Another gumby enduro vlog from
www.crosstraini... A brief look at the Oxbrake left hand rear brake system, the KTM 200EXC and a killer hill we haven't ridden for a while!
There is also a call for more support as there hasn't quite been enough to continue full time with the vids - so for the price of a coffee you can access four ride vids each month. Click here: www.crosstraini...
Time to look at some new bling. On a recent ride I swapped bikes with Lars from Australian Hard Enduro and he has an Oxbrake fitted. This is a left hand rear brake that goes under your clutch lever. Long-term viewers will know I was a huge fan of the Clake Two with the combined easy clutch and hand brake, until my arthritic fingers couldn't cope anymore. This looks like a good budget alternative at US$150 from my short ride with the Oxbrake. It's cable operated so very easy to fit. It sits underneath your clutch lever so is a lot easier to access when standing on the footpegs.
Two of our guys are getting the Oxbrake so I'll do a proper review when they've ridden heaps with it.
Support! As many of you will know, a pile of viewers encouraged me to go full time with these vids and finally bit the bullet six months ago. Mega thanks to those of you supporting the vids, your generosity has been amazing. Unfortunately I'm still using my savings to make up the shortfall so I hope more of you will come on board. All the training vids will stay available to everyone. So will some of the ride vids, or vlogs. But each month I'm going to make four of the ride vids available only to supporters. I won't bore you to tears with this, so just read on below.
WHAT HAPPENED TO MY FREE VIDS?!
Around 130 out of 68000 subscribers have generously supported these vids since I went full time but I've been using my savings as a supplement.From Oct 2016 four of the ride vids each month will be just to supporters for $1 each so hopefully more viewers will jump on board. Then I can get the original guys to give much less so as the support is shared a lot more. All the training vids stay free, and ad-free. And some ride vids too.
BUT AREN'T THERE OTHER WAYS TO GET SUPPORT?
Yep. And thanks for the suggestions you guys have sent in. I might follow up on some eventually, but here is why I'm not keen so far... RU-vid ads? RU-vid's pay is crap, I'd probably get around $15 per video. Merchandising? It all takes time to set up and monitor, and I'm already spending 60+ hours a week on the vids. Coaching courses? Insurance is expensive, travel time would mean less vids, and I'd much rather help guys through the vids anyway.
Less is more. Scotty recently got a KTM 200EXC to replace his 300, as he wants to focus more on clutch slipping. I've been surprised at the number of experienced dirt riders turning to 200s, 150s and even 125s after years of riding. They all comment on the bikes being so flickable and increasing the fun factor so much. I had a quick ride and it does feel like a toy you can just throw around. I can see how if you like revving a bike then a 200 could easily be the bike for you. Personally I like my grunt but it would be fun to try a 125 in the future and see what everyone is raving about.
We revisited a favourite climb of ours, not one I'd want to be riding a 200 up. Although I agree with Scott it will be forcing him to learn those clutch skills well. This is where I love the grunt of a big thumper as it tractors up. Now a top rider would just fly up this hill but our skill levels ain't up to the job. Yet.
I have a few stabs at this other climb that runs parallel but its very loose soil with rocks. I've managed to get up this one once on the old RR300 but no luck today.
This week I was reading up on why four strokes often get better traction on a climb. My favourite theory to date suggests that because it only fires half as often, the four stroke gives the rear knobs time to dig into the dirt for more traction before the power pulse hits. And it also softens the initial hit of power so the rear wheel is less likely start spinning. I figure top riders would have such good throttle control and clutch skills that it wouldn't matter which bike they were riding. Food for thought, and another question for Birchy if and when we see him.
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5 сен 2024
