The GX AXS is an option, yes, absolutely. But how long are Sram going to support it, given they’ll be wanting folk to go for their flagship UDH system?

Super! So the rear axle issue is easily solved.  Project Crosscheck is a step closer.

What remains to be confirmed is whether my 42t Sugino Messenger cranks on a 102mm bottom bracket will foul on the chain stay.  Could possibly pop it on a wider (107? 110?) bottom bracket, but conscious of messing up the chain line.

Thoughts?

Always wanted a Steamroller, the most iconic Surly there ever was IMHO. Only, I couldn’t bear to sully its lines with a rear brake, and I live in very hilly Calderdale.

Found them, cheers john_l. Everything crossed the axle on my Halo track hub is wide enough… (Guessing your chain line was unaffected as the spacing happens outside of it. Did you use a track chain set too?)

At £1180, I’d say it’s almost reasonable enough for me finally to make the jump across to electronic gearing. I really want to. But having to buy a new frame to hang it off?

Sorry SRAM, but I’m out.

All good, sound advice. Ta all. Maybe the best frame for this is the one I’ve already got (a very well travelled 2008 Spesh Singlecross).

Can’t beat the feel of steel tho!

Just found it on another browser.  £60 – ouch.  But, my, what a lovely looking thing! And I wouldn’t be able to stop there.  I’d just have to get a set of Tech 4’s to hang it off.

Spendy times afoot 🤣

Doesn’t appear to be info about it, or £, just a picture.  It does look rather lovely though.

I’ve always trusted folk, and given them my address. Until last week, they’ve always been sound. Then someone enquired about some cheap bars I had on eBay. They were quite pushy about coming to pick them up, but once I gave them my address, all went silent.

My Yamaha MT07, also listed for sale on eBay, was stolen that night.

Nearby pub car park from here on, and I’ll not mind explaining why.

Not something I’ve encountered using the uplift trailers at BPW and Dyfi over the years, if I’m honest. More of an issue is what the shale at those two bike parks does to lightweight/XC weightweenie tyre carcasses. Don’t skimp there, and you’ll be reet!

I loved riding my Kona Honzo ESD.  Compliant out back thanks to the flattened seat stays, plenty capable out front. Hardtail Party chap rated it. Nicely kitted out too. I only moved it on as it was a bit heavy for big climby days out here in the Pennines. Missed it as soon as I did.

Even more incentive to lay off the (stale) leftover mince pies and start riding my bike lots then!

Fair goes. I’ll just have to wait patiently then :0)

Ta for reminding me why it is I still choose not to buy one just yet ;0)

Duly PM’d. Thanks all.

Sounds like it Bruce, yes. 30mm would be the shizz, but I’ll take 20mm if that’s my only option. Happy to exchange for £ and a ton of goodwill.

Nooooo to both, unfortunately. The spacer I’m after way precedes the current ones.  Ta tho.

Sweet as a nut. Cheers!

Used Paisley Freight to ship a bike a few weeks ago.  £35, quick service, good communication – can’t fault them!

Pity they’re the go to for big online retailers like CRC, sigh.

Sorted! Thanks chaps/chapesses!

My brain just fell over. May need to go for a bike ride to get it back on its feet 🤣 Thanks for all the input guys. All good food for thought.

OK. So out of interest, does that mean a slightly longer offset essentially slackens the head angle a touch?

Ah yes. The straight-talking, no BS STW advice I’ve come to know and trust over the years. My gut feeling is exactly that. If I notice a subtle difference in handling (at all), I’ll soon forget all about it. Thanks you two.

Sooooooo, no cycling to work for me on Monday? Does BC advocate driving my car to work to be more respectful instead?

So how’d it go?! Hope you enjoyed it. Mine a few years ago was one of the nicest days out ever. I just remember riding along up out of Rossendale in glorious sunshine, on a clapped out old Honda CG 125, buzzing along looking out across to the Dales, and feeling so damn chuffed to be actually riding a motorbike. Mint. Hope it’s the same for you.

Helpfully ’no longer available’ on the Wiggle site.

In the ambulance service, I hear the word ‘ospickle’ a lot. It makes my left eyelid twitch every single time. Especially if preceded with the words ‘to’ and ‘rushed’.

Second the split 24” tube, strapping the tyre around its circumference and strip of foam mat tricks. I was ready to give up before I discovered these.

The supplier can’t seem to find out either. Component substitution may well be the case if it does turn up with them on. Which is perhaps why they don’t specify it. If it does, I’ll just have to deal with it. And get better at ratcheting here in rocky Calderdale.

To be fair, I just didn’t get the concept of counter-steering a bike until I learned to ride a motorbike a few years ago. The movement is much more obvious on a moto, and the consequences of getting it wrong are far greater. This pretty graphic YouTube video scared the **** out of me, but also explains the concept really well: (https://youtu.be/VVE79XT8-Mg)

I do rate them. Wear them most rides and dog walks this time of year. Keep 90% of the weather out, as mentioned above. Quick drying and warm too.

However, all three pairs of mine have had the inner liner fabric pull away from the waterproof mid layer after a few months’ use. Endura warrantied the first two pairs no quibble. I’ll use my current ones through the winter and see what they’re like in the spring. Surely shouldn’t happen on a premium product, or am I expecting too much?

Labyrinthitis (middle ear – where your balance sensors live – infection) seems a likely contender indeed. Debilitating at the time, but as I understand it, easily enough treated.

Hope you get sorted soon matey.

Take heart Sharkattack. It may feel like everyone is already off, but for some, that’s because they’ve copped the night shifts this weekend, and it’ll be a working weekend like any other. It’ll be a nip of port and some cheese for my crew mate and me on Christmas morning, before heading home to bed, coming back in and doing it all over again. It is what it is.

I miss summer terribly at this time of year, even after 21 years of happily calling the UK home. I’ve never loved summer so much. Oddly though, as the world seemingly goes to hell in a hand basket, I find it immensely reassuring that the earth is still going about its business around the sun. (One less thing to worry about, I guess.) Also, there’s no beating the relative silence and solitude that winter on the hills can bring. Yin and Yang, I suppose.

Cheers for the thread Houns.  It’s a tough time of year for so many, and the perma-jingles on every radio station all the time this month seem to make it worse.  As though, if you’re not feeling it, you’re the odd one out and the fault is all yours.

Roll on February.

This story warmed my cockles more than any ‘Here’s the latest greatest that’ll cost you an arm and a leg’ story on here ever did. All we need now here in Calderdale is that pump track…

Bloody brilliant! A few of us have spent a chunk of the day up there looking for it. Lewis’ll be dead chuffed. Cheers matey.

All of a sudden my whinging about having to sand skirting boards rather than ride my bike today is kicked firmly into perspective. Huge love to you both x