I’d have either…I’d prefer the Nicolai for the custom options but it would probably be an extra £1000 (for me, as I’d wanted a custom seat tube and some other options).

You don’t always need to go for the downhill stuff. Look at Dakine, Sombrio or Oakley…even the none D/H gear always has baggy sleeves.

The above link from Flatfish doesn’t work (typo in the URL), here’s the working one: Bear Bones Thread

I usually use Citylink too (through Interparcel.com) as they’d always been the cheapest. I sent an expensive frame the other week so added insurance…got an email back saying that it was one of their restricted items, the insurance would only be valid if it went missing and if I wanted to cancel (the insurance, not delivery)! Just something to bear in mind.

Last time i bought a telephoto lens at jessops i asked for a free filter and they gave me one for free,

Was your lens expensive? If so, why would you stick a cheap filter on it (it won’t have been a decent one if they gave you it)?

At all the previous Whinlatter Challenges there would always be a massive bottleneck after the first fireroad climb. I think this year there’s two starting times, the first one being for those who managed to do it in less than a certain time in the past. If you’re in the second group most of the other riders will probably have the same mindset as you, those who haven’t will be off like a shot from the start…don’t bother about anyone else, just go along and as long as you enjoy it that’s the main thing. 😀

Properly useful of bit of a gimmick?

That depends on what you’re wanting to use it for…if you want it to direct you on new trails, then it’s the best thing since sliced bread. They’re also handy if you get lost. For anything else you could probably get away with a standard cycle computer unless you want to upload your routes or get into Strava.

Argghh…I’m lucky to even find the IPA, nevermind anything else they make!

Try a bolt from somewhere else on your bike that you know the size of (bottle cage mount, rotor bolt, etc.). If it is slightly bigger than a normal stem bolt though, it probably is M6.

Conversion you say…no need with a cheap 650B soft-tail! 😉
STW Classifieds

badllama – where the F&*k do I put the bike while I’m out lugging sliders, camera and tripods.

I’d found the same problem…at first I thought all I needed to do was separate filming from riding. The distances are too great to get around on foot or are inaccessible by vehicle though. I’m now trying to do things with a small steadicam, fold-up shoulder stabiliser and a large gorillapod. Anything that doesn’t fit in my bikepack simply doesn’t go. If I need more gear I’ll have to get other folk to help and split the gear between us.

Vicbob – Yes you can. Don’t know what the mud clearance is like but a few racers from the USA were/are doing just that.

Dibbs – I’ve just been using 4 mini-carabiners to fix mine to the straps of my backpack. I only use the chest mount when I’m carrying things in the backpack that I need regular access too…not often when biking as my pack has side pockets.

kayak23 – Member

Yeah, I defo don’t fancy my SLR hanging on my chest…
It depends how fast of an access you want…I wear mine on my chest (depending on what kind of riding I’m doing) using a Lowepro Toploader 50AW. I wouldn’t want to use a bigger one than that though, so it would depend on the size of the lens/es.
Fixed to the bike is a bad idea, you won’t be on the bike when you’re looking to take that perfect shot.

I know Alpkit know more than me about retail, but it still amazes me how regularly popular products go out of stock.

+1, how much money are they losing out on by folk having to go and buy elsewhere.

If you want to spend lots on rims don’t go with ENVE, the new Syntaces are where it’s at. 900 quid will buy your wheels that are as light as ENVE’s, wider, made out of aluminium and come with a good warranty and crash replacement policy.

You don’t understand the reasoning behind carbon wheels or why people buy them if that’s what you recommend. 😛

Edit: I wrote this before you added some extra to you last post!

‘Green Drinks is not a channel to circulate announcements or news about environmental issues. Green Drinkers are already deluged with information from thousands of other sources. Green Drinks is a place to go to get away from all that.’ 🙄
Err, how about this, if you’re interested in environmental issues but need to get away from them, drink with people who aren’t? 😆

😀

Maybe it’s no help even if you can buy the bushings from elsewhere…apparently the aluminium fixings wear at a similar rate as them so usually need replaced at the same time. 🙁

Aren’t they a standard bushing that ‘IGUS’ produce? Would probably be cheaper than buying from RM. You could also try Silverfish.

The closest you’ll get to the Alpkit ones are made by Outdoor Research, the attachment points aren’t in as good a position though.
I’d suggest a roll of duct tape and getting creative with fashioning some lashing points with that!

Patch it from the inside mate…any of the other suggestions might work but will come back to bite you at a later date.

wish I had Shimano!

I don’t, I’ll stick with Race Face…why would I want cranks that need special tools to fit/remove and have to pay crazy prices for replacement rings? Another great thing was that when I changed to 10sp, all I had to do was replace the rings rather than the whole chainset.

A spot of cheeky camping!

You could take a chance and put false sender details on it (Bike co.), then mark as a warranty replacement. 😉

If you can’t bear energy or electrolyte drinks don’t waste your money on them! If you don’t like what you’re drinking you won’t drink often enough. Have a look at the Hammer Endurolyte tablets or suchlike instead.

It should be, I was up there the other day and I don’t think there’s been any snow since. Look out for the icy patches! The main bit I had to watch out on was the second to last section of the north loop (before the the small fireroad section for the last downhill).

big_scot_nanny – I take it you’ve already ordered? If not, Wiggle are far from the cheapest place for Exposure lights…try Google shopping, I would say you’d save an extra 20-30 quid. That was without looking around much too, you might find them even cheaper.

If you’re considering bikepacking now before you’ve even bought a bike, decide what types of bags you’re going use and how much you need to carry. Certain bike designs lend themselves to it more than others. Here’s some links to other folks’ setups if you haven’t already seen them (these will probably make your decision even harder!):
Bikepacking.net – ‘Post up your rigs‘ and ‘Personal Setups[/url]‘
MTBR – ‘Post your Bikepacking Rig (and gear layout!)‘

I’m guessing those rental prices are due to the oil industry? I’ve just looked on a rental website and some of those properties, although not bad, are shocking for the prices…3 and 4 bed semi’s for 2k+ a month, WTF!

I’d rather put up with the cold here in the UK and ride in the snow and ice to be honest. 😉

avon skin so soft is crap imo.

+1, too true…I was once sluthered in the stuff but was still eaten alive by the buggers! The smell of it becomes sickening after a few days too.

I’ve been away a few times by myself too (usually over the Xmas holidays)…if I hadn’t have I would have been sat at home not being able to get out much due to the weather. If you’ve got the chance GO! You’re more likely to regret not going rather than going.
I still meet up with most of the folk I met on my last trip too.

Lynda Wallenfels is a reputable coach and has online training plans. You might not have the time to follow one of those though? They cost $99 too.

Try eBay too.

Sell the 203’s and buy smaller ones? I wouldn’t try and put that size discs on a 5″ trail bike unless I was the size of two men!

They ordered items on your account without telling you and are refusing to pay for them?

Exactly this! If they felt short-changed and thought some more items should have been supplied with the doors they should have contacted you. They’re obviously trying to rip you off. If they had thought some other bits should have been included, how did they know that you didn’t already have them in your vehicle or tool box, etc.?

Done.

I use the matte finish version of the Paragon Tapes stuff…I thought it was a bit thin when I first got it but it’s as tough as old boots and goes on easier than any other types I’ve tried (it’s quite stretchy so fits in awkwards spots well).

user-removed – Member

I have no idea what this means :-D. I am obviously no longer down with the kids.
Ha ha, don’t worry…it’s not a case of being down with the kids, more like being within the circle of beard stroking, niche mongers! 😆