Put a Crossmark on a Crest this week with no problem. I did firstly put a tube in and left it overnight to shape and stretch the tyre. Pumped it up with a track pump.

Bontrager 29-3’s all the way

+1 Well, on the front anyway. I’ve not tried them on the back but I would imagine they’d drag a little. Just put a Crossmark on the back and I love it.

I agree with Klunk, if the saddle is hitting your arse then your riding style is all wrong, probably not adjusted it from FS riding. Your probably not picking a line and there’s the obvious sizing issue.

I had the same problem as the OP when I used an older tyre. With the sealant already in the tyre I filled the batch and rolled the wheel up and down it to find where the air was coming from. Then simply tilted the wheel so the sealant was where the air was coming from. I did have to do this a couple of times over 2 days but eventually it sealed and stayed up.

by suing a garden pressure sprayer

Where there’s a blame there’s a claim!

Still have some Marzocchi MX Pro forks from around 2004 I think. Still work faultlessly despite never having been serviced!

The worst ones IME are ~35-45 Male dog walkers

Reminds me of an incident with the above. I was approaching a gate and dog walker was just closing it. As I got there he just shouted at me “what did you say about my dog”. I said that I hadn’t said anything and he started ranting, that was until my 6’6″ ex rugby playing mate caught up with me, 🙂

Giant Escape[/url]

I would have thought you’d get CX tyres on there, I have on mine.

Personally I’d go for something with a carbon fork to take some of the road buzz/vibration out. I have something similar to that Cube with an Alu fork and it tends to be a bit wearing on the hands and wrists. Giant do a nice one around that price range.

Yes you can run them but they are a tight fit. I’ve not done it personally but my mate has.

Well maybe he’s after ideas first!

I’ve done this a few times and have just taken strong painkillers and got on with it. I don’t think you heal any quicker if you rest but I’ve been told proper pain management will help you recover. Road riding will be fine but MTBing may hurt a bit.

I did the Mayhem a few years ago 10 days after cracking a rib. It hurt like buggery on that rutted section along side the lake. But I took great pride and satisfaction in not letting the team down and helping them to 48th place or whatever it was! 😉

My Cotic Soda has a permanent place in my bike shed. It cracked and was out of warranty and has been in there for the last 4 years waiting for Cy to pick it up! 😉

Not sure why it’s still there, don’t know what to do with it I suppose!

When are they going to be available?

Have you taken off or not fitted the PopLoc? I think the RL version uses the PopLoc. If you want to use it without this then you have to remove a spring from inside the damper unit.

The comment that its protecting his pack may be the issue, however there in lies the problem, it should not see itself as the leader, surely the owner should be.

Ah but you are seeing the dog through human eyes. It’s a dog, if it sees it’s owner as being weak then it will try to protect, it’s a pack mentality. It’s all about being calm, assertive and consistent with dogs! If the owners aren’t assertive and let the dog get away with things then it becomes the pack leader.

Banged on the window! That dog ain’t ever going to stop barking at you now!

It’s not easy to stop a barking dog, it takes a lot of training and the right type of person to stop it. If the dog considers itself as the “pack leader” within that house I very much doubt they will be able to stop it without specialist help. It’s trying to protect it’s pack!

External BBs don’t really have a width- they’re 2 seperate bearing cups. The cranks are 73mm, so you use the BBs plus spacers to bring the BB shell up to size.

Thanks for that 🙂

Excuse my ignorance but if I don’t ask I’ll never know. How does a 68mm fit in a 73mm shell, it’ll be too small?

Warning – Eating chocolate turns you ginger 🙂

The trick is not to get to the stage where you need a boost. Eat foods that give a slow release of energy regularly when your riding and there’s less chance of your body bonking.

Personally I eat Power Bar Ride, they are chocolate coated so I then get the best of both.

As above I’d just make sure you have some mud tyres with you and take the bike with the best mud clearance.

I started off 32:18 but found it too spinny on the flat. Since then I’ve always ridden 32:16 on a 26″ bike and 32:18 on the 29er. I live in Wales so it’s not exactly flat.

I’ve been riding SS for 5 years now, I’ve had no knee issues and can only say it’s made me stronger. You do after a while develop what I call SS legs, the hills you originally walked up become rideable standing up and as your legs become stronger you ride more and more of them sitting down. I find it’s important to develop the ability to sit down on climbs as the added traction of being seated actually makes me climb faster and I seem to use less energy.

I’ve done several 12 hour events SS without any knee issues at all and if I don’t sort a greared bike out soon will be doing a 24 hour solo SS!

Out of stock in 16″!

Yeah I like the Selma but the rear wheel clearance isn’t too good, 2.1 at a squeeze I’ve read.

I’ve been looking all week but nothing seems to tick all the boxes! 🙁

The problem with the Lurcher is it’s been due to arrive in Feb, March and now April and I need to have something in place by the second week of April. Plus by the time I get a new BB, Headset, seatpost, seat clamp, front mech the cost is approaching £800. Plus I’ve got a feeling my ageing Shimano 9 speed cranks aren’t going to be compatible with it either.

Apart from that I like it! 🙂

If you want something lighter and stiffer get it in 26″ then.

Yeah I know your right, I already have a light ish 26″ bike too but you know what it’s like when you get an idea in your head! I should probably just tubless up my 26″ and buy a lighter fork.

You may find your mates take the pi$$ a bit when you turn up on a 16″ 29er

I’ve already got a 16″ Inbred 29er so I’m used to it 😉

I’m looking for something a little lighter and stiffer, that I can run both SS an geared but doesn’t cost the earth to buy.

i think they look good – but only if you buy a big size frame

Hmmm yeah, I’d be buying a 16″

Rode the Beast SS Rigid

Use suspension fork next time!

I have days like that, in fact I was like it today but did twice the distance on Wed and felt great. I’m 48 and know that I have to eat and drink the right things if I want to get anywhere near my riding mates who are in some cases considerably younger. If I don’t my performance suffers.

At my age I’m concentrating on the challenges rather than being competitive, I’m doing my first 24 hour solo this year.

Ooooh I like that takisawa2, really nice! 🙂

Glad you enjoyed it!

I did this on my Rebas but I had to remove a spring from the damper unit to convert it to a manual. If you don’t do this the Lockout just springs back to full travel mode. Of course, it may be totally different on Toras!

30 miles a day week in week out is quite a commitment, nothing wrong with electric bikes either.

As mentioned you don’t have to ride it every day or as I do, you can vary it. I live 28 miles from work, some days I cycle it all, some days I’ll dive half way and cycle the rest, some days I just park outside the city and cycle in.

I’m lucky I have great bike storage and shower facilities in work. But before we moved building I didn’t. Then I found that as long as I showered before the commute and used a liberal spraying of deodorant once I got there I was fine. Sweat doesn’t smell if you keep yourself clean! 😉

I love the event, done 6 hours pairs and 12 hour solo in the past and always a good entertaining course. Only ever had one nob shout at me for not moving over quickly enough when I was 11 hours into soloing. But you get that in most events so I don’t see how you can say the course is dangerous because of one unfortunate incident.

You’ll always get inconsiderate riders who are riding balls out to secure that all important 51st place finish!

I’ve had plenty of Endura in the past which have been good but my current favourites are Lusso Pro 20 which I’ve had about a year. Done Bikefest 12 hour on them with no cream and no rubbing. I’ll certainly be getting another pair or whatever is the current Lusso offering for this years events.

Buy hey I suppose every bodies arse shape is different! 😉

I second the soapy water. I fill my sink with very hot soapy water, leave the tyres in there for 10 minutes so the rubber expands a little and they go on a lot easier.

Yep, Dave’s an inspiring bloke for sure!

He sure is! I think you met another mate of mine today too Gary, Huw Thomas who is riding for Niner?