are expensive parts making us soft

[Grebel]

yeah totally - cos the wind can cause so much damage to your components.

 

We talking about extreme situations here. And based upon responses i would say about 90% of people would rather save their components than ride in extreme mud conditions...and the other 10% have obviously enough money to not worry about it. Based upon reports i have had (and using the hill2hill as the reference for starting this thread) there was a very good chance that you would stuff up your components regardless of it being xx or x5 or deore or xtr.

 

The thing is that probably most of those that chose to bail this year probably did the race a few years ago in the rain and got stuck with a hefty repair bill not to mention the scars on their frames from the mud. If not they probably know somebody that did.

 

I think it is a personal choice. If you have a bike that gets replaced every year and an endless supply of disposable income to replace all the worn and faulty bits (or you own/work in a bike shop) then by all means go ride your bike in the mud. I am not in a position to be replacing parts every other week. I need to look after my bike as it needs to last me a while.

 

I am not talking about unforeseen stuff like a broken dérailleur caused by stick or a fall etc, but rather about excessive wear and tear and damage as a direct result from riding in extreme weather conditions that you made a conscious decision to go ride in.

[DoubleDee]

Looks and sounds like some of the bikes are as soft as their owners!

[jimmy hardtail]

Shhh, don't tell anyone, but if you put a cheap sram cassette and chain on your bike no one can tell the difference. They cost a quarter of the high end stuff and last almost as long. Shifting is almost as smooth and if you just CLEAN YOUR BIKE! after every ride you'll be smiling.

[DoubleDee]

Shhh, don't tell anyone, but if you put a cheap sram cassette and chain on your bike no one can tell the difference. They cost a quarter of the high end stuff and last almost as long. Shifting is almost as smooth and if you just CLEAN YOUR BIKE! after every ride you'll be smiling.

I think the cheaper stuff lasts longer!

[King_Crispy]

What was that?

 

http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/260097_120527904760927_1223106936_n.jpg

We ride UP stuff like that on our KTM's

[patches]

We ride UP stuff like that on our KTM's

 

obviously not KTM's from Cycle Lab though