “blip” the throttle with a quick crank, and the bike would accelerate by itself with the motor on for a second or so. I commuted to work on a cheap dinky 125cc motorscooter for a bit over a year, and it really reminded me of that kind of power/acceleration.

And yes these things are extremely expensive for casual and beginner users. That 125cc motor scooter I mentioned? I sold it for $250. My current motorbike is a 2010 Honda 250cc and it’s worth about $3.5K – australian dollars, which is approximately three US quarters (seriously, about $US 2.5k).

[Jagungal]

I was on a hiking holiday in Tasmania, when my friends suggested we rent bikes for a day. They were pretty keen cyclists, and I basically hadn’t ridden bikes for many many years, since I was a kid.

The objective for the day was Mt Wellington, the peak behind Hobart. Its a 40km round trip so not huge in distance. However, we picked up the bikes next to the harbour at sea level, and the summit is 1200m or about 3600 feet.

So for my first bike ride, I climbed 1200m. I was pretty fit at the time fortunately (we’d just finished two weeks of hiking) but I just wasn’t that great at pedaling and shifting and walked a lot of the climb!

The worst part, however, was that I was wearing cotton boxers as no-one had thought to give me advice on shorts. I basically assumed bikes were crotch torture devices and didn’t throw my leg over one again for several years.

 

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