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Most important component

Rad2474Rad2474 Posts: 162
edited June 2014 in MTB general
Was riding at Hamsterley yesterday and had a little bit of a think when i got to the bottom of Transmission,Accelerator,Nitrous. Now i know i'm faster on my fs than i was on the hardtail and i was thinking is it because it's got better suspension and handles better which makes me go faster? But my hardtail wasn't slow,bit more bouncy though. I decided it's my slx brakes that i think are the single most important component as i just know they'll do the job and i can brake later and harder with them. ( especially compared to the avoids i replaced with them).What would you say is your bikes single most important component?
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Posts

  • RockmonkeySCRockmonkeySC Posts: 15,247
    The rider.
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • Angus YoungAngus Young Posts: 3,063
    RockmonkeySC wrote:
    The rider.

    Silly answer. Predictable, too.
    All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
    Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12994607
  • RockmonkeySCRockmonkeySC Posts: 15,247
    A good rider can work with rubbish components and still ride fast. A rubbish rider will still be slow on the best bike in the world.
    The rider makes more difference than any component.
    The single most important bicycle part is the frame. All the bikes biggest characteristics come from geometry and rear suspension design.
    Things like fork, shock and brakes are only as good as the person who sets them up.
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • Angus YoungAngus Young Posts: 3,063
    RockmonkeySC wrote:
    A good rider can work with rubbish components and still ride fast. A rubbish rider will still be slow on the best bike in the world.
    The rider makes more difference than any component.
    The single most important bicycle part is the frame. All the bikes biggest characteristics come from geometry and rear suspension design.
    Things like fork, shock and brakes are only as good as the person who sets them up.

    The rider is not a component. It's a ... er... rider.
    All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
    Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12994607
  • FishFishFishFish Posts: 2,239
    Valve cap (red).
    ...take your pickelf on your holibobs.... :D

    jeez :roll:
  • RockmonkeySCRockmonkeySC Posts: 15,247
    Angus Young wrote:
    RockmonkeySC wrote:
    A good rider can work with rubbish components and still ride fast. A rubbish rider will still be slow on the best bike in the world.
    The rider makes more difference than any component.
    The single most important bicycle part is the frame. All the bikes biggest characteristics come from geometry and rear suspension design.
    Things like fork, shock and brakes are only as good as the person who sets them up.

    The rider is not a component. It's a ... er... rider.

    The rider could definitely be considered a component, a part, a tool. In your case, definitely a tool.
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • Angus YoungAngus Young Posts: 3,063
    RockmonkeySC wrote:
    Angus Young wrote:
    RockmonkeySC wrote:
    A good rider can work with rubbish components and still ride fast. A rubbish rider will still be slow on the best bike in the world.
    The rider makes more difference than any component.
    The single most important bicycle part is the frame. All the bikes biggest characteristics come from geometry and rear suspension design.
    Things like fork, shock and brakes are only as good as the person who sets them up.

    The rider is not a component. It's a ... er... rider.

    The rider could definitely be considered a component, a part, a tool. In your case, definitely a tool.

    Nope. The rider is not a component. Don't be a tool.
    All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
    Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12994607
  • cooldadcooldad Posts: 32,904
    So the best way for me to improve my bike is get someone else to ride it?

    Brilliant.

    Not.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • CqcCqc Posts: 951
    Front tyre
  • Angus YoungAngus Young Posts: 3,063
    cooldad wrote:
    So the best way for me to improve my bike is get someone else to ride it?

    That would definitely help in my case.
    All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
    Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12994607
  • FishFishFishFish Posts: 2,239
    Fire Extinguisher.
    ...take your pickelf on your holibobs.... :D

    jeez :roll:
  • supersonicsupersonic Posts: 82,713 Lives Here
    Fork.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • FishFishFishFish Posts: 2,239
    Gramaphone.
    ...take your pickelf on your holibobs.... :D

    jeez :roll:
  • felix.londonfelix.london Posts: 4,067
    having just swapped out the (sh1tty) Elixir R's on the Session for a spanking set of 4-pot Zee's I'd be inclined to agree with the OP and say brakes...on a DH bike at least.
    "Why have that extra tooth if you're not using it?" - Brian Lopes

    Votec V.SX Enduro 'Alpine Thug' 2012/2013 build

    Trek Session 8
  • DCR00DCR00 Posts: 2,160
    Well dialled suspension

    IMO 20p for the swearbox dampers can ruin a brilliant frame

    Probably followed closely by brakes
    Tranny
    Tracey
    Bouncy
    Carbon
  • paul.skibumpaul.skibum Posts: 4,068
    Tyres - good brakes do nothing if the tyres dont grip, good suspension is useless if the tyres dont grip, good rider is always going to struggle with bad tyres.
    Closet jockey wheel pimp 20p for the swearbox.
  • Angus YoungAngus Young Posts: 3,063
    paul.skibum wrote:
    Tyres - good brakes do nothing if the tyres dont grip, good suspension is useless if the tyres dont grip, good rider is always going to struggle with bad tyres.

    On the other hand...

    Good tyres won't help much when your brakes don't stop you, good tyres won't grip if the suspension isn't keeping them in contact with the ground and you'd probably be faster than me any day, any place even if I was on a SC 5010C and you were on something you'd dragged out of a skip.
    All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
    Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12994607
  • paul.skibumpaul.skibum Posts: 4,068
    Angus Young wrote:
    paul.skibum wrote:
    Tyres - good brakes do nothing if the tyres dont grip, good suspension is useless if the tyres dont grip, good rider is always going to struggle with bad tyres.

    On the other hand...

    Good tyres won't help much when your brakes don't stop you, good tyres won't grip if the suspension isn't keeping them in contact with the ground and you'd probably be faster than me any day, any place even if I was on a SC 5010C and you were on something you'd dragged out of a skip.

    Its a bit chicken and egg isnt it? brakes need tyres, tyres need brakes - suspension you can do without possibly (assuming you are a hippy of some sort)
    Closet jockey wheel pimp 20p for the swearbox.
  • Angus YoungAngus Young Posts: 3,063
    paul.skibum wrote:
    It's a bit chicken and egg, isn't it?

    That's what makes it interesting.
    All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
    Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12994607
  • The RookieThe Rookie Posts: 27,512
    paul.skibum wrote:
    Its a bit chicken and egg isnt it?
    Why does the poor Cockerel always get left out, he came first when he laid the chicken.......
    10.1Kg FS Litespeed Niota Al
    retired 9.6kg Carrera Kraken
    The Carrera Hardtail combined thread - come on all you Carrera's!
    The Sons Scott Genius RC20 build
  • BriggoBriggo Posts: 3,823
    Angus Young wrote:
    paul.skibum wrote:
    It's a bit chicken and egg, isn't it?

    That's what makes it interesting.

    No, it's dull.
  • Chunkers1980Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    I don't think he was referring to this thread, but what makes MTB interesting for him - how it all links together.
  • Angus YoungAngus Young Posts: 3,063
    Chunkers1980 wrote:
    but what makes MTB interesting for him - how it all links together.

    ^ Yes, this.
    All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
    Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12994607
  • stubsstubs Posts: 5,261
    A proper well fitting comfy saddle. You cant ride if your backside feels like its on fire.
    Fig rolls: proof that god loves cyclists and that she wants us to do another lap
  • cooldadcooldad Posts: 32,904
    stubs wrote:
    A proper well fitting comfy saddle. You cant ride if your backside feels like its on fire.


    I agree with this sad person ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • BriggoBriggo Posts: 3,823
    The product can not work without the sum of its parts, same as a car and so therefore there isn't a single 'main' component.

    One is pretty much nothing without the other, ergo discussion is dull. ;)
  • BigStu2BigStu2 Posts: 805
    I dont think theres a single Best Component, just get a collection of reasonably good components on a good frame, Now I'll throw my Kona Unit into the ring here, you look at it and theres not much going on there, most people dont get it, yet it handles so well due to great geometry, however the mechanical brakes were horrible so I threw on hydraulic ones instead, that was like geting a get out of jail free card, and once it went tubeless it was better and now that it has a carbon handlebar its just awesome. So a few small changes and your bike will rock- well only if it is worth upgrading from the beggining....
    .........all
    ...at........work
    fun..................&
    ..no.............no
    .....is......play
  • Pesky JonesPesky Jones Posts: 2,986
    Briggo wrote:
    The product can not work without the sum of its parts, same as a car and so therefore there isn't a single 'main' component.

    One is pretty much nothing without the other, ergo discussion is dull. ;)
    +1, apart from the dull bit. Besides, if it's so dull why are you here? :wink: plus I think he was talking about the relationship between components, which isn't really dull - if you like bikes
    :D :lol: :) cooldad :shock: :? :cry:
  • BriggoBriggo Posts: 3,823
    Pesky Jones wrote:
    Briggo wrote:
    The product can not work without the sum of its parts, same as a car and so therefore there isn't a single 'main' component.

    One is pretty much nothing without the other, ergo discussion is dull. ;)
    +1, apart from the dull bit. Besides, if it's so dull why are you here? :wink: plus I think he was talking about the relationship between components, which isn't really dull - if you like bikes

    To make the conversation even duller.
  • Angus YoungAngus Young Posts: 3,063
    Briggo wrote:
    To make the conversation even duller.

    Well done, it's working.
    All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
    Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12994607
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