Climber winning will be more entertaining no?

Mate has a 2012 AM 8.0X and he loves it. He got it in the outlet for about 1650. Think equivalent 2013 model qas about 400 more.

I have a 2012 Nerve XC 8.0 and I love it too.

I use Nik Wax. Usually the one most tech fabric makers recommend.

Just need to resurrect this for a minute, but has anyone got a photo of how they site on the bars with the base reversed please? I’ve done this on the car and it is offset. Done a trip and it’s been fine, but would be good to know if there is a way to get the base to sit the same as the other one.

Suggestion that it is to make sure the handlebars don’t foul each other with two bikes on seems to make sense though. Would be nice to have confirmation I’ve not been a muppet.

Did he misdiagnose you? Or is your complaint due to his whingeing?

Yup. Anyone want to swap it for the Secret Race?

Pump them up to the max and figure it out innit?

Winter has been pretty forgiving so far. Even when wearing the disco slippers!

I don’t mind the Avids actually. Had Formulas before and they were great, though less adjustable.

Thinking about a chain checker and maybe some toe covers, have overshoes already. Assos ones seem a bit pricy at £30 something though.

Best: Actually, Thule roof racks and carriers. No more faff == More riding!

Worst: Avid brake lever. Not that it’s bad. I just resented being gouged £20.99 for a little piece of metal.

Yup. To work and back only though.

Yup. To work and back only though.

For MTB or road?

No experience of Scott kit apart from a bike which has been excellent. Their pads and other clothing seem to be received quite well though.

Think you can get the last season Fox ones for your budget now.

For road, I have a Cratoni C-Bolt which does the business. I ordered it from the nice Germans. Also on budget.

Hi Duffer,

I have read some stuff about how lengthening your stride is not the best way to run faster. Seem to recall that the middle distance athletes actually shorten their stride and increase their stride frequency to go faster.

Re pain, the most common complaint with new runners seems to be shin splints. Exercises to strengthen your anterior tibialis works wonders. You may also want to analyse your foot strike pattern. What feels natural to you may not be the most efficient way to run. For example, heel striking is very painful but seems to be how most people run. Perhaps try landing the ball of your foot first and transitioning to the rear if you’re a “heelstriker”?

I also find running needs me to focus more on my breathing than cycling does. Try some HR training if you can get the kit.

Blame Wiggle!

Wait, where am I?

I was looking at these too, but decided for over twice the price I’d not notice twice the difference and went with some Nukeproof ones. They are excellent.

Sorry if this is not much assistance to you.

Roger Federer.

I have never seen an athlete capable of such artistry in any sport.

1. Go out with the local road club at least twice a week until the summer comes around.
2. Enter a race series for the spring/summer.
3. Finally complete the 100 push ups challenge!

Rode them today. Lovely bit of trail. Keeps one busy for an hour or so. The signposted stuff anyway. Cannot wait for next year’s Bristol Bikefest and the Oktoberfest!

Osprey Momentum. Got a padded laptop compartment and all the touches you need.

Have a couple of TL ready Sxchwalbes on Crests and they were no more difficult to get on than tubeless tyres uusually are. Whingers always gon’ whinge mate.

Most of the trails I usually ride are officially shut. The quicker stuff in the “exxpert mtb area” is ppen and is riding nicely.

Haha! Some good points being made here.

Got spare chain, cassette, cables, brake pads (buy these from Superstar anyway because Avid pads seem a massive gouge), all the clothes I need and even some of the ones I want!

Shoes, yes. Got two pairs so I always have a dry/clean pair!

Got a workstand, track pump and all the kit required to do the maintenance I’m inclined to do. Never going to need a headset press, or crown race remover or any of the esoteric stuff. Would rather that were in the LBS’s capable hands, so not interested in them.

Don’t gift vouchers expire at some point? Knowing me I’ll put them in a “safe” place and forget about them. Don’t want to sell them either, because the person giving it to me will ask what I bought with them!

Actually, come to think of it. There were a pair of Sidis that were giving me the eye a while ago. I wonder what the damage will be for those.

All my bikes are male.

Does this mean I am gay?

It would explain the tight t-shirt I am wearing.

Nice one. Cheers. Roll on Boxing Day!

Death wish I reckon. Anyone riding with me gets told to get out of the path if they have to stop.

Traditional innit?

Anyone know if Ashton Court is open on Boxing Day?

Even if you could do it why would you? Matchmakers in my experience have been hideously flimsy. Broke one shifting a week ago and decided against them. Been through two of them this year, and neither involved anything remotely approaching a bad crash.

Separate clamps for everything for me please!

Allez Louise!

To paraphrase Domnic Touretto, it’s not how shiny your bike is, it’s how fast you can ride it on Strava that counts.

If I never had to clean, fettle or replace parts then I would ride mountain bikes exclusively.

Unfortunately I am not rich or talented enough at bike riding to pay someone else or have someone else pay someone else to do those things.

Over the last year the MTB has had new wheels, new brake pads, new tyres, new cassette, new pedals, new grips, new shifters, tubes and tubeless conversion kit.

The road bike I have had for three years. It has only required new tyres, tubes and chains.

Distance road bike: mountain bike is at a 4:1 ratio over a few 1000 kms. Cost of MTB:Road bike is about 40:1.

The discouraging thing about road biking for me is skill doesn’t seem to count for as much as strength and endurance do.

See a bloke at most of the races in the Home Counties racing a rigid Niner. Doesn’t seem to slow him down. Well,he’s faster than me anyway!

Not sure if I could do it, but don’t let that stop you!

Deffo worth it for me because 1 great meal >>> 10 shit takeaways.

Actually >>> 100 shit takeaways.

In fact, **** the takeaways!

@cheersdrive went to Tamarind last month and it was a disappointment.

Wolfenstein.

Ordered some Flows from CRC and got Flow EXs. About £250 for the pair using current discount codes. Not a bad price.

They look absolutely massive compared to the Crests. Cannot wait to give the a hammering next weekend.

John Peel. Should be on the BBC podcast site.

Probably in if I can convince the missus to get up that early and drive there. Else will be there later.

I’ve still not managed to find Corkscrew so would be fun to see what it is. Usually do a loop that starts with a little climb, Seagull, Stickler, Jump Gully, Expert MTB Area, Labyrinth and home via that mini track with the little drop off on it at the end.

Q7 needs option for No. Selected other like previous poster.

Well done for seeing it through mate.

I’m sure you’ll get your own dog one day.

Mount your reverb lever upside down. Sorted no?