New Bike after 17 years, so whats changed?

coopertrooper2001

Hi All,

I have been riding a GT Avalanche (hardtail) since 1997 and over the past ten years, have ridden a handful of times per annum using my old kit and just having a laugh with mates (been too busy messing with cars).

I have now bought a Canyon Nerve XC (7 weeks and counting till delivery) and whilst I am aware of certain bits of kit that has changed i.e. it has bouncy things front and rear and disc brakes - what else should I look out for to make my riding experience more enjoyable?

So on the accessories side I am thinking:
1. Cleaning kit - never done this properly - will look at some of the posts on here first, but I must buy a can of proper chain lube!

2. Stuff to look after the bike - do they still do lizard skins? What about clear tape to protect the frame? What do you clean an anodised frame - I am sure I can find the answer to this

3. Fun stuff?

4. Practical stuff?

Look forward to any thoughts you might have and getting back into MTB'ing properly!

Cheers

supersonic

1) Muc Off/Fenwicks, some brushes and water ;-). Teflon oil and grease.

2) Helitape for clear patches, Lizards skins can stil be got or numerous clones.

3) Ride it!

4) Toolkit - learning how to maintain it is paramount.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00652X13K/r ... B00652X13K

bails87

1: The simple answer: Hot soapy water. And run the chain through a rag with WD40/GT85 on it to take most of the crud off it. Then relube. Squirt is good. Wet lubes tend to go gloopy and attract muck.

2. "Helicopter tape" (ebay) can be stuck on where the cables rub against the frame.

3. Up to you, just enjoy it!

4. Helmet, hydration pack, decent pedals, gloves and eye protection are a 'must' for most riders. Make sure you have a puncture repair kit with you, and a pump, and a spare tube, and make sure it all works before you go out.

waby1234

bails87 wrote:

1: The simple answer: Hot soapy water. And run the chain through a rag with WD40/GT85 on it to take most of the crud off it. Then relube. Squirt is good. Wet lubes tend to go gloopy and attract muck.

Don't relube until all the degreaser is off first though as it just breaks it down again!

p44cmb

Haven't looked at the bike spec but If the forks that come with the new bike are Air sprung rather than spring sprung then a shock pump won't go amiss in part of your arsenal.

streetvw

p44cmb wrote:

Haven't looked at the bike spec but If the forks that come with the new bike are Air sprung rather than spring sprung then a shock pump won't go amiss in part of your arsenal.

don't ge t a shock pump Canyon ship one with the bike

hiswitsend

Hills seem to be steeper than I remember

craigw99

they are! i blame the weather

Dr Avinuon

coopertrooper2001 wrote:

2. Stuff to look after the bike - do they still do lizard skins? What about clear tape to protect the frame? What do you clean an anodised frame - I am sure I can find the answer to this

Cheers

Done the same this spring but from a 93 ridged to a Canyon hardtail. The bike when I got it was all clear taped where needed and came with a lizard skin thing as well as a shock pump and torque wrench.
The differences wil,l 3Kg lighter, gears that just worked although not in the direction I expected at first with no need to push the leaver to just the right angle. Breaks that don't clog with mud, bars that seen super wide and this was my fist bike with suspension so all new there to me. Glad I took the plunge and got it.

jayson

If the chain is old and really gunky remove it and soak it in a tub of parafin overnight, you can give it a scrub with an old tooth brush or washing up brush to help it with the stubborn grime then remove it and it should be completely clean.

Darkstalker420

Hi in a similar boat as you . Uptil a weak or two ago i was riding a 1996 Raleigh M Trax 1000. I finally finished my new ride (based on a Carrera Kraken frame of unknown year!) Alivio/Deore components with RockShox Recon's.

The first thing that struck me was how good the forks were (compared to my RST's on the Raleigh) they ACTUALLY had damping . The next was just how low 1st gear was (22 front 32 rear) made me laugh to be honest. I was VERY impressed with the Deore shifters especially the "2 way" shifting (beats fumbling for the trigger on descents!).

I wasn't to impressed with the disk brakes at first (my old LX V's were great in the dry...... Not so much in the wet alas :roll:). I fitted Avid BB5's and the front was quite poor until i swapped the rotors/calipers front to back and they are great now i shudder to think how much more powerful Hydro disc would be.

I would say you will be in for a good time (i'm not familiar with the Nerve so can't say how much better it will be) but i would safely say you will be VERY impressed and chuffed with your purchase . Have a good one.

Thanks.