Check out this beauty.

Points of interest (gadget (= nerd) mined riders only)

Release clamps allow vice to swivel on fixed base
Integrated pipe bending former (can be seen towards bottom both halves)
Pipe grip attachment (seen located just under jaws), and detachable if needed
Cast steel 'Guaranteed not to brake' body and slider
Rear mounted 'anvil' with hardened steel 'work' area, detachable for changing if needed
Jaws offset from centre to allow larger clamp area for larger upright object
Jaws open to 7 1/2"

38 years old. Used, but very well looked after. Sweet working action

Christ! That's it, now Mick's helmet will be too small – like the ewe said

You always get ****ts of jobsworths, and being a very important and powerful ranger is one group who don't escape the affliction. They sometimes need continued professional development lessons on where are and even what is a bridle path. Oh, they don't do CPD do they?

Pics?

I would agree it is VERY comfortable indeed – big wheels helping here of course.

The suspension in general has become more active once a few miles have been completed and I use a little less air and get more travel. I didn't get any clunk right from the off, never have.

I am in the UK, bought my frame only from the US.

Tapered HT looks huge and strong.

My brain has totally seamless action with the shock and is cluck/noise free.

The brain does NOT lock out the shock (as I imagined), as you still have suspension activity on moderate terrain even on full firm. This is very nice for hook up traction, esp climbing – a little travel but maintaining efficiency.

The thing which impresses me the most about the FSR suspension is the way it keeps on working in every situation. No brake jack, no ramping up, no wallow, just keeps on working and keeping your rear wheel on the trail.

I bought the 29er Expert a few weeks ago and am mightily impressed. The FSR rear suspension works a dream. Compared to the other multi-link systems of Giant's Maestro and Niner's CVA it is better. Both the others are too plush and 'trail un-connected'. Compared to a single pivot is light years ahead.

Here's my take on the 29er Stumpy so far

They are not 2.4 – God knows why stated sizes are so far off. Mine measure 56mm across the knobs – same as a RR both no where near 2.4"

I'm running it rear and it rolls very well. No where near as grippy as the Stout for front mud usage. Stout is king up front for mud, but for drier (spring summer) conditions the Ardent is very good – more grippy and of course stronger side wall than a RR, but not as fast

Mud traction is just OK and the side knobs don't hook up too well in off camber stuff when wet. Overall better than Rampage

OIC – wrong tyres..

Who's that you're following who keeps stalling, in the corners and small mud patches?

gravity-slave – Member

I didn't work directly on vices at the time they were resourced but the spec should not have changed, simply the place of manufacture.

It was a sad day when the disamatic foundry was loaded onto a wagon and driven out of Parkway Works!

Regarding materials, the lower priced Mechanics ones are plain grey iron but the engineers and fitters vices are SG iron (spheroidal graphite) which is ductile, shock resistant and virtually unbreakable.

Good info, thanks

trout – Member

Next one up from yours needs a bit of oil now .
the QR is great .
I cant imagine the abuse to break one like yours

is at well repaired

It has been arc welded and gobbed on a bit, both inside and out – not the most skilled job. And it is a bit tight closing on the winder, fine on the unwind.

I took a chance on it being £20, I'll see how long it lasts. For what I'll mostly be doing it should be OK

Anyway, now I know there's so many choices out there to choose a 'new' one from 8)

Wow! The Record designer! I can hardly believe this.

Are Record vices now made in China then, and I did hear say cast iron, instead of steel which breaks more easily, is this correct?

In fact, are the Chinese made Record's, or any Chinese vices (if you know) different in any way than the Sheffield/UK made ones?

Also, Record don't seem to make one with an anvil now…?

+1 any of the under fork steerer fitting ones which turn with the wheel

Keeps pretty all mud off your face AND you don't even have to wear glasses

mcmoonter – Member

Here's an oily alternative to Friday Kylie and the A&A thread. I give you MC's Vice Collection

http://picasaweb.google.com/mcmoonter/MCSVices#

Niiiice!

Is the 75 'bigger' phyically, with a wider spread than the 25 which looks the biggest blue, or has it got a deeper throat?

I like the idea of the flat rear area and small anvil

That's big Chris. Nice having the quick release though eh?

Oooh, that 25 swivel looks nice – is yours red too?

So much money aren't they?

How do find your Steel Enigma?

You're right – it is really a bit too big

Check this baby I just picked up, opens to 6 1/2" – it's been welded and repaired. The ebay seller didn't list this minor detail in his listing 👿

After driving 10 miles to his house, decided to take a chance with £20, thinking it's broken and repaired a bit like me…

I use a 50 for my XC riding – short stems always look RAD and cool at the trail head

I'm stunned at the responses 😆

I just have to get a big Record, or I just wont be complete

Here you go nige. Ignore the paint that the idiot has slapped all over it and it need picking up but its an awesome bit of kit. Last a life time.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Record-5-engineers-vice_W0QQitemZ260519700656QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Hand_Tools_Equipment?hash=item3ca82f28b0

Thanks for the search, but it's in Scotland!

Could pick it up and do Glentress at the same time

I like where you're coming from – what is that model you've pictured?

**** me – B&Q do them for £30!

How about this one

Brill – I was trying to visualise a general 'tools' suppliers in Lye area. I don't think they should be major money – £40 should do it I think

From what I've found of you go much bigger the jaw grip action tends to get sloppy

Hehehe, it's pretty hairy all along the rest of 3 bears – better IMO than camber

Ah, got all excited by Militant Graham's UTube vid of 3 bears descent – only to fine he bottles the best bit at the end 😥

Pics – must have pics

Duggie – a friend bought it from his lbs state side. Will it be as flexy as a Sultan I wonder?

Si – it's pretty much the replacement for the Lenz *cough* for sale. Banshee will be available May if that's any good for you (your name's on it at the mo)

Tazzy – My Paradox will be sensibly priced

Landed today

More money than the Banshee, and a 100mm fork

looks fast

I would say 1200 lumens is needed if running a LL bar mounted.

I say this as when using my iBlaast! lid mounted it just doesn't cut it with the Troutie on the bar at 2.2K lumens! In fact it looks positively weak next to it.

My Nightlightning iB is a 2nd gen with an output of I am guessing of ~750 (theoretical 900)

Will do & hopefully meet up soon – there's dust on them hills at the mo. Was out today on Racing Ralphs – uber fast

Looking at my Troutie LL, I'm tempted to just go for one of those on my lid too 😯 😛

Or is that just silly? – probably

Nigel

It's a POS when you get stung on a SS cog which cost $20.

The said item was unavailable here and cost price was expensive to begin with… go figure

It wasn't from Jenson btw

Very small items seem to pass through without charge I have found.

Items valued $43 max also pass through

FedEx are uber efficient and look at everything, but are also uber quick – 4 days from US posting to a FedEx driver calling at your door – truly incredible

to be stung on such a low value item is really a POS

I've never used a lid battery and haven't gone that far in to know weights.

The popular Ay-Ups seem to get the OK, and look OK from what I've seen of them – balancing the weight of the light. I don't know the weights of those batteries…

I suppose with the lumen output of the Troutlet, it's not a deal breaker having a back pack lead. TBH I would prefer duration over a lid battery. 50 mins does seem a little short

How long will your 3 cell last Smudge? (Mick told me on Thursday's Wyre ride you liked his Clent tour – my local riding)

Hmmm… wonder if Smudger could rustle up a suitable helmet battery – that would be the deal clincher..?

Thanks, what is the lumen (theoretical) output?

Is this the same as the 'Baby Trout' listed on your web site, or another light?

And, where does the battery locate – remotely or on the helmet?