Very hard and bumpy ride
Discussion
I bought myself a Specialized Hardrock Sport a few months ago and have been enjoying long and nimble single track rides off road.
However, I can't help but feel the bike is bone shakingly hard. It is a hardtail but at times I struggle to stay on the thing it is so hard. I find it worst when navigating field tracks or going over certain parts of canal towpaths where the ground has an uneven camber. I am an experienced and fit rider but have found my body being repeatedly thrown off the seat and my feet likewise unless I poised above the seat.
Is it just a feature of hardtailsand should I have gone full suspension?
However, I can't help but feel the bike is bone shakingly hard. It is a hardtail but at times I struggle to stay on the thing it is so hard. I find it worst when navigating field tracks or going over certain parts of canal towpaths where the ground has an uneven camber. I am an experienced and fit rider but have found my body being repeatedly thrown off the seat and my feet likewise unless I poised above the seat.
Is it just a feature of hardtailsand should I have gone full suspension?
Yes, it is hardtails. Trouble with adjusting the tyre pressures is too hard and you get a firmer ride, too soft and you run the risk of pinch flats, personally I run 32ish PSi.
The trick is to identify potential rough terrain in front of you and take your weight with your legs, not your bum. This doesn't necessarily mean you need to stand up, just lift your arse an inch off the saddle and let the bike move underneath you, you'll find you're quicker over the rough stuff and more comfortable at the same time.
The trick is to identify potential rough terrain in front of you and take your weight with your legs, not your bum. This doesn't necessarily mean you need to stand up, just lift your arse an inch off the saddle and let the bike move underneath you, you'll find you're quicker over the rough stuff and more comfortable at the same time.
Fancy meeting up for a ride some time Diz?
I was out for a couple of hours this evening, and will be out again on Thursday evening - something I'm trying to do every week. I usually ride on either Holmbury or Leith hills - 100% off road, and lots of nice, swoopy single track.
Needless to say, you'll nuke me on fitness levels, but I can keep up enough of a pace that you won't get too bored hanging around waiting!
Ride for a couple of hours, then grab a drink and a sandwich in a pub?
I was out for a couple of hours this evening, and will be out again on Thursday evening - something I'm trying to do every week. I usually ride on either Holmbury or Leith hills - 100% off road, and lots of nice, swoopy single track.
Needless to say, you'll nuke me on fitness levels, but I can keep up enough of a pace that you won't get too bored hanging around waiting!
Ride for a couple of hours, then grab a drink and a sandwich in a pub?
Dizeee said:
Could be up for that but cant do this week. Following week may be good though....
OK. I'll drop you an email on Monday once I know I'll be out. Shouldn't be a problem so long as the kids haven't been playing up too much!Needless to say, if anyone else can get to the Dorking area and wants to join us, just shout.
swerni said:
Kermit power said:
Fancy meeting up for a ride some time Diz?
I was out for a couple of hours this evening, and will be out again on Thursday evening - something I'm trying to do every week. I usually ride on either Holmbury or Leith hills - 100% off road, and lots of nice, swoopy single track.
Needless to say, you'll nuke me on fitness levels, but I can keep up enough of a pace that you won't get too bored hanging around waiting!
Ride for a couple of hours, then grab a drink and a sandwich in a pub?
if you're doing Leith Hills count me in. I was out for a couple of hours this evening, and will be out again on Thursday evening - something I'm trying to do every week. I usually ride on either Holmbury or Leith hills - 100% off road, and lots of nice, swoopy single track.
Needless to say, you'll nuke me on fitness levels, but I can keep up enough of a pace that you won't get too bored hanging around waiting!
Ride for a couple of hours, then grab a drink and a sandwich in a pub?
Other than the canal path, I never know where to ride off road
Harsh - 
thats an understatement!
I have time tonight for a quick blat at 6 down towards Addlestone from Woking so will just spend more time off the seat and see the results. They towpath I use has various terrains as by Sheerwater there is a load of buidling works so a period of seriously bumpy and harsh solidified mud, then there are patches of deep sand that last for a a few minutes that are difficult to get through.
thats an understatement!I have time tonight for a quick blat at 6 down towards Addlestone from Woking so will just spend more time off the seat and see the results. They towpath I use has various terrains as by Sheerwater there is a load of buidling works so a period of seriously bumpy and harsh solidified mud, then there are patches of deep sand that last for a a few minutes that are difficult to get through.
swerni said:
Dizeee said:
Harsh - thats an understatement!
I have time tonight for a quick blat at 6 down towards Addlestone from Woking so will just spend more time off the seat and see the results. They towpath I use has various terrains as by Sheerwater there is a load of buidling works so a period of seriously bumpy and harsh solidified mud, then there are patches of deep sand that last for a a few minutes that are difficult to get through.
watch out for the nettles, it's getting very overgrown thats an understatement!I have time tonight for a quick blat at 6 down towards Addlestone from Woking so will just spend more time off the seat and see the results. They towpath I use has various terrains as by Sheerwater there is a load of buidling works so a period of seriously bumpy and harsh solidified mud, then there are patches of deep sand that last for a a few minutes that are difficult to get through.
In Send they have implemented metal swivel grills to prevent cyclists going across country to Westfield.
As a result of recent rides I have donned tracky bottoms - did it yesterday, shorts are a very bad move. Even then I have to go one handed at times to prevent injury.
My main issue is bugs. I now wear sunnies and a cap as I am pelted like a car with bugs to the point that I have to continually dust off.
Third puncture in around 5 weeks. Ridiculous. Each time this has happened it has been when I have been doing fast single track on namby pamby canal tow paths, hardly rough stuff. The tyres seem to deflate at the mere sight of anything other than concrete.
I think I am going to clean it up and sell it and buy a better bike. Problem is that despite having decent bikes in the past I never used them properly off road or riode as much as I am now, and I have gone cheaper with the current bike yet doing off roading to a higher standard e.t.c.
I think I am going to clean it up and sell it and buy a better bike. Problem is that despite having decent bikes in the past I never used them properly off road or riode as much as I am now, and I have gone cheaper with the current bike yet doing off roading to a higher standard e.t.c.
Diz - are they pinch flats or holes?
> if holes when you get a puncture are you locating the hole in the tube and then finding (and removing) the cause from the tyre?
> regardless of cause what PSI are you running with and a higher PSI will reduce punctures!!
ALso a "better bike" won't reduce punctures... better tyres or slimed tubes might!
> if holes when you get a puncture are you locating the hole in the tube and then finding (and removing) the cause from the tyre?
> regardless of cause what PSI are you running with and a higher PSI will reduce punctures!!
ALso a "better bike" won't reduce punctures... better tyres or slimed tubes might!
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