I used to just use Time MTB pedals on my road bike but switched to roadie shoes and Speedplay pedals. I do prefer the roady shoes and pedals now as they are stiffer which is more efficient and comfortable on longer rides. They’re a pain in the arse if you have to do any walking though. I have some plastic covers to go over the cleats which helps.

Skydiving,snowboarding, photography, shooting.

There are two in my shed.

Just water. Starts off in Camelback. Ends up in bladder.

Red ones go faster. This is known.

I do have a cage on a couple of bikes but only really used to hold a battery for my lights when night riding.

Got this reprinted in red but only to keep it as close to original as possible.

Gotta do some work on a flat I’m selling. Which is dull but necessary. Will definitely be getting out n the road bike and mtb as well though. There’s only so much DIY a man can take.

Did Blade last weekend. Really like it. Don’t really see what all the negativity is about to be honest. It’s a trail – it has climbs, it has wiggly bits, it has fast bits, it has rocky bits. It has some great views. It’s not necessarily going to be anyone’s perfect trail but what trail is? Just get out and enjoy what’s there rather than moaning about why it isn’t exactly how you might want it to be.

These two are conversions –

WTB Phoenix

Klein Mantra

The Mantra is a URT design so actually works pretty well as a SS.

Ok mixed opinions which is pretty much what I expected but seems like it’s the way a lot of stuff is going so difficult to avoid.

To be fair I always consider bearings as consumables so when the originals wear out I’ll replace with something better quality.

Giant XTC Advanced 2 it is then 🙂

Yeah not sure I really see a benefit – other than maybe it’s easier to make frames without threads for a bb. That may be better/easier for the manufacturer but doesn’t mean it’s better/easier for me as the consumer and user of the product.

There seem to be a lot of them about though and just not sure if it’s worth ruling out a bike I like the look of just because it has a press fit bb.

Any more opinions?

Some people will say BPW is great and some will say otherwise. I’m in the otherwise camp. For me it was disappointing – not what I’m looking for in a day out on my bike, mainly because there was not enough time actually on the bike compared to waiting for a bus or sitting in a bus.

Just had a great weekend in Afan riding up and down hills and on the bike for an hour or two at a time. That’s more my kind of thing.

Opinions will vary. Best just give it a try and make your own mind up.

Depends what your idea of fun is. I really didn’t like BPW. the amount of time riding seemed way out of proportion to the amount of time waiting for a van or sitting in a van. The runs are pretty short and it only takes about 10 mins max to get from top to bottom.

I have 7 bikes – only one full suss. The FS being a 160mm travel bike only really gets used for things like trail centres, anything likely to be a bit lumpy or trips to the alps or suchlike. I probably ride fully rigid SS more than anything (fnar fnar). Currently toying with a new XC hardtail though. 47 yo.

And how do you find it dnchevy? Anything to say about it? Like it? Anything you don’t like?

What’s wrong with something like a Middleburn RS8? Not bling enough?

Hmmmm,… Thanks for the feedback. I kinda like the colour of the 2. Tempted.

Been riding this for 12 years or more –

The info you need is almost certainly here somewhere –

http://sheldonbrown.com/bbsize.html

Or are you talking about the original Hollowtech rather than the newer Hollowtech II ?

Sheldon Brown is your friend –

Hollowtech II ® Two-Piece Cranksets: Shimano’s latest top-of-the line system is a two-piece crankset. One piece is the combined right crank and spindle, the other piece is the left crank. Hollowtech II uses separate bearing modules that screw onto the opposite sides of the frame. Since the spindle is part of the right crank, there’s no issue of compatibility. All Hollowtech II cranks work with all Hollowtech II bearing units.

Any crank that fits on one type of spindle will fit on all spindles of that type, but if the length is incorrect, the chainline/clearance will vary.

Shell width in millimeters:
68 for standard ISO/British
70 for Italian
73 for oversized ISO/British. This dimension has to do with what kind of frame the bottom bracket fits, and has nothing to do with the crank.
Length: overall spindle length in millimeters. This will determine the chainline and various clearance dimensions.

Shimano sometimes specs two different lengths for the same crankset. This usually relates to the diameter of the seat tube. The shorter dimension is normally preferred, but bikes with fat seat tubes may require the longer size to accommodate the swing of the front derailer.

Not sure about chest mounts but I’ve ordered various mounts from eBay and whilst some have been fine there have been some that have been poor quality and badly fitting. I have the proper GoPro chest mount and it works fine. I’m inclined to stick to the branded mounts where I can as they are more of a known quantity.

Here’s mine –

Mine –

I do fancy a KTM Super Duke though.

Fresh from a bit of pimping up in the shed.

New lightweight Bushnell eccentric.
New Hope external BB.
New Middleburn RS8 X type cranks with Uno ring/spider.
New rims built onto existing King hubs.
New tyres setup tubeless.

I went for the Salsa option. Might get a Type 2 at some point but the Salsa is a fraction of the price and will do me for now –

Changed the forks on the Phoenix this afternoon. Ditched the ancient and ineffective suspension forks in favour of rigid steel.

This my bouncy / AM / Enduro thing –

Nice Ibis. I had a steel Single Malt on order from them when they went out of business back in about 2000 or 2001. I never got the bike unfortunately (they never charged me though).

The Mantra actually works really well as SS. It’s a URT design so tends to lock out due to the pressure from the pedal stroke and also the chain length doesn’t change.

The Phoenix and the Klein don’t get out as much as the Inbred but both get used when the sun is out. I took the Klein around Swinley last year and it got quite a few comments but then it is more obviously unusual looking.

The Phoenix is pending some rigid steel forks. I really wanted to put Potts Type 2 forks on but the cost is a bit silly so going with Salsa Cro Moto.

Depends on your definition of “bling”. Do any of these count?

I was out last night too. It was relatively mild. The trails were mostly free of mud. There was a group of 20 of us (well that’s how many we started with) whizzing along enjoying the night. I got hit be a startled deer – only a glancing blow. Then a few sociable beers at the pub before heading home. My bike doesn’t even need cleaning. Smug as a bag of smug things 🙂

Probably requires a 29erectomy.

I used to use Time MTB pedals on my road bike but last year I changed to Speedplay road pedals. Lots of float like the Times. So far I really like them. Needs road specific shoes though but then most roady pedals will.

Recommend me? Oh dear.

Depends on your personal definition of “worth”. I went lat weekend. Drove up Fri evening and came back Sunday afternoon. About 3.5 hrs each way plus fuel, accom, food, beer, parking etc. For me definitely worth it. Up to you to decide if it works for you. Only one way to find out……..

They’re worth whatever someone is prepared to pay.

I was out with the local group (MTB Berkhamsted), last night. 18 of us met at the local shop and went out from there. Did 34k door to door with a couple of pints at the pub at the end. Top fun. Better than bowling.

I like it. It’s a bit different to a daytime ride. Not better, just different and variety is a good thing.

Plus over the winter the daylight riding potential is limited so night riding just means you have more opportunity to get out.

If you don’t like it don’t do it. It’s a free(ish), country. Do what makes you happy 🙂