My 2.5 bikes - Runaround + Mountain

[Konan555]

The 'bike ride' bike. Gets used for general running around / shopping / a-b work. Was on 700x28 slick tyres but I decided there's too many hedgerow shortcuts in Norfolk to be confined to the road so I threw some semis on and it's a hoot. I'm a firm believe that people always go overboard for 'offroading' anyway. It's tough as a run of the mill mountain bike and a hell of a lot quicker.

On the occasional path with flints packed in, I do start to feel the fatigue of vibrations, but then, on a 'bike ride' bike, I probably shouldn't be descending hills at 30mph on tractor paths A lot of that is down to running 60psi to 70psi tyre pressures and an ali fork.

I'm pretty much happy with it now. The only thing I'm looking at is carbon fibre bars and some comfortable bar ends that don't weigh more than the wheelset!

Dawes Discovery 601 (2006 version)

Alterations:
700x32 Vittora Randonneur cross tyres.
Ritchey seatpost / WTB Devo saddle
Pro carbon-wrap stem
Pro ergo bar ends
Tourtec ultralight rack
Shimano a520 single sided touring SPDs







The mountain bike was built up for racing. The frame it's on right now is somewhat ancient... and crash damaged.... let's just say the rear caliper and the disc don't point in quite the same direction

In the long term, I'm looking to replace the frame with another XTC (or something with similar geometry). I'd like to find something lighter in the way of pedals but most SPD alternatives do have a habit of falling to bits and I can't get on with the feel of egg beaters. I'm also thinking of transferring the quads to something else and finding something lighter... again, what draws me to the quads is their robust nature and simple design.

In an oddball move, I run a front chainset aimed at touring bikes. 48/36/26 as opposed to the standard 44/32/22. I just found I had no use in the eastern counties for the shortest of gears and wanted a more steady pace on the fire roads of thetford forest. And it works..... just don't ask me to ride over rocks with it.

Giant XTC
Manitu R7 Super clickit
Blackjack Warmup Pro Wheelset
Deore Shifters
Shimano XT 48/36/26 chinset
Shimano XT front and rear mechs
Shumano XT 32/11 cassette
KMC chain
Shimano M520 SPDs
QUAD QHD1 Pro 160mm brakes
Oval Seatpost / WTB Pure V saddle
ATOM stem / USE carbon bars / BBB CNC-lite barends






oh.... and the other 'half' a bike..... congratulations to anyone who can work out what it is

[Konan555]

With a little extra luggage capacity...



And friend in tow