Mountain Biking - Dilemma! What should I do?

O.k., guys heres the situ. Most of you know I've got an Intense Uzzi SL. It's set-up for abusive riding with Rhino Lite Rims, a Zoke Z1 FR w/20mm thru axle, Profile Racing Chromoly Cranks, disc brakes....etc. Needless to say, it's NOT a lightweight rig. IOW, I've built it to handle my fat arse!

Now the problem; I've got a 50 mile off-road ride coming up the end of the month. The trail is not difficult at all and very little technical sections. Do I take the Uzzi and suffer or do I ride my steel SS?

I've also thought about lightening up the Uzzi with spare parts, but don't have all the necessary to make it work.

I've considered a new crankset. That'll shave at least 1.5 to 2 lbs off the bike alone!

I wanted to switch to a lighter wheelset, but I'm stuck with a 20 mm axle. I'd have to swap out the fork as well.

I am considering buying a new crankset, wheels and fork, but this will easily top $500. I found a good deal on some wheels ($170), Forks (Zoke EXR for $215), and Cranks (RF Prodigy, $100).

For that, I can almost buy that K2 Brass Monkey at Supergo and swap parts for the weekend. Problem being the WTB wheelset is nearly the weight of my Rhino Lites, plus, I need another bike like a hole in my head.

Luckily, I can afford to spend some money, but I'm smart enough not to piss it away.

I do have another option. I could use my wife's Cannondale Raven. It'll fit with some minor mods, but I really just want to ride my Uzzi, plus if I damage anything, I'll have heck to pay. I'm a big guy and she'll a small woman (120 lbs) so her bike is carbon fiber everything!

The final and most dangerous option is to rob her cranks, use an old crappy fork and her vee brakes and wheels. This creates numerous other dilemmas as I would have to dismantle her bike the week before and reassemble the week after, so for about 2 weeks she's w/o a bike. Plus, if I damager anything of her's she aint gonna be happy.

Arrrggghhhh, what to do, what to do?

Forgot to mention, obviously rotational mass is where I want to start. I do have an extra 20 mm hub and a lightweight rim (Sun DS-1), that I'd have to build up.

Hmmmm.

Maybe swap bikes with a friend for the weekend of the ride? I know I'd be more than happy to let someone I know borrow my hardtail so I could try out an Uzzi.

Or just use this ride as incentive to ride a little extra for the weeks preceding it to be in top shape. Plus, I'm sure there can't be too much climbing since, I assume, this will be in Florida.

BTW, where were you looking for those parts? Every now and then I get an urge to shop for a new fork and wheels and go bargain hunting across the internet.

I do a lot of "looking" at the following:

www.pricepoint.com (this is where I found those deals)
www.jensonusa.com
www.supergo.com
www.cambriabike.com
www.wheelworld.com
www.webcyclery.com

There are others, but those are my regular stops.

BTW, I also go to www.nashbar.com and www.performance.com but I find the above have better deals on components and these two are good for clothing or other gear.

L8R

I'd recommend just putting some light wheels/tires on it. That is where you'll see the most weight savings. At least where you will "feel" the most weight savings. I'd get a cheap fork like a Manitou Black Sport fork $199, and some Rhyno Lite rims on deore disc hubs for $89, put some cheap fire XC tires $22 each and you are all set.

You wanna borrow my F900? Promise not to steal it and I'll let you ride it. It's a 21 inch frame, so it oughta fit you.

Sounds like a good reason to buy a new bike to me.

Buy a new XC bike, and thn you have a DH rig and an XC bike. The XC bike'll be lighter than your Intense. Then you can ride 2 kinds of traild. You don't want a crappy little fork on you DH bike, anyway. Then, after the ride, what do you do with it?

Buy a new XC bike, and thn you have a DH rig and an XC bike. The XC bike'll be lighter than your Intense. Then you can ride 2 kinds of traild. You don't want a crappy little fork on you DH bike, anyway. Then, after the ride, what do you do with it?
There are no hills in FL so A2's bike isn't a DH bike.

It's a fat boy cruiser.:D


Did I mention that A2 and I have ridden together?

Hey, I resemble that remark!

BTW Raiyn, when are we gonna hook up again?

Have you been riding at all?

L8R

Hey, I resemble that remark!

BTW Raiyn, when are we gonna hook up again?

Have you been riding at all?

L8R


Resent, not resemble.;)

I'd let you borrow my bike, but it has no drive train, no seat post.

If there isn't much for climbing or technical then instead of focusing on weight I'd go for pedaling efficiency and rolling resistance, and as mentioned rotating mass. Throw some skinny fast rolling tires on there, like around 2.0 skinny, maybe even semi-slicks. You'd be amazed at the difference they make on flat ground and if you have decent technical ability they are often more than enough. Two of the downsides to fast rolling tires are often pinch flats and traction, both of which plush suspension like what is on your Uzzi will help you deal with.

Happen to have a lockout or a stable platform shock on your bike or one that you can swap with a buddy for the ride?

Oh yeah, and you may want to throw a longer/lower stem/bar combo on there to get in a better pedaling position.

Yeah, I've got some Nokian Bazobean(sp?) tires in 1.9 I'm planning on putting on. They're like an IRC Mosquito, if you're not familiar with them.

The wheels/fork is the big weight penalty on my bike. I've got the 20 mm thru axle and a Z1. My rims are Rhino Lites and then add the Hayes discs...etc. it's a pretty heavy set-up.

I've got an old Manitou Axel and some lighter wheels (Mavic F519's laced to XT) and some LX vee brakes I'm going to swap over.

The only other problem (issue) is that I always ran my Uzzi with discs. I never even had the cantilever posts for the frame. I'd have to buy them, or just go without a rear brake. This is probably what I'm going to do since none of the terrain is technical and most braking occurs with the front anyways.

That should put me in the sub 28 lb range!

L8R

Oh man you are taking this 50 miles way too serious. I promise we will stop and wait for you if we have to ;) Just stop eating between now and then and you can easily shave 5 lbs off your bike! If you don't finish, I'll have a skirt for you to wear in the evening.

How about looking around at the LBS for a used light weight hard tail?

If you like riding the Uzzi, and providing it's not a race, then why not ride it as it is. A change of tyres to something that will roll easier will help, something like a panaracer trailblaster 1.95, at a slightly higher pressure, say 55/60psi wll help tremendously. You say you are not a lightweight, so the Uzzi is set up for you, and will take the punishment you will give it.
As an experienced Distance rider, go with what you have got. You know it, and it knows you. Final tip if this is your first event like this. Carbo load for a week beforehand, and on the day Drink water, then more water, then more water. At least 2 pints an hour and you will be fine

Yo A2... are we gonna ride afterwards at Santos/Razorback or something? I remember you saying something about that.

Here is my take:

I don't think there is a reason for you to swap your tires or anything, even. You will only become stronger by riding with more rolling resistance.

I did 100k on my Mountain bike, without changing a thing. It's really not so bad.

Just pump up your tires!

My bighit is in the mid 40s - I've never taken it 50, But i have taken it on a handful of 30 milers with mucho hills. Just pedal - and pedal it like it is. The only time I really got hammered is when I tried to ride it like a CC bike on the climbs - if I would have just stayed in the granny I would have been fine.

However - If I had the options you have, I'd take the SS - no question.

Take the SS. Have a good time.