I store my bikes upside down, hanging from the ceiling for more space. Plus point is the Fox fork seals get lubed. Never had a problem with the Hope minis but I never pull the levers when bikes are inverted.

No problems here [Midlands]. CRC dispatched yesterday, received this morning.

Ooer! Retro, 4130 steel, convertible dropouts etc. Niche bike for cafe racers I fear. 🙂

Swadey – I thought you had a bad back, but now hear your arms falling off as well! You'll have to start taking it easy man – especially at your age. 😉

Another vote for Conti cross country – especially when it's really muddy.For slightly drier conditions I would also recommend Schwalbe CX comp (wire) or CX pro (folding) which are faster rolling than the Conti's and are grippier over roots.

I think the floating top jockey wheel is protected by a Shimano patent

Personally I've never had any problems with them, but on here I doubt you would get much positve feedback even if they turned into 'retailer of the year'. If it's a bargain go for it.

oldgit – 36/48 with a massive 12/27 on the rear. I need all the help I can get when cross racing. You must be a racing god!

Oldgit – 39 on a cross bike thats most impressive! or really stupid! 🙂

Ooer! the macho threads have started. The singlespeed boys will be on next.
As you live in a hilly area my advice would be to try a 12-27 first as it's the cheapest option. If you then feel the need for more lower gears you could add a compact on the front.

I've built up both an 03 Epic and an 08 carbon HT which did not require facing. Specialize actually state in the handbook the frames leave the factory faced. However I don't know if this applies to their assembled bikes.

Me too. I set mine on desired sag and monitor travel with zip tie. Optimum pressure is much lower than Fox tables recommend – I've found tables only good as a starting point.

Oops! Sorry jojoA1 aka fluffypinksexybikegirlridesdownhill 😳

Have you tried the British Cycling website and use the club finder search for your area.

XTR if you want grey. XT (SP-41) if you want black.
Both work well.

jojoA1 – Good Man. Hope you enjoy your first race.

TBH I only started when my son started racing. Foolishly I agreed to race a season if he did. We are now both hooked – the only difference is he finishes near the front and me near the back. Raced on mtb's to start with but now both have cross bikes.
Don't worry too much about the dismount, you'll soon get the hang of it.

As traildog says – The bikes do work, the pace is mental and above all it's good fun. You even get the honour of being lapped by riders like Liam Killeen!

Woodsman – I said 'my bike is ridden every week' not once a week!

I have the original Hope and it's been in 5 years, regreased only once and is still buttery smooth. Oh, and yes the bike is ridden every week.

I've also found mud clearance ok – particularly for a USA designed frame!
TBH when courses get really bad most bikes get clogged – that's when you need 2 bikes, a jet wash and pit crew like the top guys.

ourmaninthenorth – I race a medium TCX (51.5) and am 5'11"
There is plenty of room for shouldering and the underside of the top tube is flattened for comfort. It's probably more of a semi-compact frame to allow more room. Geometry is sharp and definitely race oriented.

The first round of the Sram Notts/Derby league on Saturday saw a field of 141 riders for the senior race,43 for the youth race, 18 under 12's and 40 under 10's. A great start to the season!

The only thing that interferes with Cateye cordless computers are high powered bike lights.

Chain Reaction are showing 2010 Mavics Ksyriums in stock with a brief description and photo

My massively oversized Campagnolo corkscrew

That looks great – at least you know it will fit!

The 'IS standard' integrated headsets are getting really confusing – each year they seem to be moving the goalposts!

Hope you enjoy your new machine.

Too late, sorry, see you've got it sorted.

Hi, coleman again.

The IS-8 Cane Creek is thier worldwide standard

The IS-8i is Cane Creeks 'Campagnolo IS' compatible equivalent

I think only Ribble can confirm which one will fit.

We set up our own scheme rather than go through the third party facilitators such as Cyclescheme or Halfords. The proceedure is quite straightforward and the benefits include buying direct from any bike shop. This leaves you free to negotiate some discount as the retailer is not paying commission to the facilitator.
Your company will benefit from a healthier and happy workforce! It won't cost much to administrate, they will save a bit on NI contributions and can include the scheme in their 'Green Travel Plan'.

I think you are probably right.
No experience of the Allez but the 06/07 S-works carbon HT has 46mm Specialized Mindset which requires pressing in, but the 08 frame has a48mm Campag Standard Mindset which drop in by hand.
All will be revealed on removal – sorry not much help.

Just thought of one starting at Topley Pike on the A6 a couple of miles east of Buxton.

Topley Pike, Wye Dale, King Sterndale, Horseshoe Dale, Priests Way, Chelmorton, Monksdale Fm., Limestone Way, Millers Dale, Limestone Way, Wormhill, Tunstead, Mosley Fm., Wye Dale, Chee Dale back to Topley Pike.

15m with 3.5m on road – takes about 2.5hrs.

I've done a hilly 15 mile circuler route starting from Buxton.

Buxton, Roman Road, White Hall, Ladder Hill, Taxal,Hoo Moor, Fernilee Res., Errwood Res., Goyt's Clough, Derbyshire Bridge, Macclesfield Road back to Buxton.

Takes about 2-2.5hrs with about 6 miles on roads.

You could always link this with a ride around Three Shires Head and Macclesfield Forest – join the rides at The Cat and Fiddle on the A537

There are some really optimistic weights being claimed here – the best by far is grumm with a 17.2lb Spesh Pitch! Amazing. 😯

My Spesh carbon HT with Fox F100x, XTR gruppo,Hope Mini Pro, carbon stem and bars plus Crossmax SL wheels weighs in at just under 21lb

ourmaninthenorth – Oh no! I have a carbon Giant TCR road bike. I'll have to get rid of it now, I thought it was 'cool' – silly me.

It's not the socks I'd worry about, but the underpants over their tights is more disconcerting!

I think the prize should be awarded to aP and epicyclo with the mid 60's
Moultons!

Classic!

I ride a road bike.
I wear lycra.
I wear my socks inside my shoes!

Another 98 Marin Mount Vision here still going strong.
As avdave2 said – don't ride it regularly any more due to lack of rear disc mounts.

I have 2 pairs of SL's and one pair of SLR's. The oldest pair have had 5 years regular/hard use.
Have had no problems at all. Bearings still super smooth, rims still true. The only maintenance needed so far has been to clean out and regrease the freewheel.
They are quite expensive and there are lighter wheels out there but they do look good. Perhaps the biggest drawback is getting them rebuilt if damaged.

Giant TCX – 18.75lbs
Ultegra compact g/set, Mavic ksyrium wheels, Ritchey WCS carbon post stem & bars, Spec. Phenom SL saddle and Kenda small block 8 tyres. Frame weighs 1420g.