It’s bad. You can still get some miles in and there are one or two interesting trails that aren’t too bad if you know where to go but many of the more popular routes are best left alone at the moment IMO

Interesting. I wonder if the structure makes it difficult to add venting.

I fitted a headset using threaded rod, washers and blocks of wood. It was a bit of a faff to keep straight but went in eventually after cooling in the freezer

Me too. You’ll probably want another one for when you renew the chain so it makes sense

@Swedish Chef – I’ve just put a 29in front wheel on my 26 Inbred SS. Only ridden it once so far but I like it, apart from the extra rotational mass, which is noticeable uphill with the heavy wheel/tyre combo I have.

The bigger front wheel makes a huge difference on the downs – it’s almost like having a little bit of suspension.

I dropped the stem about 3cm to compensate for the higher front end. It felt odd for about the first 100 yards but I quickly got used to it after that. Haven’t tested handling on tight switchbacks yet. Might do that tonight.

@MattjG – Exotic do a wide carbon bar. However, it is cheap and light, which, according to the Law of Keith, means it will snap when you haul on it, showering you in deadly carbon shards which will migrate to all your vital organs and turn you to rancid, stinking mush from the inside out.

Exotic / Carbon Cycles. Great performance, great value

What are these like with a rigid fork? I had a pair of On-One risers which I liked but were brutally stiff. Switching to carbon made a huge difference

Bargain! Was just about to press BUY when I realised I have absolutely no need for these. Damn

First ride with my 69er this morning through the Slurry Hills. 29-4 was pretty good but definitely noticed the weight v my old Purgatory-shod 26 inch wheel.

It’s OK, Matt’s much sadder than me :lol:

My daughter was making raspberry coulis muffins enrobed in white chocolate hearts while I was building my wheel in the kitchen so the scales were right next to me

FWIW my 29-4 weighs 825g on the kitchen scales. My cheapy wheel with this attached weighs about the same as a small planet 8O

Tomorrow I’ll see how it rides

Just bought a bargain Bontrager 29-4 for my Inbred 69er experiment. I’m guessing it’s the old one as it was half price at the lbs. will it be any good?

The finish on mine is absolutely fine after 18 months of hard riding and neglect. It’s a gloss clearcoat one.

Blimey! Do you lot do this after every ride? I just spray it with a hose, wipe it with a rag, lube and leave

Send it back. They are only a few quid from Magicshine UK if it comes to it.

Should be a warranty job if it is bust. Take it back and get the shop to fix it.

If you have to replace the freehub yourself, it may be worth buying a whole new hub. Bizarrely, it’s often cheaper to do this.

Yup, drop me a mail if you fancy a random evening ride

WTB Frequency rims look like a slightly cheaper, slightly heavier alternative. Think they use licensed Stans rim design

Surprised a young lady receiving oral pleasure while stood against the chain link fence of the footpath about 50 yards from my house in broad daylight. She was a little embarrassed.

No pooing in the fondue.

Will there be cheese? In fact, can I put in a request for a lake of cider fondue big enough to bathe in. Thanks.

I’m very excited about this. Have recently removed beard but I think I have another one in me

This XML torch:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SKYRAY-CREE-1200Lm-LED-XML6-multimode-torch-flashlight-superb-performance-build-/160767669877?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Camping_LightsLanternsTorches&hash=item256e7ff67

I have two of these, which are externally identical but actually different in a few minor ways. One I bought about a year ago and is branded Trustfire; it has an orange peel reflector and gives a lovely spread of light. The other I bought a couple of weeks ago and is branded Skyray; it came with two batteries and a charger for £11. It has a plain reflector and is more spotty with a surrounding halo. Not quite such a nice beam but has a bit more reach.

Price seems to have gone up a bit on Ebay since I bought.

Jules’ Lurcher’s BB30 was making horrid creaky noises on Sunday (running a press fit, not a Beer EBB or anything fancy)

I can vouch for X-Fusion Vengeance. I have one (air) and it’s a very good fork. Quality build and a load of really useful adjustability.

I have the mean gene. I just can’t see how that’s five times nicer/better than the cheapy Chinese one. You could get an incredible paint job and still have over a grand in change.

Those light bicycle frames look nice. I need convincing about Beer EBB and BB30 though

@onceinalifetime is Yoda and I claim my five pounds

Matt, you should have come with us yesterday – this is where we were riding. Conditions were nothing short of incredible compared to Leith, Holmbury and Pitch.
Anyway, have fun. It should be a good event.

I need that.

Top stuff. More mountains for me in 2013!

You’ve really got to try it and see. It’s not just about reach, it’s also about how the bike handles.

On my Reign I went from 685/70 to 760/70 and it really upset the handling. Tried 760/50 and it’s perfect.

On C456 I went from 685/70 to 720/70 and that was fine.

Textbook fairy infestation. Get some poison down quick.

I think there’s a theory that CO2 sets the sealant into a big rubber ball. I’ve had this when using CO2 – but I’ve also had it to a lesser extent when using plain old air. I wouldn’t worry about it

I had a v similar sliced tyre yesterday. Fixed it with a wormy anchovy thing. I was impressed how well it worked.

You won’t go wrong with an MJ 872. To be honest, though, if it’s for occasional, non-techy rides I’d go for a cheaply XML light off eBay like the one linked to above. No need to pay more than about £20. I just bought a second XML torch with charger and two batteries for £11 – unbelievable performance for the price.

No price, so it breaks forum rules :wink:

If you let this go he’ll be annexing the Sudetenland before you can say Neville Chamberlain.

I have identical SDG Bel Airs, one steel, one Ti. I can’t tell the difference but the Ti one creaked irritatingly when it was new. I might pay the extra for a tarty race bike but not otherwise.

Nice.