Would anyone like a Rolo?

Buy the bike that makes you most excited and that will be the right one. For a while, at least. 🙂

Build a rigid SS 29er. Nothing else makes sense since we entered the age of Aquarius.

I have an Inbred SS. If you’re looking for a cheap but excellent new frame it’s a no-brainer. If you want a full bike the. I reckon the Cooker is hard to beat for value. If you’re looking second hand then the world is your bivalve.

Oh, I do like that

bunyanvelo.com

No exotic wilderness locations, I’m afraid.

All bags and bar harness are home made.

That makes soooooooo much sense

Mountain Hardwear Lamina 20 here. Just used it in sub-zero conditions and was toasty (with a lightweight down jacket and bivy bag). It packs down pretty small for a synthetic bag. Can be had for under a ton.

I’ve got a titchy coleman

Perhaps I could interest sir in our patent – ahem – ‘developer’

Yup, fab trails, great area.

Two cheap Chinese light will be much brighter than the Hope (or a Joystick) and will give you the security of a back-up if one fails. Just get whatever’s on ebay at the mo – eg Solarstorm.

If you’re after a compromise, build up the 456 as a 69er. It’ll be good. But you’re not really, are you? Face it, you won’t be satisfied till you’ve tried a 29er.

I’ve been there and done that and now have a 29 rigid SS Inbred and 26 C456 SS with sus fork, which covers both bases. 🙂

There’s lots of advice and info on making frame bags on the internets. Principle is the same and it should be simple enough. Try Pennine Outdoors if you need materials.

Bargain Jekyll?

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s1p5187/CANNONDALE-JEKYLL-3-2013

How is it all waterproofed? The switch and USB look a bit vulnerable in the pic

Happy C456 owner here. With a slackset you’ll end up with something very similar to your SS but a couple of pounds lighter. Why wouldn’t you?

Nice bike. Groupset from Merlin?

There are lots of trees down on Leith hill. It’s all quite localised and random. I blame weird gustiness. Spent Christmas Eve mending my roof 🙁

If you need advice then CTBM is your man. If you need cheap then check out Superstar

<dreaming>Be nice if they got turned into jumps <\dreaming>

Thanks all. Sounds like the MT500s are with a punt. They will be back-up for my winter boots so I’ll just leave them on summer shoes over the winter.

I did that to a set of Exotics. Rode them for honks without any problems. But with a face like mine I don’t have much to lose 😉

I’m in sideways buggery training

Lol. “Happy birthday darling, I’ve organised a surprise trip away…”

Noooooooooooo. That’s my better half’s birthday. And it’s a big one ( birthday not wife ).

Hmmmm… Going to have to get thinking.

I’ve replaced bearings in the past but XT BBs are now cheap and last very well so I no longer think it’s worth the faff

I felt like this for a bit after going tubeless. Took up twerking and didn’t touch the bike for six months. Eventually my wife got Nick Knowles and the DIY SOS team to do a shed makeover for me and that put me right.

Sounds like fun. I hope the rain holds off for you.

I’m hoping to get out for a night over Christmas in preparation for ‘There and Back’ in Jan

We’ve lost a few in the dark, dark woods over the years. Never found any bones.

Canyon full bikes are worth a look. You’ll spend more than £500 but you can then sell the bits you don’t need.

I can also recommend an Inbred. It’s a lot better than the price would suggest.

Um, those German ones seem to be £130!

Nice one Hannah et al – a lovely and inspiring vid. Spent all my summer hols in Kishorn, Torridon, Applecross area as a kid and I’ve been saying I’ll do a riding/climbing trip up that way for years. 2014 is going to be the year it happens.

Be careful. I ordered a sleeping bag from Millets a couple of weeks ago. They took my money, sent me an email confirmation and then nothing. They waited till I managed to fight my way past their “customer services” barriers before telling me they had no stock and would have to refund me.

I won’t use them again.

I’ve got the Karrimor X Lite 1 man tent. It’s not the lightest but it’s sturdy and weatherproof and allows you to cook in comfort from your bed. Was about £35 and seems good quality for the price.

Oh, just looked for a link and it seems it may have been discontinued …

42mm rim? Blimey, what’s that? I have a Monkey on a Flow rim run in in Revs with loads of clearance

Love my original Phantom N2S – incredibly versatile. It’s on it’s second zip and full of holes but I don’t know what to replace it with

I’ve been considering doing the same with my Inbred but the only person I know who has owned an Alfine says the same as bristolbiker (dead and draggy) so I think I’ll think again.

I’ve bought cheap 18650s from Chinese suppliers. They were OK, no complaints for the price.

I’ve also bought Torchy’s own-brand 18650s which were more expensive but noticeably better.

If you’re in a rush, I’d go with Torchy