Mega Avalanche Q's...

[joefreerider]

Hi guys, I've been eyeing up the Mega for a while now, but hopefully I'm going to enter for 2010. Just got a few questions...

My bike is a Marin Quake 7.1, 2007, stock. Good enough? Would I need to replace any of those stock components? (I'm thinking maybe forks?)

What is a ball-park figure for the whole cost of going? (for as cheap as poss!)

Any good tips or tales to tell? ;)

thanks! :)

[chucky]

Costs 1 million dollars.

Sell your marin, get a rocket bike, with avid juicys and a set of v brakes for extra power.

Go for a chain guide.

Carry an extra chain.

27 gears is essential, although i had 9. Damm i sucked.

If in doubt: pedal pedal pedal.

But seriously, ditch the marin.

[marko]

there are several things you need:

1- beer (lots of beer)
2- beer (lots of beer)
3- any bike will do
4- some body armour (sort of saves your life)
5- a comfy seat in which to drink said copious amounts of beer with a killer view

[chucky]

Dont fall off in Les Deux alps. It hurts like you've just been butt ****ed. Apparently(marko)

[GpAevo]

Dont fall off in Les Deux alps. It hurts like you've just been butt ****ed. Apparently(marko)

2nd that:D

[GpAevo]

6in travel bike that is built very strong is essential............leave your brain at home

[Conor]

Aye, a tough, strong bike is important. So are big, powerful brakes and spare pads. Dual ply highrollers are essential. So are DH tubes or ideally a tubeless setup. Forks don't matter a huge amount, neither does the frame. I'd recommend single chainring or dual with bash guard and chain device. Short cage rear mech and two or three spare hangers (carry them with you).

Spare rear tyre. Run 2.5" or 2.5" front and 2.35" rear.

Strong rims essential.

Good sense of humour.

Appetite for beer.

Armour!!

And an aggressive "**** you frenchie/german git/ english ******/ fat paddy" attitude is worth about 50 places in the race.

Fitness makes things much more enjoyable. Worth putting the effort it. For training, concentrate on DH fitness and strength. Spending hours on a road bike won't do much good.

[honourablegeorge]

I spent a fortune on stuff doctor's letter, new brakes, spare pads, dual ply tyres, insurance, the lot. Wasted a lot of money as a result.

Don't bother with the doc's letter - when you sign on over there, you can buy their insurance for about 20 quid, and it covers you perfectly. Equally, you won't need fancy travel insurance, beyond normal travel cover.

I got new Saint brakes, and two sets of spare pads. Still have the spares, couldn't beleive the stock pads never wore out over the week. They were far from a waste of money.

Dual ply Maxxis tyres pumped hard - deffo, can't stress them enough. Never had a puncture all week. 2.35 Tubeless High rollers aren't up to it, mate had them, front tyre came off the rim, rear one split. Go dual ply with tubes.

Goggles. Man, the dust was ridiculous.

Elbow pads, knee pads, armour.

Powerlinks. I bust my chain on the qualifier. AAAAGH.

Spare hanger(s)

[marko]

yea if the trail is heading to a wooded section slam on the brakes as there is more than likely a series of tight switch-backs (they are too large to try and double, even at warp speed!)

[joefreerider]

Cheers guys.



But seriously, ditch the marin.

why?

[mc]

why?

Long running joke about Marin's, and they're stereotypical owners.