Bionicon Supershuttle, was a suprise to me !!!

cat_with_no_tail

Even though the frame is still slightly too small, you can't really argue you don't need one as the post is only maxed out for maximum pedalling efficiency. You still need to drop it to descend. and a droppy post will let you do that whilst on the fly, at the same time as adjusting your travel and geometry.

Still needs a droppy post. All Bionicons need droppy posts. In fact, I think I'm right in saying it's actually the law.

Get on it! spend spend spend!

weeksy59

Cat With No Tail wrote:

Get on it! spend spend spend!

You forget.. the Bionicon is not my only toy.

I've already spent spent spent this month on buying the Bionicon, buying new rubber for it, then onto the KTM950smr which is in for Dyno/mapping/airbox mods.... then finally onto the Giant 29er which funnily enough a pair of Formula K18's just arrived for today after trying the K24's just once on the Bionicon i realised i wanted them for the Giant....

I don't have an unlimited budget lol

cat_with_no_tail

weeksy59

LOL i bought 2 mech hangers for it if that helps? and removed the bash-ring to see if the noise goes away.

weeksy59

Formulas are fitted and work with the Shimano mounts etc... They feel bloody wonderful

Even better news is that by removing the bash ring from the Bionicon seems to have removed the noise (i created)

That Blackspire bash-ring is now on the Giant and looks excellent.

The old E-13 bash ring will probably end up on a mates bike at the weekend.

weeksy59

Hmmmmm no it doesn't.... clunkyness still present...

Got a bit of a weird one i noticed the other day but thought it was down to me fitting a bash-ring. However refitted the outer chain-ring and still have it, so did some investigation.

Noise seems to be coming from the rear shock, under uphill mode, the small section of the slider comes out and 'clunks' when it reaches maximum point of extension (by the blue seal on pic)

When in downhill mode, the shock slider does not reach that point, so i get no noise at all. Speaking to Graham, neither of his do this.

Any thoughts and ideas please ?

weeksy59

Sounds like we may have a faulty system adapter. It shouldn’t clunk in the uphill position unless you really provoke it

(e.g. climbing with the bike in full uphill position with the rear shock locked out will always cause the adapter to move in and out).

Quick reply from Bionicon and part is on the way

sheepsteeth

weeksy59 wrote:

Sounds like we may have a faulty system adapter. It shouldn’t clunk in the uphill position unless you really provoke it

(e.g. climbing with the bike in full uphill position with the rear shock locked out will always cause the adapter to move in and out).

Quick reply from Bionicon and part is on the way

they are a good bunch arent they.

weeksy59

sheepsteeth wrote:

weeksy59 wrote:

Sounds like we may have a faulty system adapter. It shouldn’t clunk in the uphill position unless you really provoke it

(e.g. climbing with the bike in full uphill position with the rear shock locked out will always cause the adapter to move in and out).

Quick reply from Bionicon and part is on the way

they are a good bunch arent they.

Was part of the reason i bought a Bionicon. My neighbour has the Tesla and Edison and Roger at Bionicon has been brilliant.

Minor update on my above post.... He's not sending me the part. We're going to Afan on the 19th and going to his house on the way to Afan, he'll fit the part required for me, then he's coming for a day at Afan. LOL... How many dealers would not only fix your bike but also come riding to make sure it's all OK ?

Beardface

Holy Zeus, thats fantastic service!!

Awesome bike too, I really, really like this.. Bionicons are growing on me more each day, it's getting harder and harder to keep the credit card in the wallet..

weeksy59

Stav wrote:

Holy Zeus, thats fantastic service!!

Awesome bike too, I really, really like this.. Bionicons are growing on me more each day, it's getting harder and harder to keep the credit card in the wallet..

Depending where on the Thames you are mate, you're more than welcome to have a play on it if you like. Closest part of the Thames to me is Goring. However Swinley is a better place to test if you want.

I'm over at Swinley on Sun morning.

Beardface

Cheers for the offer buddy, I'm in Staines, so Swinley isn't far away.

Unfortunately, I am busy this weekend, family birthdays and other yawnsome stuff will no doubt keep me off the bike Again, much appreciated though, next time

weeksy59

Stav wrote:

Cheers for the offer buddy, I'm in Staines, so Swinley isn't far away.

Unfortunately, I am busy this weekend, family birthdays and other yawnsome stuff will no doubt keep me off the bike Again, much appreciated though, next time

We'll be doing most weekends so when you're ready, throw me a PM.

Beardface

weeksy59 wrote:

Stav wrote:

Cheers for the offer buddy, I'm in Staines, so Swinley isn't far away.

Unfortunately, I am busy this weekend, family birthdays and other yawnsome stuff will no doubt keep me off the bike Again, much appreciated though, next time

We'll be doing most weekends so when you're ready, throw me a PM.

Sounds good to me, cheers mate. Suppose it's about time I dusted the bike off and wobble down some hills whilst others laugh at my 'awesome' skills

I'll drop you a PM soon mate, even though I've always lived near-ish to Swinley, I've only been a few times (usually Surrey Hills for me), so it would be good to have someone with the local knowledge show me the decent trails (know the labyrinth and the gulley, thats about it!)

weeksy59

SO yesterday was teh first rideout proper of the Bionicon. Here's the thoughts and musings.

Firstly... the Full Susser makes SOOOOO much sense. Currently Afan is at the stage where it's completely rock strewn as the mud has washed away over winter on the descents, so it's rock rock rock. The Bionicon absolutely wipes the floor with the rocks.

We set off and yesterdays climb of Whites was at my mate an neighbours pace, who's quicker than me... we climbed Whites in a fraction over 40 mins. Which is pretty handy in anyones world. I later found out, that wasn't my best move with a heavier beast than i'm used to. The climb i spent time playing with the suspension, ended up finding that the best position for me wasn't quite in 'full' on uphill mode but about 25mm back up. That gave me the best riding position to climb.

Onto the descents.... i was out on Maxxis High Rollers for the first time ever... oooooh they're some grippy fellas them... absolutely lovely. So, a quick press of the button and the bike is on full downhill mode.. it's plush, nice and light as a feather underneath you. The flickability and ability to absorb bumps is pretty damn impresseive Things i'd once have worried about previously, i found myself just walloping over with ease. It gave me some confidence that i'm maybe not QUITE as rubbish going downhill as i sometimes think... HAd great fun chasing Crust down the hills.. He commented that i was way quicker on the Bionicon than anything else i've gone downhill on... which was funny as he was still quicker on the Lapierre than i was lol.

Over the course of the day, the pace really took it's toll, the boys i was out with were totally relentless in their pace... the climb of the wall was a chore... no rests till the top and i was pretty much spent lol. The descents back over on Whites of Energy and the Northshore level were pretty tough for me.

Sadly, i don't know WTF i'm going to do... my fittness is as good as i can possibly make it within the time constraints i live within having a job and a familly... but at times, i was simply lacking a bit yesterday... saying that, we started with 5 riders, finished with 3.... so i was happy to be one of the 3.

I'm really really happy with the Bionicon and really pleased i did Afan yesterday, it gave me a much needed confidence boost in descending...

cat_with_no_tail

Sounds to me like you still held your own pretty well. You made it round what is, by all accounts, a pretty tough route, in 1 piece, and it sounds like you kept up reasonably well.
It's inevitable that some people will be fitter than you. As you say, you're constrained by work and family commitments (same as me). By riding with them when you can, your fitness will improve over time.

Failing that, I know they're boring, but have you considered a turbo trainer? I'd never have considered one before. But as it's the best recovery for me, I bought one, and I'm surprised at how much I'm using it. It's nice to just be able to hop on it and do something, even if it's just 15min, just when I've got a spare minute. It all helps with fitness. Don't think I could manage more than 30min at once without slitting my wrists though.

weeksy59

Cat With No Tail wrote:

Sounds to me like you still held your own pretty well. You made it round what is, by all accounts, a pretty tough route, in 1 piece, and it sounds like you kept up reasonably well.
It's inevitable that some people will be fitter than you. As you say, you're constrained by work and family commitments (same as me). By riding with them when you can, your fitness will improve over time.

Failing that, I know they're boring, but have you considered a turbo trainer? I'd never have considered one before. But as it's the best recovery for me, I bought one, and I'm surprised at how much I'm using it. It's nice to just be able to hop on it and do something, even if it's just 15min, just when I've got a spare minute. It all helps with fitness. Don't think I could manage more than 30min at once without slitting my wrists though.

I kinda do turbo training on the spinning bike 3 dyas a week. Max of 60 mins. House is too small to have one at home along with 2 motorbikes, 2 pusbikes etc etc.

cat_with_no_tail

3 lots of 60min training plus a ride on a weekend is pretty farking impressive by most peoples standards.

What's your diet like? Could be another area to improve to see marked results.

Mind you, we could well be overlooking the obvious, did the other guys out with you have more trail oriented bikes? Whilst I've no doubts about the SS capacity to handle it, it's more gravity oriented.

Glad you're liking the bike though

weeksy59

Diet is rubbish mate, like 99% of people lol.

I don't drink or smoke but i eat too much crap. I'm certainly far from a racing snake.

THe others were on a Tesla, an Edison, Tesla and a Zesty.

Me, the Edison (Roger) and one of the Teslas finished it. I think we were all pretty tired, but i was deffo flagging a bit more than them 2 in the latter stages. My neighbour finishes XC races plenty quicker than me, but i thought recently i'd closed the gap on him.

Added to them sessions are 2 circuits classes each week too lol. I should be 45kg and be climbing with the best of them.... but in reality, i'm 40 and despite a decent 34" waist.. carrying still the best part of 88kg.

WiGiLi

Mate, why did you decide to get rid of your Bionicon??