Here at Pinkbike we get inundated with all kinds of questions, ranging from the basic "Can I have stickers" to more in-depth, soul-searching types of queries like if you should pop the question or what to name your first child. Ask Pinkbike is an occasional column where we'll be hand-picking and answering questions that have been keeping readers up at night, although we'll likely steer clear of those last two and keep it more tech oriented.
Derailleur Hanger Dilemma Question: geh861982 asks in the
All Mountain, Enduro & Cross-Country forum: I've just recently purchased a 26" wheel Titus El Guapo, and I'm struggling to find a compatible rear hanger. It looks to be a 12mm thru axle at the rear. I've checked all the usual places (CRC, Planet X, etc.) They all list them for the El Guapo 26-inch wheel, but they look like they're not compatible. Can anyone point me in the right direction? | Welcome to the hell that was created by bike makers during the crappy hardtail epoch around the late 1980s, when both dropouts and rear derailleurs were too weak to survive a moderate impact. The solution? An even weaker, replaceable aluminum insert that guaranteed an on-trail failure in that same situation. The supposition was that riders could carry a spare (or easily obtain one from their LBS) and both the frame and the changer would live happily ever after following that inevitable brush with death.
What actually happened was that everyone made a replaceable hanger, but nobody bothered to adopt a standard part, so there are probably a thousand different hangers, most of them out of "print," and enough hangerless frames in circulation to fill a cargo ship. Fortunately for us, through-axle dropouts ended the weak dropout issue, component makers strengthened their derailleurs and "most" hangars followed suit. Problem minimized, not entirely solved
Your issue may be that your Titus has a different swingarm (perhaps a warranty replacement), so you may have to look up later model bikes to find your part. The good news, however, is that someone envisioned this disaster-in-the-making and began to amass as many orphaned hangers as could be found - from manufacturers, dealers, or anyone who had a horde of such. Name the bike and www.derailleurhanger.com probably has your hanger. Titus is on their list, which includes over 450 bikes.— RC |
Wet Weather Riding Question: Pinkbike user
@stefanfresh asked this question in the
Bikes, Parts & Gear forum: I was wondering if I could get some advice on waterproof gear as I will study next year in Newcastle, UK, and I plan on riding my bike. I live in sunny Spain so I don´t own decent waterproof gear, though I don´t mind having one for those rare occasions when it does rain. I'm a bit lost as to how much I should spend and what to look for, especially what kit is "basic", jacket, shorts, socks, and gloves? I have considered Endura's top of the line jacket as many reviews I've read put it as a great choice, any thoughts? Thanks. | Wet weather riding can be intimidating at first, but with time you'll figure out the little tricks that can make heading out into the wetness less daunting. A waterproof, breathable jacket is a good investment, but you don't need to break the bank in order to stay dry. I've had good luck with Marmot's Precip jacket, which retails for $100 USD. There are higher end jackets that are more breathable, but the Precip does very well for the price, has pit zips, and packs down nice and small. You mentioned Endura's top of the line option, and if you can swing it that's certainly an excellent option – the Scottish company knows a thing or two about wet weather riding.
Some riders use waterproof gloves, but I usually just bring two pairs of 'regular' gloves – one for the climb and one for the descent. Waterproof shoes are also nice to have – I'm a fan of Shimano's MW7, but there are shoe covers, waterproof socks, and other options if those are out of your price range. At the very least, a pair of wool socks will help keep your feet a little warmer even when they're wet.
For other clothing suggestions, I'd recommend checking out last year's Winter Clothing guide to get an idea of what might work for you.
Oh, and you should also add a front fender to your shopping list – a Marsh Guard or something similar is crucial to avoid having a steady stream of water and mud firing at your eyeballs. — Mike Kazimer |
Have some unresolved tech questions? Jump in the
Pinkbike Forum and we'll look to answer it for next time.
Add to that a waterproof shorts and a proper rain shell with wool underneath, and I'm golden for anything. Even snow.
www.sealskinz.com/UK/socks/mtb-thin-mid-hydrostop-black-grey
Oh, and you may want to factor in the cost of some wet weather specific tyres before you splash out too much on clothing if money is tight...
The last bit of advice is to have a washing machine available - you'll be wanting to just chuck your clothes straight in it once you've finished your ride. The last thing you want is to leave your wet stinky clothes in a corner to go mouldy!
Put on boxers (or cycle pants if you wear these), kneepads (again, optional) and socks
Put on the pants.
Put on the shin wraps over the inside bit of the lower pants bit, don't know what it's called. MX riders have their boots here. If you don't need the added protection, you can take out the plastic inserts of the shin wraps.
Put on shoes.
Now, everything that falls onto the pants drips down and doesn't enter your shoes or meet your sock. And nothing can enter the pants from below because your shin wraps seal that. A bit of wet weather isn't too bad, but you just want to avoid having your base layers (including socks) soaked.
Of course this is different for different people and also depending on what you're used to, but more important than to shield yourself against cold is to shield yourself against wind. You'll generate enough heat, you may just not want it to be blown away.
For wet weather riding, slimboyjim is right about layers. Decent merrino wool socks and good gloves are the most important things for me.
Another of my concerns was where to store my bike safely, so thanks for the bike theft tip, looks like I will ahve to keep in it in my room unassembled in a box, I´m not allowed to have it indoors at the student hall...
Also can you reccommed a local bike or outdoor equipment, I probably will have more choice than here!
There's some local trails you can ride to from Uni and the club does wednesday afternoon rides to them during term as well, you will need lights for your bike though as it gets dark quite early in winter!
I wear synthetic fiber cycling jerseys and a base layer if its really cold. As others will have said having a good breathable waterproof jacket is a must for when its pouring down, I've got a nice thin Altura one that has served me well.
In town there's some decent shops, Start Cycles and Cotswolds outdoors are pretty good, Start usually has last years stock on sale for decent prices.
There's tonnes of great riding within an hour or two of newcastle, if you want any more advice feel free to send me a message on here
Also having a cheap rain poncho for the bike parks can sure make the chairlift better.
But seriously, as far as standards go- Syntace X-12 system, all the way. Every frame maker should use this. Compact, not fiddly, already as close to a standard as possible since there's a couple of brands using them, and best of all- if you do take an impact and break something, 9 times out of 10 it's the retaining bolt that is designed as the shear point. Can be had for $5-10 online, cheaper even than a whole hangar and even smaller to carry.
I bought a Titus El Guapo 29" frame in 2015. When I got it the rear end had some QC issues with fitment and advertised width. I tried to contact their offices in Oregon and was informed that they were moving locations at the moment and they would try and get with me ASAP. A couple of weeks go by and no answer after a few emails and calls. So I go social media and explain my situation without trash talking and the brand manager from the UK gets with me directly. I email him my problem, proof of it and he gets me a rear end right away. All in all, ok customer service that could have been avoided by good QC at the factory.
A year goes by and I start to discover that their derailer hangers are really crappy quality. Yes, I understand that the hanger is supposed to be softer than the frame to avoid frame damage, but these were crazy soft and very poor quality. I went through 11 in a year alone. At $22 a pop not including shipping from the UK (their US warehouse burned down with a total loss of product) that starts to get expensive quickly. Well earlier this year, I run out of spares and get together with a buddy who has the same bike to pitch in for a bunch of them and share the shipping charges and they are out of stock and have no clue as to when they will get more. The hanger was also shared with their new Viajero frame so all those people are s.o.l. also. I get them on the phone either trying to get an idea of when I can get one or to get a CAD map so I can have some done myself at a riding buddies machine shop. Their customer service rep told me that "that bike sucks anyways, you need to get a new Viajero." Which shares a not available hanger with the El Guapo 29". The bike itself rocks once I got the rear end fixed. So not only did the rep tell me that my purchase choices with his company suck, but their own product sucks. I promptly went on social media and the MTBR forums talking shit and lo and behold the hangers come back in. Too little too late. I'll never buy a Titus/Planet X/On One product again. Which is a shame as I really like this bike and the On One Codeine that I was considering a s a replacement.
Wear waterproof clothing: get soaked from sweat
If its warm, just wear minimal quick-drying synthetic clothing and embrace the wet. If its cool, add wool socks/baselayers. If it's cold, enjoy the snow.
Lmfao
What about a sunny day bike and cloudy bike?
This millennial is too much...
Hahahah
go ride your bike
@scottzg: @sino428 @otto99
Believe it or not a 11-34 8 speed setup is nice to ride, those big chains slam through the gear changes, just don't tell the industry.
Keep everything synthetic so it will dry fast, well treated water-repellent soft-shell are amazing when on the move, your body heat keeps it drying.
Bring spare gloves and socks in a waterproof bag to switch out when needed.
Keep hydrated to stay warm, it's easy to get dehydrated when you're surrounded with water, bring something warm to drink.
Make sure you keep a towel and a spare set of clothes and shoes at your destination.
In none cycling advice, Newcastle is a great city and I think you'll really enjoy yourself there, like I did.
Gotham Town sells cheap trebles and the dog and parrot is the best bar around - they also do good student deals.
They make hangers for just about every bike.