Ultimate retro mud-plugger?

[Splatter Paint]

A Kona Blast frame for a tenner!

I mentally built it, the only thing missing from my theoretical build was a headset. A Brand X one arrived today from Wiggle.

I’m undecided for 1 x 8 or single speed.

My available cheap-o suspension forks are pretty heavy which leaves me with either a minty set of P2s or a set of Fox forks. The Fox have decent stanchions so probably an unwise choice for mud-plugging. The P2s are freshly painted with new decals maybe a trip to the tip on Sunday will yeild something.

 

[Splatter Paint]

First incarnation….

32 x 16 is tough uphill I’m going to try 18t on the rear now.

 

[DrDaveTampa]

A Kona Blast frame for a tenner!

Kona pretty much ticks all the boxes. Ya don't want to get too gross. Frankly, I don't think Konas are even a little gross, yet they go for a half to a third of the price of better-known brands (around here, anyway). Bought one to flip, and I'll be danged if I'm not thinking about keeping that little thang, it would make a great swamp buggy

 

[Splatter Paint]

That’ll do… night time shenanigans

I’ll stick with 16t for a while and see how I get on. The grips are harsh so they need to go though.

 

[hamster]

Typically my experience is 3 weeks or so of misery, then your fitness and strength improves and it will be fine!

 

[Splatter Paint]

Out again tonight….

 

[Splatter Paint]

I went in the garage this morning - it stunk of dog shit I had to hose off the bike.

 

[Splatter Paint]

So, the first really, really muddy ride today. The riding position is spot-on, the tyres are great in mud and the gear set-up is good. Bad bits though:

- plastic pedals don’t have enough grip and aren’t wide enough
- the forks don’t seem to work very well when wet, with loads of stiction
- the cheap-o brakes were adequate in the dry, but crap in the wet

I need to make some modifications!

Good fun though

 

[Splatter Paint]

Also… I find a heavy fork noticeably affects the weight balance.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Also… I find a heavy fork noticeably affects the weight balance.

Maybe one of the Exotic alloy rigid forks might work?