Toucan magnet :(

Bike-related was a brake lever after a mini stack. £20.99 the thieves!

TLD ACEs just turned up. Includes a liner as well but has a velcro fly, which I’m not too sure about, but the green is nice and lairy!

It’s just about right in a 30″ fit for me. The proof will be in the riding though. Let’s see what happens once the bike’s back.

Get the Canyon then mate. The AL is plenty capable. I have the 26 inch version with 120mm and its superbly comfortable for all my riding (races, trail centres, Quantocks, Spain, FoD, Aston Hill) . Just in the process of going 2×10 with a shadow+ rear derailleur.

The problem is once you have a decent bike you’ll want to ride bigger and bigger stuff so you’ll start looking at the Torque or the FRX in no time!

The Canyon will probably still edge it on spec so I’d go Canyon.

I have one. It’s 3 years old now I think, but pretty much bulletproof. It’s brilliant. Really comfortable when running as well.

Popped it into the washing machine with some tech wash the other day and it came out almost good as new too! Zip action is like the day I got it.

I don’t like them because the adjustment is not there for people like me who have weird lever/shifter positions.

If you just want to chill out then perhaps Kefalonia is worth a look.

I ride with a guy in the winter who’s a bit of a beast. He’s on his cross bike with 33mm tyres and me on my 23mm tyre-d road bike and the bastard still has me begging him to go slower every time. Last ride with him was a 120km affair with 32kmph average for the first hour after which I almost started to vomit and cry at the same time.

If you need a winter bike that also doubles as a commuter then I can’t see how you could go wrong with a cross bike.

Running my Flow EXs with TL Ready Hans Dampfs.

Why not just get a Cyclocross bike for a winter/commuting bike? Trying to build a mutant one using the spare parts off the mountain bike at the moment, but having trouble finding a suitable frame.

Didn’t see a lot of childishness in Million Dollar Baby.

With bibs on as well? That must be snug!

Cheers for the advice. Really appreciate it.

Cheers. Ordered the TLD Aces from Wiggle. May order the Sombrios as a backup.

Sizing has gone really wacky these days. By conventional measurements (waist, above belly button and narrowest point) I am a 33. However, all my jeans are 30s. Tailored trousers are 28s. I don’t know whom to believe!

A bit funny to think according to my trouser measurements I’m an extra small for Sombrios!

If you want something that tackles racism then you should watch The Guard. Hard hitting and emotional from start to finish.

Very realistic too.

@eyerideit did you get a liner with the Sombrios?

@butterbean how do you find the Velcro fly on the TLDs?

@binners haha! I am afraid to look at my bank account after my bearing change on the bike turned into a full drivetrain upgrade. Seemed rude not to while the chainset was off, so consider yourself lucky!

Cheers for the info on the Skyline shorts guys. I’m away on a trip somewhere warm so I’ll need a couple of pairs of shorts. Finding myself drawn to these ones now. Is white a mistake?

People seem to really like the Sombrios. Interesting. And yes, I do have chicken legs :(

Thinking about these:

I love the colour, but the location of the pockets seems like I’d not use them. Anyone have these? They’re Troy Lee Designs ones. Can’t go wrong for the price hopefully?

Don’t know about XTR, but I swapped to XT from the M530s and they were a great upgrade.

I have a pair of Enduras. They are great, but looking for something a bit different.

Have some Pearl Izumis which are excellent too. There’s some magic in them meaning they’re waterproof and breathable. Unfortunately, weight loss means I cannot wear them anymore. Wish I’d worn them more when I was bigger because they’re great!

The 31.8mm Fatboys are £26.99. I have them. They’re pretty good so far.

Went to Afan on a race hardtail last year, on a full suspension bike this year.

Difference was how much more I enjoyed it and the comfort. Also, a full sus seems to let me get away with more than the hardtail. I’d probably be quicker on the ups on the hardtail, but it would be more knackering on the downs.

It is a well known fact that a new bike makes you go faster. So just buy a new bike already.

But in all seriousness, I feel more confident on the full suspension bike descending. Have you seen if he’s doing anything different to you? Like getting a good run up on the entry, staying off the brakes all the way through.

For the record, I think Strava is a good thing to measure your performance and still has a place in your training tools even if you’re racing.

My Topeak pump matxhes the readings on my Topeak gauge. definitely a smart piece of kit to have!

3kg lighter than you, but I run them hard. 50,45psi rear and front respectively.

Nic front and Racing Ralph rear. Both 2.25 inches.

New bearings, new drivetrain, new grips, bars and stem this year, new wheels, cassette and tyres last year.

Only things that haven’t changed are the suspension components. This bike is starting to look like Trigger’s broom!

I really feel bad for the road bike when I look at the virtual odometer. It’s outstripping the mountain bike 4:1 in terms of distance covered. Oh well, at least it’ll have new handlebars and bar tape soon. Wondering if it’s worth stripping the brakeset out while I’m at it. Anyone reckon 105 brakes over normal V brakes is a decent upgrade?

Rear mech is still XT. Only going XTR for the chainset bit.

Alright, mechanic says medium cage is the way forward!

Now, black rear derailleur or silver?

And even more importantly, silver or black front mech?

Decisions, decisions!

Me too! I equate descending well with the chain being silent for some reason. Will be nice to not clatter about like a big bag of bolts.

XTR is a bit of an investment for me. Planning on hanging onto this bike for a while so I hope it all works out. Now, if only the mechanic will get back to me and let me know what rear and front bits I need then life will be sweet!

@njee20 Cheers for the advice on the chainrings!

XT BB at the moment. Mechanic is doing the ordering so hopefully he will know what to get!

Mate has X0 on his bike and I’ve ridden around a bit on it, but I prefer my XT.

No way man. That would be way too cost effective. The whole reason for this clever ruse was to spunk money I didn’t have on some sweet XTR goodness.

I think the race bike has a 2×10 X9 setup. I’ll thrash that around a bit and see how I cope.

To be honest, I only ever slip into the 24 on the triple when I want a bit of a rest and have a chat. Perhaps I can just power through with the 28?

Hmmm…. These stories are making me wonder if I can swap the 28 for the 24! Or even hold off on this entirely!

Cheers. I’ll keep that in mind.

Hoping this is not going to become something I regret!

@jameso cheers for the offer. I’ve got a decent deal on an XT front mech and crankset, but I have a mate who’s interested in switching to 10 speed. I’ll run it by him if you give me a price.

Yeah 11-36 on the rear :(

Will get to work on working out the gear inches. Wishing I’d been a bit less hasty upgrading now. Aaargh!

I’d not consider myself a strong rider, but I’m usually quickest up the hill in our group. Different matter going downhill though!

Ok, so 40/28 seems to be the way forward. I’m being told that I’ll need a new front derailleur because the 2×10 derailleur will not work as well with the old 3×10 derailleur. Any rationale to that? Am thinking it’s something to do with the chainline?

Ok. Cheers.

They will send them to you if you e-mail them asking for it.

I have a copy for last year’s Nerve, drop me an e-mail if you need them.

Yes, they’re a high street bank. You can apply and get a card while you wait.

Delivery was within a working week for me. Tracking delivery as well.

I asked Canyon nicely and they’re replacing the bearings on mine under warranty. Maybe worth getting in touch with them if the bike’s still covered.

That’s what I do at the moment, but want a little more protection and a bit more warmth.