Ride report: Sunday 4 July – Two Tribes at Swinley
In the harsh early morning sun and rising temperatures two gangs of unshaven men faced each other in a dry and dusty car park in Bracknell Forest. Clad in baggy shorts and t-shirts, protective knee pads and helmets, they unloaded their expensively customised two wheeled chariots and prepared for the immense physical challenge presented by the mountain bike trails of Swinley.
Well all right, we met up to go for a bike ride as usual. Initial interest had been limited, so Dandy Andy agreed to combine forces with the DoMTB group, which by coincidence was also planning a visit to Swinley on the same day. However, with the weather improving during the week, interest burgeoned until 23 riders had said they would come and I think on the day, there were even more.
Comments abounded in the mountain bike online community in the days before the ride, as the once small group that planned to meet early to avoid the crowds became a crowd itself; no doubt other riders planned to come later in the day to avoid us!
Anyway, given the huge numbers, we decided to split into separate Muddymole and DoMTB groups, with the DoMTB group being led by local lad Warren and the Muddymole group being led by myself and Colin (following a mixture of Warren’s normal route and Colin’s internet sourced sat nav route). Moles present included Tony, DaveC, Colin, MarkW, Keith, Jem, Andy661, D’andy and myself.
The groups left the carpark about 5 minutes apart, but we soon ran into Bus from the DoMTB group, looking for a couple of riders which they had already lost (they had a considerably larger group).
The route finding went well considering Colin had brought the wrong back plate for his satmap and so it had to remain in his pack most of the time and I hadn’t been to Swinley since a very early ride in midwinter. We headed through the undergrowth to pass the main DoMTB group and then on to the trail with the little ‘shore bridge and into the recently refinished trail leading to the Tanktraps.
For those to whom these monikers mean nothing, Swinley Forest is quite a small area – maybe 4 miles square, interlaced with a labyrinth of windy, swoopy buff singletrack, over roots, down bombholes and dotted with the occasional jump, roll in and drop off. Any such obstacles on the main trails are rollable, but there are also some more challenging optional sections, including up to 10 foot drop offs and also a few nicely kept larger jumps, doubles and table tops, notably those in the ‘Jump Gulley’.
From the Tanktraps we headed back to Lower Star Post and then off on a loop around the western part of the forest, before returning and taking an alternative trail to the Jump Gulley.
Here I made the first run over the jumps from our group and my recent coaching experiences were obviously paying dividends as I floated neatly over each jump, getting good air and landing sweetly, with the double at the end proving no problem at all as I landed and swept out of the gulley on the berm. Feeling buoyed by this I went back to the start and had a chat with a few people.
Mark commented that the high, steep lipped table top looked really foreboding, but after my sweet first run I though – nah, it looks okay…. My second run went well until I hit the said table top, launched stupidly high into the air and then lost the plot entirely, landing on the downslope on my chin, elbows and knees…
Somewhat shaken, but also relieved at not having done myself or my bike too much harm, I got up. Some kids watching at the side ran down to see if I was okay and Colin rode down to check me out too. I was shaken and disappointed, but got back on the bike and after milling around a bit thinking what might have gone wrong, I did another run, avoiding the offending high lip and taking the softer line to the right.
I was obviously still a bit shakey as I launched over the double at the end, landing too far down to take the exit, so I pushed up the bank on the left, trying to look like that was what I had meant to do…
Riding along the top I had one run at a drop off, to be foiled by a rider who cut in front of me from the other direction, so went back and had another go and that worked out nicely.
Then I was chatting with a kid on a jump bike about dropping into the gulley from the other side. I’d seen a kid do this on my last visit and it looked doable, so after a lot of faffage on my part and some kind trail sweeping by the jump bike kid, I decided to give it a go. The pressure was ladled on as the DoMTB group stopped along the top of the other side of the gulley to watch and comment.
I had a go anyway and made that work too, albeit not with an ideal line, as my back wheel must have passed inches from a sandstone outcrop on the right. I think the problem was that I couldn’t see the line on the approach, or the marker I’d scraped in the launch point (apparently the jump bike kid had got a bit carried away and swept this away too!).
On we headed up ‘Surrey Hill’ to the reservoir, before entering the ‘expert area’. DaveC led us in here as I always get it wrong, but on this occasion DaveC led us along a traverse and over to the point where I normally end up – at the head of a roller coaster swoop down a hill (with optional high speed drop/jump over a log on the way down and another on the way up the other side.
I could see that the drop on the descent had been built up a bit since our last visit. The DoMTB group had just ridden this and were waiting on the other side, while the moles swooped down and up to meet them. I stopped and walked down to look at the modified drop, before riding down over it and up the other side, launching and landing on the edge of the DoMTB group – again, no pressure, with about 24 riders standing and watching and several taking pictures! You can see pics of Colin, Jem and I going over the uphill jump under the ride report on the diaryofamountainbiker blog.
The groups split up again, but now we were all in this area, it was inevitable that we would keep on meeting. We rode up to the south eastern tip of the expert area, where we have previously seen a fearless Rastafarian launch a 10+ foot drop. I stopped as always to look at these, as I try to develop my riding towards being able to do this kind of thing safely (well as safely as you can do this kind of thing!).
The larger drop is not looking as bad as it used to as the hole dug out at the bottom has been filled in now – in reality that doesn’t make any difference, because you are bound to land further down the hill (unless you are rolling over the lip and straight down into a pile at the bottom!), but it still adds a psychological barrier.
The moles were getting a bit bored by now and perhaps a little nervous as I walked back and forth visualised riding the larger drop several times. I know though that I’m not ready for that one by a long way, so as the others rode off towards the Labyrinth, Andy661 kindly stayed behind whilst I contemplated the middle drop. A much lesser prospect, but probably still involving a 5-7 foot drop into a fast, straight, loose down hill run between trees.
Again, a Swinley Forest youth happened to pass by on his 8” Scott Voltage FR bike and I talked over the possible lines and issues with the middle drop with him. There is a root crossing the approach, about a metre before the edge which I was concerned might kick up the back wheel on launching. He had done the larger one previously, so was not phased by the middle one and offered to demo it for me.
He landed smoothly and I first rode up to the lip and then went back for my proper attempt, which went really smoothly. The landing felt a bit squirelly on the loose dry, gravelly surface, but my head was up and I was looking for the next section, so the bike corrected itself under me and I braked, stopped and pushed back up, buzzing, relieved, pleased – although slightly gutted that only Andy had seen it!
Andy and I said goodbye to my 14 year old mentor and headed off to find the other moles, passing the DoMTB group once again, as they reformed near the start of the runs that lead into the labyrinth. We stopped briefly to say hello and then headed down the left hand run into the labyrinth.
I was really tiring by now and getting cramp in the tops of my thighs, so I changed down to spin my legs more and managed to keep going to the exit where Tony stacked it last year, breaking his collarbone and there met up with the rest of the Moles as the doamb group started to gather there after riding the right hand run over the jumps and doubles.
From here we took the short but hard climb up to the start again. With so many riders heading in the same direction, few managed to ride all the way to the top – even those with the legs for it ended up being blocked by those pushing. I had a lucky run though and made it all the way up, despite being redirected onto the looser gravel. I have to confess resorting to the granny ring though, after the warning cramp twinges I’d been getting.
Our second run down was DaveC’s fave, taking the left hand entrance, keeping left at the first fork and then turning right at the second one. This leads down a slidey slidey, steep descent into a decent run through the woods, rejoining the longer ‘east side’ route out which we’d all done earlier. On the way down I was right behind Tony and he commented later about holding me up, but at some point I passed him and then ended up holding him up on the uphill sections, as the cramp started to get me again.
On exiting this run, I’d had enough, so had no objections when people were suggesting heading back to the carpark. I was quite happy to take the fireroad, but DaveC revealed some good knowledge here and led us via singletrack virtually all the way back – this involved covering twice the distance we could have got back in, but was really enjoyable and made the ideal finish to a fine ride.
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DandyC says:
Great ride guys, though I always find Swinley very tiring as the hills aren’t high enough for a recovery downhill section and you have to keep pedalling all the time !
Also a nice photo of Colin getting some air in the gulley over on the DoMTB site.
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Posted on July 5, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Warren says:
Hello chaps just a quick question. If any one felt inspired and confident in Swinley with the loose dusty trails I would love to hear what tyres you riding with as my Panaracer Cinders are just not doing it for me. I am finding that they are washing out under me in corners/berms and very sketchy under braking. So please do let me know what tyre/size and pressure you use if you feel you can help.
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Posted on July 5, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Colin says:
Hi Warren, I’m a big fan of maxxis and was running the DHF kevlar Minions on each end yesterday.
Found the grip excellent, running them at 34psi.
I’ve got Aspen(rear) and Advantage (front) on the TiNbred and find that an excellent summer combination but not tried at swinley yet.
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Posted on July 5, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Jem says:
Dust, dust, dust!! What with the sun and heat took me back to my bike holiday in Spain recently.
Warren, I am also a fan of Maxxis. I seem to like my combination in these sort of conditions, running tubeless (L.U.S.T). Front Advantage 2.1 (2.3 available). Rear Crossmark 2.1, pressure about 27-30 psi seems to get good grip and traction.
Good write up Dave. Hat off to you for immediately banishing the Demon’s after the off on the jump gulley.
Really enjoyed todays ride, must learn to piece together the trails over there.
Great to catch up with some of Domtb crew. Great photos, thanks Richard, Dave Bus.
Colin wat up yo? have you cleaned dem whight kicks yet bro?
Hope the dry spell lasts a bit longer, generates brill trail conditions.
Enjoy.
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Posted on July 5, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Jem says:
Warren,
Edit for tyre sizes.
Advantage, LUST 2.1.
Tubed 2.1, 2.25, 2.4.
Crossmark, LUST and tubed 2.1, 2.25.
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Posted on July 5, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Dave says:
Same tyres as Jem and I felt generally OK but rear felt a bit loose under braking. Having a Crossmark 2.25 on the front of another bike I’d say that might be a better choice but both very predictable, which I like!
30ish PSI for me I think.
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Posted on July 5, 2010 at 10:32 pm
DaveW says:
Tires:
Maxxis Minion F 2.35 on the front and Highroller 2.35 on the rear. Both tubed, both at 35 PSI and felt really good. I haven’t tried it, but suspect that Colin’s Minion F front and rear would be better still, with more grip and smoother middle to side tread transition on cornering, so if you are going to try a change, I’d suggest trying that. I quite like the Cinder 2.25s that you run, but that is a big ol’ bike you have there now and think that some more serious DH/FR rubber would suit it better.
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Posted on July 5, 2010 at 10:58 pm
pij says:
Maxis Minion front, Aspen for the rear every time. The Aspen takes a bit of getting used to, and is out of the comfort zone for many, but the press are waking up to it as a rear tyre. I ran a 42a on the front, but it killed my legs and many a ride.
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Posted on July 6, 2010 at 8:22 am
DaveW says:
Good point Phil – compound is key.
60a MaxxPro or 62a eXC are the way to go in my opinion.
If you only do uplift/push up type riding, then 42a Super Tacky might be justified.
However, for pedally old Swinley it would be unecessary and make riding around very hard work.
I ran a Super Tacky Highroller on the front on my 5 for a while and it worked well on technical challenges, but the 60a Minion DHF seems just as grippy or more so – and rolls better – and works better in mud.
When my current 60a Highroller rear on the 5 expires I’m planning to try a Minion DHF on the rear too.
I would like to try an Aspen on the rear, but that is just because I cover a lot of XC miles – I might be tempted to swap for something a bit stronger on a trip to Swinley though.
If most of your riding is technical or you want something which will be good all year around, then something with more tread on such as a Highroller or a Minion F would be more suitable.
Single ply and folding bead should be fine.
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Posted on July 6, 2010 at 8:54 am
Matt says:
So, Maxxis seems popular then?!
I’ve watched the Moles collective move in this direction over the past few months even though I have personally just switched to 2.25 UST Nobby Nics (the Allgrounders).
I haven’t had them long enough to either get comfortable with them or run them in mud (remember that stuff?) so won’t comment on them directly but first impressions are good. I don’t think they’d be suitable for Warren though, a bit under-tyred for him perhaps :o)
I’m thinking of the Maxxis Advantage 2.1/Aspen combo for my singlespeed.
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Posted on July 6, 2010 at 9:33 am
PIJ says:
42a can be a right pain on roads. And don’t be too put off by a lack of tread on the rear tyre; you’d be surprised how much traction you can find. I’d not put an Aspen on the front though. Only negative with it being the thin walls – I’ve ripped one on flint, but then most tyres would. The Aspen accelerates well. Does lack grip in current dust though…..
Aspen, blah blah, Aspen blah, Aspen blah blah blah. I can bore for England.
You also have to factor in where you are riding. As DaveW says; uplifts, go tacky. Road, then go for a harder compound with less tread. Generally, however, most people can ride around the odd fault with a tyre, and it is rare for something to cope with all trail conditions or riding styles. If such a tyre existed it’d be £90.
Maxxis eXC or a Continental really.
Tyre choice can be a rather boring nightmare. Hard or soft compounds? Lots of tread, little tread or no tread? Tubeless or not? Wide or thin? Front or rear? Directional? There must be millions of different possible combinations!!
And really does it al matter? Is blaming tyres for a poor ride the correct way to go? On Sunday we passed an old codger, sorry, gent of mature years, riding a road bike with slick 1cm tyres over the Headley gravel. When I say “passed” I mean crawled by as he gave us more than a run for our money. We had to peel off to the cafe to save face.
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Posted on July 6, 2010 at 9:39 am
DaveW says:
Yes, bad mistake starting a ‘what tire’ thread with us incorrigable bike geeks!
PIJ mentions conti’s, but steer clear if you want a 4 season tire, unless you go with the ‘Black Chilli’ compound – the regular compound is lethal over wet roots and you have more than enough of those in Swinley area!
Nobby Nics might be okay for Warren’s riding preferences if he went for the 2010 Allgrounder Double Defense version at 2.25 or a 2.4, but I have heard mixed reports of their performance in the wet. I’m waiting for a comprehensive multi-conditions report from Matt before investing myself!
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Posted on July 6, 2010 at 10:04 am
tony says:
Well it certainly was good to get round Swinley, have a good time and everyone get home mostly in one piece (Dave W’s chin excepted). Although I note on the forums that the air ambulance was called out twice on Sunday afternoon. Bad memories!
My two pence worth. Not going with the “Maxxis crowd” I rode with a Black Chilli Conti Vertical 2.3 on the front (nice predictable lean angles) and a Black Chill Conti Mountain King on the back. I like the two and never felt in trouble except when I was going to run over D’Andy due to his Maxxis front tire washing out 🙂
BTW can D’Andy get an more bling? Caviar at the cake stops soon??
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Posted on July 6, 2010 at 11:02 am
Andrew "Turner Guy" says:
Can’t believe I missed the Swinley trip! Was on my way to Cardiff to do my “Speed Awareness” or “Avoid 3 points on your license” course.
I have several gps routes loaded on my Satmap with a few strung together to give good loops, if anyone wants them. The one I do regularly is about 16 miles and takes in most of the stuff in one loop with only a little fireroad and doubling back on routes – Seagull, Satans Grotto, Deerstalker, Labyrinth, Stickler, Along the Fence, Tank Traps, Corkscrew, Jump Gully, Rollercoaster and more.
See here for some Google maps.
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Posted on July 6, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Dandy says:
CrossMark rear was fine, no issues with lack of grip on braking that seemed to affect others.
As Tony alludes to, the front CrossMark did wash out on one occasion, dumping me unceremoniously in the dirt. Thankfully I was wearing my tasteful Endura shorts so he declined to roger me with his Vertical Black Chilli ! If I’d been wearing the Sombrios no doubt he would have parked his bike where the sun don’t normally shine 🙁
I think I will get my spare super tacky High Roller back on the front for Wales. My On-One ‘wet weather’ steed currently has the other High Roller on the front and a Trailraker on the rear.
This only gets used when I don’t want to dull the shine on the Pace.
“Can D’Andy get more bling?”, he says. Wear your sunnies tomorrow night as the Sombrios should get their first outing.
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Posted on July 6, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Colin says:
Ride with what you choose and judge ye not others for their choice!
There’s little point in stoking this up to be a ‘my knobs bigger than yours’ thang.
As i’m not a particularly quick climber I’m not hugely worried about straight line traction on the rear. Instead, I quite like a rear tyre that rolls well but slides a little.
This not only makes it quite fun but it helps you turn sometimes by getting the bike sideways and pivoting around the grippy front tyre. Thats the theory anyway.
I think we should be careful, as weekend warriors in marking a tyre down because it washed out on us – no offence but every time i’ve lost grip, i know its mostly been down to my skill level.
That said, why anybody rides on Panaracer tyres is beyond me, particularly Fire XC Pro and Razers, both of which i’ve had the misfortune of using before!
If Maxxis made condoms I’d use them but i’d avoid the super tacky 42a compound
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Posted on July 6, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Matt says:
LOL!
Colin said “If Maxxis made condoms I’d use them but i’d avoid the super tacky 42a compound”
I look forward to their next marketing campaign with priceless endorsements like that!!
I don’t think we’ll ask MrsB to comment!
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Posted on July 6, 2010 at 4:19 pm
PIJ says:
Aye, each to their own. Live and let live, especially where tyre chice is concerned. But as you rightly hint, those using the awful Fire XC Pro should be stoned and cast out to the wilderness that is road riding.
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Posted on July 6, 2010 at 4:30 pm
DaveW says:
Maxxis condoms?
Would they offer them in slick and knobbly versions I wonder?
With dual ply casings for going down fast?
I’ll get my coat…
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Posted on July 6, 2010 at 4:53 pm
tony says:
Maxxis condoms??
I’ll have mine in protection variety. I don’t even want to think about the wire beaded ones……..
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Posted on July 6, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Warren says:
Thanks all for the advice/opinions. I am thinking of keeping the Cinders for winter and some more downhill type days and going for either 42a 2.35 Minion on the front, 60a 2.35 Minion on the rear or Minion and either Advantage or Crossmark but need to do some more digging on that.
One last thing is that my Flow rims with pro2 hubs will arrive tomorrow and just want to make sure i can run the above tubeless with Stans?
Thanks.
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Posted on July 6, 2010 at 7:01 pm
paul901 says:
Wow, it’s like reading a Campag v Shimano or carbon fibre v steel v Ti road debate. I see there’s some emotion behind the numerous tyre options.
For the slower and less adventurous amongst us I have no idea what to choose at the end of summer, only that those roots on the cambered trails concern me most and I don’t fancy sliding off the side of the slopes. I’m less worried about the performance envelope you seasoned guys push.
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Posted on July 7, 2010 at 8:29 am
Andrew says:
Paul901 is running non-Black Chilli conti Mtn Kings!!!
I had a hell of a crash on Black-Chilli Conti Edges, which are their mud tyres. So did my mate on the same type of tyre, on wet tarmac, and he has mtn bike skills, unlike me.
I think the PSIs Conti specify are way over the top, for one thing. If you run the edges at the recommended PSI they slip off the side of small wet rocks, so I wouldn’t recommend them. The mtn king recommends PSI is a little high as well, from memory.
I have UST Panaracer Fire XCs and they seem ok at 30 PSI, which is the line I shall maintain until my next crash…
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Posted on July 7, 2010 at 10:39 am
pij says:
“…only that those roots on the cambered trails concern me most and I don’t fancy sliding off the side of the slopes…”
Mountain King’s probably aint the best for this type of work! I’m not sure any tyre would grip a wet root taken obliquely? Welcome to be proven wrong here. I’m a big fan of the King’s for summer riding, as they are way fast, but they get chopped out as soon as the weather turns a bit wetter. Perhaps if you put a Black Chilli on the front and kept the King for the rear? Or – and this isn’t meant to be read as taking the piss, so no offence meant – don’t ride rooty side slopes? Even in high summer on fine days they are tricky beasts.
Pushing the envelope? Guess you have to if you ride with people faster and/or fitter than oneself. The guys I ride with are ten years younger then me, so I do whatever it takes to keep up really. If that means chopping a kilo from my bike, then that’s what I do, hence my use of lighter tyres. Luckily my riding partners are getting a bit lardy, so I only need to save a bit of mass from my ride to keep up!
I don’t get emotional over tyres, and recognise my choice is a bit left of centre for many. Most people are happy if their tyres are black, wear well and don’t puncture.
Answer to your question? It depends!! More so when you take cost into consideration – Black Chilli = mucho wonga!
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Posted on July 7, 2010 at 11:23 am
paul901 says:
I was hoping the Moles would start to get a bit lardy as they didn’t take up the suggestion of a weighting handicap i.e. the 70kg whippets have a 30kg backpack, 80kg riders have a 20kg backpack etc.
No sign of that though, as you rightly say, and you do what you can to keep up. So, for the first time ever I am counting calories into a food/exercise diary and targetting a 10kg weight loss for no reason other than it’s 10kg less to take up the climbs.
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Posted on July 7, 2010 at 11:48 am
Dave says:
Doesn’t seem much chance of massive weight gain this side of Dusk ’til Dawn! We’ve got (Dorking) Cocks to beat (fnar, fnar).
I guess the thing about tyres as mentioned above is they have to match the Rider and their abilities/requirements. I’ve very little interest in pushing my limits as regards getting “phat air” or “railing” the berm much faster so hence little interest in gaining more skills. Recent accidents have really put me off watching other riders trying to do big stuff as well.
Sometimes I think ignorance is bliss. Yo ride what you have and you learn to ride within the limits of what you have. I did this for many years but this year it’s gone to pot big time with massive tyre changes all round. Maybe that’s one of the reasons I like 29ers! So little choice in terms of tyres.
This reminds me of the current situation with energy suppliers. Choice, we were told would bring us cheaper prices and a better deal for the consumer. Bollox. What it brought us was mis-selling, high pressure sales and consumers worried they are with the wrong provider.
Given that there are, say, 10 major tyre providers with maybe 15 types of tyres and some of these tyres have 10 versions we can never know we have the best tyre as it’s impossible to try them all (Oh yeah, 2 wheels so we might run different tyres front and rear) because that all leads to a big number of choices.
I’ll tell you why I wanted to try the Crossmark………I liked the look of the tread. ;oP
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Posted on July 7, 2010 at 12:50 pm
pij says:
Ha ha! Until last year my tyres were round and black, usually narrow. They had big knobs regardless of what month it was. Now I’m like a kid in a sweet shop; far too much choice. Big knobs, small knobs, no knobs? What shape knobs?Hard or soft? Thin or thick? [Ooo, er missus!] Front or rear? Which way around do you want your tyre? Tube or tubeless? Or both! Cheap, or more than I’d pay for a car tyre?
I’m averse to big air as well; things like that hurt and I don’t want to carry my bike 15 miles home, then work for a month to replace bits. I don’t agree with mountain biking having to hurt, although generally I do come back from rides with blood dripping from me somewhere or other. By product of weeds and a close proximity to trees more than anything. Saying that I do have huge admiration – HUGE, REALLY HUGE – for those amongst us that can do that stuff. Hats off and all that.
Being honest I went with a price point buy in the end! I have since changed my rear tyres out for some lighter ones though, as my first set came in at something silly like a kilo each. Oddly enough I got lucky with my current choice in that they suit my style and the area for 12 months of the year.
And as for the body weight thing – I’ve stopped my 10am 500 calorie muffin each day; lost perhaps 5kg that way in a couple of months. I’m not going to turn into a “juice for breakfast, carrot and muesli for every other meal” type person though. If I can keep up [possibly ahead sometimes] with my current riding buddies, then I’ve done enough. Things can get silly can’t they? I’d give up riding rather than stop the beer. Perhaps.
Right, turning into a right gob-shite here; I’m off.
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Posted on July 7, 2010 at 1:12 pm
John R says:
To answer Colin’s question, I would like to try something better than Panaracers, but there are as many opinions about this as there are Moles.
If there was a general view as to what are the better tyres available, then I would gladly try them.
Until then – cast me out to the dark side and stone me, PIJ!
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Posted on July 7, 2010 at 5:52 pm
paul901 says:
“Until then – cast me out to the dark side and stone me, PIJ!”
Does this mean you are asking for advice on road tyres or did you say the word “Jehovah”? :-0
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Posted on July 7, 2010 at 6:57 pm
pij says:
I’ve been cast out by paul901! Back to being Billy No Mates….. again.
Guess if we’re moving on to road tyres, what glue do you use??
;¬)
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Posted on July 7, 2010 at 7:21 pm
mweaver says:
My knobs are German and I didn’t see too many of you screaming past me on Sunday, thats all I’m saying!
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Posted on July 7, 2010 at 7:34 pm
tony says:
It’s funny that Mark. My knobs are german too and I seem to remember only you nipping off up the hills with me?
Wow 100% correlation. I can only conclude german knobs are faster.
BTW you Fire Pro riders, I’ll see you OK with 23mm and 110psi.
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Posted on July 7, 2010 at 8:12 pm
Colin says:
Yep only Mark nipping off with you …………….. apart from the climb after the labyrinth where some bloke on a slack-angled, maxxis-shod lardy bike rode past whilst you were WALKING ! Yes, W-A-L-K-I-N-G
Selective memoryitis, tut tut!
Maxxis rule
Maybe we should move on to ‘What chain oil is best’ now ?
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Posted on July 7, 2010 at 11:25 pm
pij says:
Squirt for the summer.
How about handlebar widths? Best protein bar? How best to clean a Camelbak? Polish your frame or leave it? Suspension or hardtail?
Tyres are round and black. Nuff said!
….having said that Maxxis are pretty good…. Hee hee.
;¬)
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Posted on July 8, 2010 at 7:42 am
tony says:
I have to admit Colin you are a climbing god (on the hill round the back of the labyrinth).
The reason why I was walking was a guy who was walking moved over to block my line and stopped me dead. There are no chances to get going again on that slope.
He was probably riding Maxxis…….:)
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Posted on July 8, 2010 at 8:52 am
Dave says:
Ofcourse, Panracer and Halo offer greater colour choice!
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Posted on July 8, 2010 at 10:00 am
DaveW says:
Excuses excuses road mole ;o).
Funny thing is, I managed to ride all the way up that hill too. There were people pushing, but I rode around them.
Perhaps the fact that I was running Maxxis Minion front and Maxxis Highroller rear had something to do with it…
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Posted on July 8, 2010 at 10:05 am
Andrew says:
The German nobs on this guys tyres seem to be working pretty well:
http://videos.mtb-news.de/videos/view/6267
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Posted on July 8, 2010 at 5:06 pm
paul901 says:
I’m sure I will soon get to know what “Maxxis are”. Not otherwise known as landcrabs are they?
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Posted on July 8, 2010 at 6:08 pm
DaveW says:
I don’t think I’ve ever seen 40 comments on one of these reports – oh!
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Posted on July 8, 2010 at 9:39 pm
PIJ says:
I’ve never seen 41! D’oh!
Trails looking good for a “Maxxis weekend” [as henceforth any decent mountain bike ride in the country will surely be known!].
;¬)
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Posted on July 9, 2010 at 7:18 am