kids are 5, 12 and 15 years old…

I have seen a solictor and he predicts settlement of between 50-60% to her including my pension.

If she leaves I need to re-think my full time job commitments…but I know what you are saying.

Here it is…

I have a kona cindercone (97) and it is superb…

alu runs very harsh in my view…

steel I just love the feel of but has it got weight issues?

Is Ti like a lighter steel but more flexy?

Carbon seems out of favour for top end MTBs – do not know why?

I will not comment on wood/bamboo/human!

Just go single speed…much easier!

who has a road rat?

I can see where this thread is going!

is it best to go for Kevlar or wire bead?

I also notice the conti mountain kings come in 2.0. 2.2 and 2.4 widths – which is best?

The tread looks very open, do they grip well?

You can get them o flea bay from £24 up tp £31 depending on what type (folding or non folding and width)

okay…

I guess the real advantage is the weight saving of the carbon rigid fork. 20lbs is light for a MTB

Do you find the rigid fork ok compared to a front suspension fork?

I notice that the SS bikes are more inclined to have a rigid fork, why is that?

And the replacement rigid fork in this case – does it take into account the angle of the front end if or compared to a sus fork (in other words is it raised up to the same height as a 4″ fork as you would expect the front end to be lower)

Interesting comment about Ti vs Alu. I find alu so harsh and you always need a front fork at least to dampen the ride.

Steel is my favourite because I just love the look of the skinny tubes so I guess the only question is if Ti is worth the extra money. I am not sure about custom frames and whether they are much better than off the peg?

I suppose if you are going steel then if you have 853 Reynolds you have strength and lightness.

Ti seems hit and miss with lots of comments about too springy or back ends being skittish. When you are paying that sort of money then you want something pretty immense!

absolute horrible!

Like a motor bike without an engine.

steel hardtail every time!

I vote for udderly…I used it on a big challenge ride in china and it was immense

Thanks chaps…I have used malt loaf, dried apricots, elevenis bars, and of course bananas!

I am still a water man myself but I think I am more tempted to carb drinks on the longer rides

I know it is all about budget but why is not carbon as popular MTB wise as it is for roadies?

Are the on-one 456’s best as geared or single speeds?

I think it is a straight calorie burn rate vs effort and therefore fat burn rate?

From experience I know it is hard to follow heart rate bands when on a practical road or trail. I have tried to follow two or three different training regimes in the past with very specific HR zones and it is a nightmare.

My advice would be to look for every opportunity to ride (shops, work commute, local trips) and watch your fat food intake such as biscuits, sweets, cakes, etc.

I have been fighting my weight for 10 years now (I am 44) and I lost nearly a stone when I was in training for a big challenge ride in China but put it nearly all on through Christmas and this winter! Biggest failing I think is having things like donuts, cakes etc which I cannot resist. Some of us only have to look at a donut and we put on pounds!

I had a nice ride lined up but the wife booked a Pilates class and I am left looking after the kids…loads of jobs to do later so I might sneak in an hour blast around my local fav single track if I can 😉

That is amazingly expensive for a steel HT!

So you can still fit tubes to a tubeless set up if the tyre punctures on the trail?

some bells look quite nice these days 😉

feels weird…the braking is so progressive and no squeaking or rubbing etc…I can actually go through muddy puddles without dreading the grinding rim sounds for at least 20 minutes!

bought the Klein in the end…

It maybe my incompetence in fitting the DMR 2. I have good things about the surly so let me know how you get on. You can email me if you like…wheelnut64@googlemail.com

ever run it as SS?

I live in Bluebell Hill Village in Kent…I will have a look 😉

I used to work at a paper mill owned by m-real in kent making quality paper and I would say 60 grammes per square metre is very thin!

We made 80 gsm to 90 gsm and even some 100 gsm …brands such as Viking, nice day, EP4, evolve business etc…

Is 60 gsm heavy enough to print on using a standard laser printer?

love that Voodoo…I have been quite frustrated on my SS so bought a geared Klien Attitude with hydraulic discs and front suspension…been out on it twice and want to convert it to SS and make it fully rigid!

Maybe I have the bug 😉

Maybe I should go the whole hog and get a hair shirt or something?

Well I bought it for £350 in the end. Just got back picking it up and it is lovely. It is that white/pearl colour.

I don’t think it is stolen as I picked it up at a large farm house. The guy seems genuine enough.

I am absolutely delighted with it!

apparently it has 100mm REBAs forks, hydraulic disc brakes, shimano XT, Chris king headset, quality wheel build with the frame 4 years old in the paerl/white colour for £300?

sounds good?

sorry should be

http://www.test-the-best.co.uk

I use the DMR 2 and it has been Ok but I got thrown from my bike on a downhill section. To this day I am not sure what happened but I suspect the chain jammed between the frame and wheel. The bike came to a sudden stop and I ended in a heap by it bleeding knees etc…

I have always used sprung tensioners but never quite been satisfied with their performance as they do skip or ‘slip’ every now and again.

Are the non spring ones better? and how do they work if you cannot use a spring to keep the tension?

Thanks Stu (pimpmyride)

I had heard they are cool bikes 🙂

I think this one is 4 years old (frame) and 2 year old components.

I hope to see it today or tomorrow 🙂

I would really love a pic…

regards

Andy

yossarian email me and we will hook up…wheelnut64@googlemail.com

I like the look of the Sanderson and the handjob.

I might view a Klein altitude at the weekend so any comments about them would be good 🙂

Thanks Yossarian…that would be cool…whereabouts in east Kent are you? I am in the medway towns (north kent).

material = alu, steel or ti
price range = £800 – £1200
ride most = kent singletrack and hills
travel reqd = 2 – 4″

any help?

Thanks Zaskar…wise words!

Gary I hear what you are saying but I suppose my SS was kind of a statement – made me different but I guess it is a little too in flexible for me.

I think I will ditch the road SS (2008 SE Lager) and the newer MTB SS (2007 16″ kona unit 29er)…dont suppose any one is interested?

And buy a geared FS MTB such as a Cotic soul or Cove Handjob.

And buy a geared road bike for sub £1000 such as Giant or boardman…any suggestions?

needs spds but it is sweet….the forks are P2?

jonathan how many do you have!

No I think four is enough…