Thanks very much for the comprehensive replies guys, really appreciated.
LBS also said I could drill out the rims to take schrader valves without weakening them, but I don't think I'll do that. Somehow seems like sacrilege or something (and I wouldn't want to muck it up). I'll try and learn to live with the Presta ones (they're good enough for Tour de France bikes after all
). I wonder if I could saw off the adapters I bought a bit shorter to extend the range of options for inflation etc?
I'll definitely look into the AMBC course trailgumby. I now remember reading about these ages ago. Not too expensive either. I think $140 for a 6 hour course sounds like pretty good value to gain practical skills that are immediately useful (unlike many work-related courses
).
Rear grip was occasionally an issue ascending a couple of very steep hills last weekend, although (once I shifted to the big chain ring instead of the middle) I got up everything attempted with only a small amount of slippage. At least two of these hills I wasn't able to climb previously with my old hardtail.
Steep descents are probably my biggest weakness, particularly with a lot of loose surface rubble and turning sharply at the same time. I did ride through a couple OK (sort of) but it was a bit like hanging on for grim death and hoping the bike would make up for my lack of skill. I'm not up to significant drop offs just yet, although I can ride over most smaller obstacles on undulating surfaces. I usually get off and walk if I don't feel confident/sense danger. Mugglechops I feel your pain, I cringed when I watched your video
. I'm a very fit, lean 56 year old, but need to consider that I'm not getting any younger before attempting anything too serious.
Will try and relax a bit more and try out some of those ideas. I do wear gloves but short finger ones, I'll get some long finger ones as well.
I haven't yet played around with the fork/shock settings. At this stage LBS has set up everything according to my weight and type of riding that I told them I generally do. I guess I'll start to experiment more as I get used to the bike. I do have a shock pump with dial gauge/pressure release which came with the bike. I think Giant supplies them as standard with their DS models.
With the chain lube, I've been using Rock'n'Roll Gold on the old bike and recently bought a big container of it. I've found it to be really good so might use that up before I try something different, but the Squirt one sounds interesting.
One other thing comes to mind. Although the bike came with clipless pedals, I have no experience with these. So I got the LBS to fit flat pedals for the time being and I've put the clipless ones aside until I feel ready to upgrade. In any case I still need to buy shoes/cleats to suit. Any thoughts on this? I was considering
Shimano MT42 shoes as I sometimes like to get off and do some bushwalking as well.