Thanks for the update Jo.

"You might not be able to see it but that is EXACTLTY the problem, try it. big bikes have always suffered with judder from the front end but if you move the cable hanger to the fork crown it vanishes."

Sorry Guys but that sounds like a load of boollocks to me! 🙂
Any flex in the forks will be horizontal so will not pull down on the cable increasing brake pressure. Also what does the size of the bike matter?
Back in the days when mountain bikes had cantis brake judder still occurred if the brakes weren't carefully set up and toed in.

"As I understand it, it's caused by the fork flexing and pulling the brake cable tighter, which in turn pulls the brake pads harder against the rim. I would imagine an alu fork would have to be pretty flimsy to flex that much."

Blimey you guys must have some flex in those forks to alter cable tension!
TBH I thought it was generated by the pads not correctly toed in. They start the judder as they prematurely grip and release (snatch), this gets amplified through play in the cantis and brake bosses, ultimately then violently flexing/juddering the forks.

Can't really see location of cable hanger causing or contributing to the problem

Cyclocross bikes are for racing, and well set up cantis work fine – end of.
They exist because cross racing pre dates the mountain bike.

If you want to ride offroad use your dammed mountain bike – it's much better and more fun. 🙂

All good advice above. Although don't just think of the caged ones only for learning. You can run clipped in as normal or unclip and rest your instep on the cage like flatties. Useful if you feel more confident on the technical bits unclipped.
Shimano pedals all come with normal cleats which are black, while the multi release ones are silver.
All caged pedals seem to work better with flatter soled shoes and are slightly more prone to mud clogging.
Might also be worth looking at Shimano 424's – cheaper but lighter with a resin cage.

" DX lights just exist in larger numbers, so there's always going to be a percentage of shonky ones show up"

I fear the world is not being overrun with DX lights just because the STW massive has engaged in a buying frenzy, and on the evidence of past threads if its wet the batteries expire and if dry the chargers burst into flames.

Oh God! Not another STW singlespeeder.

"Why spend 100's of £ on lights"

So all you DealExtreme boys can feel smug!

Mountain bikers wear peaks – end of!

Stupid isn't it. Wear what suits.

3mm perfect.

Above top bolt legal minimum -me lord!

"So actually my choice of lights have been getting steadily dimmer, but more usable."

njee – snap!

I've still got a set of Cateye Stadium 3's replaced 2 years ogo with two Exposure Enduro Maxx units. Don't use the Stadiums any more, due to weight, size and faff value but they are still mega powerfull – 21w Metal Halide bulb and 3 1/4 hr run time. I think it is equivalent to about a 63w halogen bulb.
However, still think LED's are better and where all the R & D is at the mo.

Round 8 SRAM Notts/Derby League at Bulwell Park on Saturday.
Should be wet/muddy/boggy/flooded – Yipee!

Good Luck to all racing this weekend.

Probably only available from njee as he always seems to be recommending them. Mind you that is seriously light. – Oh and you'll need a stem to match. 🙂

Shock news!

Audi share prices fall, and value of used Audis plummet as Singletrack Forum W@nkers join Clarksons bigotted war on the German prestige car manufacturer.

I presume that is Nick Craig on The Three Peaks.
Anyway I have an mtb for that kind of stuff.

"If CX round a muddy field is the extremity of your cross riding"

Surely that is the correct and proper use for a cross bike.

Righto lets do a poll.
Who is the oldest git who does not use top brake levers on their crosser.

I'm 54 (I think) and no levers.

Ooer! I'm old and don't use em, and my son (who is young) uses them.
Now I am really confused. Ah! but I am old.

I can drive like a ****t in any make of car – multi talented me!

Anti Audi – Oh dear So Jeremy Clarkeson.

Thurman Merman – Piccie taken after build. Big ring replaced with 46t, although in most races hardly ever get out of the inner ring – such a wimp. Also now cut steerer down and running a shorter stem.

will – liking your Giant. How do you get it standing all by itself?

Thurman Merman – The TCX has been built purely to race. The s-works for leisure, although might do a few xc races next year, and it has done a few cross races when the course suits.

No racing for the Sram Notts/Derby league this weekend. All our fast guys and gals are off to the National Trophy round 4 race at Mallory Park.
Good Luck all.

Oh! go on then. Any excuse.

XC

CX (sorry will)

Hi Jo,
Am interested and will send e-mail.
Any chance of including Mints' mates in this exclusive offer?
Cheers.

SSBonty – Big Respect!

Single speed mountain biker, two wheel drifting round corners, only manages 5th place after spinning out on flat bits, in local cross race.

Yeah right!

Loads of choice and good prices to be found here;

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/

Here is an easy circular route starting in Derby which includes the Chevin mentioned by Joe. All ok on a crosser.

If brand new will come with a headset, but if secondhand will depend what year it is. The 07 one takes a mindset compatible headset which is press in, while the 08 takes a campag style drop in type.

I would always use either grease or better still copper slip.

Defo XLII – great value for money.

Another vote for XTR here.
However, if your XT set is new you could always upgrade them with the XTR type tongue and shield kits for £3.99 from CRC.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=29462

These are the same as the XTR sets come with.

Thats strange, my Exposures are over 2 years old and they still exceed the manufacturers claimed run times. Even in the depths of winter the run times have not been noticably different.

Mine too. Squeel when wet but no loss of power.

Hope sell them in matching pairs, with a different pitch squeel front and rear, so you can play tunes on them. A nice diversion on really wet rides!

I've got a pair of Endura Gridlock overtrousers which are used on wet commutes. Had them about two years and still seem waterproof but not used regularly – only when really wet. I think they cost about £35 from CRC

It will work fine but will be 10 times as noisy.

Oh yes! It,s like buying cleats with free pedals.

Nice one Julian. Good luck, hope you enjoy your first race.

Sram Notts/Derby Round 7 at Bingham.

Should be nice and muddy. Yeah!