That is such a naive POV. You think anyone in any industry is not in it for profit? For as much profit as they can get?

You think it is all just a conspiracy. Are tin foil hats also more expensive these days? And they are a different standard as well.

No, it has made YOU navel-gaze and develop a they-are-out-to-get-me view of the world. Combined with your petty classisim and jealousy, it’s an unattractive combination.

Move to a nice cosy communist country then, where I am sure you can get a new chain for a good price, once you have made an application in triplicate for it and waited 5 years in line.

The whole trite “manufacturers are out to get us” bull that is trotted out in these forums with monotonous regularity is just veiled fear of change. Grow up, accept things change, and get on with it!

Maths check:

£773.59 is less than £1,000 and also £1,500.

No shit Einstein!

The point is, £773.59 for a rigid steel bike with rim brakes, quill stem etc, vs £1,000 for an aluminium hardtail with disc brakes etc etc.

I don’t think it’s jealousy, well not in all cases. Some people remember that you don’t need an expensive bike to ride up and down hills, and the amount you spend isn’t really related to the size of the grin you get in return.

Right, but the sum total of no one implied that you need this cassette to ‘ride up and down hills’. No one is being forced to spend money on bikes. If you are so inclined, you can get a £10 beater in the local ads, give it some TLC, and ride it about. That is fine. But there is no need to sneer at other people who enjoy spending more of their hard earned on shiny new bits.

It’s the pricing to this buyer that annoys me – what about what the product costs? See B&Q stocking 50 screws for £2 instead of being able to buy what ever quantity you want etc.

Most of it sold direct online, no? So not supporting retailers at all.

It’s called capitalism.

Who cares ‘supporting retailers’? Buy stuff, the people making and supplying it make money, and hopefully make and supply more stuff. Brick-n-mortar is not any more or less worthy that any other supply method.

My first MTB was a 94 Kona Hahana that was £425 quid.

Reality check:

£425 in ‘94 is £773.59 today.

What is really funny is you’d NEVER get this kind of discussion on an American forum. They’ll critique the engineering, yes the cost, but it will never come down to this kind of implied classisim we are still mired in in the UK. In the USA, doing well for yourself is celebrated. Aspiring is good. In the UK, you had better know your place, anyone who does well for themselves and aspires to better things is to be put down. It is ultimately a sad, dour, ground-in jealousy.

I agree, it is a boat anchor. I’ll stick to my £40 XT 10 speed 330 gram cassette for now.

They are crap that stops working and can’t be fixed. I don’t care how bargain basement they are, if they give up the ghost ON BOTH ENDS within 5 minuts of each other one one ride, then they are not going on my bikes, period. If I can’t get parts to fix them, they are not going on my bike, period.

It’s ironic that the very first thing out your cakehole after butterbean saying “Shimano is out” (and explaining why) is “Shimano”!

LOL

Seriously? Can’t people read, or do Shitmano have paid stooges on this forum, or what?

The obvious answer is Hope. X2 Race are nice and light and stop my fat ass, but I am not that fast on the downs. If she is fast, E4s may be better, or E4 front X2 back.

Yes, change my forks from locked / climb / open all the time when riding.

Stick to the paths and give lots of way to peds. (same as any other riding really)

Been to the top w/ bike a few times, mostly for training purposes last year (hike a bike up steep slope).

The way down was just a trundle for me mostly. Didn’t ride down the very top coz I don’t have the skills and falling off would suck a lot.

Radical road is kinda fun and steep, but again I’d be well careful of peds and control… hitting someone coming down that steep a path would suck a lot.

Centre-parcs? Or just take her up the Oxo Tower.

661 Evo seem fine to me, wear them on the ups and downs inc all-dayers in the Alps.

Get them a bit snug as opposed to a bit loose or just right, as they expand and loosen with use.

Quite possibly the prettiest FS frame I have ever seen!

Using dishwashing detergent will corrode the bike, since washing up liquid has a lot of salt in it.

Cold fresh water and some bike specific degreaser is ok, letting the bike dry quickly afterwards (no sitting in a damp cold shed, bike goes inside) – but I think I go through headset bearings especially frequently due to washing. I try not to ‘clean’ round the bearings too much.

OCF is easy to overdo, as is the dreaded HDR (high dynamic range) stuff. I hate a lot of that stuff, some of the shots in recent mags is just guff, I hate it.

Unless you are doing it professionally, or are not cycling and just spectating at an event, then hauling around loads of big DSLRs or SLRs, tripods, flashes etc is not easy or really desirable if you are on a group cycle.

If you are in a group, doing a ride, and want to take photos, you need to bet in front of everyone, and be able to jump off the bike, set up the shot, shoot everyone, then catch up and repeat. Not easy.

I don’t think self defense covers punching someone if you are pushed. Remember if you lamp someone, they could go down hard and really do themselves in, which is then your responsibility. Not worth it.

Shared paths are problematic IMHO if you expect to be zipping about. Remember what it feels like being a cyclist in fast traffic? That is what it feels like being a walker with fast bikes.

I am somewhat of the opinion that walkers should be treated like horses. Slow down or even stop, make sure they know you are there, say a gentle hello, give them a wide berth and a ‘good-day’, then continue on your way. If you are cycling somewhere it is busy with a lot of walkers, expect to slow down or even stop and walk, and try to pick a better place next time.

Regarding idiots – I was at the pool last Saturday, and whilst I was putting on my shoes at the pool entrance (can see the whole pool), I see the following: 2 person lane (slow lane, room just for two people to pass swimming), guy swimming up the lane, and this ‘bear’ of a guy just standing smack bang in the middle of the lane, 2 meters from the end of the lane, just looking at the chap swimming, making no attempt to get out his way! The chap swimming just swims round him, then the bear goes up to him and asks ‘did you see me?’ in a confrontational manner. Swimmer says yes, bear says something I can’t hear, obviously some threat or the like. Unbelievable! Small minded passive-aggressive twazzocks, really. They are everywhere. In order to prevent spoiling ones day, avoiding them seems the best option.

I have a stupid idea brewing to do a large chunk of the West Coast next year, this route would be part of it. Don’t suppose pushing from Kinlochourn to Barrisadle would be the end of the world.

I did Swordland to Morar this year, as part of a bigger loop (keep meaning to post pics and a story, maybe soon). I found the track not bad, but loaded up with camping stuff, food, and packraft, and 36 tough hours in, I only cycled maybe half of it, as it is quite rough, steep, and rocky in places. Fresh legs on an afternoons jaunt would be able to do much much more of it. Fantastic place.

Top tip for the day…

If you happen to live in Edinburgh, and you happen to have bought yourself some spiffing new lights, do NOT barrel round the paths on Carlton Hill at top speed on a Friday night, or you may see rather more than you had bargained for.

(1 guy lurking in bushes at top… I wonder what’s going on (being a bit slow) I disregard it and cycle round a path down a level, past where the guy would be looking over, find 2 guys, one kneeling in front of the other… say no more. Guy lurking in the bushes was obviously having a look in… dirty b******s should get a room for that s*** IMHO).

Pff…

What happens when you happen upon a cross monster whist riding your monster cross bike?

:?:

Just ordered an upgrade myself, going from 1×9 to 1×10.

Decided in the end on the XTR M985 GS rear mech. This has a new feature of a clutch / ratchet mechanism that prevents the cage swinging forward and thereby de-tensioning the chain, causing the chain to jump off the chainring, chain slap, and other problems. It is supposed to work well, and I am hoping it will relegate my bashring and chain catcher to the spare parts drawer. It’s expensive, but fingers crossed it works well. If it wasn’t for that, I’d just get a medium cage XT derailleur.

slimjim78

My mate has finally decided to stump up0 the cash and upgrade his tank to a lighter ride, but he’s not willing to spend more than £1000.

he wants something lightweight, with a good long lasting spec. Probably a general XC weapon, perhaps up to 120mm travel.

He like the look of the Cannondale Flash with Headshock,

Tell him to get the Cannondale.

Good frame, reasonable components to get at least some riding in before upgrading.

The main selling point is the fork. For that price, nothing will touch a Headshok. For any price, nothing will be as light and rigid as a Headshok. Strong, crazy light, no flex, no striction, at least a year or two between services.

The lightness and ridigity of the fork and frame will flatter his riding, especially on the uphills.

Only downside is he may want to get a shorter stem and wider more upright bars sooner rather than later, unless he is a XC racer.

ivnickkate

On a uphill fireroad, an unknown rider told me that my helmet wouldn’t do me any good on my rucksack.

Can I have suggestions for a better reply, if I get the same advice again?

Busybody – “Your helmet won’t do you any good on your rucksack, tut tut!”

You – “I won’t do any good shoved up your *** either, but if you don’t mind your own business, that’s where it will end up!”

Wet and sweaty

stretching the membrane

tight fit

Just sayin’…

:D

GrahamS –

Old man mountain do some interesting ones as well that use canti bosses IIRC

Ooooh.. the OMM Cold Springs and Sherpa disc-options have nice deep QR mounts that look like they’d clear my cowled dropouts:

And it can attach to the canti-bosses at the top:

But the price! My God, the price!

Worth it IMHO

Solidly built, but reasonably light.

Rigid, no swaying.

Will fit onto any bike. Eyelets or no eyelets. Full sus, hardtail, recumbent!

Should last a lifetime. How many racks at half the price are you going to buy?

Not my bike, but lovely:

My bike doing a tractor impersonation:

Bare in mind that we loose 2 hours of daylight this month, from the start to the end:

http://uk.weather.com/climate/sunRiseSunSet-Aviemore-UKXX0166

Just over 7 hours of daylight at the end of November. Along with the light going, temperatures drop. It’s ok if you are prepared for it, but not that conducive to long days out IMHO.

Thanks for the replies!

So I could get SRAM X9 Rear Mech 10sp Short Cage – how does this compare to XT? Like the idea of a short cage…

Didn’t find an XTR bargain at Swinnertons – £75 now? http://www.swinnertoncycles.co.uk/Shimano-Xtr-Shift-Lever-Xtr-M980-10spd-Rh.aspx

Can I run XTR shifters with XT mechs?

sam_underhill – Member

So after cleaning bike the chain is all wet, if you leave it it will rust.

Not if you don’t use washing up liquid to clean the bike, and take the bike inside to dry off afterwards – find the bike dries in a couple of hours inside.

Buck.

Off.

What angle are your leavers at? Tried making them angled further down? Tried spacers between bars and sling?

Don’t have any closer photos than this ATM:

Ffs, fwiw giv t man a brk hes jst tring 2 mk a point! JMHO, Thx.

Been using the Schwalbe Super Moto (got from http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/TYSCSMOTO/schwalbe-super-moto-evo-speed-grip-folding-tyre )

Always fancied a big smooth tyre, these are a reasonable price for good quality and reasonably lightweight for their size.

For my local cross country trail in the Pentlands (some road, some hardpack path, some dirt path) it seems to work well. Certainly for the road and hardpack it is fine. I am not a fast rider, and just want to cruse. Also taken them on roots, which obviously are sketchy when wet and at an angle anyway, and these tyres will slide more on that stuff. However, I am planing more bikepack type rides where I consider smoother tyres better for the majority of the riding.

The PLB would probably be regarded as unnecessary by 99.999% of people 99.99999% of the time, but IMHO they are worthwhile to bring, especially if you have one. Hope never to have to use it, but is literally a lifesaver if the SHTF.

Talking about SHTF, I have never needed to use the anti-diarrhea tablets, but can imaging having them when you get caught with the runs 20 miles from civilization would be a good thing.

TJ, do you not carry any 1st aid? It weighs hardly anything, and as MTB can cause injury, IMHO it is important to carry… got caught short just a couple of weeks ago in the Pentlands, mate came off bike, and his helmet visor cut his nose. Both of us had forgotten our first aid kits, blood everywhere, used water and an old hankey, not ideal!

It depends on many things, such as how isolated or close to civilizational you will be, who else is going, the weather forecast, the type of bike you are taking, and if you will be out of mobile phone reach etc etc.

In general. for the average day outing:

Bike Tool kit;

* Puncture repair (vulcanizing solution, patches, sandpaper)
* Pump
* Selection of the correct size allen keys
* Tyre lever
* Tie-wraps
* Gaffer tape (1m length wrapped round pump)
* Chain tool
* Spare brake pads
* Chain power link

First Aid:

* Bandages
* Antiseptic Cream
* Surgical Tape
* Gause
* Co-Codamol
* Asprin
* Anti-Histamine tablets
* Anti-Diarrhea tablets
* Alcohol Swabs
* Emergency blanket
* Butterfly stitches
* Latex Gloves
* Anything else you think you may need (wet wipes, tissues, cotton buds, eye wash, eye bath etc etc)

Other

* Food for the day (oatcakes / chocolate / cheese)
* Drink for the day (water / lucozade)
* Extra clothing; rain / windproof top / trousers, fleece
* Sunglasses
* Suncream (important!)
* Insect repellent (can get suncream with built in repellent – check Boots)
* Mobile phone
* Money
* Camera

Consider a PLB if you are out of mobile phone coverage, and are solo or in a vulnerable group, or just want to play it safe.

Thanks everyone. Managed to get my truck working (touch wood), so don’t have to hire a wee car. I can expand to fill the available space! Still, lots of good info here, good to know.

Thanks everyone, seems I don’t have to stress too much about what car to hire then, phew! Just a bit spoilt for space with the 4×4.

Deveron53 made some excellent points.

For me, the #1 turn off is some random crappy music steamrollered over the whole video. Uugh, I hate that. It’s like being trapped inside someones head when they are riding a trail with their headphones on. You are not making a music video, so quit with the bloody music over everything! I want to hear the bike, to wood, the trail, the birds, the wind. Note the top two videos (and other classic trail footage like the cyclocross wood ride one) are all live sound, no overdubbed random rap / rock bullshit.

I had a Grifter, they were cool and all…

But my heart belongs to the Tomahawk I had previous to it.

I can smell the duraglit from hours spent polishing those chrome mudguards, and the WD40 from hours of washing the grease out of the bearings :-)

Think mine was metallic red. There was a bike / car shop at the bottom of my road, I used to zoom down there and marvel at the 15p sparkely stickers and go faster stripes!

First I had a Raleigh Tomahawk

Then a Grifter

Yes, cotter pins, handlebar clamps, and breaks were crap. Dodgy chroming.

Seem to remember the term ‘scramblers’ as well, rings a bell. Someone needs to resurrect the term. Cotic Scrambler…

old couple of boys

arseless chaps

stoker

reach-arounds

action would leave me spent

behind a male friend

quite enjoyable on the back

camping

giving the orders from behind

we have had a lot of fun

I would be happy to ride on the back sometimes

Just sayin….

Did you try driving through them in a black Golf? I hear that works. Better make sure you are in a South American country though.

Also, shoulder shoving one of the cyclists is also effective, although it may cost you your job.