Thanks, I found a link describing the route – promising. The ‘long boggy stretches’ doesn’t sound too appealing unless there is a hard frost

Anyone been today, worth a trip tomorrow or too much snow?

Ta

ir12daveor – the Grisha trailride looks interesting. The website is only in German (thank goodness for babel fish). Do you return to the same spot each day and is it easy to enter/book accomodation?

Thanks for that

I was going to go on Sunday but woke up to all that snow, didn’t fancy the road across never mind the trails!

Hopefully make it across this weekend as it has been too long.

I have the non-carbon version. The sizing appears accurate and adjustable for width. They hold my heel much better than my specialized shoes. The insole is crap – I swapped in for an old spesh one and am very happy with them.

Bought a couple from them – no problems. Even replaced a chain under warranty when I knackered it with poor shifting technique.

I would second the above. Craig was very helpful in supplying parts quickly – virtually by return of post after emailing him.

Rob I think you are wrong. As Agentdagnamit says you lose air when you attach the pump. As the -ve chamber is much smaller the pressure will appear much less when you re-attach the pump to measure it as the air will travel back up the hose to the guage. You would need a mechanism with no air loss to accurately measure the pressure.

Rented one recently when my daughter forgot hers. I think it was a fiver.

What's the bike? I had an annoying creak and went through all the above with no joy. Eventually a pivot bolt on the suspension snapped going over a small drop. Replaced the pivot bolt and now not a sound – bliss!

My favourites are either Highland Park or Laphroaig(best drunk outdoors to get the full flavour).
Dalwinnie is not far behind.

I was walking up there yesterday. The best bit to come down would be the last third, higher up would be fairly dull apart from being loose in places. I would have thought the bottom third would be fairly tough to cycle up. Has anyone tried going up the track that comes in from the left once you have done the first climb. I think there is a biggish cairn nearby.

The sizing is about right. They are good if you are planning a bit of Hike-a-Bike. Only downside is on longer rides I find a hot spot developes around the cleat area.

Will issue 21 ever appear in the archive?

Ta

Is the top one not the Durance? I have built up a ML7/5 recently and so far have been very pleased. It is significantly lighter than the meta 5 it replaced and climbs so much better. I swapped as the meta was a little cramped( I am 6ft 2' and both were large frames) and have no regrets.

Good on the rear but dangerous up front. Work best when pumped up to a reasonable pressure.

Thanks Mark, book and maps sitting on my desk as I type. I have got a reasonable idea of the route but was wondering if there were any hidden gems that are missed by simply following the TMB walking route.

I have a set of Bontrager Race bars if you are interested.

I used the sworks 2.2 Captain until the sidewall ripped on a rock that had never bothered me before. I have to say up until then I was very pleased with them, good grip and rolled well. May look at the control version as I think it is stronger and only slightly heavier.

It was the JE James ones I was looking at but I am not sure what the back up would be like.

Thanks for that – looks like it is a large then, decent price with Tredz at the mo.

Thanks Slider – I think I'll give the headshok the benefit of the doubt. Where did you get yours serviced?

Thanks

Spoke to Phillips earlier in the week and they passed me on to SaecoGaggiaService.
http://www.saecogaggiaservice.co.uk/
Contacted them and they were very helpful with a spare part but they also will do the servicing and repairs for Gaggia.

13.5 stone and 150 psi – never blown through the travel. I think your shock is knackered. I’d give Mojo or TF a call.

I have been using a 2007 for the last 2 years. It climbs ok but is fantastic for anything else. Mine came with a propedal float r and I have never felt the need for a fancier shock. Bike weighs 31lbs with nothing fancy. Raced it last couple of years in No-Fuss series and did OK. Steve B at Real Cycles was selling a couple of frames cheap with warranty. I am 6′ 2″ and use a large.

I have a set of 819/pro2 and shimano XT. They are both straightforward UST rims with no need for any rimstrips which I like. I have managed to seat schwalbe/continental/specialized and bontrager tubeless tyres without gallons of fairy liquid or a compressor. I have had my first puncture in 18 months which was probably due to riding at a stupidly low pressure. THe XT wheels are probably lighter but the Hopes look better.
You pays your money and takes your choice.

The bike bookmarked is more akin to the racer x without the carbon stays and a cheaper shock. The racer X is a great 100mm travel frame which can be built as light and fast as you want/can afford. Fat Tread bikes had some small 2007 frames at almost half price.

The first lot may have been partly my fault. The second ones peeled on the stretchy material at the back. I wash them occasionally and have never bothered to treat them as up until they peeled they worked perfectly. Both replaced without a quibble. As I know the fit for the Gore shorts I think I will simply try them again, third time lucky!

Thanks for the replies decided to go for the 2.25 size. Hope they last as well as my Nobby Nics.

Higgo, I am interested in any of the info you have but can’t see your address.

Two separate groups went with them to Malaga from Edinburgh last year. I was the only mug who had stripped and packed my bike to make the weight limit. None were weighed and no problems.

I would be sure that you take your confirmation that you have paid for your bikes as you are more likely to need to show it on the return leg.

Thanks, we have been in contact with mbmb but their dates won’t suit and one of us (who is a keen climber) wants to use the mountain huts and travel light. I agree about the weather, being high and around the mountains it will be unpredictable – a bit like the Scotland on steroids.
We still might go back to mbmb and use some support but very interested in hearing from anyone who has done it.

I like Singletrack because it is different. MBR and WMB are stuffed full of bike/kit tests and to be honest a lot of it is guff. At least with the Grinder you feel someone has tried the kit out. I may be one my own but I like the balance of reviews and writing/musing about riding bikes anywhere in the world. I loved the article on the race in Nepal 😛