Mountain Bke for MTB Track Touring [e.g., Mundi Biddi]

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Bnej
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Postby Bnej » Fri Jul 20, 2007 4:08 pm

V brakes are disc brakes with a 26" rotor.

Disc brakes are nice, but if you're out in the middle of nowhere probably V brakes are easier to maintain. Easier to get brake shoes to suit V brakes too, and bike shop or K-mart will have them.

Trek has a larger range of MTBs than Giant with V brakes, Giant basically is all disc once you're past the entry level Boulder, while Trek can give you pretty good components with V brakes.

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Postby Aushiker » Fri Jul 20, 2007 4:13 pm

Bnej wrote:Trek has a larger range of MTBs than Giant with V brakes, Giant basically is all disc once you're past the entry level Boulder, while Trek can give you pretty good components with V brakes.
Trek 6500 in this week's Quokka for $950. Claimed to have been ridden once. Tempting but I am getting into the idea of building a half-decent 29er with the long-term in mind.

Andrew

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Postby Bnej » Fri Jul 20, 2007 4:48 pm

I don't see that a 29" wheel is that important for touring.

26" wheels are stronger and more standard. You can get a 26" tube and MTB tyres from anywhere. You'll have more space on the frame because the wheels won't take up as much space.

29" wheels roll better over obstacles and provide a smoother ride. But there aren't so many mountain bikes with them.

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Postby Aushiker » Fri Jul 20, 2007 5:06 pm

Bnej wrote:I don't see that a 29" wheel is that important for touring.

26" wheels are stronger and more standard. You can get a 26" tube and MTB tyres from anywhere. You'll have more space on the frame because the wheels won't take up as much space.

29" wheels roll better over obstacles and provide a smoother ride. But there aren't so many mountain bikes with them.
Interesting article in the latest issue of Mountain Biking Australia ... suggests 29ers are a serious option for 100km plus rides (e.g., touring) and they list 21 manufacturers offering 29ers in Australia.

Oh BTW they challenge the stronger argument as well. For example 29ers have the same rim diameter as 700c wheels .... not too many issues with them is there?

Good point on the 26" tube and tyre but. Will have to look into that side more. I can off course still put 26" rim on the KM I assume.

Andrew

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Postby Bnej » Fri Jul 20, 2007 5:18 pm

You don't see many BMXs and Mountain bikes with 700c wheels though. Road riding doesn't put the same stress on the wheels.

A 29" wheel is a nice thing for sure, but I don't think it's that big a deal vs a 26" such that I'd go out of my way for a 29er.

A 26" wheel is a good compromise between rolling and strength for most MTB applications.

MountGower

Postby MountGower » Fri Jul 20, 2007 5:29 pm

Thi
Last edited by MountGower on Tue Feb 15, 2011 3:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Postby Aushiker » Fri Jul 20, 2007 5:57 pm

Bnej wrote:You can get a Surly Cross Check as a complete bike. Comes with Tiagra running gear, bar end shifters, 32mm knobblies.
I guess if the KM becomes all too hard (the whole bloody idea is getting confusing) the CrossCheck is an option but would it really go okay on MTB trails such as the Mundi Biddi? I assume the drop bars could be swapped out for a flatbar style?

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Andrew

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Postby Bnej » Fri Jul 20, 2007 7:15 pm

I've ridden 80 PSI 26x1.5 slicks on the Narrow Neck trail, you can use any bike on any trail, the difference is in how fast you should go and how much you have to walk it.

From the photos I've seen, Mundi Biddi would be fine with a Cross Check. You won't have the traction or low gearing for steep muddy slopes, but 95% of what most people ride isn't like that. I'd get a triple chainring and a wider cassette if you're going to carry much stuff.

Of course, take my advice with a shaker of salt, because I don't have a Cross Check and I've never been to the Mundi Biddi. ;)

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Postby Aushiker » Fri Jul 20, 2007 8:40 pm

MountGower wrote:This looks good.

Haro Mary
It does but it does not take panniers or rather does not have mounts. Also looking at around $2,000.

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Andrew

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Postby Aushiker » Fri Jul 20, 2007 8:45 pm

Bnej wrote:A 29" wheel is a nice thing for sure, but I don't think it's that big a deal vs a 26" such that I'd go out of my way for a 29er.
The Karate Monkey appeals because it is a steel MTB rather than the 29" wheels. Not too much around in steel.

I wonder if it could be set up with 26" wheels.

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Andrew

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Postby Bnej » Fri Jul 20, 2007 9:10 pm

Aluminium MTBs will be tough enough, if you want to. Butted Alloy frames have an excess of material around all of the stress points, enough material to cope with rough MTB treatment, and fat tyres + suspension fork to smooth out the bumps.

I think the Trek 6500 you talked about earlier would be quite suitable. So would the Karate Monkey, or the Cross Check, it's all about how you're going to ride it and what you want from it.

If you have the dough to do a custom build Karate Monkey, it will indeed kick ass.

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Postby Aushiker » Sun Jul 22, 2007 8:12 pm

G'day

Was in the LBS yesterday and saw an interesting bike. A Raleigh 29er which is a steel fixie. The one they had was on sale - 50% off. Retail was about $1200. Sadly the frame was a small one ... looked weird with the big wheels.

Anyway in talking about it seems Raleigh have a new range coming out of 29" steel mountain bikes. The one of interest is the XXIX+G 2008.

For the fixie fans they also have the XXIX.

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Andrew

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Postby mikesbytes » Sun Jul 22, 2007 8:36 pm

Aushiker wrote:G'day

Was in the LBS yesterday and saw an interesting bike. A Raleigh 29er which is a steel fixie. The one they had was on sale - 50% off. Retail was about $1200. Sadly the frame was a small one ... looked weird with the big wheels.

Anyway in talking about it seems Raleigh have a new range coming out of 29" steel mountain bikes. The one of interest is the XXIX+G 2008.

For the fixie fans they also have the XXIX.

Regards
Andrew
Are you saying it was $600
If the R-1 rule is broken, what happens to N+1?

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Postby Aushiker » Sun Jul 22, 2007 8:39 pm

heavymetal wrote:
europa wrote:I'm off to see if I can get a frame in 2 weeks :D Kev.
G'day

I was in TBE Osborne Park yesterday talking frames etc and apparently there are couple of guys at TBE Belmont who are into Surly bikes and TBE can get the frames, do quotes etc. Might be worth talking to the Belmont store.

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Andrew

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Postby Aushiker » Sun Jul 22, 2007 8:46 pm

mikesbytes wrote:Are you saying it was $600
Yes. Last one I guess.

Andrew

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Postby Aushiker » Tue Jul 24, 2007 12:35 pm

MountGower wrote:This looks good.

Haro Mary
Just got the retail price on this ... $2199 due in stores mid-October.

Regards
Andrew

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Postby Aushiker » Sat Jul 28, 2007 10:20 pm

Kalgrm wrote:
Heavymetal wrote:I whole-heartedly recommend getting a 2.1" Kenda Blue Groove Stick-E for the front and a 2.1" Kenda Nevegal Stick-E or DTC for the rear.
Hi Graham

Joe currently has the OEM 26 x 1.95 tyres on him :shock:. I assume I could fit 26 x 2.1 to the existing rims. Would that be correct?

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Andrew

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Postby Kalgrm » Sat Jul 28, 2007 10:37 pm

I can't answer with authority - sorry. The tyres I've recommended are high volume and are fractionally wider than the nominal 2.1" spec, but I believe you'll be alright with them.

If you buy 2.1" Nevegal and Blue Groove in the Stick-E compound, I'll buy them from you at the price you paid if they don't fit. I'm nearly due to buy a new set anyway.

Cheers,
Graeme
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Postby Aushiker » Sat Jul 28, 2007 10:47 pm

Kalgrm wrote:I can't answer with authority - sorry. The tyres I've recommended are high volume and are fractionally wider than the nominal 2.1" spec, but I believe you'll be alright with them.

If you buy 2.1" Nevegal and Blue Groove in the Stick-E compound, I'll buy them from you at the price you paid if they don't fit. I'm nearly due to buy a new set anyway. Graeme
Sounds good. Any ideas where to get in Australia or is the US best? JensensUSA have a set for $85 AU plus postage. How does that sound?

Regards
Andrew

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Postby Kalgrm » Sat Jul 28, 2007 11:25 pm

Too much! The postage will be a shock: those guys always use the most expensive shipping method.

Any LBS who stocks Specialised bikes should be able to get them for you. I reckon Fleet Cycles in Freo would be a good place to try. They should be $40 to $50 each.

Cheers,
Graeme
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Postby Aushiker » Sat Jul 28, 2007 11:42 pm

Kalgrm wrote:Too much! The postage will be a shock: those guys always use the most expensive shipping method.
Yeah JensenUSA charge heaps for posting but I wasn't planning to use them for postage. I have a contact in the US who should be able to ship them for me but anyway if the price is to high I will not bother.

I would prefer not to use Fleet if I can, but will look around locally.

Andrew

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Postby Aushiker » Sun Jul 29, 2007 1:16 am

Kalgrm wrote:Any LBS who stocks Specialised bikes should be able to get them for you. I reckon Fleet Cycles in Freo would be a good place to try. They should be $40 to $50 each.
$35 ex UK.

Andrew

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Postby Kalgrm » Sun Jul 29, 2007 8:39 pm

If $35 is the landed price, that's very good. As always, beware the shipping charges .....

There are several versions. I prefer the Stick-E compound because I like LOTS of grip. Others are happy with the DTC tread, which is slightly faster and apparently wears better. You also have the choice of kevlar or wire bead and various widths.

Cheers,
Graeme
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Postby Aushiker » Mon Jul 30, 2007 2:50 pm

Kalgrm wrote:If $35 is the landed price, that's very good. As always, beware the shipping charges .....
Landed price subject to minor variations in the exchange rate. Based on buying two of each tyre.

I need to check my rim. It seems that if the rim is 25 mm wide (inner width) it is okay with 2.1 width tyres.

Are you in a rush? If my rims are okay, we can maybe combine the order. My only problem is I am heading south today and then to Singapore on the weekend so will not be able to get back to this until late next week.

Andrew

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Postby Kalgrm » Mon Jul 30, 2007 2:58 pm

I'm in no rush.

My Blue Groove is nearly new (as far as tread wear goes) but it has so many embedded caltrop thorns that I'm worried about my standing in the Lucky Rabbit's Foot award over the next few months! :)

The Nevegal is wearing out and I can replace it any time from now on. I reckon I've got another three months before I must replace it.

What's your source? Can we pick up other bargains from them to improve the over-all savings? I'm looking at another set of Hope XC hubs .....

Cheers,
Graeme
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