Interesting about the Xt 8000 wandering bite point – I haven’t suffered from that. But I do agree with the on / off power, it’s pretty instant.

mrlebowski’s made me realise something I hadn’t even thought about, but I do brake later with the XTs than I did with the Hope X2s and to be fair I reckon my cornering is “messier” and less smooth.

I’d probably go back to Hope next time just for the longevity/serviceability.

The price though… ouch.

Had some Tech X2s, which I liked but to be honest were no better than the Magura Martas they replaced or the XT 8000s I’ve got now. In fact, the Martas were way more powerful, but a bit finicky to bleed and set up. The XTs are really simple and just work.

In short, I don’t miss the Hopes.

Newer models might be better though.

(As an aside, still got a pair of Mono Minis on one bike, which 15 years ago did many Alps trips and were fine. I love the fact you can just replace everything on them and keep them going and going. I suspect the XTs are more disposable.)

Velcro’s a nice idea, and possibly a good way to test my (non-existent) needle skills.

I’ve switched a bit over the years, but probably spent nearly 10 years on SPDs, only to switch to flats a few months back just for a change. As others have said, first few rides were tricky – on drop offs and jumps in particular for me – but I’ve now got back into it. I like being able to move my feet around and (as I’ve become wimpier) like the option to bail more easily! I also really like it for more technical slow stuff where a bit of track standing/thinking time might be required.

Will keep SPDs on the CX bike though.

Ok, new question then – what gravel bike for someone who blasts around the woods a bit, but might want to stick 28c on and go on road and also might want to stick a pannier on at some point?

Thanks all, you’ve kind of confirmed what I was thinking really.

Look deffo goes asap. The cotic and the cx will also go, but only once I’ve found a gravel bike I like. The genesis stays until the kids can ride theirs and then I’ll see how much it gets used…

… Unless we move house before then and I get some more storage, in which case I’ll be getting:
Genesis Fortitude Race
Fat bike
BMX
Cotic Simple and/or original Trek 69er in that root beer colour

Malvern Rider – ecargo bike deffo on the cards when the car dies.

Onewheelgood – fair point! Space mainly, but also a bit of guilt that I just don’t get the most out of most of them. Well, the look really and the random cotic purchase (why oh why did I buy that!?)

Hardtailonly – unplanned thinking but also a bit of circumstances too for me plus some changes in the riding I enjoy.

Or when someone else could have a working bike.

Damascus – might see how much the look goes for and then decide whether to sell the Ridley for something posher.

Deserter – yeah, exactly where I am. As much as I love bikes, some are just gathering dust on the off chance.

Thanks for that. I know the genesis makes sense short term – you’re right I’d just compromise the others. The cx could double as a road bike if I ever need it, can switch it back to 2×10 easy enough, and another wheel set is a good call.

Had full sussers in the past, but the hard tail is fine for the moment…

I just knew someone would say that

Bought this in the recent clearout. Got some 26″ parts hanging around so will be a racked up rough road tourer… maybe. Or it may just live in its box.

TRP mini vees here too. 8.4s I think for SRAM road levers. I’m running 35c tyres with good clearance. Nice and powerful and don’t seem to get clogged up.

Thanks Superficial, useful resource

6 breaches for me

andrewreay I’m far too weedy for retribution!

So, nothing of value on any cards – they’d subscribed to Prime, which might’ve been a way to test if the card was working apparently.

Also had a login attempt on Deliveroo too, so they’re obviously now trawling various stuff with my email and password. Though still can’t understand how they got the password in the first place – and Amazon didn’t know.

Busy night, changing all my passwords!

Ta, good call andrewreay – cards all cancelled. No purchases yet.

Now, is the address they added legit? I mean, it’s a real address, but is it the scammers address? Surely that just gives them away?

Just had a weird Amazon thing myself – got an email saying I’d changed my email address. Thought I’d have a quick check and sure enough account email and password changed. Can’t get hold of customer services, and password reset obviously sends it to the new email that the scammers have set up. Tried using phone number to reset password, but that now goes to another email address…

So, I just clicked and clicked on the password reset so hopefully their inbox is inundated.

But… I can still see parts of my account on my phone app. I can see the basket (some Apple EarPods and some paper bags(!?), which I deleted) and I can see a new delivery address that’s been added.

Any ideas what to do next?

Fantastic read – thank you!

Yep, felt in Bristol.

Also 5′ 11″, and also on a medium Zero TR. Suits me perfectly. Felt long (having come from a 17″ Soul), but it feels amazing to ride.

Not sure, let me ask my butler…

Thats better than most MTB videos I’ve seen. Will be trying to copy that grind later (if I can wrestle the brio away from the child).

howsyourdad1 – yep, and some choice VHS cassettes… it’ll come back. It’ll all come back…

Had to go and check the Robocop reference… now want to watch Robocop…

What an inspiration!

It’s always been my intention to take up skateboarding when I retire. Might add BMXing too.

Press-fit bottom bracket, finally!

It’s funny, of all the comments that one made me laugh most!

Those canti mounts will be useful though.

Yes, the battery is cool.

Not sure about the integrated coffee machine and bacon sarny maker.

8O

I like it… but the 148 backend and ISCG mounts take something away from its character for me. (Yes, that is completely irrational, it’s just a bike.)

I’m so rock and roll I go all the way up to 11.

I enjoy a good fettle. What really annoys me is when you do the same thing, the same way twice and end up with completely different results. Case in point: XT brake bleed on the rear produces amazing feeling brake. Exactly the same process on the front produces the most spongy feeling lever in the world.

What pressure can she blow to?

Can’t say my Scoop’s have ever creaked (running 2). SDG Bel Airs also seem quite comfy to me and have worn through a couple in the past. I keep fondling Brooks Cambiums (for road), but can’t quite bring myself to do it…

I did it a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. I’d 100 miles before, but this felt easier as I got in a few good groups so got plenty of tows.

It’s an amazing spectacle – thousands of red lights stretching out through the countryside ahead of you at the start is surreal.

The best thing I did was carry some proper food (cheese and ham pittas, which fitted perfectly in my jersey pockets), and stop at a pub for some food and drink. I found the early morning miles the hardest – 5am in the middle of Suffolk countryside feeling tired (sleepy) and wet (rain) wasn’t fun.

Will definitely do it again.

Full SRAM Rival 10sp, with wi-fli climbers cassette and derailleur.
Mavic Open Pros on 105 hubs.
Specialized Armadillo 700x25c
EA70 finishing kit.
Michel long drop brakes (the one thing I’d change as they’re a bit floppy).

Lovely bike – as happy doing 1 mile to work as doing 120 miles of Dunwich Dynamo.

As Core says: jack of all trades – master of most.

120 Rebas. XTR 970 everything. Hope everything else. Fun.

Surfing at Gwithian. Small day, nothing much happening. Was in the water for a bit practising duck diving etc., and just suddenly had an overwhelming feeling of fear and a need to get out of the water. Paddled in. About 30 seconds later a pod of dolphins swam through exactly where I’d been. I reckon they’d hit me with sonar and triggered some kind of primal fear thing.

New Zealand. South Island in particular is great.

I’ve got a TdF.

Like you, Hamax on the back and (nappy!) bag on the front. I really like it. After zooming around for years on my MTB and road bike, this bike has really taught me the art of going slow and enjoying the ride. Love it.

Photo’s a bit out of date – rear rack off as didn’t fit with the child seat and mudguards added.