The answers to all your technical questions, plus how to fix play in Shimano pedals and our bluer’s guide to knee pain
Your questions answered
I have a Voodoo Bizango, which I bought after reading the review in MBUK (issue 373). I’m really enjoying the bike and am getting better at riding it, but when I’m on steeper tracks, especially in the wet, I lose traction, making me tense up. I’ve heard I should fit winter tyres, but I like how the stock Maxxis Ardents roll on the road. How can I get more confidence on the bike but keep it fast, without spending tons? Darren Hutchings, via email
The Bizango is a great bike to learn skills on, but there are definitely things you can do to improve control, which won’t have much impact on the time it takes you to get to work. Wider, softer, more knobbly tyres will make a big difference to grip, but will slow the bike down. A good halfway house is to fit a bigger front tyre only, to give you that extra steering confidence, along with better braking on descents. The Specialized Ground Control 2.3in is a good-value option (from £37) with fairly aggressive shoulder knobs to bite into mud and a close-packed central tread to keep it rolling nicely.
Beyond the tyres, a wider handlebar will open out your chest and give you more steering leverage. Start wide at 800mm, then cut the bar down if needs be. The next obvious thing to add is a dropper post, because being able to quickly lower your saddle makes descents easier and more fun. Droppers can be pricey, but when we tested the Bizango we used an ExaForm SpeedUp post that cost just £75. Part of the reason for the low price is that it isn’t remoteoperated – instead, you have to grab a lever under the saddle – but it still beats dropping your seat manually.
There are two other things you can do, and they won’t cost money. First, make sure your fork is set up properly, with the correct sag (you may need to adjust the air pressure to achieve this) and the right rebound speed. Too fast and your bike’s front end will ping around, too slow and the fork will ‘pack down’ over repeated hits, leaving you with less suspension travel and a steeper head angle.
Second, learn how to get off your bike on steep tracks. Stop, then step backwards off the pedals onto the ground behind the cranks. You can then
let go of the bar and, as the bike rolls forward, catch the saddle. To get back on, simply reverse the process – brakes on, step onto the pedals and let off the brakes.
warm the cockles
I’m a flat-pedal rider who often gets cold feet. Clipless riders have loads of waterproof kit, but there isn’t much for flat riders. What do you suggest? Kier Brown, via email
Five Ten’s Freerider EPS and EPS Mid have a weather-resistant upper and PrimaLoft insulation, while Vaude use a SympaTex membrane in their AM Moab Mid STX shoes which is claimed to make them fully waterproof. However, even with weatherproof shoes, in the worst conditions it’s hard to avoid wet feet. We’re fans of Sealskinz’s waterproof socks, which now have a rubbery gripper at the cuff to help keep them up. Worn under riding trousers, they work well. Alternatively, try neoprene socks. You’ll still get wet feet but they should stay warm.
lost my bottle
I can’t seem to find a bottle and cage that work together – on rough stuff my bottles always end up falling out. Any tips? Robert Brandon, via email
We’ve had good experiences with sideloading cages (because on a bike, impacts tend to come from below). Alternatively, metal cages can be gently bent to tighten their grip. You can also add some skateboard grip-tape to the bottle/cage, or loop a strong rubber band between the bosses before fitting the cage, which can then be pulled over the bottle’s nozzle.