I use the train to get to Thetford, get off at Brandon and you’re 10 minutes away.

Might be the picture angle, but the front wheel looks smaller than the rear.

B Screw? Top jockey wheel may be rubbing on the cassette.

I guess try retrobike, but you’ll probably need photos.

Does seem like I’m doing this far too often. Oh well, they were next on the upgrade list anyway.

Think you’re right about it being a Sahara, maybe a little earlier on the year though.

Anyone get the Chief Scout Award? Rode across the Penines for mine ( on a road bike, sorry ), also got the Patrol Activity Award for which I got a fancy metal woggle. The badges certainly look better now, but they do have to suffer Bear Grylls as Chief Scout.

You need the tape to provide a seal for the nipple holes. Did you get Hope Hoops? I notice they do a tubeless kit to go with them and I’m wondering if you got a Hope green version of the tape already fitted.

You need the narrower yellow tape and an Olympic valve for the Crests. I put a tube in mine and rode it for a couple of days to help the tape stay put as it gave me trouble on the first attempt, removing some of the glaze off the rim surface with a piece of rough washing up sponge also helped. Inflate tyre to seal it onto the rim before adding the sealant, then remove valve core and add sealant through it.

Fancied the Met Parachute myself until I saw other people wearing one, it’s not a great looking lid when it’s on. The chin guard really looks like an afterthought and all the wearers appeared to have ridiculously sized head.

MRP do a seat tube mounted version of the 1X.

Will the cassette work okay with existing mechs? Only say this as min and max sizes are quoted for rear mechs, is it that 11 in given as the smallest usable size as this is the smallest available?

You won’t get a problem with chainrings as ten speed have the same BCD and other manufacturers are still making eight speed chains so expect that they will keep making nine speed. Swap to ten speed when you need to replace your shifters and/or cassette.

What’s white and stops you working?
David Cameron.

Check Tibolts, they do replacements, don’t buy them though as they are made from cheese but the site is good for checking the size. CRC do all manner of bolts, the Nukeproof ones are good apparently.

Worth it if you’re upgrading/replacing anyway as the 10 speed stuff is the same price, seems expensive and almost pointless to do it just for the sake of it. Avoid SRAM chains if you go 10 speed, they claim the powerlinks are a one shot deal, totaly negating the need for them.

Got a good deal from Superstar, their hubs with Crest rims. Used yellow tape and sealant with Conti Speedkings and not had any troubles. Find your idea of not using sealant a bit strange, what will you do if you puncture? If you plan on putting a tube in then you might as well stay with a clincher and tube setup as most of the tubeless benefits have been lost. The sealant is used to seal holes more than seal the tyre to the rim.

Close your eyes
Look deep in your soul
Step outside yourself and
Let your mind go

Alpkit make some goog ones that are a good price.

Everyone should build frames with a longer top tube.

The rockshox pressures stated on the fork sticker are generally way too low, as a rough guide move up to the lower end of the next catagory up as a starting point. If you run more negative pressure you will lose a lot of travel. I run about 10 psi more in positve chamber as it helps reduce bob when standing and mashing. The manual states that the pressure difference between the chambers should not exceed 15 psi.

Pillow Biter

Whatever else you do, go 1×10, you’ll not regret it.

The spec on the Norco is great for 2k but I would consider it overbiked for XC, especialy if you’re used to a hardtail. If I had 2 grand to blow I’d have a Whyte T120 right now.

Get yourself a Travel Tap, been using one for years with no complaints. They fit well in a bottle cage. Backpacking Light sell them.

Just looked and found that a replacment for my Merlin is 15 quid, so I’m in agreement that it’s a rip off. I guess they can charge pretty much what they like ‘cos if I need one, I need one and it’s not as if I can shop around. Not keen on the fairly new practice of putting replacable hangers on steel frames, the beauty of having a steel frame was ( well, one of the beauties ) that you could simply bend it back.

Rub some of the anodising glaze off with a washing up scourer before fitting the tape, worked for me when I had similar problems.

Cassettes don’t wear out? Do you ride your bike? All that terrible shifting must be my imagination then, wish I’d known this before I wasted all that cash on a new drivetrain.

Can you take the rest of your setup to the listening room? Only way to be sure as the front end and speakers will have a massive effect on the sound. IMO Nad amps are the best I’ve had.

Have a Casio Protrek that is built along the same lines as a G shock. Can’t fault it, even the altimeter is accurate.

Path along the River Stort is good if weather is bad. Epping is fun but the Essex clay is a nightmare in winter.

Yeah, they work well with my Deore brakes.

Superstar rotors are good and very cheap. Only six bolt fitting though.

Not sure but thought part no. was SP41. Have a look at UKBikestore.

Sorry, no link but you need to pump the positive chamber first. Bikeradar have a tuning guide in the FAQ section and the rockshox guide is available online.

Cheers chaps.

All Souls are beautiful, hope to own one soon. Don’t really like your cranks and bash guard but do love the saddle, what is it please.

The stuff I ordered from CRC on Christmas day will, apparantly be arriving tomorrow. That one was thier fault. Five days late on my gear from Superstar was the fault of Interlink though. Never had problems with internet shopping before, I’ve made up for it this week.

You know that thing about meeting your heroes? Lusted after a GT LTS when I was a younger man, got one and hated it. Dreams smashed. A Fat Chance Yo Eddy or Pace RC200 would be great though.

Nice vid, nice bike, cool tune. The Pixies should be played more.