great vid Dan. Hope things are well. We’re expecting no. 1 in January.

sunline v1 bars are excellent – would buy them every time now. Stems are stems; as long as they’re pretty stiff and the right length, it’s just what you think looks best.

For a world tour we did a few years back we used cheap old Kona smokes. They were absolutely great for lugging heavy loads over rough ground. The frames can be had for £100 on CRC at the moment too. They’re a heavy load of pipe, but very well suited to the job. I also used mine as a commuter and an mtb for a while, so versatile enough.

I bought a pair of M596 levers and connected them up to an old pair of LX calipers. the feel is very good with excellent power. It’s still quite early, but I think I prefer them to my SLX brakes.

The latest shimano discs have seen a price drop, so I guess that’s why the newer levers are cheaper. Based on my experiences, I’d say go with the M596, although the M505s will be easier to bleed in the traditional way.

2.4in Advantages

Orange crush always gets great reviews.

A great damp ride over garburn yesterday afternoon, followed by a b’egg roll and a slice of cake at wilf’s. Happy days.

Cheers folks. Not sure that has helped at all; although why I expected it to I don’t know ;-). I have always fancied a Bfe because they look so nice. I can build it up as the burlyish trail bike and bung some rigid forks and skinny tyres on the sirius for nipping around and commuting on. Sounds like a plan.

Did I pick a bad time or a boring topic?

I would say Sektors, but you can often find Revs for cheaper these days (although generally 15mm maxle rather than 20mm).

Tubus are really strong. Hd a couple of crashes whilst touring in Africa a few years back. A couple of slightly bent tubes on the front racks from pretty big impacts, but rack still perfectly useable. Excellent bits of kit.

They are an older model, but they build into a wheel that’s apparently stiffer than crests and lighter than flows. I can’t say I’ve noticed my Crests being flexy at all, though.

pipedream sirius would fit the bill.

We (Ride Sheffield) have already held a various meetings with the council to try and prevent any further work being done to the track.

On the one hand we agree with Podge that it’s not overly interesting and sacrificeable; however, it’s popular with 4x4s and MXers because it presents a challenge. If that challenge is removed, they’ll go elsewhere and damage other trails, which in turn may get sanitised as a result of their over use.

Anyway, our more reasonable forms of communication and discussion with the rights of way team have been fruitless as they seem disinclined to listen to anything that might change their plans. We have set up the following petition that hopefully lots of you will sign:

http://www.petitiononline.co.uk/petition/prevention-of-planned-surfacing-work-on-houndkirk-jumble-rd-byways/3751

We have also sent a FOI request to see if we can find out how much of our money the council are spending on these, and other, unwanted works. We’ll keep you posted.

Maxxis Advantage in 2.25 or 2.4 variety seem to be the tyre of choice for pretty much my whole riding group.

Rangerbill, unfortunately, as MTBers have no real rights apart from access onto certain trails (land owners have no obligation to make surfaces suitable fro cyclists) a single opposing view from a single horse rider or rambler has more sway than 20 mtbers. This is the response we’re getting in Sheffield anyway. Complaining in advance seems to do little to support our cause.

How do the KS knee pads size up?

Had 800mm, but they haven’t actually made it out with out being cut to 750mm.

I thought BBG might be the ones for you, but they only go up t0 44T in 104bcd. Can’t think of anywhere else that does anything that big.

Superstar do the XCR single ring chain keeper which says only up to 42T, but I assume you can mount it anywhere on the seat tube, and as it’s not a full cage it doesn’t matter how big the ring, or what the chain line is doing underneath. Might be worth a try.

Looks like it’s back to Virgin for their verdict then.

Maxxis Advantage 2.4″s are going at Merlin for £45 a pair with free freeride tubes, if you sign up for VIP discount (free). I’m a big fan of the tread pattern and you’ll see a pair (2.25″) on most of my riding group’s bikes. I bought the 2.4s to make a rigid bike more comfortable and they really are huge.

On price, it does depend on what you’re looking for. PC manufacturers can’t even manufacture Macbook air style laptops for what Apple retails them for, and I wanted a really decent screen for cad and graphics work and the iMac was the cheapest option out there by far (with education discount).

I have found the iMac to be more problem free than most PCs have in the past, but having worked in offices with them both I’ve seen my fair share of issues with both so I’m not particularly sold on that argument.

If initial cost isn’t too big an issue, then Macbook pros are great bits of kit and will happily sell for the difference in price over a similarly specced PC after a few years when you’d expect to replace the PC anyway.

As for software, some you need Mac versions, some will swap over with no hassle (eg Vectorwoks CAD software is totally cross platform). Office for Mac is cheap with the education discount, I got it from software4students for £32. I don’t get any cross compatibility issues with PC files and still use both PC and Mac. Just saving up for Adobe CS, which is the only big cost I’ve had from switching platforms.

I’m very happy with my S95 and spent a very long time researching it prior to choosing. It has a great amount of control for a compact, but takes excellent point and shoot shots as well.

helps if your photos are in focus as well – use your macro mode (nudges OP).

60a maxxpro

Mine came through the post today, not exo, but a bargain all the same.

You must get some real love from your LBS Trekster – the tyres retail at around £40 each. Getting another one and two £9 tubes for an extra £5 is a bit more than any LBS I know can offer.

Do you think, at the claimed RRP, they’re the exo versions?

Too fruity and sweet for me, these days. Enjoy, though.

Simon, you’re just a wuss. In the peak, I prefer a FS too, but I have almost as much fun on a HT. You’ve just ridden FS too much so you’re soft. Ah well, you’ll have a Nomad again before you know it.

planet x pro carbon flat bar bike

Danny79, you from Zambia then?

Sheffield Moor Street Sub Station:

Say hello to Midhat in Sudan – I imagine he’ll be guiding you through. We toured a chunk of the route a few years ago at a more sedate pace. I’m rather envious.

Oh yeah, and it apparently didn’t really rain in Sheffield. At least the warm dry weather here has allowed all the wet muddy kit to get washed and dried easy enough.

Yep, fantastic weekend – probably the best stweekender so far – seemed to recapture more of the fun and relaxed nature of the first one without getting rid of the better courses, bigger sponsor and bigger numbers. Great effort.

I do agree a bit about the XC – I was proper fuming as I started my 3rd lap (after a nice 5 min confusing chat at the finish), but was actually buzzing when I came back in so was almost all forgotten. I only lost a handful of places, so it didn’t worry me on the “race” front.

I run mine with 2.25 advantages with no issues and they give the tyres just as good a shape as the DT 5.1s before them.

Shame we can’t make it yet again. I last went three years ago and I’m sure it’s been getting better still. You OK Mr Hart?

Merlin Malt or Rock Lobster?

since 2003ish, but I lurk more than I post these days.

I took a few too:

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click pic for more.