To the OP,

There’s no such thing as unqualified ‘freedom of speech’. That is to say you are free to say what you want as long as it doesn’t engage the law.

Khan incited terrorism. That’s not a good thing. The consensus rejects this as acceptable behaviour in the UK.

I don’t know there’s a point. Maybe you don’t understand the law? Perhaps also, you underestimate the power of social media?

A rice dish that will bind stuff in your guts together. Rice, eggs, smoked salmon chunks – that type of fodder.

Hitch – 22. A Memoir.

Sort of autobiographical.

Matchless oratist.

Thomson DH, 780mm alloy riser bar.

Schwalbe Nobby Nic’s – deplorably weak. About as much use as tits on a fish.

E – Beef with horseradish & mustard crust, red cabbage, peas, carrots and croquette pots.
D – Peroni
L – Mary Berry

No problems ordering my frame – Dan responded to various Emails. He took a little while to respond on one occasion but he’s very busy developing what seems to be a very exciting brand.

That is a very fine looking bike that will be a blast to ride.

It’s a thread largely about the untimely death of the 26 inch wheel. 29ers don’t really come into it, nor other things that aren’t wheels.

I think the discussion took on a broader note.

dunmail – good points.

I’m sticking with conglomerate though – to form or gather into a mass or whole.

:D

We had 29’rs before 27.5! It seemed clear to me that wheel sizes were in play for change a lot longer than just over a year. And again, I wasn’t just referring to wheel sizes.

I don’t agree it was abrupt.

over an artificially short timescale.

What does this mean (not being rude, genuinely interested)?

Northwind – Member

The question isn’t so much whether there’s no real world benefits- it’s whether they justify the change.

I wasn’t talking exclusively about wheel sizes. As with all things that evolve, bike tech does so incrementally over time as well – hydraulic brakes, SPD’s, tubeless rims, wheel sizes, bolt-thru forks, clutch mechs, dropper posts, wider bars, the use of carbon, drive chains – narrow wide rings etc., etc. All these things conglomerate (sorry, couldn’t think of another word) to make the bikes more ‘enjoyable’. I know that’s a subjective word – but you know what a mean, pushing boundaries back and all that. Don’t view them in isolation. Would anyone argue they’re not good to have around, how the industry including LBS’s have not grown and prospered from them? My LBS’s are in quite good shape at the moment so I’m not overly concerned about them having to shift stock and re-orientate – that’s the very nature of their business and the supply chain.

My answer to your question therefore is yes – they are worth it.

BTW – I have two bikes, both 26” and old. My favourite being a steel HT with a 27.2 seat post that’s oxidised to the frame and now immovable! I am however saving up for a 27.5 HT build (I have the frame a Stanton Switchback) that will have updated parts.

Speeder – Member

The clue is on the user name.

Well done – have a biscuit.

Hmmmm – I don’t agree with the notion that grasping bike companies are hawking kit that doesn’t confer any real world benefits to the sport/pastime and that we’re all mindlessly sucking it up, powerless passengers being railroaded. Granted there will be the odd exception as there is to everything in life, but in the main, as thisisnotaspoon has mentioned, those technological advances are for the betterment of the sport/pastime in terms of making bikes more durable/capable for their intended purpose, otherwise the respective companies just wouldn’t survive or remain competitive. We are the drivers for this. I don’t feel I have to go 27.5/650b, 29 or whatever. I see it as having more options and diversity, which is good. There’s plenty of product out there to keep 26” alive for years if that’s your thing – as it is mine at the moment.

We all perceive aesthetics differently it’s always subjective. It looks more attractive here –

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/a-bike-build-thread-niche-content

Lots of care and attention has obviously gone into the design/construction and kudos to Shand for manufacturing in Britain.

I’d take a Curtis over that.

Exactly what I thought – the AM7, specifically.

I’m a fan of steel HT’s as much as the next man person but that’s not a design to get overly excited about … and 980 notes seems a bit steep.

From what was said I imputed the 29’r was a no goer and that was that.

Not sure what “not good for more than a few races” means?

Was wrecker referring to this –

chiefgrooveguru – Member

…

Except the Cotic enduro team riders chose to race the 29er prototype rather than the 26 Rocket…

Funny old world. I hate 29ers, I just think they’re not very good. Great for an XC racer, not so good for the rest of us.

+2

It was always a noble aspiration to bring frame building back to the UK (creating jobs/skills etc.), but aside from that, I don’t think the consumer is hugely bothered if the frame is from Far Eastern supply. We know those countries have an unarguably skilled labour force, particularly when producing carbon layups through proprietary molding processes. It must be frustrating though, being a designer in the UK and having to work within time and technological restraints imposed by oversees manufacturing.

My sympathies are with Cy – ultimately this is his livelihood as well as his passion. His business must compete effectively and make a profit. I don’t think the 26” is commercially dead (I certainly hope not) – would I rest my pension on that belief though – no, I wouldn’t.

Considered for one moment that he may have been a Cossack? No – didn’t think so.

Also bookmarked as a reference should I be fortunate enough to get to ride those areas – good post mate, thanks.

Agree with Binners very accurate analysis/observations of Brand.

I don’t necessarily believe the rich and famous should be excluded from politicking and social action because they are rich and famous, however Brand’s motivations strike me as having more to do with sustaining his own relevancy and ego than advancing the forces of good. I don’t think his ‘running with the hare and hunting with the hounds’ approach renders him as a particularly credible character.

goodreads is an excellent website – take a look at the various categories best of 2014 at the bottom of the home page.

http://www.goodreads.com/

Noticeable fakery – various frames show the bear remaining in-focus without the distortion of movement as can be seen with the surrounding environment (set to HD & pause @ 38 seconds into the vid). Good effort. I reckon Jamie would have made a better job of it though!

True Detective

Boardwalk Empire

The Shield

Six Feet Under

Southland

Cheers knottie – thanks.

knottie8,

Great pics.

Mate – as a bit of a local expert have you got any suggestions as to the easiest coombes/ bridleways to ascend to the main ridge line, preferably at the West Quantoxhead or Great Wood ends? I want to find a route that provides the steadiest climb at one of the extremities to ride the ridge and back again.

Cheers.

Good point from Cougar.

Fantasy you say … Dragon Age: Inquisition. Great game.

No – it’s based on a novel.

I recall Kimbers PSA thread about a year ago. I watched it on that occasion for the second time and purchased Francis Wilsons graphic novel off the back of it. I thinks it’s great – one for the nerd herd though.

Dig.

As in – “he got a proper (genuine) dig in the chops”.

Proper and dig enunciated in best West Country invective.

My Sidi shoes – hugely distraught about binning a pair this week – 9 years of loyal service in all winds and weather. Feels like a much beloved dog has been put down (not to demean pet ownership).

Jamie,

I bought the first Arrow episode, watched it then emailed the blinkbox administrators immediately to delete it from my account as it was sullying my collection!

The best way to view Gotham is through the optics of it being a cop show set against the Batman mythology. As opposed to thinking it’s an out and out Batman story and making comparisons with the various franchises.

Sure it has its weaknesses but they’re outweighed by its strengths – not being self-aware, noir’ish moody exploration of Gotham, snappy stories, Alfred having something about him and not being this tight-lipped old codger and Robin Lord as Cobblepot has been excellent (his is a really good origins arc) – to name a few.

I think it’s great and will go on to have a loyal following.

CountZero – you’re normally there or thereabouts for opinions on fantasy & sci-fi literature / TV films … but Arrow, seriously? That really is abysmally naff :D

transition1 – cheers. Indeed, very nice. I also fretted between green and raw – I see they’ve a nice red out as well now.

Good builds on both.

Encouraged by the early handling reports.

transition1 – stick some photies up :D

jontykint,

That looks industrious & fun mate – can’t wait to get my one built up. It’s a slow burner with parts being purchased each month as funds allow.

What Travel are you running the Pikes at? I think I might go with Marzocchi 350 NCR’s set to 140mm.

Be sure to let us know how it gets on round North Lakes and Whinlatter – particularly interested in how the geometry handles the climbs.

In retrospect the RIP comment was OTT – apologies. But I do hope that’s the last we see of that sort of trail at Pen.