Merlin have got deals on the Intense Tracer 275C at the moment.

That Spider is still there – crazy good deal :

https://www.merlincycles.com/intense-spider-275c-expert-build-enduro-mountain-bike-2017-103083.html

Big toe? The NHS take big toe breaks seriously (I know this from painful experience), and recommend an A+E visit if you suspect you have one.

I’ve used Merlin a few times and always been happy with the wheels and service.

I can’t find custom wheelbuild options on their website any more though, have they stopped doing them?

Interested in opinions on the Vitus kids bikes myself – considering a 14 for youngest daughter, and a 20 for her big sister.

Anyone got a Vitus kids bike?

It’s one of the ones I’m considering for youngest daughter (3) as she’s very much ready for her first proper bike.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/vitus-fourteen-kids-bike/%5B/url%5D

DDG

Cove ain’t what they used to be.

Code gone – that was quick!

Spare code here if anyone is after one – PM me if you would like it.

Another vote for the Wii for kids that age. You’ll get a lot for your money too.

Nothing fancy – Brand-X alloy bottle cage, holds my Podium bottle fine.

Large eh? Could you PM me details, I could be interested.

SC 5010? Intense Spider 275? Some reasonable deals on 2017 models at the moment.

I’ve got one of these :

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LY0BIUM/ref=pe_3187911_189395841_TE_dp_1

The coffee it makes is alright, and the risk of third degree burns is acceptably low.

Early days, but I like my OneUp EDC pump a lot.

OP – have an explore, and I hope you have a good ride.

Regarding the state of the trails I agree with oldejeans, although the horse has well and truly bolted.

The amount of rain and numbers of riders have really taken their toll, and to a degree a lot of riders seem to simply not give a sh1t. There are trails that should be avoided in the wet but still get ridden (and trashed), and it’s fairly common to see huge groups of riders round there as well.

Dunno what the answer is, and I’ll happily admit to a large degree of NIMBYism. It’s one thing when some of the ‘secret’ trails are in bits, but there are some footpaths that are getting torn to pieces as well. It’s not a good look for us.

Mail in profile, drop me a line if you want to borrow it.

One in Derby you can borrow if nothing comes up nearer.

I store mine dropped as well, but usually chuck it straight in the car so couldn’t say if it needs reviving straight out of the shed. I’ll check next time.

My revives also last the entire ride (unless bike is laid flat), so all seems fine.

Assuming you mean the Revive post, and not the DeHy Reverb adapter?

I usually carry my bike upside down in the car, and the post always needs reviving after that. Sometimes needs reviving if I lay it down flat whilst out on a ride.

Flat bars and disc brakes eh? My Tripster ACE what I am selling might be of interest :

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-kinesis-tripster-ace

4) big waterproof rucksack that is high vis and reflective (any recomendarions?)

LOMO hi vis drybag? I like mine, only drawback is lack of internal dividers.

http://www.lomo.co.uk/acatalog/high-visibility-drybag-cycling.html

I often have to revive my Revive, usually after the bike has been upside down in the car, sometimes if it has been laid flat while out on a ride. There’s always a reason though, it never goes spongy by itself.

Not really an issue for me as reviving it takes a couple of seconds. I’ve got a quick reset lever on order as well which will make it even easier (I think the newer ones are fitted with this as standard).

My Revive 160 is great, the only problem I have with it is that it’s not a 185.

Another vote for Pragmasis / SecurityForBikes.com. Excellent kit and really good service too.

It’s neat but the OneUp tool wins for me as there is much more in there – most of the space in the Spesh tool is occupied by the headset preload system.

Alright Stu, considered a Stanton Sherpa? SS dropouts are an option.

Depends on the company. Big group rides are invariably a ballache though.

BikeYoke Revive +1 – had mine a few months now, and I can’t fault it. Easy to install, and smoooooth in operation. Low stack height a bonus too. Long term reliability still an unknown, but the overall build quality and the service I’ve had from BikeYoke gives me a lot of confidence in it.

Is he fatigued at all? Complete lack of appetite, weight loss + profuse mouth ulcers were amongst the symptoms I had prior to being diagnosed with Crohns disease at age 18.

For longer rides I use my Camelbak, and for short two hour-ish rides I’ve just been winging it – no tools / tube or pump, just a water bottle and one of these for phone, car key and sweets :

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00U8MOHNG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I’ve also got a cheapy Mountain Warehouse bumbag that I could get pump / tube / tools etc in, but it bounces around a bit too much.

There’s lots of nice bits and pieces that I *could* get to festoon my bike with stuff, but for the longer rides I may as well just take the Camelback – water capacity is the main problem anyway.

The OneUp EDC tools do look nice though, and I’m tempted by one of the Backcountry Research straps..

+1 for the BikeYoke Revive. Had mine for about 6 months, and it’s been flawless.

Revive 160, had mine for nearly six months now, can’t fault it.

Some woman on the comments makes a (silly) complaint about road closures due to a race, follows up with usual red light / road tax / hi viz nonsense. Receives a load of personal abuse in return which serves to confirm her view of cyclists. Great result that.

No experience of courses but I know one of the tutors and he really knows his stuff :

http://www.eastmidlandsfitnessacademy.co.uk

Great story, worth checking the dates on the posts too..

Raising the threat level is clearly a security decision, and non-political.

It’s possible to think this and also think that our actions in the middle east may be linked to this awful situation, so why was iffoverload’s post removed? Is it offensive to point out that we have been bombing various middle eastern countries for the last 15 years or so? And pointing out that there may be a connection between this and these appalling acts of terrorism?

Take a look at Hollywood Racks, really happy with mine, as are friends who own one.

Take a look at the BikeYoke Revive. It’s a) great, and b) the 160mm version has a lower stack height than a 150mm Reverb.