Originally Posted by HammerTheHill
How the hell do you ride in it? It has been raining the past 2 days and i went to the local trail to ride. I was flyin down the trail, it was real packed dirt, and its nice and then BAM! the trail turned into THICK cakey mud! I was sliddin all over the place and smashed into a fence (dont worry, i showed that fence whats up)..i had to walk a few times and my shoes got COVERED in mud and i couldnt clip in anymore. So i left. Now i have a few questions
1. The drivetrain is COVERED IN MUD!..thick, claylike mud..im letting it dry and then gunna knock all the mud off...that sound ok?
2. How the HELL can shed the mud off my cleats? (SPD)
3. I think my tires suck..i have no idea who makes them (i have a 03 Gary Fisher Tarpon)...any recommendations on what tires shed mud real well AND bite real good on loose rocks?
1. NO. As soon as you can after the ride, hose it down to get rid of the mud, Clean the chain with a chain cleaning tool, Then clean the whole lot again with soapy water and a brush, then hose off again, then spray with a water dispellant oil, But not only clean the drive chain, clean the whole bike while your at it. Then start cleaning the bike with a cloth.
2. Don't put your foot down. Hard but it is the only way. Either that or stop riding in mud. Let the screws off a bit on the pedals may help, but I don't generraly find mud and cleats is a problem. An alternative is to find a pedal that won't block in mud. Don't have a problem with my 515's so can't recommend any.
3. If riding in mud, get a narrow tyre that is mud specific or good in mud. Panaracer Mud Pro's are my choice or Conti Cross country in 1.5. These will have problems on rock, so a compromise to Panaracer FireXC in 1.8 will almost work in mud, but give better traction on the trail.