Basic Newbie Advice Please

suggsa
suggsa Posts: 12
edited January 2008 in MTB beginners
Hi all,

Yes i'm sure you must get fed up with giving advice, but we all must start somewhere!!

I have taken the plunge and just purchased my first bike in over 10years. After looking at your comments and write ups, i've gone for a GT Avalanche 1.0.

Things seem to of changed in 10years, and I am after some very basic advice on how to get the best from the bike and how not to damage it (don't crash).

Mainly a bit overwhelmed with the disc breaks, shox etc. Also any general maintainance tips would be great.

Any help greatly appreiciated.

Comments

  • tonyrees68
    tonyrees68 Posts: 69
    suggsa ive gone and done the same thing as you ive got an avalanche 1.0 just got it about 4 weeks ago i used to ride ages ago on a spesh rockhopper and i havnt a clue about disc brakes at all but we have got them on our bikes they are great and you can find a lot of info about them and shocks on this forum , ive got some great advice about all the things i need to know here welcome to the forum and please keep in touch about the GT because iam new as well
    tony
  • suggsa
    suggsa Posts: 12
    thanks tony, glad to hear i'm not alone.

    The guys in the bike shop were very helpful but i think they thought i knew more than i actually do.

    I only picked my bike up today, and just my luck it's been raining all day, so heres hoping for better weather over the weekend!!

    What type of cycling do you do with your GT??
  • stumpyjon
    stumpyjon Posts: 3,983
    Couple of pointers on discs, they may well make a lot of noise, doesn't mean they're bust, may just need adjustment / bedding in. Keep oils / polishes / lubes away from the discs and pads, seems common sense but we've all manage to spray something we shouldn't have with WD40 at some point. Pads usually need bedding in when new to harden the braking surface (search the forums there's plenty of advice about this).

    Basic shock advice, don't go near them with a pressure washer, you'll get water into the seals. Clean around the seals regularly so the stanchions don't get scratched. again be careful around seals on forks etc with strong degreasers and cleaning products. If you do use a cleaning product around the forks etc (and I do sometimes) spray on, wipe round and wash off, don't leave it on to penetrate the seals.

    Oh and read the instructions / servicing paperwork that came with bike, surprising how useful they can be.

    The Park Tools website can be a useful source of advice as well.

    http://www.parktool.com/repair/index.asp
    It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

    I've bought a new bike....ouch - result
    Can I buy a new bike?...No - no result
  • doodoo_voodoo
    doodoo_voodoo Posts: 121
    I too have returned to the fold after a ten year absence, and have bought a GT Avalanche 1.0 2008. Should be picking it up in the next few days, but won't get a lot of use 'till March as I'm going to be busy with work.

    It'll be good to hear how you guys get on. It's been so long since I fell off a bike, I can't remember now much it hurts. However, I've definitely still got the scars on my knees from previous spills. :cry:

    Still, looking forward to getting back in the saddle. :)
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,650
    Falling off is part an parcel of biking - I'm always having spills (probably 'cause I'm crap :lol: )

    Doesn't get any easier and hurts more when you're older! :cry:
  • doodoo_voodoo
    doodoo_voodoo Posts: 121
    Cheesey wrote:
    Doesn't get any easier and hurts more when you're older! :cry:

    I thought that might be the case. :cry:

    Also, when I was 19, I was a bit more fearless. Think I'll be more reserved in my dotage ((big three-O next, no wait a minute THIS year).
  • Douche
    Douche Posts: 134
    F*ck fear and mortality .. go for the superman ... i did, about 12 months ago I broke both arms, had one screwed and plated, and got severe concussion after flying over my bars at close to 30mphs on a downhill section ... however it was my own soddin fault cos it was pitch black at the time and cos id done the route a thousand times i just went for it .... but it had gone .... or rather moved in front of me ... to this day i still dont know what i hit nor do i remember anything about how i was saved and taken to the hospital by some good samaritans ... falling of hurts, but if you really go for it in style you'll never actually remember what happened, therefore you'll never ever be plagued by fears of doing it again ... if your gonna do it, do it in style
    I found it hard, its was hard to find, oh well whatever nevermind.

    Boardman Mountain Pro
    185 G3 CleanSweep Front
    Cane Creek Grips/Ergo Ends
  • tonyrees68
    tonyrees68 Posts: 69
    suggsa hi
    iam just getting around the local trails at the moment and getting used to my bike not pushing it at all , but its quite awesome to see some of the younger ladds and lasses bombing around , iam trying to get out on some more harder trails with more experienced riders but work commitments suck ayt the moment , iam looking just to enjoy myself and scare myself sometimes
    fallen off loads at the moment the most embarressing one was when i let another biker through on the path and i fell into him when i was standing still :oops:
    bty the bike is fab i really enjoyng myself
    tony
  • suggsa
    suggsa Posts: 12
    Cheers Tony,

    Must admit, have just been on tarmac at the mo as by the time I finish works it's pitch black. Hoping to actually see some mud etc at the weekend.

    Have been impressed so far with the GT, although at times does sound as though something is rubbing, but I guess that could be bedding in.

    Suggsa
  • chilledsandwich
    chilledsandwich Posts: 128
    Remember as well, most LBS's offer a free service on the bike after a few weeks and they should tell you how the bike is doing, what to do and what not to do, and also will recommend local trails and give pointers on how to ride them. One of the main things to pick up for newbies on the trail is etiquette, eg, someone faster behind, let them through etc.

    You never forget how to ride a bike and the more you ride it the better you get and enjoyment can only go up!! Do check out the Park Tools site and try and be your own mechanic as much as possible, it really helps when you have a mechanical on the side of a trail!!

    Above all though, GET RIDING!!! IF you do have any problems/queries, loads of helpfull people here so get involved!
  • Buelligan
    Buelligan Posts: 57
    Douche wrote:
    F*ck fear and mortality .. go for the superman ... i did, about 12 months ago I broke both arms, had one screwed and plated, and got severe concussion after flying over my bars at close to 30mphs on a downhill section ... however it was my own soddin fault cos it was pitch black at the time and cos id done the route a thousand times i just went for it .... but it had gone .... or rather moved in front of me ... to this day i still dont know what i hit nor do i remember anything about how i was saved and taken to the hospital by some good samaritans ... falling of hurts, but if you really go for it in style you'll never actually remember what happened, therefore you'll never ever be plagued by fears of doing it again ... if your gonna do it, do it in style

    Err. :? Not sure that's helped my confidence but has reminded me to check the batteries in my lights :wink:
    '77 Specialized MTB
    '07 Specialized Hardrock
    '14 Cube Stereo HSA 140 SL Hybrid

    http:www.bodgwynedd.com
  • tonyrees68
    tonyrees68 Posts: 69
    yes i was getting some slight rubbing but nothing to bad on my GT but its has got better over the weeks ive tinkered a tad with the brakes and now its all ok oh and its going to be real muddy this week end at my local park just hope its tastes ok lol
    tony

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