The answers to all your technical questions, plus how to carry out a pre-ride safety check and our blu er’s guide to fork and brake evolution
Your questions answered
Packing heat
I’m relatively new to mountain biking but keen to ride further and further each time I head into the hills. I’ve just bought a Camel Bak MULE pack, which is great. Aside from filling the bladder with water, what other stuff should I be carrying on all-day rides? Rory Andrews, via email
Packing properly for a big day out on the bike can really make a difference if something goes wrong. Start with the essentials. Get yourself a good multi-tool and check its Allen keys fit all the bolts on your bike. If you can afford it, buy one with a decent chain breaker attached, and be sure to carry a spare quick link too. Pack at least one spare inner tube and a decent mini pump – something like Topeak’s Mountain Morph will shift air quickly and last you years. CO2 inflators are great too, especially in a hurry, but bear in mind that cartridges run out, while a pump won’t. You’ll also need some tyre levers that can remove stubborn beads without snapping – Pedro’s levers are our go-tos, and don’t cost a fortune.
If you can afford a proper dry bag, get one big enough to stow your phone, some cash and a bank card in. A zip-lock plastic sandwich bag will also work, but won’t be as hard-wearing. It’s worth packing a waterproof jacket (or, in the summer, a lighter wind shell), in case conditions change. On top of that little lot, you’ll need water and snacks. What you eat is down to you, though we’d avoid foods that are easily squashed or will melt. Other extras worth carrying include a spare inner gear cable and a Leatherman-style penknife. We always carry a small first aid kit, too, just in case.
Budget bashing
Some nasty folk stole my pride and joy, but my insurance payout has now come through and I’m gagging to get back on the trails. What bike should I buy for £1,800? I’d like
a modern full-suspension trail bike, if possible.
Gary Comings, via email
We’d have a look at the £1,850 Vitus Escarpe VR. It has the same up-to-date geometry and revised rear suspension as the base-model Escarpe, which won last issue’s biketest, but comes with better bits. These include a RockShox Revelation RC fork and a 1x11 Shimano SLX transmission. Just like on the cheaper Escarpe, you get decent Maxxis tyres – a Minion DHF 3C front and Minion SS rear, with the more puncture-resistant ‘Double Down’ casing – and an
800mm Nukeproof bar and 45mm Nukeproof stem, with a Tranz-X dropper post finishing things off nicely.
Out the front door
I bought an old RockShox Lyrik RCT3 fork from a friend and, although I’ve got the sag set up just fine, it seems to dive quite a bit on steeper trails when I’m on the brakes. Can this be fixed? Samantha Wadsworth, via email
It sounds like you need to add more low-speed compression damping to help prop the fork up in those sorts of situations. The dial sits at the top of the right-hand leg (when you’re looking at the fork while sat on the bike). We’d recommend turning it fully clockwise and then going for a quick ride. This is the maximum amount of damping you can use. Slowly back it off (by turning the dial anticlockwise), turn by turn, until you have just enough damping wound on to support you when the going gets steep.