[Closed] New bike time !! Whyte 529

So I took the bike on its maiden proper ride yesterday to Swinley forest.

Have to say that first off the bike flattered my level of unfitness.

I think I'm going to stick with the fork at 140mm for the moment as it seemed pretty good and the axle to crown wasn't massively different to the Suntour that came with the bike.

Climbing was better than I expected and I had no noticeable wheel flop despite initial worries.

It didn't really like the slow tight switchbacks and just felt let it needed to be going faster.

On the downs it is so confidence inspiring. The slack head angle makes it nice and stable. It was ripping the berms on the red runs down one section.

It was my first proper ride on 1x11 too and the only time I had to get off and push was one quite short but steep section on the red trails but that was probably down to my fitness more than gearing.

I'm going to change the tyres I think. The rear felt to hard to start with so I let a bit of air out and then it was squirming around to much. Also the front tyre washed out a couple of times.

I'm looking for at a Specialized combo of butcher front and slaughter rear running tubeless.

Got to love dry and dusty trails though....

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Glad you made it to Swinley. Good loop for a shakedown. What did you end up riding? Blue-Red?

Interesting that you like the 140mm forks.
Mines 120mm and the front just feels too high. I've only got a 5mm spacer below the stem and limited on how to drop it more. Possibly riser stem flipped and some flat bars.

1x11- what front chainring size are you running? Looks like a 34t?
On my 29er I run 32t and find it spot on for the local riding here.

Tyres; Butcher front and slaughter rear is quite a meaty setup. Is your main aim to have some beefier carcass to prevent squirming at low pressures?

I'm going to change the tyres I think. The rear felt to hard to start with so I let a bit of air out and then it was squirming around to much. Also the front tyre washed out a couple of times.

Stick with them, I promise. Or if you really do find you need a bit more bite, move the Ardent to the rear, and put a Minion DHF 2.3 on the front. Spesh tyres are IMO a waste of time, sub par compared to Maxxis and usually more flimsy too.

It didn't really like the slow tight switchbacks

Issue more likely to be you than the bike tbh, given you say you've not been riding much, when yer blowing out yer arse technique is the first to go.

Also, the rear was too hard cos you had too much air, then squishy cos you let too much out, I wouldn't buy new tyres based on that, get the pressures right, those tyres are ideal for Swinley.

Glad you made it to Swinley. Good loop for a shakedown. What did you end up riding? Blue-Red?

Ended up doing Blue/Red/Blue and found it hard going to be honest as I was blowing out of my arse. It is very pedally though.

Interesting that you like the 140mm forks.
Mines 120mm and the front just feels too high. I've only got a 5mm spacer below the stem and limited on how to drop it more. Possibly riser stem flipped and some flat bars.

I think mine were running a bit soft as I was using full travel even on some of the blue stuff which probably means I needed a bit more pressure in them.

I put them side by side to the suntours before fitting and honestly there wasn't much in it at all, certainly not 2 cm worth.

I dont know about yours cokie but my bike came with a slightly negative rise stem as standard.

I prefer a more upright position compared to other I think purely due to having no core strength (working on it)

However, when the bike is unweighted the bars are just about level with the saddle.

1x11- what front chainring size are you running? Looks like a 34t?

Tyres; Butcher front and slaughter rear is quite a meaty setup. Is your main aim to have some beefier carcass to prevent squirming at low pressures?

Stick with them, I promise. Or if you really do find you need a bit more bite, move the Ardent to the rear, and put a Minion DHF 2.3 on the front. Spesh tyres are IMO a waste of time, sub par compared to Maxxis and usually more flimsy too.

Also, the rear was too hard cos you had too much air, then squishy cos you let too much out, I wouldn't buy new tyres based on that, get the pressures right, those tyres are ideal for Swinley.

What I was finding is the front was "squeaking" and slipping on the stones that they have in the man made stuff. leant over through some bends it washed out once or twice which Ive never had happen before.

The rear tyre thing was weird. on a local loop i had running around 35psi which was too hard so before swinley I dropped some out but not sure how much. at normal speed it felt ok but pushing on I could feel it squirming. there is section on the red I think it is where they have a "new trail feature" of two drops on a run down a hill and it flexed loads and nearly rolled off the rim.

I know its a crude way of doing it but the doing the pinch test on the tyre and it doesn't feel under inflated.

It didn't really like the slow tight switchbacks
Issue more likely to be you than the bike tbh, given you say you've not been riding much, when yer blowing out yer arse technique is the first to go.

I have no doubt it was a fitness thing, I was getting cramp in my foot at one point which was nice !

I have no doubt it was a fitness thing, I was getting cramp in my foot at one point which was nice !

Don't go making any changes til your fitter then, as you'll only be disappointed that spending money doesn't work.

I try to give a new bike a good while before changing any components, unless they're obviously cheap shite.

Don't go making any changes til your fitter then, as you'll only be disappointed that spending money doesn't work.

I try to give a new bike a good while before changing any components, unless they're obviously cheap shite.

I'd agree with that. You've got a great spec bike now (inc. tyres).
I'd focus on getting the miles in and adjusting contact points, tyre pressure and fork settings. You'll start understanding how 5mm here or 5 psi there will make a big difference.

Aye its not getting touched now until Ive ridden it quite a bit more.

Quick question about bedding in forks....

I've set my sag @ 25% but I am still getting maximum travel really easily ??

So I've added another 20psi and now have about 10% sag but still get maximum travel fairly often ?

Would stiction in the seals be holding the fork up when I try and set the sag ?

Fork is a Sektor RL gold that has done about 20 miles.

Do they need bedding in a bit ??

Sound like they need some volume spacers in the air spring, don't know if Sektors use em though.

Renton, at your size on them tyres, I'd aim for 36-38psi in the rear and about 32-33psi in the front as a guide... Much softer and you'll ground the rims out a lot, much harder and grip will suffer.

Don't worry too much about sag on RockShox forks, it's a fairly inaccurate measurement truth be told. Best bet is to do what you're doing, go out and ride it, bottom them out, add more air, and repeat until you no longer bottom out except for maybe once or twice a ride on the very biggest hits.

Renton, at your size on them tyres,

Are you saying I'm fat

Is this for sale yet?

Harsh! 😆

Is this for sale yet?

Careful now, or you may get one of [i]those[/i] PMs... 😆 😆

Harsh! 😆

But fair.

Nope not for sale.

Sorry to disappoint you all

[url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/i-need-a-full-susser ]not long now...[/url] who called first dibs?