1989 Saracen UU Trekker

[Captain Stupido]

Re:

Hello mate, that is surprising, but I guess water will make a mess of things if left for long enough. I like that it’s an all weather bike anyway... although... more on that later. :facepalm:

Today I was itching to get out on the trekker whatever the weather.

I replaced the brake pads and fitted the chain stay protector ade supplied. Used v-block pads in the end. Was having issues with the nos “low profile” XT pads hitting the tyre sidewall due to a lack of depth. Not sure whether that’s because there was some hardware missing, or what, but in any cases the v pads work really well... even if they look a bit wrong.

Anyway, the bike was all ready, but relatively late in the day, and rain pissing down. F*** it I thought and took it to Haldon.

Took it round a gentle trail. Great fun, hard to resist hammering it, it rode perfectly, although I was aware that the tyres weren’t really up to the weather...

...of all things it was a wet cattlegrid that i lost control on... was actually taking it pretty easy...

Long story short, arm is now in a sling (typing left handed)...getting shoulder x-rayed tomorrow... fingers crossed it’s just a sprain as the nurse suspects. Haven’t properly checked the bike yet...

 

[coomber]

Re:

Oh sh*t dude. Hope you are ok and bad 100% quick.

That cattle grid has had a number of victims. I don't really see what purpose it has now as there are no roaming livestock it can affect.

Rest up.

 

[Captain Stupido]

Re: Re:

That cattle grid has had a number of victims.

Thanks man, feel better knowing I’m not the only one.

 

[coomber]

Re:

It's a weird angle and I know 2 others in my small group who have crashed on it.

 

[The History Man]

SplashBacks? Hope you heal quickly. Burn those f***ing tyres. Shocking.

 

[brocklanders023]

Re:

Agree with the above, Splashbacks are shocking in anything other than dry, firm conditions. Did a wet ride at Gisburn on a pair then immediately removed them never to be used in anger again!

Hope your arm's okay.

 

[Captain Stupido]

Re:

Thanks guys, yeah I’m not super keen on the splashbacks (Crashbacks?) any more to tell the truth. :facepalm:

Good news is: X-ray done, nothing broken. Doc reckons 6 weeks ish to heal, might need physio but otherwise it should get better on its own. That’s a relief.

Plenty of time to decide which tyres to go for.

 

[rwm1962]

Looks like a very satisfying build & always good to have an excuse to get a proper tool! Did the BB have a drain hole? I always add one if missing. Seen some BB's with a rusty tide mark where the water's not been able to get out.

edit: missed 'page 2' Ouch - heal well. Cattle Grid - could have been really nasty.

 

[Captain Stupido]

Still feeling a bit “I fought the floor, and the floor won”. But my right arm is basically working again. Enough so that today I managed to go over the bike and check for any damage.

It’s fine, although a few parts took a bit of a blow, the bars, saddle, seatpost and front wheel all ending up knocked slightly off of alignment. After the crash the saddle was actually loose in the seatpost clamp. Not sure how that happened.

Anyway, everything’s tightened up fine and it seems no lasting damage was done. So that’s good.

Actually rode it around the block this afternoon, too.

Also gave it a good wash with soapy water - partly to make sure there was no oil on the tyres.

Need some new rubber though and can’t decide what to get. Have decided that black is fine, don’t want to spend a fortune, something for light trail work, not mega mud, just varied Xc and not awful on the road, not too heavy, not too wide, and nothing that screams “modern” looks wise. Thought about some Kenda Smokes but I think they might be more aggressive/knobbly than I need.

 

[coomber]

Re:

Planet x have some good 26" tyre offers. Not sure if they might be too wide though.

Glad arm is on the mend