Another inspirational video from Mr Akrigg. Not sure anyone rides a full susser like this.
Video Round-up: Chris Akrigg In ‘Through The Mill - BikeRadar:
'via Blog this'
Thursday, 30 August 2012
Monday, 20 August 2012
Friday, 17 August 2012
Wednesday, 27 June 2012
Friday, 15 June 2012
Saturday, 9 June 2012
Life. A process of Deterioration.
Everything we own, everything we create and everything we build, in fact everything that is from the moment it is completed will of already started the slow process of deterioration. One way or another everything we take from the earth gets reclaimed. over a long enough cycle everything returns to nothing.
This process with my bike is not a slow one mind, with around 100 miles a week going through my components this process of deterioration is accelerated and I seem to be at my twice yearly uber expensive few weeks with the bike. After it got obliterated at MSG Codham Park some major work was required. It started with the usual chain and cassette needing replacing. With a quick trip to my LBS an XT chain and Deore cassette were purchased. Whilst there, the frame was disassembled so I could replace all the bearings, which was well over due. Leighton had recently got his eager little hands on a bearing press and was keen to try it out with me. However things did not go to plan as the bearing replacement opened a real can of worms A rather severe crack has been unearthed on my frame. This is bad times for sure. Upon leaving the shop casually riding home it became apparent that something was amiss with the chain set too, on inspection one of the teeth was mangled beyond repair. No saving that sucker so a perusal of the internet turned up a Raceface Turbine chain ring. The order was placed along with some lube and frame protection patches (although this is probably not going to fix my frame). Along with that I'm also awaiting new brake pads, Big Bite valve and Hydro flow piece for my CamelBak as I broke it in frustration at Codham. Actually ate through it. Still once all the parts are in place that should get me through the summer. If we actually get one!
This process with my bike is not a slow one mind, with around 100 miles a week going through my components this process of deterioration is accelerated and I seem to be at my twice yearly uber expensive few weeks with the bike. After it got obliterated at MSG Codham Park some major work was required. It started with the usual chain and cassette needing replacing. With a quick trip to my LBS an XT chain and Deore cassette were purchased. Whilst there, the frame was disassembled so I could replace all the bearings, which was well over due. Leighton had recently got his eager little hands on a bearing press and was keen to try it out with me. However things did not go to plan as the bearing replacement opened a real can of worms A rather severe crack has been unearthed on my frame. This is bad times for sure. Upon leaving the shop casually riding home it became apparent that something was amiss with the chain set too, on inspection one of the teeth was mangled beyond repair. No saving that sucker so a perusal of the internet turned up a Raceface Turbine chain ring. The order was placed along with some lube and frame protection patches (although this is probably not going to fix my frame). Along with that I'm also awaiting new brake pads, Big Bite valve and Hydro flow piece for my CamelBak as I broke it in frustration at Codham. Actually ate through it. Still once all the parts are in place that should get me through the summer. If we actually get one!
Thursday, 7 June 2012
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Torque Bikes. Sudbury.
On the outskirts of Sudbury something is brewing, the start of a new
venture for Leighton Taylor and Ebru Sami. They are the Proud owners of
Sudbury’s much needed new independent cycle shop, Torque Bikes. Leighton and Ebs
are both keen cyclists with a passion for customer service and a simple aim of
offering great service at reasonable prices. Leighton is the man you'll see
wielding a spanner, he has years of experience in cycle repairs, customer service and an insatiable knowledge of all things bicycle
related, he is also a Cytech qualified technician with a fetish for quality
tools. This shows as I glance round his workshop which is loaded with shiny
tools for just about every job imaginable including. Cartridge bearing
servicing for frames, hubs and headsets, brake bleeding, wheel building and
everything in between. Located on Brundon Lane Industrial Estate it's ideally situated for the Sudbury cyclist, there is a Cafe next door which makes it a convenient place for a pit stop, weather your riding Valley walk on your tourer, hammering Ballingdon hill on your roadie or exploring some of Sudbury’s hidden gems on your mtb and need some spares or a repair whilst out.
Leightons knowledge of all things bike related shows by all the quality brands he's filled the shop with, from the likes of Shimano, Sram, Schwalbe and Dmr. He even has some 29er tyres for all you wagon wheelers out there. Not to mention the rather Blingin' range of freestyle scooters and accessories from Grit, For the Yoof!
So whether you own a high end Mountain, Road or Hybrid bike that requires some TLC, have an old bike in the shed you want sprucing up for the summer or your kids keep trashing their bikes, Why not pop along to Sudbury's newest bike shop and support an independent business.
I'm sure Leighton and Ebs will make you feel very welcome.
Oh and Barney.
Tuesday, 5 June 2012
Sunday, 3 June 2012
Mud, Sweat and Gears Codham Park 2012
Mud, Sweat and Gears Codham Park 2012
On the Outskirts of Braintree on a miserable grey wet
Sunday, a crack troop of Mountain bikers from all over the Eastern Region had
assembled. Only some made it back.
Last year I referred to this round of MSG as the tough
Codham Park, if that was the case last year then what we had this year was the
bike destroyer. The course this year was being run backwards, which meant plenty
of climbing, climbing, climbing from the start before ducking into the first
wooded section, the surface in there due to the change in weather was so slippery
with very little traction, people were tail sliding everywhere, carrying to
much speed into any corner was only ever going to end in disaster, but with
some tight twisty bits and a nice little switch back climb it was enjoyable
enough. The middle section of the course
was fairly open and grassy which gave you some respite if you needed it, or
places to overtake if you didn’t, before heading into the second wooded section.
This section must have been so much fun in the dry (should have gone over on
the Thursday) with berms aplenty and even a rock garden to contend with, it was
as slippery in there as the first section, but the dirt was far more clay like
in substance, sticking and clogging up everything. After lap one my choice of
gears had become very limited indeed and on lap 2 I was left stuck in the
granny with only a few gears on the rear cassette available, everything else was
giving me massive chain suck, my rear chain stay has definitely seen better
days. After much frustrated gear shifting
I found it possible to run the large chain ring and nearly all the cogs
on the back without too much trouble and suddenly spirits were lifted, I could
gain some serious speed and momentum and
get back into this race. The climbs were much tougher in this gear but it
didn’t matter I had the legs for it, it was on. Puncture!! That’s right, two
exclamation marks. That is how frustrated I was. I pulled off the track feeling
defeated and deflated, looking around I was far from the only one.
Monday, 28 May 2012
Sunday, 27 May 2012
Jagwire Ripcord Review
Whilst looking for some new sealed cables to weather proof my gear cables
and pimp up my bike a couple of years back I stumbled upon Jagwire. They make a
range of gear housings and cables for road and Mountain bikes, the set here
being for the latter obviously. The Ripcords come with everything you need to
fit a sealed cable kit to your bike keeping the shifting smooth, light and crap
free, the cable ferrels are good quality with the Jagwire logo printed on. I do
find that the ferrels are a little creaky in my frame, but this is resolved
with a small dab of grease when the noise starts. This will probably vary from
frame to frame too. I opted for the blue outer housing, the housing is available
in a multitude of colours to suit any ride, also in the box are 2 rubber cable
covers to slide over the outer housing to help prevent frame rub, these seem to
have done a good job so far and haven't managed to go missing despite my best
efforts. Once the outers are installed it's a case of sliding the black teflon
coated inners through the outers and also through the black sleeving which
slides over the cable ferrel ends between all the areas where exposed cable
would be, therefore weather proofing your ride. The Teflon coated cables do a
fantastic job of keeping the shifting very responsive and light with a noticeable
difference to when I was running standard cables in the system. The whole deal
is finished off with some rather pimpin' gold cable ends which is a nice touch.
All in all then for a very reasonable £18.99 you get yourself a high quality,
weatherproof cable set, which will improve the feel and performance of your
shifting for half the price of the competition.
Win bloomin' Win.
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Monday, 21 May 2012
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