5 11 with a 54cm Cross Check. Fits great with a 90mm stem. Would probably be ok with a 56 but don’t think it would be as flickable if that makes any sense?

Had only really ridden steel bikes till building an ATR Tripster up. First ride on it at the weekend and me feel like it could do so much more if I was a better rider, stunning.

Had a little test ride on the Ti Equilibrium at the LBS a while ago and it felt a lot stiffer than the Kinesis or any of the steel bikes I ride.

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Mud One[/url] by Birdage[/url], on Flickr

Hi, I’m running 32:18 on a Swift which is fine most of the time round Lewes part of the South Downs. Only time it’s not great is on road at the end of a loop or something when mates on geared bikes have the advantage. Off-road though it’s more of an advantage and I spend less time cleaning the bike and shelling out for worn drive train bits. Thinking of trying 1×9 for the summer though just to compare.

I’ve been after one of those Jandd frame packs for a while but the US customs bit put me off. Seem to remember there was a Swedish online bike shop that stocked them?

Was going to sell my Cross Check but then thought I’d wait till the Straggler forks become available.

Did most of that French Coast route to Bordeaux a couple of years ago but taking that seat-of-the-pants bridge at St Nazaire. Really nice once I got to the beaches past Rochefort. Took 6 days and then belittled by the 1 day train journey home.

Aiming for 3 or 4 day tours this years combining train and fold-up.

Durano Plus for me too, they seem to have been on my bike forever and I only remember one puncture. Also reassurng grip whatever the conditions. Looking to try the 28mms though, too many craters in the road for 23s!

What’s it like lifting one over a stile? Do you need pulleys?

Got some Landcruisers on TN719s. Easy to get on, great grip off road and not bad speed on road. No punctures yet and cheap!!

They are a tad heavy and felt weird at first till they bedded in (or I got used to them)but I’ve tried lots of tyres on tracks round the South Downs and for the riding I do these are by far the best I’ve used.

Just got back from a spin Lewes to Eastbourne direction. Yes muddy but a lot of fun. Worse thing is riding into the headwind! Found Hans Damph on the front and Bonty Mud x on the back pretty good for most things. There’s no one tyre. As long as you avoid the green chalk it’s ok.

Also had good experiences with them recently and packaging isn’t over the top unlike certain others. And no I don’t like Haribo. I’m not 5.

It’s not everyones cup of tea but I’ve had an Airnimal Joey for a few years and will never get rid of it. It’s been on fully-loaded tours and daily commutes.Yes it doesn’t fold as small as a Brompton but that is the only negative. Slightly slower fold is more than compensated by the riding experience as you overtake that Brommie commuter who got off the platform before you.

Goes off-road too with exotic carbon forks and plenty of tyre clearance.

Just seen a lovely Ogre built up that looks bullet proof and is set to go round the World. Didn’t attempt to pick it up though.

PS With the extra 10% off was a good deal at Merlin!

Yah! Arrived.

Going to be transferring most of the runnning gear from my Peregrine and use that as a 9-speed bog monster. Will be 1 x 10, with a 11-36 cassette. Brakes will be BB7s mainly cause that’s what I already have and also I’m kind of used to their little quirks now. Jagwire cables seem to make a positive difference to their performance in my experience.

Tomorrow can’t come fast enough! :-)

I used them a few months ago and had the same feelings given there was very little online experience from UK buyers. Got some parts I couldn’t find too easily here for my Airnimal at a good price.

Took a while to arrive. About 3 weeks. Was just about to phone them when I got a tracking email to say parts were leaving UK courier and they were here about 5 minutes after that!

Personally if I wasn’t worried about the wait I’d use them again.
I had kept checking my account details on their website and there was no action till the day the parts arrived. I wouldn’t worry yet.

Think they’re BB7s. Reconsider?

I use an old XT 9 speed rapid rise rear mech with a stainless steel surly ring for my 10 speed set-up. Also got an N-gear stop. Mostly trail riding and the chain has only ever come off on the road!

Went from midges to salsa bell laps and a big improvement for me. Haven’t found too much difference on the downhills but for twisty tree stuff and loaded tours found the bell laps much more capable. Always got sore shoulders after extended road rides with the midges. Never tried the Woodchippers but they look kind of similar. Those Tripsters just look nicer every time!

Can’t imagine many other bike companies being so proactive in communication and debate with their customers. I’m sure the new models will be well worth the slightly longer wait!

Caterham died when they knocked the Valley Hotel down but that’s going back a bit!

Glad you asked this. Only thing that puts me off getting one, oh and having no spare money. It really is a fantastic looking bike and my mate likes the steel version. Been running 29×2.0 upfront on a Singular Peregrine and it’s a lot of fun on Downs and road. If only there was a titanium version…….. Only slight issues and more of a problem in Winter is mud clearance and increased toe overlap.

What was the question again?

Never had a problem with Duranos. Except the price

Smart Sams seem to be a good compromise for me between road and track and come in larger than 35mm size. Only recently got a few punctures so tempted to try Land Cruisers to see how they hold up in the thorny, wet stuff.

Totally agree with Brakes on this. I don’t really care if other cyclists want to take suicidal risks but their actions reinforce some car drivers prejudices and consequently puts me more at risk on the road.

Went from 3×9 to 1×10 on my cross, 40/11-36. Fantastic for South Downs. Kept the same rear mech, use a Surly chain ring and have never had a problem with the chain dropping. Will never use a front mech ever again and that includes for touring.

Well I’m hoping it’s the jockey wheels that were causing my chain to skip cause the chain cassette ad chain wheel were new and the jockey wheels were worn with one tooth snapped. Waiting for the new ones to turn up.

I think if I saw that I would have a go at throwing him in the tree, probably wouldn’t get very far but I’d give it a good go.

Never had a problem before (in 2years) and wanted the option to run tubeless at some point if I ever found the right tyre.

Plus I said please don’t mention tubeless but thanks anyway.

Thanks for the advice. Punctures have been in the same half of the tube but not in the same place with two different tyres. I did think that it might be because the rim tape scrunched up a bit in one place?

I might try the stans tape, the notion of being able to get a tyre on these rims without a lever is appealing. I’ve always started opposite valve etc but have never got away without using a lever, almost with Maxxis tyres!

My MTN BB7s seem much easier to set up and forget than the Road versions. Saying that the compressionless brake housing I got on the MTN versions seem to make a positive difference in performance.

I’ve been a Climate Change Officer for 10 years and if there’s one thing I’ve learnt it’s that Jeremy Clarkeson is a tosser.

There’s peer-reviewed consensus by a large body of scientific experts working over a long period of time and then there’s subjective opinion and vested interests.

The fact that the insurance industry gets it should be enough.

Friston – Alfriston – Firle(coachroad) -Lewes(Blackcap)-SDW (Southease-Friston). Lots of loops around these areas or you could take in Friston and Stanmer and come back along the coast,or train part of the way to Seaford if you’re at Friston?

No problems with the EBB but I am trying to eliminate the ‘over’ toe overlap and I can’t rotate the EBB all the way back because the drive side crank then hits the chain stay. I don’t know if it’s cause I made a wrong choice of cranks (1×10 105 Cross) and I’d be better off with square taper so that I could push it out slightly? Only thing that ruins an otherwise excellent Peregrine experience for me.

Another vote for the mini resource, always use it and seems to work well if not so good on road BB7s.

Intrigued by just loosening the bolts and holding the brake though. How are the pads dialled out?

Yesterday coming back from Brighton to Lewes on A27 kept pace with a cyclist in front who was going a good speed. Didn’t get too close and didn’t have an 11th gear to overtake. Caught him going uphill and he waved me on which I thought was pretty cool and said so.

When I got into Lewes and traffic there was a bike cop who I cycled past and before stopping at a red light. The earlier cyclist then sails by me and through the red light. I turn back to look at the cop and shrug. Catch up with the cyclist and overtake and at the next traffic stop he swoops past me again and this time onto the pavement. Turn back to look at the cop and smile, and he takes off and collars the guy. I know this shouldn’t give me any satisfaction but when you ignore all the rules other road users follow you increase my chances of being taken out by some driver that sees you and thinks all cyclists are scum.

Don’t need them. Ride my bike everyday in all weathers. Reflexes and sense are part of road braking. Off road disks are great for avoiding trees and small rabbits.

Yes. Think I nodded off a few times on my ride. There are some nice stops though.