I HATE blaming kit but...

Surf-Matt
Surf-Matt Posts: 5,952
edited July 2008 in MTB general
...after slithering all over the place yesterday then being flung off head first into a tree, I have finally relented and ordered some new tyres!

I was riding like a complete tool anyway but my bike was almost slipping BEFORE it even went over roots and mud!

So worn out Fask Trak LKs ,making way for 2.1" Conti Speed King Protections - hope they work!

Comments

  • Justinjured
    Justinjured Posts: 142
    Dont you just love English summers! I still have bonty muds on mine!
  • Surf-Matt
    Surf-Matt Posts: 5,952
    Tell me about it!
    It was starting to dry out nicely at last but two days of rain and it's like teflon coated glass.

    Although it was at least 50% me being a tool and pootling like an idiot (had a really nasty off a while back and have been a bit timid ever since - fine on climbs, poor on wet downhills and drops), there was no doubt that the tyres weren't helping at all - and I have a nice collection of bruises and scrathes to show for it too - DOH!
  • Sikora
    Sikora Posts: 519
    I took one look at the Fast Traks on my Rockhopper and immediatley ordered some Mountain Kings. They didn't look like they'd cope with anything more than a leisurely ride on a dry track.
  • allthegearnoidea
    allthegearnoidea Posts: 4,077
    oooooops! Matt, you mean you went out with the 'I'll try and ride like Timmo' mantra then!! hahah! tree's are not good things to hit lol! i nearly clipped two in tehidy yesterday and thats with the cinders! hahaha!

    it could be worse! you could be riding around on a bike with a bottom bracket that creaks so embarassingly loudly that when approaching other mtb'ers you simply free wheel past them to stop the noise!!!! :wink: :roll:
    Timmo.
    After all, I am Cornish!
    http://cornwallmtb.kk5.org/
    Cotic Soul, The bike of Legends!:wink: Yes, I Am a bike tart!
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... 1#16297481
  • Surf-Matt
    Surf-Matt Posts: 5,952
    Timmo - I have an almost irrational hatred of creaky BB's!
    You seen the Superstar ones? Very good value, very nice too.

    Or you could just take it apart and re-grease it I guess!

    Some strange bruises appearing from the splat but I think chances of survival are pretty high.
    I've given those Fast Traks too much of a chance methinks.
  • allthegearnoidea
    allthegearnoidea Posts: 4,077
    funnily enough! i have mbuk open opn the table on the superstar advert!!! was nosing on friday! oh for some money hey ahahh!
    unfortualtely my bb is the sealed XT octalink one! only had it 3 months too! (have emailed place i got it from though!) wouldnt mind but my last Xt one lasted 4 years before creaking!!!

    was just nattering to brother on email as he was sailing yesterday and didnt have too grand a day, but remembered the old addage of 'Better a bad day on the water than a good day in the office' and suppose it could well be true for Mtb's too! althgouh swap water for bike loL!
    Timmo.
    After all, I am Cornish!
    http://cornwallmtb.kk5.org/
    Cotic Soul, The bike of Legends!:wink: Yes, I Am a bike tart!
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... 1#16297481
  • Surf-Matt
    Surf-Matt Posts: 5,952
    I use a similar adage for all the days when I paddle into the surf and catch almost naff all (and surf like a tool) - only thing that keeps me going!

    Bit annoying about the BB - three months is pretty poor.
  • allthegearnoidea
    allthegearnoidea Posts: 4,077
    yeah is a bit poor! will see if crc reply to me lol! dont want to buy another and end up with a spare loL! has covered 260 miles in total (keep a record of rides) with about 30 towing littlun in the trailer, would expect a little more than that!

    Sat down at Portreath yesterday and Saturday watching the surf (2 ft tops) htinking how nice it would be to get back out! then it struck me as to what if i surf like i rdie loL! then carried on eating my ice cream thinking maybe one day i'll be brave enough lol!
    Timmo.
    After all, I am Cornish!
    http://cornwallmtb.kk5.org/
    Cotic Soul, The bike of Legends!:wink: Yes, I Am a bike tart!
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... 1#16297481
  • P-Jay
    P-Jay Posts: 1,478
    Speaking of tyres. I switched my Maxpro Minions for Supertacky Highrollers in readiness for Morzine next week and did a days DH at Cwmcarn yesterday. Holypap! Just took the piss out of my usuall entry/exit speeds of bends and obstacles.
    Shocker Enduro
  • Surf-Matt
    Surf-Matt Posts: 5,952
    Really impressed with the Mountain Kings :D Realised that the Speed Kings don't come in Black Chilli compound (apart from in silly light/flimsy "Supersonic" form) so changed to Mountain Kings which do.

    If anyone wants good trail tyres that can be used on road, get some in the 2.2 inch size.
  • _Ferret_
    _Ferret_ Posts: 660
    holy mary 2,1inch no wonder you slipped.

    I tried my old 2.1 IRC Mythos' out the other day - fast as hell but not so cool down the hill.

    Switched to schwalbe Nobby nic and racing ralf 2.35 - super duper!
    Not really active
  • Surf-Matt
    Surf-Matt Posts: 5,952
    Ferret - the tyres that slipped were 2.0 inch Fast Traks. As grippy in the wet as a teflon coated mirror.

    My bike is a fairly full on XC hardtail so any wider than 2.2 would just not look right and would probably just about foul the chainstays.
  • steelo
    steelo Posts: 542
    I've just fitted some Specialized 'The Captain's' after taking the old split Panaracer Trailrakers off. It's rained now for 2 straight days here and I just read a review that the captain's are not that good in the wet!

    AAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Specialized Rockhopper '07
    Trek Fuel EX8 '09
  • allthegearnoidea
    allthegearnoidea Posts: 4,077
    i think my front is a 2.3 may be a 2.25?? and have to say it does help on the decents, a lot better than the old 1.95!! that said still have a 1.95 on the back! (clearence issues otherwise!)
    think iddless could be a bit grubby this sunday! give me a good chance to try them out in the dirt!!
    Timmo.
    After all, I am Cornish!
    http://cornwallmtb.kk5.org/
    Cotic Soul, The bike of Legends!:wink: Yes, I Am a bike tart!
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... 1#16297481
  • Surf-Matt
    Surf-Matt Posts: 5,952
    Timmo - got a Dartmoor 10k trail run (!) this Sunday so won't be around but plotting to turn up to the next group ride if possible.

    Suprised your clearance isn't wider - you have the bendiest chainstays I've ever seen!
  • allthegearnoidea
    allthegearnoidea Posts: 4,077
    haha! yeah thay are a little odd shaped loL! but very narrow at the crank end!! 2.1's would prolly fit but wouldnt leave a lot of room! anyways, someone's got to use the narrow tyres lol!
    fortnights ride sounds like a good one up bodmin! will see if i can blag a lift up and back for that if i can!
    Timmo.
    After all, I am Cornish!
    http://cornwallmtb.kk5.org/
    Cotic Soul, The bike of Legends!:wink: Yes, I Am a bike tart!
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... 1#16297481
  • Taylor01
    Taylor01 Posts: 18
    bugger, not looking good for my fast tracks sunday then. lol
    just bought a rockhopper comp n not had chance to change em yet. i'm liking the look of high rollers at the mo. won't be too wide will they?
  • allthegearnoidea
    allthegearnoidea Posts: 4,077
    should be fine on 2.1's!
    Timmo.
    After all, I am Cornish!
    http://cornwallmtb.kk5.org/
    Cotic Soul, The bike of Legends!:wink: Yes, I Am a bike tart!
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... 1#16297481
  • Surf-Matt
    Surf-Matt Posts: 5,952
    Taylor01 wrote:
    bugger, not looking good for my fast tracks sunday then. lol
    just bought a rockhopper comp n not had chance to change em yet. i'm liking the look of high rollers at the mo. won't be too wide will they?

    You might be okay if they are brand new (we have a RH Disk - very similar) but they really do clog up badly and become like slicks in mud. Quite fun but it tend to fling you off!

    High rollers look good but I've just got Continental Mountain King Protection 2.2s (very narrow for 2.2 though) and they seem to be very good so far.

    Very cheap from my new favourite on-line shop, www.velokit.co.uk

    CM seem to not be too clued up on tyres - they didn't know what MKs or Speed Kings were despite stocking Continental tyres! Good for most stuff but some staff seem to have gaps in their knowledge.

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