I Rode My Bike Today (UK edition)

Moto style - seems most of the world runs the rear brake in the left hand because they are used to the front brake being right hand actuated. Now if we can just figure out how to get the rear brake actuated by the right foot!

(and my drivetrain quip wasn't serious, BTW)
 
herzalot said:
Moto style - seems most of the world runs the rear brake in the left hand because they are used to the front brake being right hand actuated. Now if we can just figure out how to get the rear brake actuated by the right foot!

(and my drivetrain quip wasn't serious, BTW)
Click to expand...
Half a million miles on street bikes and countless hours on dirt bikes and I have no desire to run my brakes moto style. I used to take my MTB to the desert with my dirt bike and had no problem switching between the two throughout the day.
 
Did my local loop on the Whyte today to see what needs adjusting etc. Its the flat 13 odd mile loop with a mix of single trail, bike path, bridle path with a mile or so on the road that I talked about at the start of this thread. Didn't start in the best frame of mind, half my face was still numb from a visit to the dentist this morning :eek: and managed to get hit by stinging nettle in the very first woods I go through.

Bike wise it definitely needs some more work, the back brake won't even lock the wheel before going to the bars, the bars need trimming down and I need to sort the seat post and clamp. Had to stop three times as I'd gradually sink down, quite the odd feeling! Also started the ride with nowhere near enough tyre pressure which made the steering feel a bit bizarre.

First impressions though, this bike is fast! I geared it the same as my others and I think I need to go up a few teeth on the front. On the Marin I climb a short incline behind the house in 34 x 46, on this thing I did 34 x 32 with a short stand right at the end. Its weird how it just wants to roll, wheel and tyres sizes are near on identical (the whyte actually has a slightly wider front tyre). With the tyre pressure back to something reasonable the tracking of this thing is bloody impressive, places where I'd normally be waiting for the bike to feel like its about to wash out and this thing just rails round the corner without issue.

All things considering I'm stoked with the result. Going to get the last little bits sorted and take it to Cannock Chase to see how it goes round there, I reckon it will be well wicked.
Gratuitous moody sky shot
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The cockpit view looking down takes some getting used to with the linkages going everywhere!
cockpit view.jpg

In amongst the local wildflowers
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Completely disrespected the 5mph sign (made sure there was no-one around to see me do it first :p)
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Pic Slots!!! Gotta love it; and Coventry features prominently in a few sci-fi stories by R.A.H. If you wonder why, see WWII.

I need to get over to that side of the pond since it's much of my heritage. Need to see where I came from...
 
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