I'm lovin' freemince. I totally OWN that style. 'pootle' to the power of 'steady'. dude.

:P

This is a good thread, and has made me hold fire on new forks.

I ride a 29er HT, just sold my 26er full squish as, frankly, I wasn't riding it at all. I was going to use the cash to upgrade the forks (and to pay for the brakes that I have just upgraded :oops:), currently on 120mm Manitou Minute 29ers, they are QR, and I am all het up that as a bat fastard I need to get bolt throughs, and perhaps improved travel as well.

Now, the brakes I can feel the difference in (bloody lovely Tech M4s!) but you have convinced me that until I actually have an issue with the forks, I shall wait.

Now, I wonder if the local apple store has any iPads….

:lol:

Kev

Alpin to the forum…. :D

Kyle Glass (Dude, where's my f**king schnitzel?!?!)

loving the nice transition from bruise to tat. Almost looks designed!

Kev

interesting, looks good, done.

Excellent, looking forward to the next update!

Kev

narrow-ish and one euro size smaller that normal shoes for me.

These are brilliant.

When I get in from the cycle commute home, normally go through to the bedroom and get changed whilst the kids leap about on the bed (2yo daughter and 5yo son) and generally get up to high jinx.

Recently getting changed and the girl stopped, pointed at my crotch as said "what's that daddy?". Well, in the interests of being factual I said "It's my willy. Daddy has a willy, just like your brother. Boys have them, girls don't".

She looked at me with a expression of great pity and said "hmm, yes, not a hamburger" 8O

not a clue where that came from! :lol:

Agree with Battlestar Gallactica recommendation.

I watched the first 2 series on telly, then it got a bit hard ot track down when they were going to be on so bought the last 2 series off of iTunes. Outstanding entertainment!

Kev

Pair of Hope Tech M4s with braided cables and fancy ass rotors (dinner plates at both ends. bat fastard that uses his brakes too much!). Wiggle had a good deal so made a bit of a rash desicion earlier this week. Oops! :oops:

Kev

Oh yeah, and a bunch of flowers from my colleagues as I am off after an op to my leg. And for same reason – raost chicken from one set of neighbours, and a chicken curry, with chilli paneer (my favourite) from another family fro the Punjab. Been a busy day! Wife and kids delighted with the food, not so much with the random bike parts that keep appearing. Also waiting on a Joplin and some new gear cables.

fontmoss – Member
yes and tractors are like reverse 69ers

PMSL, this thread is brilliant.

Have to say my Hollywood bike rack for the back of the car. It was bought in 1997 and has done a ridiculous amount of service with no problems (touch wood!).

Kev

For me it is 29er HT over 120mm FS 26er. The latter is about to be sold as I just do not use it anymore (prob fund a bolt thorugh fork).

If I'm going big, I can rent something, but the 29er is sooooo much fun I can't be arsed with the rear end squish any more. Just treated it to some Hope Tech M4s with braided hoses and fancy rotors (was a very good deal on wiggle).

Kev

:lol: :lol: :lol:

brilliant, on so many levels!

Thanks!

Hi Ric,

I have a netgear router, express and macbook and my experience is the same as willj's – it just did what it said on the tin. Now sitting on the sofa, supposed ot be working on my work laptop (damn this forum!) and choosing my tracks thorugh my iphone. Very cool. Makes me want apple TV now.

Kev

Felt good again this morning, liking them. However worth mentioning that when I got back in the wife asks – 'New shoes? How was the golf?'

everyone's a comediene. :lol:

I know chariot seems to be top dog, but we use a Croozer, the big one that seats 2. We have used or rented many others all of lesser quality, but are happy with the Croozer. Why did we like it?

Genuine ebay bargain – someone wanted to sell fast and was local, so we did the deal :D
Folds flat – and I mean flat. pop wheels off, remove tow arm, realase safety catch in frame, voila. no problems getting flat, sideways or longways, into boot of saab 9-5 estate or V70
Fast from flat to ready in 1 minute – push on the wheels, connect the tow bar, click the frame into place – voila.
Comfortable – kids love being in it, nicely angeld seats, good fly screen and waterproof cover
Sturdy – once clicked into place there is good solid protection for the kids all round
Reliable – no problems, ever, and it gets a lot of use. 4 years and counting, one kid really tooooo big for it now. lazy bugger.
Adaptable – wee castor front wheel is a good quick fix for town trips, but the big jogging wheel on extra arms is amazing.
Space – there is a lot of luggage room! this is also a downside as you can end up with 2 kids, plus all accoutrements, plus BBQ stuff, litres of juice/water/beer + a kids bike and scooter strapped to the top. Oof!
Connection – axle block slides over QR skewer, attach tow bar to that for strong connection + safety strap. dead easy. HAve spare mounting blocks for multiple bikes.

It is the easiest pram we have owned to push about for long distances, and if we are going somewhere that requires schelping some kit about (like a big park for the day, or the beach), it is awesome. Even if we are not going by bike we tend to take the trailer in the car as it gobbles

negs/wish list-
a bit heavy,
no suspension,
straps for kids are thin, would be better to have something a bit wider to increase comfort,
might be good not have accessories rattling about the trailer when going somewhere (e.g. jogger front wheel + arms or the alternative shopping trolley front wheel) and I think chariot has them permanently attached and you just swing it into use?
It has a strong spring between tow pole and where it connects to the bike, and this is a good thing, but ours is getting a little slack now, when you are trying to get up a hill you better be spinning those pedals, not stomping, as it start bouncing back and forth and if you get the frequency wrong…. kids love it, but makes things a bit trickier!
No bike-like brakes – it has 2 levers at each wheel to lock them, but when you are using it as a pram, and going down a steep hill, would be nice to have a brake lever on the 'handlebars' to control velocity somewhat. Definitely need to strap yourself to it in this scenario.
Tilting seats? when the wee one nods off (which she always does in it!), would be good if seats could be titled back somehow as she gets that terrible broken neck look, although does not seem to bother her any.

Wow, that was a lot of feedback! I think the chariot is the best in use, except, i think, for flat folding, so if we had to buy again, I would go for the Croozer again.

Hope this helps!

Kev

WTF is the dancing all about? MENTAL!

First ride report: nice! A lot less bulky so feel like I have more room on the pedals. and with cranks etc (5.10 impacts are very bulky).

Love the fact you have optional stiff inserts, which I used, and I really like the feel on the pedals.

they are also a fair bit narrower than 5.10 impacts, which in turn are of course rather wide. They are also do size smaller, I am normally a 46, 47 was just right, although still a little tight across the toe box but I guess that will ease.

Thought I would pitch in ASAP!

Just my AM40s as 5.10s, though good, were a bit too flexy and as others have stated they are terrible when wet and/or muddy. Take fookin ages to dry out meaning they now stink and are disintegrating. Lovely.

I find it a bit odd that MTB specific shoes would not have some way of containing the laces.

They were very comfy though, and provide ridiculous grip.

Will report on AM40s after a couple of rides.

Kev

For me, and of course many people's MMV, riding is only part of the equation. So yes, it would be great to know the idiosyncrasies of riding in Asia, some of the specific 'how to's' of someone were planning a trip.

I think your tactics on here ro are excellent, you inject challenge and edge, strong opinion, push people to not just accept the norms. In fact, if I was smarter I might even suspect you were a bit of ST 'plant' to keep the whole forum from going a bit 'what disc brake' or 'which trail centre' (which are also excellent and valuable topics, and ones to which I contribute also i might add!).

Anyhoo, on your article, more importantly, someone said it above: what is it about riding in SE Asia that really gets your juices? That is the only thing I want to read! And I would want to read that. If you can define that for yourself, then write your article to make sure that comes across.

Nice!

Kev

PS anyone want to read an article about underskilled overweight men riding hard tail 29ers in NW Switzerland?

OK, no slaters near Cambridge. However, if you happen to be passing Kuala Lumpur I can highly recommend Wardrobe tailors in the Taman Shamelin Perkasa shopping centre. The best suit I have ever owned, got me name stiched in it and everything, 2 pairs of trousers, still looks amazing 2 years on and all for the price of a good M&S suit. Lovely.

I appreciate that may not be terribly helpful. :D

Kev

Slaters are great, they have really knowledgeable staff IMHO, and i always enjoy shopping there.

Sounds like you might need a bit of guidance on what you want, and they are superb for that, as well as having tailors onsite (in all shops?) who can make any alterations for free to give you a great looking suit.

I have no connection to them, except satisfaction over many years.

Kev

think in all fairness to MrNutt, all devices fail at some point and when you have paid a premium it is all the more galling. Just for balance: 6 year old 17" G4, 5 year old 12" G4 powerbooks and 3 year old macbook for our household, 6 year old 14"iBook and 2 year old macbook air for my mum and dad have never skipped a beat, and still run. and run. and run. Sorry!

And yes, I am fanboy and deeply want an iPad. Played with one today, and oh my lord, it is quite a beautiful thing. You gotta play with one to really feel how amazing it is! bring it on!

Kev

lol!

Just on first look at the specs, the Giant looks like great value. Decent fork and great kit. The Specialized seems waaaaay overpriced.

Kev

look forward to responses, I am thinking about gettig a set of these, but can't decide between this and Hope tech M4s. They certainly look rather spiffing!

PJM1974 – Member
I trust the feedback from Singletrack more than I would WMB. The calibre of writing is excellent too.

errrr, depends what you mean by quality of the writing. My mate, patent lawyer, imediately picked up on grammatical errors when reading it in my loo. Bad use of their, there, they're etc. Now, he may be, accurately, described as a tight arsed pedant. :-) BUt, still, has a point.

However, I think the overwhelming aim of the mag, the feel of it tries to put across, is absolutely bang on. Still refer to the Man and Boy article by Ed a few months ago. Simply wonderful.

Kev

Hi gnarman, sorry to pitch in after sooo many comments, I guess that goes to show how serious and passionate people are about this. I'm not going to add to much, just a couple of questions:

1) Have you had the conversation in the past (before pregnancy) about what you wanted out of life and partnership? (sounds like you may have had that a bit)

2) If yes, what was the outcome of that? If no, suggest you try to have one now, without polluting with emotion of current situation (i understand this is somewhat difficult!).

I am talking here about life, not just next few years. Is the long term vision of grandkids/greatgrandkids playing in the house, screaming and playing and fighting? Or is it one of independence, security, freedom to choose one's life experiences unburdened by other necessities?

If the response is really that we want the complete fiscal and personal freedom of having no family, then that is cool. I have friends who have made that call, and as they made it together and it is both what they want they are confident, happy and delightful company who love our, and other peoples, kids.

If there is something in the future that is different to that, then you need to clarify and understand what the long term view of this is for both of you. Really understand what a misty eyed vision of the future is, both of you describe it. What will she be doing? What will you be doing? What will you be doing together?

Only by thinking about that end goal will you both reach a decision regarding the immediate situation that will ultimately benefit you both.

Whatever, you gotta keep talking man, and mostly talking with each other.

Kev

OK folks, cheers! Morzine is getting a thorough googling, but Jura is being unsurprisingly coy though trad search channels. Any insights Mugys_m8?

ta!

Kev

hang on a mo tho, cable brakes? Why no hydros?

very nice sir! How does it ride?

Kev

Anywhere else that anyone has experienced?

Appreciate any comments.

Kev

I am sure you are all waiting with baited (bated? Bayted?) breath for an update, but unfortunately the weather was **** awful at the weekend so Sunday ride was aborted. What a bunch of big jessies we are! :D

Will update as we go.

Kev

This use to plague me, absolutely horrific when out doing anything outside. Streaming red eyes and nose so I feel your pain.

My solution was a 3 drug combo and I start it in early April before hayfever kicks in. You might be a bit late, but if you start now you should be OK.

RIght, basically, it can ruin your summer so:

1) Get to doctor ASAP
2) get a combo of decent stuff, not over the counter tat. If you've really got it, you need something good! FWIW I'm on Xyzal, Rhinocort (steroid nose spray) and Opticrom eye drops. Bascially a combo of those three elements will see you good. It is however very personal what does or does not work.
3) Get in a regime of taking them, and NEVER miss a dose, ever, until the season is out.

It's awful, it can make life extremely uncomfortable, but by doing the above early, I am totally symptom free. Wonderful!!! The not missing a dose thing is critical. I suffered so badly my first year in CH, much more so than at home, and it also affects my 5 year old horrifically (must be the fragile scottish gene's!). Wife doesn't suffer from it at all, so doesn't really 'get it'. Last year would stop giving the remedy to the boy when the symptoms went away, so of course afer a couple of days…. WHAM! We ended up in casualty as his eyes were so swollen and weapy they could not be opened. Poor wee boy!

So, find a combo, and stick with it/don;t miss a dose. I believe none of these things (esp the really effective eye drops and nose sprays) are for symptom relief, but acutally build up your resistance, so it might take a couple of days then you will be sorted.

The newer stuff also should be side effect free.

Kev

wow, free is appealing. Hadn't thought about Tignes as a summer spot, I guess there would be plenty going on, Val not too far away either… Hmmm… good thoughts. However, looking for more of a lift assisted XC/trail riding than full on downhill battering. Will rpob rent bikes for a day of that, but our own kit is, sorry to say, hard tail clown bikes so into a bit more flow up, down and across rather than just DOOOWWWWNNNN!

Grantway, if there was a Butlins in the Alps, I would be in like Flynn!

Any more thought peeps?

Ta!

Kev

Rochey, all the best for tomorrow. Have a good chat with the family, and as everyone has said, focus on the great stuff.

Jesus, reading all this, then listening to flashheart's link has me sitting here with bloody watery eyes and a lump in my throat. phew, emotional thread.

all our love
Kev and family.

well if you liked that, this seems like a good deal also:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BI290P03-Bianchi+Sok+29Er+Bike+09.aspx

DickBarton – Member
Get rid of kid then plenty of room for 2 bikes and trailer…if kid objects get rid of wife!

:lol:

I would not be massively concerned, just as long as it is not done all the time and over nothing t extreme, it'll no doubt be great.

I thought my full sus 26er could do everything, but it turns out I really did need a hardcore 29er hardtail just to tow the kids. Whoda thunk? :wink:

Kev