Some photos of "Tin Lizzie"

Alan's forwarded me some photos of the "Tin Lizzie" getting her pre-trip makeover.

Mountain Bike Research from Pete

Hi All,

I thought I'd put jot down what information I have come up with regards a bike purchase.

When describing the trip to the bike experts there has been no real consensus among them. The three main choices appear to be:


- 26 inch dual
- 29 inch hard tail
- 29 inch dual suspension.

The arguments for the 29 inch wheel appear good to me (good momentum, roll over obstacles). The main detraction generally for the 29ers is that they a not great for tight turns and high technical riding.

The dual suspension bike technology seems to have come on in leaps and bounds. Three years ago you would not have considered it for this ride. The dual suspension is providing a more comfortable ride, and the back wheel sticks to ground more making uphill travel easier. It has been hard to quantify what reduction in efficiency you get on a flat stretch with new full suspension vs hard tail.

If you are riding longer distances (and low to medium technical), then I think that you would have to go high specification in a full suss bike, otherwise you may be called “BOB” after 2500 km.

The 29er wheel (as they are larger) provides suspension in its own right, and combined with post suspension, provides better suspension than a traditional hard tail.

Some notes on carbon - carbon in a road bike is more worthwhile than in a mountain bike. i.e. (less weight and more flexibility to give greater comfort is v. important on a road bike.) On a mountain bike the suspension systems neutralise the flexibility gains of the carbon, however a lighter bike is better. A carbon frame is gaining (or losing depending on your viewpoint) about 500 to 700 grams ( ie less than a kilo). The carbon frame on the mountain bike will be slightly more comfortable to ride ( however I am not clear that I would be able to tell the difference with my soft bottom).

Down to some brands.

There looks to be 10 brands of bike that will do the job well.

Here is what I have currently narrowed my choice down to:

Giant XTC 29'er

http://cranksbikes.com.au/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=item&item_id=366&Itemid=195

- good equipment, come with cleats
- hard tail 29er, alloy frame
- $2,300 (Cranks will discount it to $2,100 for cash)
- Turramurra cycle are all over this bike




Scott Scale Pro 29er

http://www.cranksbikes.com.au/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=item&item_id=368&Itemid=195

- Excellent equipment, comes with cleats
- Hard tail 29er, carbon frame
- $3400 (Cranks will discount to $3,160 for cash)
- Shows difference between the Scott range - http://www.bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2011-scott-949-scale-29er-specs.jpg
- Www.cranksbikes.com.au are a scott distributor
- 1kg difference between this model and the alloy one previously.



Specialized Epic 29 er

http://www.specialized.com/au/gb/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=52789&scid=1000&scname=Mountain

- Full suspension bike
- “brain” to turn suspension on and off
- Carbon and excellent componentary
- $4,400
- There is an alloy version available for $4,000
- Chatswood cycle are a Specialized distributor





All in all, loads of choices and I am continuing the research. I’m getting a much better idea of the new technologies in bikes.

Couple of things that I like:
- Cleats
- Ability to lock out the suspension
- Ability of the store to measure up and set the bike up for you.


There were loads of bikes $500 - $1,500 in all the brands that would be completely fine, safe and adequate for the G2G. You could probably even do the trip on a hybrid bike with larger tires.


Hope Santa is good to you.

Pete

The Blog's up and running ...

Dear readers,

Well the blog's up and running. I'll add a couple of other things from our most recent meeting and some photos as things progress.

Small step compared with our training plan and, of course, the ride itself.