Gordy – I’d be up for this. I tend to go on Wed night’s regularish anyway.

redfordrider – Inners in the dark isnt as much fun for some reason – minch moor on your tod in the dark is proper spooky btw. And Caddon bank in the dark solo is a real commitment job (luckily there is a parallel bit about 10m on the right of the entrance that is steep and twisty rooty and not as phobia inducing).

But with the late evenings the dark thing should be less of an issue for ages!

Well at that price point avoid auctions like the plague.

Private sellers – are great. One owner – is a godsend. 11/12 months MOT a minimum.

Petrol / diesel? Diesels can have some write off bills once older.

Whatever you look at / buy – a full service history is a must. Sure some folk forge them. OTOH every single car I’ve ever seen with no SH has been clocked.

You dont fancy a FSH primera with 70K but a dodgy leccy window do you?

For warm weather – whatever replaced the Shimano M076 should be good.

The only major flaw with M076’s is that when ever your talk to someone else they glance at your shoes (as they do) they say damn near exactly – in Capital Letters – SLOW which is downright odd. Otherwise – cool – possibly a tad narrow (not as bad as some Shimano’s) and great in summer.

Thanks for that whytetrash. I’ll double check mine tomorrow!

After 6 months were there any problems with the pivot bearings etc that you noticed? Did you have to change any bearings etc?

The internet is mad – here’s a website dedicated to getting skulls into camelbacks!

http://www.shrinkheads.com/

Personally – water, food, jacket, basic multitool and basic spares (tube, chainlink). And more food.

I’m sure that everyone will say that it depends what you like doing. Lots of folks will tell you what they have and I’ll do the same.

That’s the correct answer.

So what dont you like about what you have now – what do you want different? EG more of the same but newer – lighter – tougher….. etc.

In some flat corners you’re leaning more than the bike. Do / did you have a motorbike?

Gribs – honest Q – I have one of those hoses in a mini pump (and a spare tyre or 2!).

I cant see how you can attach both sides to a scraeder valves. Or have I missed something.

Basically you’re spoiled for choice.

A mate got one of these and loves it:

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=2539

£39 over budget (plus shipping) but a stonking spec.

On the other hand I’ve a Whyte 19 – my favourite bike ever. I’d have a 805 / 905 or anything from them in a blink.

What should I look for in terms of spec IE forks (suntour rocx shock ect) gearing (sram shimano ect) and what would be a good overall weight i don’t wait it to be to heavy

IMO – for that cash avoid suntour. Rockshox recons (at a min) rebas if you’re lucky. Gears from shimano – deore / slx or higher are all good as are sram x7 upwards. Weight – shouldnt be your main concern really – but around the 26 lbs realistic built weight. The main thing is how it fits and how you feel about it.

Tut tut bigdug, go stand on the naughty step 😉

The diversion is proper good fun imo.

Never built for the amount of traffic its seeing now – but still good.

It steepish – muddy (recently) – some roots. No fireroad – well ok the first 100m are a flat fireroad left of the usual.

Forwarded to gorge.

I’ll call Bobby on monday and he’ll get get back to you in In the interim.

Ok – I’m lost too!

Sorry bumbly. I misread your commas etc.

do any of the guys Gemm guys live in Dunf?

Yep – They also run the SLROC. I’m searching for photos of how much they terrified my missus last time we went round.

#Edit – Open on Monday? – mmmm. Cats away. Still let us know how you get on. My offer still stands.

I will give them a call on Monday.

Bank holiday innit.

mcmoonter – you want to drop me a mail and I’ll ask Bobby to ring you when its up and running. You’ll get a blunt – no bullsh fair appraisal.

@bumbly- ?

Aldi & LIDL do regular bargains. But only once / twice a year.

Otherwise MachineMart. Or Screwfix. Or for cheapskate search for Ghetto on here.

The key thing isnt pressure – it’s capacity.

So this is good:
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/ranger-24

This is better:
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/ranger-54-oil-free-air-compressor

As I said – LIDL / ALDI are the bargains. Not because of power – it’s the air capacity. You want something that can blast tons of stored air instantly. If the motor has to cut in you are lost. A car tyre pump that gets up to 110 psi isnt as good as a 50L 40psi (I doubt if that exists but you get the drift).

mcmoonter – I’ll forward those symptoms to George if you want and ask him to call you – or you can call him. He’s off on hols with the kids for Easter though so it’ll be at least a week.

#Edit – his guys are all still in the workshop but things will have slowed down but they still really know their stuff – eg Bobby.

mcmooter – and mrgrim – my good mate George owns Gemm in Larbert. Honest / fair / sound guy.

Drop my name or email me if I can help.

Yes – but I cant believe I’m the only one.

Fantastic country. Mountains, coasts, scenery, sea food….. Reminds me of Italy before the euro prices.

The down side was the “non tired hotel [within a budget for us]” thing being a challenge tbh. We tend to finish off at a 5* in Dubrovnik as a wee reward / treat.

When we go back again it will involve a boat. So many islands!

So not overly helpful from me- but in summary – I’d love to go back soon.

ps – mozzies in some areas. I’ve no memories of water / tummy problems – but some hotels / areas deffo have signs saying dont drink – others were fine.

Someone was complaining on mbr recenetly about this – a guy from Stans posted to say they havent changed the formula in years.

Genius!

Is that twine / wire from seattube to the toptube and stay to hold it togehter I wonder?

Shame about the reflectors though!

/Edit – we were typing at the same time there/

Clearance seems good on my XC. NN 2.25’s and there plenty of room.

Lots of photos of the swing arm / tyres near the bottom of this page:

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10002&t=12785308&start=80

Not had mine long enough to know about how the pivot bearings etc will last in the muck.

Slimjim – I dunno if this helps – but I count backwards. Longest for me was for 10K in 33M. Its a lot easier counting down for some reason.

Thanks stuey! Now I gotta get me a new username!

Numptie? I dont know.

Dumb Q: Is the new shock the same size & stroke and “tune” as the original?

If so – you may well have a duffer.

I’d wager a £1 bet that you’ve replaced an original custom tune rp23 for whatever frame you have with a generic kashime rpXX.

Feel free to contradict me. I’m often wrong. I’ve got a wife to remind me.

So honest Qs: what’s your frame? Did you get it new? Still has the original shock before change?

Whatever’s up – it’s not right. We need more info.

Yep a bit boring tonight.

A mate of mine applied 2 years back – got turned down at the second hurdle – apparently a self starter that most folk like is just too “average”.

It appears the finalists are selected / edited egotists / numpties etc.

They seem to be running out of numpties – but surely there are some left one here?

Nooooo – dont apologise – god!

One of us will roll up in France and put “les paragraphs” where they shouldn’t ever be!

It’s just more familiar in English divided into thought sized chunks – French newspapers are the opposite – as are lots of other languages.

davepalk

Welcome to the forum.

Honestly – its great to see such enthusiasm! I am going to be very very cheeky (but positive I hope) – you (and others) may hate me for this- I’m going to repost your post with some paragraphs that us non LeMonde readers will find easier – apologies. When I post in your neck of the woods pleas feel free to improve a 80%+ post into an excellent post (or slap me in the face!)

So:

I ride with an group that does ‘normal XC’ night rides every week. We do ‘Alleying’ urban rides several times each year.

The format of Alleying is a well organised and pre-planned 20-30 mile urban night ride, at tempo, using alleys, service roads, car parks, precincts, wasteland, subways, parks, church yards, multi-storey car parks, etc.

The routes are circular, much like XC rides, but without any loose surfaces. Optimum conditions are a dry and warm night, starting at twilight.

Roads are avoided, and only used where absolutely necessary to link ‘trails’. It’s fast and furious riding, with constant hard accelerating and braking. Your wits definitely need to be about you, otherwise surface changes, kerbs, bollards and other street furniture could spell disaster.

We work blocks of flats and supermarket foyers into the mix – which is all very naughty!

Steps, banks, drops and any other fun features are included where possible as ‘bottle tests’ for the following group.

6-10 evenly matched riders is best to maintain a good speed and uninterrupted flow. The weapon of choice is a rigid steel singlespeed mtb, with slick tyres and a 55″ gear.

Intimate local knowledge is vital, and the leader uses this to plan the route carefully in advance. Our area is blessed with miles of alleys around housing estates, and plenty of rear service roads behind terraces of houses.

There are also plenty of pedestrian precincts and other hard surfaced thoroughfares that are not roads. Putting together a decent 30 mile route is no problem. We’ve developed an entire faux lore and tradition of Alleying in the five years since we started it.

The language of alleying is French (for the leader’s commands and warnings), and pseudo rules and conventions are constantly hinted at to bemuse newcomers and amuse regulars – a bit like the ‘Mornington Crescent’ game in Radio 4’s ‘I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue’.

Alleying is the best fun you’ll ever have on two wheels and would make a great mag article. PM me if you want to visit and experience the thrill.

The “Cyclo Universal Bleed Kit” works (and will with most others manu’s if you change).

There is probably a cheaper avid / something else kit that will also work just on maguras so I’d be reluctant to pay full whack.

Someone with specific knowledge will be along shortly…..

Christ – you have been through the wringer! Again – I wasnt being cheeky – and I think my rec chap works in the WG part time.

#Edit – no worries

kit – if its not cheeky and you want a thorough recommendation for a gastro guy in Edinburgh (who is also a mad keen cyclist-which bizzarely I found helped) drop me a line.

Sorry – I cant help with the meds.

No probs. Got to know a bit about this – shipping stuff to Ireland.

btw I’ve been called lots of names in my time but not many so polite (I think)!

Interparcel: 250 cover:

Service: Interparcel Standard
Collection Date: Wednesday 4th of April 2012 between 09:00 and 17:30

Collecting From: Edinburgh, UK
Delivering To: erere, Guernsey
Number Of Packages: 1
Total Weight: 6 kg

Courier Services: £31.35
Insurance: £5.00
VAT @ 20%: £1.00
Total to pay: £37.35

Looks like a great ride!

Start looking at 3″. That is where I should be flat out and I do slow myself for no other reason than not wanting to go to fast

It looks fast from 3:00ish onwards – I’d guess your subconsious is reminding you of the cost of error / failure?

Well if my subconsious was there that’s what it would be doing.

Thanks reluctant – much appreciated.

I just had a nagging doubt / memory about the hose being different.

#Edit – and troutwrestler too! Cheers

robin – my Nerve (ok an XC!) came slightly quicker than originally estimated (by about week). The despactch email and tracking were spot on once it was assembled.

I’d echo stanfree’s frustration that common stuff (eg hangers) arent held in the uk – otherwise I’m a happy customer.

When I was a kid I thought that the “funny farm” was where jokes were made!

Very best of luck – hope you get sorted soon. Hopefully youll look back on this episode one day and laugh about it.

I used one for a few months. I “may” have noticed a difference. But – they are terribly sealed and mine needed constant cleaning / greasing. Swapped back to a du bush for an easy life.

lyinair

🙂

So true (of Ryanair obviously)!