Starts in 5 minutes

ESI Chunky on my rigid MTB. They are tricky to get on, but plenty of hairspray did the job and have never rotated. They’re super comfy and reduce hand numbness. Only downside is they can cut/tear easily near the end plugs.

Using wtb resolute 700c on both front and rear. I like the profile and suitable for most conditions

Great line!

We also fitted some small Louvre vents at a later stage, to improve ventilation and heat build up during the summer

Will tune in to film4, been looking forward to watching this for a while! I watched ‘sightseers’ last night (I think it has one day left on channel 4 player), Directed by Ben Wheatley (a field in England). I think it would appeal to some, but not all STW readers. Although its bleak, quite disturbing and has over the top violence, there are many hilariously funny and recognisable parts to the story. Thought it was excellent.

Had a good experience with them, good customer service, particularly with technical questions. The roof options caused a bit of head scratching, but went for a rubber finish. Spec was 5×4 metre with pent roof. Build took 2 people, 2 days on a pre made concrete slab. For the Interior floor i put down dpc, joists with celo text foam blocks in between, osb boards, then vinyl roll on top to finish. Roof has tongue and groove on top of roof joists, celo tex, osb then rubber sheet on top with black facias and guttering.It’s nice and dry all year round. We do heat the space with a small radiator in we’re using it during the winter and use a dehumidifier on occasions to keep the humidity/condensation down. Fitting a hydro meter is really useful for this. Painting the cabin took several days extra! We used a sadolin exterior wood paint. It’s a solid build with good quality windows and fittings, and better value for money than some of the other cabins we looked at. Watching it being delivered on a busy road with a sideways forklift was quite something!

DeFeet Woolie Boolie socks are great

Thanks for the replies, all good mudguard info! Great forum!

Thanks for the replies. The QR stay twisted and nearly broke, with the stone bending the plastic guard. Bit frustrated with all the rattling and stopping to adjust on the trail. Will look at using rubber washers to firm everything up for now. What I like about MTB guards is you can fit and forget them, although they may not look ‘right’ on a drop bar bike and don’t give the protection of full guards. I think mudhugger have nearly got it right. Time to experiment!

Cheers S1m0n, yes, the sks speedrocker looks a good option too, will get the tape measure out!

Thanks for the recommendations, useful info. I’ll look into these and come up with a solution. Also taking on board rule #7 😁

Sorry, will look at the tangle as well. Many thanks

Thanks, is that the Glider bag? Looks like it should fit everything and leaves space in the frame for bottles

Thanks, is that the Glider bag? Looks like it should do a good job and leaves space for bottles

How about a Genesis CDF flat bar?

<span style=”font-size: 0.8rem;”>You could perhaps add some bits from the Vale of Glamorgan, although these bits may not fall into the 5 mile rule.</span>

Many thanks for compiling this, really useful guide.

OK, will check that out. Many thanks!

1984
Catcher in the Rye

Brings back great memories of watching my two learning on a balance bike. The joy when they finally start pedalling is amazing! Great effort!

Thing is, MTB’s have been getting bigger and slacker and longer and lower and heavier. If an MTB today was the same as an MTB of 10 or 15 years ago, gravel bikes wouldn’t exist.

Really good point. I think a lot of modern trail bikes are overspecced for riding out of the front door. Currently my steel, rigid 29er seems too much bike for the local routes. Looking forward to investing in a gravel bike later in the year for this purpose and using the 29er for when it gets wet and muddy again. Enjoy your 1 ride a day folks.

Try a company called Tuin. It may be not the best time to look at buying one as they are imported direct. But great quality and well designed. We’ve also used tiger sheds for smaller builds which are good value

I’m a person of routine and although I’m out of my comfort zone, making a tick off list and giving the day a structure really helps. Keep to the working hours you usually do, give yourself a reward now and then, and leave distractions to the weekend. Difficult, but better for your mind.

Aereogramme
Battles
Clutch
Dinosaur Jr
Eels
Fugazi
Garbage
Helmet
Icarus Line
Jarcrew
Killing Joke
Lift to Experience
Mclusky
New Order
Oxbow
Pearl Jam
Queen Adreena
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Shellac
Tool
Unkle
Voy
Walkmen
X
Yo La Tengo
Zombi

Bag it, please don’t burn it.

Have a look at the Orbea MX range. Bought one with 24inch wheels from LBS for my son who’s 8. Impressed with the quality of components and has rigid fork that lightens the weight and price point. He enjoys riding it!

Bought some from LBS last week and in future will buy them from LBS. Got to support our local shops in these times

Was tempted to get one a while back and regret it. The new giant revolt alu seems to be the new UK replacement, a sportier version, although the flat bar tough road is still available from new.
Giant are really good value imo

Aveeno works really well

Tried lots of thing to fend them off, clear plastic bottles half filled with water, toy snakes and pepper, but no luck. As I’m in South Wales the pepper is washed away within a day

Recently installed two solar USB cat alarms on either side of the garden where they come in and slowly seems to be working. The cats sit on the fence now and seem agitated by the white noise. Still collecting the odd deposit, perhaps from the deaf cats. I use an empty bread loaf bag like a glove, grab, turn inside out and tie up. I add the task to my Tuesday night bin routine!

Back on the bus again with a digital sub. Bought a back copy from the shop too. All the best guys in this ever changing situation. Matt

In 1998 Robbie Williams released the single ‘let me entertain you’…
Ok Robbie, in your own time!

Many thanks for your thoughts on the various editions of the Roadrat. I thought it would have mixed opinions, particularly the multi-purpose rear dropouts. I like the look of the escapade too, but think the Roadrat would suit my favoured riding position and be far more stable with flatbars when the bridlepaths get slippery. The brake setup on the Roadrat seems less expensive, with a more mtb
approach to the drivetrain. Looks far better than many aluminium framesets for the the same money, liking the turquoise paint scheme too!

Thanks for your reply. Just checked recent review on road.cc, said it comes with 35mm tyres, they tested it with 40mm, with room to spare

I think 40mm would be about right for me

Bump! Any thoughts this evening?

I’ve been very impressed with my Alpkit Tau, slimline design, 14 quid and free delivery

Hi there, drnosh. Levarg posted the link for the gravel bike database. Perhaps send them a message, I’m sure your Tripster feedback will be welcome. Great bike the tripster! Dear Santa…

Perhaps a revamp of the Scandal and Inbred 29ers to begin with? Both great frames that could be brought back up to date with a few tweaks. On-One retired these popular models and didn’t replace them. Each year Cotic seem to be making slight adjustments to models that have a history and pedigree. The On-One pick and mix approach to frames and parts had an appeal to me a few years ago. It was great to experiment with bargain bits, but I think they now need a consistent mountain bike fleet to move forward.

Thanks for the feedback and photo glad to see the version 1’s are riding well and showing their versatility! I need a go-to bike that can be adapted during the season, the older colour schemes work well, just a bit unsure of the new primer grey and cherry red. The flared bar is unusual too, better for stability and comfort? I like Alpkit, bought some lights from them recently, well made and great value. The customer service is excellent, hope it continues.

Anyone this evening?