YOUR LETTERS
CONTACT US magazine, Future PLC, Unit 415, Eskdale Rd, Winnersh Triangle Business Park, Winnersh, Reading, RG41 5TU mbr@futurenet.com
★ STAR LETTER ★
I enjoyed reading the 32 listed items on the bucket list in the last edition [April 2023], some already achieved, some likely to be attempted and some (like a visit to Whistler) sadly not likely to happen.
However, one missing item that would tick off several challenges in one go, is to enter a Trailquest. This is a mountain bike orienteering event that involves riding to as many checkpoints as possible marked on a map, usually within three hours, in order to collect as many points as possible. Each checkpoint has an individual score so the winner will have chosen a route that maximises his/her score in the most effective way. As well as an overall winner, there are different age categories for male and female riders, so you can be as competitive as you want, both overall or in your particular group. Pairs can also enter as well as those on e-bikes.
Events overseen by British Mountain Bike Orienteering (BMBO) take place around the country, with the Midlands, Black Mountains and the North Yorkshire areas particularly active.
These events are a great way to meet mountain bikers, explore byways and bridleways in countryside that you may not have even thought about riding through, as well as improving fitness, map reading, bike handling and just the pure enjoyment of being on a bike.
Ed -Strangely enough, we were thinking about reviving the old mbr Killer Loop feature. It’s simple stuff – we hide a bottle on some frozen mountainside, release the coordinates at a set time and the first to find the prize wins. Should we get back on it?
FOLLOW THE ARC
For some time I have wondered why manufacturers embrace a new product and then in the subsequent race to be the biggest, fastest, or whatever, they then ruin the concept by bolting any old crap to a half-decent frame. Your very own bike reviews confirm the same, with some very expensive bikes that have poor scores because of poor component choices.
As an example, does my full-fat e-bike need a 12-speed cassette and chain, or is that what is in the parts bin at the moment, and so used on every bike? Surely, a nine/10-speed would work, and that would give the chain manufacturers a chance to supply a chain that would last longer than three rides. The rear hub’s one of the hardest-working parts on a bike, so why fit own-branded rubbish that doesn’t last eight months, on a 55lb, 180mm-travel enduro bike? Yes, it was replaced under warranty, but nearly three weeks without the bike?!
Also, has any manufacture designed either a fork or rear shock specifi
