DeKerf Implant
- Thread starter NeilM
- Start date
Re:
Finally, FINALLY I have been able to ride the Implant, in the woods.
Sorry for the delay, it has been a combination of horses, weather and a rubbish cold (is it possibly to have an enjoyable cold? I think not), anyway, I finally got out this afternoon.
So, the road section from home to the woods, all fine, the longer gearing of the SRAM XX cranks (42 / 2
was immediately noticeable in that I was pedalling with a slower cadence but covering the ground well. The forks soaked up all the little bumps and ripples and on the sharp climb the frame (of course) just put the (meagre) pedal power straight onto the road.
Already the Rocket Ron's were noticeably doing their thing, very quietly and effectively.
Into the woods and the first surprise was how wet it still was, also just what poor condition the gravel path has got into. Not bumpy, but covered in mud and squished in leaves, plus the additional fun of some pretty gloopy corners. Ron handled all with ease.
As soon as I'd hit the offroad I shifted onto the small front ring, which is were I stayed for the whole time I was in the woods. I was also able to see how the Magura brakes were working now they were mated to Hope 2mm thick rotors... very well is the answer, with excellent modulation and feedback, but still with more power than needed even to retard a bike with a gangly tall bloke on it.
The first short sharp climb was tackled in completely the wrong gear, which meant some standing, pumping, bobbing and grunting (old man noises). Never the less we made it with plenty of traction and no sign of slipping. The rest of the gravel was fine until we got to the double sharp climb where I completely misjudged it, shifted up the cassette too soon and just ran out of momentum. I could have brute forced the issue, but decided it was better to retire and fight another day.
I hopped back on for the double switchbacks, which were easy, I then made the 120 degree left onto the long rocky climb easier than I think I have ever managed it before.
The long rocky climb was something else. Ron and his ever faithful Rockets provided more grip than chewing gum in a blond schoolgirls hair. I rode in the muddy gully to the left, no problem. I rode on the wet and polished rocks on the right, no problem. I rode down from the rocky right to the muddy left, easy, I rode back up from the mud to the rocks, easy. It really didn't matter where I pointed the Implant, Ron and the boys came up trumps.
Past the snake tree and onto the gravel path and we just whizzed along flying through the corners with utter flyingness. I came across a couple of people walking, but as I have Hope hubs I didn't need a bell, as a quick free wheel provided enough BUZZZZZZZZZZ to convince them they were about to be attacked by a giant hornet.
On the fast rocky uphill I was able to try out both the steering and the DT Swiss forks, both were simply excellent. The steering is pin point accurate, aided and abetted by Ron, and the forks just eat up the bumps and are a really excellent match to the compliance of the back end, lovely, lovely, lovely.
Now into my first bit of mud, swoosh, straight through it with only a hint of drag from Ron and the boys.
Next we were into the short sharp, rocky rooty muddy climb. Now I was hopeful of traction a plenty and a nice clean climb, and that is exactly what I got, what a bitter bl**dy disappointment in my ability to find fault with this bike.
So, after another mighty spoosh through more mud I was going to vary my route and shoot down the Jedi Run, but suddenly remembered something I had spotted just after leaving home.
I my eagerness to get oot an aboot I had forgotten to cable tie the front brake hose to the forks and so it was in a slightly vulnerable position sitting just outside the left hand fork leg, well, this is the shake down run after all.
So, instead of the JR, I whizzed along the big wide (muddy) bridleway past the people taking their hairy rat (Yorkshire Terrier) for a walk... again, and along to the rocky road out of the woods.
Now normally I avoid this road, as it is slow, rough and uncomfortable, but in the interests of a thorough test dear reader I hammered it. This resulted in two things; first I gained an even greater appreciation for the forks and second I suffered a slight reduction of the height of my seat post, which I left alone as I was having far too much fun to stop and p*ss about with allen keys.
On the road section to to golf course I tried out the lock out on the forks, which is really cool and I also shifted onto the big chainring again.
Round the back of the golf course, the bridleway is really rocky, but we just sailed over the lot, the Implant, Swissy, Ron and I, just great.
That's Wales in the distance. ^^^
Loads of grip on the rocks and mud above the quarry, so round to the muddy track to the farm, which was really REALLY muddy. A bit of slipenslidin here, but plenty of pedal traction so through we glooped, over the rocky fast bit, past the farm and onto the Badgerway below the stables. All easy peasy stuff thanks of loads of traction and just excellent steering / handling.
The last real challenge is the climb below the stables, which always resembles a dried out river bed, with loose rocks and inconvenient gullies all over the shop. It proved no challenge for the Implant and we soon soared Eagle like to the top... ok the Implant soared, I puffed like Ivor the Engine but we made it no trouble.
So all that remained was to slap it into the big ring and bash down the steep hill towards home, flinging mud off the tyres like a good'un.
Overall, I am delighted with the rebuild, it has really transformed the Implant from a highly competent hardtail downhill bike, with pretty so so brakes, into the all purpose XC machine it always should have been.
Next outing may well be to Haldon, as we are having a birthday ride (with cake) for my daughter Kt to celebrate her dumty dooth birthday.
I'll have the camera, and will try to get a photo or two.
Finally, FINALLY I have been able to ride the Implant, in the woods.
Sorry for the delay, it has been a combination of horses, weather and a rubbish cold (is it possibly to have an enjoyable cold? I think not), anyway, I finally got out this afternoon.
So, the road section from home to the woods, all fine, the longer gearing of the SRAM XX cranks (42 / 2
was immediately noticeable in that I was pedalling with a slower cadence but covering the ground well. The forks soaked up all the little bumps and ripples and on the sharp climb the frame (of course) just put the (meagre) pedal power straight onto the road.Already the Rocket Ron's were noticeably doing their thing, very quietly and effectively.
Into the woods and the first surprise was how wet it still was, also just what poor condition the gravel path has got into. Not bumpy, but covered in mud and squished in leaves, plus the additional fun of some pretty gloopy corners. Ron handled all with ease.
As soon as I'd hit the offroad I shifted onto the small front ring, which is were I stayed for the whole time I was in the woods. I was also able to see how the Magura brakes were working now they were mated to Hope 2mm thick rotors... very well is the answer, with excellent modulation and feedback, but still with more power than needed even to retard a bike with a gangly tall bloke on it.
The first short sharp climb was tackled in completely the wrong gear, which meant some standing, pumping, bobbing and grunting (old man noises). Never the less we made it with plenty of traction and no sign of slipping. The rest of the gravel was fine until we got to the double sharp climb where I completely misjudged it, shifted up the cassette too soon and just ran out of momentum. I could have brute forced the issue, but decided it was better to retire and fight another day.
I hopped back on for the double switchbacks, which were easy, I then made the 120 degree left onto the long rocky climb easier than I think I have ever managed it before.
The long rocky climb was something else. Ron and his ever faithful Rockets provided more grip than chewing gum in a blond schoolgirls hair. I rode in the muddy gully to the left, no problem. I rode on the wet and polished rocks on the right, no problem. I rode down from the rocky right to the muddy left, easy, I rode back up from the mud to the rocks, easy. It really didn't matter where I pointed the Implant, Ron and the boys came up trumps.
Past the snake tree and onto the gravel path and we just whizzed along flying through the corners with utter flyingness. I came across a couple of people walking, but as I have Hope hubs I didn't need a bell, as a quick free wheel provided enough BUZZZZZZZZZZ to convince them they were about to be attacked by a giant hornet.
On the fast rocky uphill I was able to try out both the steering and the DT Swiss forks, both were simply excellent. The steering is pin point accurate, aided and abetted by Ron, and the forks just eat up the bumps and are a really excellent match to the compliance of the back end, lovely, lovely, lovely.
Now into my first bit of mud, swoosh, straight through it with only a hint of drag from Ron and the boys.
Next we were into the short sharp, rocky rooty muddy climb. Now I was hopeful of traction a plenty and a nice clean climb, and that is exactly what I got, what a bitter bl**dy disappointment in my ability to find fault with this bike.
So, after another mighty spoosh through more mud I was going to vary my route and shoot down the Jedi Run, but suddenly remembered something I had spotted just after leaving home.
I my eagerness to get oot an aboot I had forgotten to cable tie the front brake hose to the forks and so it was in a slightly vulnerable position sitting just outside the left hand fork leg, well, this is the shake down run after all.
So, instead of the JR, I whizzed along the big wide (muddy) bridleway past the people taking their hairy rat (Yorkshire Terrier) for a walk... again, and along to the rocky road out of the woods.
Now normally I avoid this road, as it is slow, rough and uncomfortable, but in the interests of a thorough test dear reader I hammered it. This resulted in two things; first I gained an even greater appreciation for the forks and second I suffered a slight reduction of the height of my seat post, which I left alone as I was having far too much fun to stop and p*ss about with allen keys.
On the road section to to golf course I tried out the lock out on the forks, which is really cool and I also shifted onto the big chainring again.
Round the back of the golf course, the bridleway is really rocky, but we just sailed over the lot, the Implant, Swissy, Ron and I, just great.
That's Wales in the distance. ^^^
Loads of grip on the rocks and mud above the quarry, so round to the muddy track to the farm, which was really REALLY muddy. A bit of slipenslidin here, but plenty of pedal traction so through we glooped, over the rocky fast bit, past the farm and onto the Badgerway below the stables. All easy peasy stuff thanks of loads of traction and just excellent steering / handling.
The last real challenge is the climb below the stables, which always resembles a dried out river bed, with loose rocks and inconvenient gullies all over the shop. It proved no challenge for the Implant and we soon soared Eagle like to the top... ok the Implant soared, I puffed like Ivor the Engine but we made it no trouble.
So all that remained was to slap it into the big ring and bash down the steep hill towards home, flinging mud off the tyres like a good'un.
Overall, I am delighted with the rebuild, it has really transformed the Implant from a highly competent hardtail downhill bike, with pretty so so brakes, into the all purpose XC machine it always should have been.
Next outing may well be to Haldon, as we are having a birthday ride (with cake) for my daughter Kt to celebrate her dumty dooth birthday.
I'll have the camera, and will try to get a photo or two.
