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What is Gary up to? A time travel thread.

Gary

"S" is for "neo-luddite"
Aug 27, 2002
7,536
5,470
UK
Bicker away guys. but here's the tensioner I used on the SS Sunday build




it cost £20 not £300. Has NO CLUTCH, weighs very little and does the job it's designed to perfectly. I modified the Sunday's der hanger slightly for extra security and tensioned the spring a tad tighter. That's it. the narrow wide ring, straight chainline and tighter fitting single sprocket all work together to make it silent and reliable.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chain-Tensioner-XLC-CR-A04-Singlespeed-Chain-Tensioner-/201805884215?hash=item2efc916b37

But you know what the biggest most noticeable improvement running this set-up gives? Massively improved mud/wet weather performance.
Cassettes, rear mechs and chain devices butted right up by suspension pivots and BB junctions are massive mud traps.
They're obviously designed by men in nice clean offices using swanky computers and tested by professional cyclists who have their equipment meticulously cleaned/maintained after each run.
 
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Gary

"S" is for "neo-luddite"
Aug 27, 2002
7,536
5,470
UK
Turns out I have a lot more parts lying around than I even realised. So I bought an old frame to hang them from.
DSC_0767 (2).JPG


Spec:
2010 (M) frame. (Fox DHX 5.0 w/500lb steel spring)
2012 Boxxer. Refurbished with new lowers and internals I had hidden away.
BrandX sealed bearing headset
Nukeproof Warhead 31.8 bars
Nukeproof Sam Hill DM stem
Nukeproof single lock-on grips (ruffian)
SRAM Guide RS with 203 Clarks rotors and fixed lever clamps
SRAM X7 9 speed shifter (couldn't find the XO/X9 I used to have)
SRAM XO short cage rear mech (longer limit screws fitted)
SRAM 950 9 speed cassette split to 5 speed 12-21
SRAM 8 speed chain
XT HTII BB
SAINT 83mm 165 cranks
MOLOTOV 36T narrow wide ring
Steele Industries flat pedals
Funn RL saddle
Bontrager? 2 bolt seatpost
Hope Seat clamp
Hope ProII front hub/Mavic 721 rim with 26x 2.5 3C DHF dual ply DHF and innertube.
Chosen 150pt rear hub/Alex Volar rim with 26x 2.35 60a Maxxpro dual ply DHF and innertube.

Weight 36lb bang on including pedals.

Total cost around £400 (frame plus the extra parts I needed)

SeshDS1.jpg


SeshDS2.jpg


Narrow wide chainring with no device for now (hadn't realised the frame was ISCG old). I have various options available but want to keep it as clean as possible.
SeshCrank.jpg


B tension adjustment on these tough old mechs allows rotation upwards creating greater chain wrap even on smaller sprockets spaced inwardly.
DSC_0747.JPG


5x 9 speed sprockets (12,14,16,18,21) spaced centrally giving a much narrower chainline throughout the range and a much shorter chain to slap around and less need for a clutch.
SeshCassette.jpg

That hub is real light and pretty instant pick up too.

Not entirely sure about these rotors. but they were 1/5 the cost of SRAM centrelines and most of my spare 8"ish rotors were no longer 100% true anymore
SeshRDisc.jpg


2.35 60a DHF on the back. I just prefer the faster more direct feeling these give out of corners and rolling.
264LYFyo.jpg

Don't lose your shit! I have my 1000hr license piloting them.

Uplifts were cancelled this weekend due to snow/ice on the roads so it'll be a couple of weeks before I get to use it properly.
 
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Mo(n)arch

Turbo Monkey
Dec 27, 2010
4,441
1,422
Italy/south Tyrol
Sick bike! Back in the day I had the same with a 888evo on it. I wasn‘t really a fan of the rear suspension, though. The head angle was steepish aswell.
Will you keep the Dhx5.0?
 

Gary

"S" is for "neo-luddite"
Aug 27, 2002
7,536
5,470
UK
I'll let you into a wee secret. The last time I rode Ft William WC track I was on a 120mm Dirtjump/slope bike with a Monarch RT3 in the pedal setting and old coil Pikes. I really enjoyed myself that day. The DHX should be just fine. :D As will that "steep" 63.8deg H/A ;)

I loved the last Session I rode. Same year, size, suspension as this one.
 

Gary

"S" is for "neo-luddite"
Aug 27, 2002
7,536
5,470
UK
Duuuuude!! The fact you're even still here at all is promising
And you know fine you're welcome to borrow my Sunday anytime.
 

monkeyfcuker

Monkey
May 26, 2008
912
8
UK, Carlisle
Haha, I mainly come for the random pictures and insane political commentary these days but slide by the DH section for nostalgia! Planning my comeback for Vets when the kids will either be old enough to race with me or just old enough to look after themselves.....

Sweet bike mate, hope you’re well.
 

Gary

"S" is for "neo-luddite"
Aug 27, 2002
7,536
5,470
UK
Yeah. All good here.
I'm actually back racing. BMX. Badly. in Expert (there aren't any over 18 novices nevermind 45+). Sophie actually roped me into it. She turned 8 a few months back and is racing 9-10yr old class this year.
DSC_0687.JPG
Obligatory MotocrossDad pic (I won't be doing a Paul Hart with her tho.. not while I can still ride myself anyway ;) )
 

Gary

"S" is for "neo-luddite"
Aug 27, 2002
7,536
5,470
UK
apparently Haro's are a popular bike there...
Haha. Yeah :D

That's floodlit kids gate practice at the Scottish Haro race team's track nr Glasgow. They do loads of coaching/beginner sessions and have a huge fleet of Haros from micro mini to XL and cruiser available to hire.

These are ours.
BMXs.jpg
Just a coincidence they're Haros honest. We live at the other side of the country. Our local track is being upgraded just now so it'll be unridabru for a while :(
 
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rockofullr

confused
Jun 11, 2009
7,342
924
East Bay, Cali
Actually injured hence being here a l'il too often. smashed my shoulder into tarmac and gave myself a pretty hefty concussion 5 weeks ago and have a lower back injury. Wet Pumptracks and Conti tyres HURT!
If only there were some sort of sticky rubber compounds available that could have prevented your shoulder smashing :D
 

Gary

"S" is for "neo-luddite"
Aug 27, 2002
7,536
5,470
UK
If only there were some sort of sticky rubber compounds available that could have prevented your shoulder smashing :D
Care to reccomend a fast rolling sticky rubber compound 26" tyre for tarmac pumptrack use?