Discussion
Had a computer said no moment with the cycle scheme 
But I had a spare moment at work.
So yesterday I rang the local shop that had a large in stock and were offering a Black Friday deal (as mentioned above).
Just been out for my first blast.
It's brilliant, everything I hoped for and more. Strava reckons I'm pretty much as quick (more like slow...) everywhere, which considering the conditions are far more slippery and I had a head wind on most of the significant ups is pretty good going.
(For the purposes of man maths I'm ignoring the fact my old bike was a bit small and really quite tired.)
But I had a spare moment at work.
So yesterday I rang the local shop that had a large in stock and were offering a Black Friday deal (as mentioned above).
Just been out for my first blast.
It's brilliant, everything I hoped for and more. Strava reckons I'm pretty much as quick (more like slow...) everywhere, which considering the conditions are far more slippery and I had a head wind on most of the significant ups is pretty good going.(For the purposes of man maths I'm ignoring the fact my old bike was a bit small and really quite tired.)
No messing about there! I'm still to ride mine but the 901 was great that I tried at the demo day.
I have had a delivery from chain reaction with hans damph and nobby nic tyres. New Track pump and helmet along with stans no tubes liquid and tubes.
The wheels are tubeless ready but do I need to use rim tape too? I haven't ordered any but the stans site says it's recommended.
I have had a delivery from chain reaction with hans damph and nobby nic tyres. New Track pump and helmet along with stans no tubes liquid and tubes.
The wheels are tubeless ready but do I need to use rim tape too? I haven't ordered any but the stans site says it's recommended.
I haven't got any tape in mine, and they seem to be holding.
I ditched the standard grips today because Plush Hill Cycles in Church Stretton happened to have some aqua ESI spongy grips and I thought I'd give them a try. Have used them on a demo bike once and found them surprisingly good.
I ditched the standard grips today because Plush Hill Cycles in Church Stretton happened to have some aqua ESI spongy grips and I thought I'd give them a try. Have used them on a demo bike once and found them surprisingly good.
Tyres went on no issues, there is a rubber thing on the rims so no rim tape is required.
Took it out for its first ride today and it went brilliantly, loads of grip and comfortable to ride. Sadly I only had a couple of hours spare so I didn't go far but I'll be out on it again soon.
The only issue I had was with the dropper post in that it kept dropping. The lever seems to be setup like a hair trigger so the vibrations through the handlebars cause it to activate. I will strip down and adjust it with a bit of slack to stop this.
Overall I'm thrilled with the bike and definitely made the right decision on what bike to buy. Again I appreciate all the help provided in this thread.
Took it out for its first ride today and it went brilliantly, loads of grip and comfortable to ride. Sadly I only had a couple of hours spare so I didn't go far but I'll be out on it again soon.
The only issue I had was with the dropper post in that it kept dropping. The lever seems to be setup like a hair trigger so the vibrations through the handlebars cause it to activate. I will strip down and adjust it with a bit of slack to stop this.
Overall I'm thrilled with the bike and definitely made the right decision on what bike to buy. Again I appreciate all the help provided in this thread.
Cool, enjoy.
One word of warning after discovering this on the weekend...buy spare brake pads for the SRAM Level T's well before you need them. Buy them now even though you don't need them, because absolutely no local bike shops stock them.
I've got 4 well stocked shops near me. Nothing. About to try the other 3 nearby in hope.
One word of warning after discovering this on the weekend...buy spare brake pads for the SRAM Level T's well before you need them. Buy them now even though you don't need them, because absolutely no local bike shops stock them.
I've got 4 well stocked shops near me. Nothing. About to try the other 3 nearby in hope.
Thanks for the heads up but my local bike shops don't seem to sell much of anything to be fair so I end up buying online. Wiggle online chat has just said these are the right ones in option 2 - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sram-organic-disc-pads/
AndyWoodall said:
PS, I was originally having the 2016 bike when I ordered it in May but my local shop couldn't get stock (a place in Brum had them but couldn't face having to visit Mordor if it needed to go back for warranty work so remained patient), 2017 bikes didn't turn up until Sept in the end (originally it was going to be mid July).
Cyclestore in Brum were doing 2016 ones for 1250 when I was passing through recently which I thought was an excellent deal.
You didn't ask, but heres some pictures anyway.
I've just ordered a 905 and I'm now wondering which pedals/shoes to run, I noticed your photos show flats and clipless, which do you normally use? What shoes would people recommend for trail riding, plus some long distances and a bit of walking?Cyclestore in Brum were doing 2016 ones for 1250 when I was passing through recently which I thought was an excellent deal.
You didn't ask, but heres some pictures anyway.
Edited by AndyWoodall on Thursday 29th September 08:50
cjm said:
I've just ordered a 905 and I'm now wondering which pedals/shoes to run, I noticed your photos show flats and clipless, which do you normally use? What shoes would people recommend for trail riding, plus some long distances and a bit of walking?
Not for walking but IF they have your size (they only have 42, 45 and 46 left), this is a hell of a deal : https://www.cyclerepublic.com/shimano-xc50-off-roa...If you buy the SPD M530 pedals (same as Andy's clipless) they'll also even give you £10 off your first order so £45 for about £150 worth of stuff...
https://www.cyclerepublic.com/components/pedals/sh...
I tried a 905 at the weekend and was impressed with it, although it is too similar to my existing bike for me to get one.
I run flat pedals, was using DMR V8s, which aren't the the thinnest of pedals, and getting some pedal strikes, so would look for something thinner.
For shoes, I'm a fan of fivetens, free rider would be my choice.
I run flat pedals, was using DMR V8s, which aren't the the thinnest of pedals, and getting some pedal strikes, so would look for something thinner.
For shoes, I'm a fan of fivetens, free rider would be my choice.
I managed to get 10% off and some SPD M530 thrown in, though I think I might grab some DRM V8 while I decided on which clipless shoes to go with...
Those XC50 seem like a bargain, I really need something I can walk in as I'm doing the WHW in Sept.
Those XC50 seem like a bargain, I really need something I can walk in as I'm doing the WHW in Sept.
Edited by cjm on Tuesday 21st March 16:44
cjm said:
I've just ordered a 905 and I'm now wondering which pedals/shoes to run, I noticed your photos show flats and clipless, which do you normally use? What shoes would people recommend for trail riding, plus some long distances and a bit of walking?
I jump between the two on the hardtail (stick with flats on the full sus), but mostly its flats (use the clips for long distance rides).For clipless I use the M8020 trail pedal, but I also have had some M530's in the past and they are pretty similar. With those I have switched to Giro shoes(used to use Shimano), I've got some Terraduro's which are decent for walking in and some Privateer's which are a bit stiffer and less good for walking. Both are really nicely made, durable and comfy.
For flats I use Five Ten, ace shoes, although I am tempted to get some Shimano flats as you can't beat them for longevity. I destroyed a set of Five Tens in less than six months, so I'm hoping the Shimano AM7 is as durable as it looks. Five Tens for dry weather and AM7's for mucky days is an (expensive) option that looks good to me.
Enjoy the 905! I'm in a sulk with mine at the moment as the rear hub needs attention AGAIN. Seriously, just bin the f
ker and buy a Hope Pro4, your bike will spend less time in the shop/in bits in your garage. That being said, I still love this bike. Took it to one of my local haunts at Hopton and I was surprised I didn't miss having the full bounce very much at all, at bit like the Crush it absolutely rails (I'm still not convinced the Crush is a better buy beyond elements of the spec, frame quality on the Whyte is noticeably better and especially relevant for muddy UK weather; clearance on the 905 is better).Oh, and I had the dropper replaced under warranty last month as it had started to play up, so keep an eye on that.
Edited by AndyWoodall on Wednesday 22 March 11:46
Edited by AndyWoodall on Wednesday 22 March 11:48
Edited by AndyWoodall on Wednesday 22 March 11:49
Edited by AndyWoodall on Wednesday 22 March 12:24
AndyWoodall said:
cjm said:
I've just ordered a 905 and I'm now wondering which pedals/shoes to run, I noticed your photos show flats and clipless, which do you normally use? What shoes would people recommend for trail riding, plus some long distances and a bit of walking?
I jump between the two on the hardtail (stick with flats on the full sus), but mostly its flats (use the clips for long distance rides).For clipless I use the M8020 trail pedal, but I also have had some M530's in the past and they are pretty similar. With those I have switched to Giro shoes(used to use Shimano), I've got some Terraduro's which are decent for walking in and some Privateer's which are a bit stiffer and less good for walking. Both are really nicely made, durable and comfy.
For flats I use Five Ten, ace shoes, although I am tempted to get some Shimano flats as you can't beat them for longevity. I destroyed a set of Five Tens in less than six months, so I'm hoping the Shimano AM9 is as durable as it looks. Five Tens for dry weather and AM9's for mucky days is an (expensive) option that looks good to me.
Enjoy the 905! I'm in a sulk with mine at the moment as the rear hub needs attention AGAIN. Seriously, just bin the f
ker and buy a Hope Pro4, your bike will spend less time in the shop/in bits in your garage. That being said, I still love this bike. Took it to one of my local haunts at Hopton and I was surprised I didn't miss having the full bounce very much at all, at bit like the Crush it absolutely rails (I'm still not convinced the Crush is a better buy beyond elements of the spec, frame quality on the Whyte is noticeably better and especially relevant for muddy UK weather; clearance on the 905 is better).Oh, and I had the dropper replaced under warranty last month as it had started to play up, so keep an eye on that.
What happened to your rear hub?
Edited by cjm on Wednesday 22 March 12:57
cjm said:
If I didn't have some long rides planned I'd probably just stick with flats, but I'm used to being clipped in on the road and I think doing any big distance not clipped in would feel odd. I was thinking maybe the Shimano AM5/Giro Chamber as a flat style clipless shoe, but then its not as stiff as something like the Terraduro.
What happened to your rear hub?
The Terraduro's are mega, decent for a bit of walking, stiff for pedalling, I honestly can't fault them. They now have them as a 'mid' shoe which has a flap that covers laces instead of buckles and a ratchet strap which might be better for UK muck fests. I've done 50 miler off road trips in them and they are perfect.What happened to your rear hub?
Edited by cjm on Wednesday 22 March 12:57
The hub just seems very poorly sealed against UK weather, I had to give it some attention after three months as it was really mucky in there and then when it started making really bad noises in Jan I threw it at the shop and said 'you fix it'. I haven't done that many miles since then (150 maybe) and it started groaning and making sharp nasty metal noises at the weekend. Joy. Compared to a Hope Pro 2 that's had precisely one rebuild (and minor attention/cleaning inbetween) in two years and 4k miles.
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