I’m also about the same size as you MrFanny I’m 5′ 10″ with a 32″ inside leg. I currently ride an 18″ Stumpy HT but I also have an 18″ ETSX50. The HT is more XC so head down @rse up. The ETSX is more all mountain so slightly more upright as you would on a FS, however I have changed to a 80mm stem and an OS high rise handle bar cos I prefer it that way.

The ride is awesome with the 4, 4.5 or 5 inch adjustable travel front & rear. The spec is great with Fox TALAS forks & RP23 shock, Raceface kit, Formula K24 brakes etc. It climbs very well & descends even better I just need to learn to trust the bike & stay off the brakes more. I was apprehensive about spending the money on this bike but I haven’t been disappointed :D

I would recommend that if possible you ride an ETSX before splashing the cash as it may not be to your liking. Good luck & I hope you get one soon.

looks like he’s keeping it to himself ….

Nice one Max, I agree with fullbouncebill that your vid is the best high level winter vid I’ve seen :D

Well done mate & I look forward to your next effort.

:? :lol: :x

Smiles seem to working again :-)

first pictures of the new MTB ‘dress code’ rules for the Drop Off cafe @ Glyncorrwg – anyone no suitably attired will be made to eat in the car park

as above the Princetown – Burrator – Princetown loop via South Hessary Tor & the old disused railway line is a good one for Dartmoor first timers & should be OK to ride. The trail is quite wide & well defined so you shouldn’t get lost. I can recommend adjourning to the Old Police Station cafe @ Princetown for some après ride hot food & drink and they don’t worry about the muddy state you are in :D

I wouldn’t however recommend riding across the open moors after all the rain we have just had as the ground will be very wet & boggy = lethal nightmare :?

If you really want to go minimalist then try an Innovations Air Chuck – HERE – it will easily fit in your 125mm saddle bag :-)

I’ve got an Innovations Second Wind MTB Pump & CO2 – HERE – it’s a normal pump or you can use CO2 cartridges for pumping up your tyres, I know which I use the most

It’s small enough to slip into your camelbak & very easy to use, in fact I used mine on Sunday on a mates inner up on Dartmoor, 2 seconds job done.

apparently this season one shouldn’t be seen in a sauna unless one is wearing a hat, slippers, shorts/bikini & beating oneself with a big bush (Oo’er) :oops:

Stuart get ’em checked out mate ASAP or you might get caught by the …..

Just been sledging!

A bit cold & snowy to be playing cricket today?? :wink:

I’ve got an Innovations Second Wind MTB Pump – HERE – it’s a normal pump or you can use CO2 cartridges for pumping up your tyres, I know which I use the most :-)

It’s small enough to slip into your camelbak & very easy to use, in fact I used mine today on a mates inner up on Dartmoor, 2 seconds job done.

Park rescue tool MTB3 everything you’ll need out on the trail :-)

Slugwash please look away now!!

Anyway here a few pics from today’s foray onto Dartmoor. We didn’t have the deep snow that Si & Bagpuss had yesterday but it was still an eventfully ride especially where there were drifts

Wigford Down

One man & his dog

Top of Ringmore Cottage descent with ‘err added mistyness courtesy of a fogged lens

Slugwash enjoy your holiday mate & don’t forget to send a postcard :wink:

Still pretty snowy down here in Pastyland, this was my garden today

Up on Dartmoor tomorrow on the bike for more of the same – whoopee!!

PS *waves* bye bye to AdamG (again)

had my credit card for 25 years & I always pay off the balance in full each month :D

Credit card interest rates are extortionate :cry:

blimey, was he leaning against Bicknoller post in that shot :?

clear your shed out & put the car inside :lol:

HTH

Right, so if I sell software to use with juggling toys, and buy juggling toys with the profits (used for the testing of the software) would that be a goody?

If the juggling toys are used solely for business purposes i.e. testing out the software & not used for any private entertainment or non-business purpose etc then they are probably allowable. However surely in this case you would buy the juggling toys before or during the development of the software & not afterwards??

Capital expenditure on business equipment will qualify for a Capital Allowance relief against your Taxable profits. The following link HERE should help explain it better. As andym says there are different rates for different things.

coolhandluke looking @ your list of items above, things like the suit, shoes, batteries & CF cards won’t qualify for CA’s although the full cost of the batteries & CF cards should be claimed as an expense & not included in the Capital Allowance pool. Most of the other items probably will qualify for CA’s @ the appropriate rate. If you are still unsure then seek professional help.

HTH

I hear that the Quantocks are rather romantic in September & if you ask nicely I’m sure Knottie8 will let you kip in his garage :D

tell the truth Alex you’ve been waiting in all week for Postman Pat to deliver your Charlie The Bikemonger SS Logo first prize ….. :lol:

Joe – strictly speaking mate you can only claim expenditure that is wholly & exclusively expended for the purpose of the trade, profession or vocation (Section 74 ICTA 1988)

In a nutshell unless the expense is actually work related it’s not allowable & your work related ‘toys’ possibly don’t qualify unless you run a ‘toy shop’ :-)

Have a look @ the HMRC website or speak to an accountant if you are unsure.

CG all tooled up with one of each after taking the STW massive’s advice & a quick trip down to B&Q, now where’s that RudeBoy to practice on the naughty boy…

It’s a resignation letter not your CV so keep it simple, accurate & to the point.

IMHO what you have said already is fine.

have you considered keeping the car & moving closer to where you work ? somewhere about 45mins away should do the trick :wink:

‘err where is attempt one then???

uplink is indeed correct the answer is ‘a’ – The Employers NI is just that an NI charge to be paid by the Employer & is a certain percentage based on the amount of Gross Salary & also depending on whether the employee has ‘Contracted out’ or ‘Not Contracted out’ see the HMRC website NI tables

I’ve been going to them for years, bought 2 bikes off them & their service is IMHO expectional.

I’m glad that someone else has also seen the light @ this great LBS :D

Spent 3 hours shovelling snow off my drive yesterday than came down with a horrible cold/man flu in the afternoon.

See there’s your problem, either move to a smaller house with a shorter drive or pay someone else to clear the snow off for you, you tightwad :wink:

Billyboulders next time mate ask for a STW local to show you the best of Haldon which just happens not to be waymarked :wink:

It’s a 100 mile round trip there & back for me & I only ride about 2 miles of waymarked stuff with another 10 miles of superb cheekyness :D

May I pass on my sincere sympathies to you for having to buy anything @ Partridges (cough/spit) :(

my particular fave ….

If you still can’t find the right scent then your fall back position is a 5ltr bottle of Muc-off :D

If she’s still not happy then you can always use it to clean your bike….

Sounds about right Ton.

The body weight/pressure settings on the Fox site are a rough guide & you just have to refine the pressure to suit your weight & the amount of sag you want to run. Just make sure the propedal toggle switch is turned off & the shock is fully open first or you will have to start again. For the other RP23 settings rebound etc you will have to find what works for you.

I’m a little behind on your current build so what are you putting together now?

Au de ye olde spicegirls…………

I run 135psi in mine & I’m 11.5 stone.

Mr Nutt shows how not to get your jeans caught in the chain while gracefully dismounting @ Sainsbury’s today & this was after being startled by the local Starlings….

OK Ash we’ll keep our eyes out for you & your crew. There will be me, Cipher23 & The Whippet riding a Rocky Mountain ETSX50, a Whyte46 & a GT Avalanche.

You can’t miss us – three geezers going along the ‘err cheeky stuff :-)

but not for Haldon…..

Super, I’m up there on Sunday 22nd so I’ll keep an eye out for you on your new Kona….