I really enjoyed it. Chatted to lots of nice people, saw some cool kit, got some freebies and met Alberto Contador and got his autograph.

Also watched the new Cotic Soda being built up.

A pretty good day out all in all.

"Unfortunately they were extremely drunk, and you know it cannot have been a good night when you get into a fight with Spiderman and two cross-dressing men,"

I'd loved to have been in court for that one!

There are loads on here I have had the cheapest one for 2 years and it's great!

Just a quick note. Yes, the HCX is very good, mine never loses reception even in dense trees and in steep valleys.

I'm probably alone, but I quite like the TOPO maps. Sure they don't have all the paths and bridleways, but then OS maps don't have all the paths either. They do have contours, all roads, and thousands of POI. I have the talkytoaster maps, and they are OK if you live in a popular area where someone has put the information in. My in-laws-in-sin live in Banchory, and on talkytoaster half the town doesn't even exist!

Spesh Epic automatically locks out the rear when you don't need rear suspension. Light, forgiving and superb backup from Spesh UK as well if you ever need it.

Just to say I have the 18-55IS lens and the 17-85IS. I have also had the 18-55 non IS lens as well. Far and away my favourite is the 18-55IS on my 500D. Really nice crisp images and it is very light (about half the weight of the 17-85) which is great for walking and biking. Highly recommended.

I recently repeatedly phoned them to try and order a very expensive (>£4000) bike. The phone was either engaged or there was no answer for three days. So I sent them an email asking about it. Four weeks on and still no reply. I have ordered the bike elsewhere…

Pathetic.

Well I laughed.

:-)

Another vote for convertape.

I was in a service station once where virtually everything on the menu came with "your very own jug of gravy", or "your very own bowl of chips". Things even came on "your very own platter". In the end I had to call the police.

Get a hexy burner and a mess tin from army surplus. Light, bombproof, totally reliable as there is nothing to go wrong, packs easily, you know exactly how much fuel you have and can burn twigs if you need to.

Only downside is it takes a bit longer to boil your water, but when you are in your campsite for the evening does 10 mins really matter?

I'm not sure there are any in the UK yet?

But it's probably pretty good and the backup from Spesh UK is first class.

I've happily run a 1" tyre on a 717 in the past if that helps?

Err it does depend on what you weigh as well. I'm 10st soaking wet and run happily at 25psi. My mate is 20st and if he runs that low he pinch flats before he gets out of the car park.

I have one of these:

http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/lenses/telezoom/70-300mmAPO.htm

and it is pretty good. Sigma do a cheaper one (the non APO version) but that has poor image quality. With the 1.6 crop factor it is equivalent to a 480mm on film, so pretty adequate I would have thought.

Love mine. Really struggle with anything else now – in fact even riding my VFR I try and change gear with the clutch and brake levers! That's how intuitive they are.

My oldest XL2 is 4 years old now and still smooth despite not being touched. For £20 it's gotta be worth a punt anyway.

Would anyone buy a new bike with XX at the moment? When you wear out the cassette, the only thing that you can buy is another XX at £560!!!! At least if I buy an XTR bike then when I wear out bits I can replace with XT or SLX if I'm broke and keep riding the bike.

Fill it with chemical metal and it'll be stronger than it was before. Seriously.

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/23269/Sealants-Adhesives/Adhesives/Resin-Adhesives/Plastic-Padding-Chemical-Metal-Tube

I've stayed here: http://www.moatfarm-cp.co.uk/1115.html a few times. It's nice and friendly and quiet.

I have a 30D for sale. I'm after £350 and that includes spare battery and memory card. Get a 18-55 IS lens for £100, a tripod for £50 and you are there!

http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-ot-canon-30d

I have had it a few times and can say without question that it has worked. My GF also swears by it. Also recommended it to various people at work with an approximate 70% success rate.

Put it this way, it might work, it doesn’t hurt and will not cause damage unlike badly practised Osteopathy/Chiropracty.

I really like the Michelin AC. Works great in mud, never punctured. However, I’m selling my 69er stuff so if you want to buy one very cheap to try it, let me know. (Still has the furry rubber bits from the moulding on it). Also got a couple of Bonty 69er inner tubes as well.

I’m selling a 19″ Wanga if anyone is interested?

I’ve just had the seals replaced on my car. Including a re-gas it cost £70. Well worth it when driving yesterday when it was 29′ outside!

Yes, change at 0.75% worn and the new chain will work fine. I reckon on 3 chains to 1 cassette.

Assuming you are running more than 1 chainring then definitely ramped. Middleburn hardcoat slickshift are great.

I’m with you Mrsflash. Mental health problems here and when my friends stop laughing at me then I know I’m in real trouble. Spent a few weeks last winter walking round the streets shouting “go’way” at everyone I saw. Knew I was doing it, couldn’t stop. Now in my mostly recovered state, I can’t stop laughing thinking about it…

LOL! Not a dremmell, an angle grinder!

Still going strong a thousand or so miles later including several large (by my standard) jumps and drops.

I use an unramped chainring (36t) and the chain did drop off occasionally. With the DMR chainguide thing it’s been perfect.

They’re in stock at CRC…

:-)

The short cage shadow is nearly as long as the long cage non-shadow if that makes any sense. I use the short cage with a 3 ring and 11-32 setup and it’s fine.

Shimano XTR everytime

Specialized All Condition Armadillo tyres. God knows how many thousand miles never punctured and have even used on the cross bike for summer use.

Great kit, even though as you probably remember I don’t usually like stuff from Spesh… :-)

Flat rides around the Weald work for me, any day, any time except when at the nutter hospital :-/

Be great to catch up though. Cool!

Dude! Welcome back!

I’m still in a pretty dark place on and off, but get out on the bike every so often. Are Jody and the girls OK?

Mail me matey, I’ve mised you!

Bos

Ordered the (wrong!) part on Monday, delivered and returned on Tuesday. Just received an email saying the return has been received and the money is back on my credit card. Perfect!

This will work:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=13736

Your fork is IS mount, your brakes are IS mount.

It is 3mm and about 250mm long.

I might be persuaded to sell mine if you make it worth my while!

My first orbit is 4 years old and I haven’t touched it. I know have 4 of them and they have all been trouble free. £20 on ebay and you really can’t lose.