I’ve got both types of bib tights.

I prefer the bibs with the liner as opposed to wearing a pair of shorts underneath.

There’s not a lot in it to be fair, but the bibs seem to fit better with the pad attached.

I have a Stache 9 and owned a Jones Spaceframe bike for a short period earlier this year.

I couldn’t gel with the Jones and sold it.

However, although it’s not a Jones Plus, I did run it with both a fat front end and a 29+ tyre at the front.
The Jones was a very comfortable riding position and climbed better than you would think. For me the truss rigid fork was the ultimate let down of the bike.

I know there is a dedicated following for the Jones, and I’m not trying to rubbish the bike, it just didn’t ultimately suit me or the local terrain at Afan.

Jones Plus would probably be a more comfy bike than the Spaceframe, and a bit lighter I dare say.
I genuinely liked the Jones, but just couldn’t handle the rigid nature of the fork for Afan riding.

The Stache 9 is just great, been using this bike more than my Trek Fuel.

I found that with the shorter stem the bike handled better on the downs.

It was a tad too long for my riding preference at the stock 80mm.

It’s probably just a individual rider preference really, never found a bike that didn’t involve some sort of personal adjustment with stem and saddles.

I put a 60mm stem on mine, pushed the saddle back at little .

I’ve settled on 10psi front, and 12psi in the rear, no rim dinks, no punctures in nearly 1,000 Kim’s off road.

Just about to go out now on the 9, great fun bike.

Just changed the front tyre for winter to a Maxxis Chronicle for better sidewall grip though.

I have read through some of this thread with interest, I have just bought an off the peg titanium bike which hasn’t been mentioned.

Obviously I’m very pleased with it, but it might or might not fit what you are after, worth considering though.

It’s the 2016 Charge Plug 5, titanium frame, discs, 1 X 11 drive chain, 42mm tyres for a very comfy ride. Mudguards eyes, rack eyes.

Doesn’t Jeremy Corbin ride a bike in London?

I swapped the Chupacabra on the front for a Chronicle.

The Chronicle has more of a square edge and shoulder for a more secure grip in corners etc.

I thought the Chupacabra was very good in the summer months when it was drier, and has a much rounder profile.

Afan will meet your requirements.

Had quite a bit of rain lately, but all the trails drain very well.

Blade will satisfy the rocky ride, plus the other trails all drain well and will be rideable, if a little damp. No muddiest to talk of really.

Cool Hand Luke

This thread sparked my interest in getting a bottle of rum , as a change from the “occasional” single malt whisky..

This afternoon went shopping for some Christmas drinks stock.

Saw a bottle of spiced Sailor Jerry and bought it.

Just opened it, one ice cube, 5 minutes to breath, and just had a taste.

Ummmmm, nice, I can see more sampling and different brands being purchased.

Just had a hailstorm 5 minutes ago.

Yes, it will very probably rain and be a little colder than of late.

All the trails drain very well though, the only exception being some sections in the wooded part of the Blade trail.

Regards

Denis

As mentioned in a few posts back, I fitted a Maxxis Chronicle to the front of my Stache 9, and put the front tyre on the rear for a little more winter grip.

Just come back from a very wet and windy ride around the Blade and Wall at Afan.

The Chronicle did feel much better, the squarer profile of the tyre did give more grip , it also felt a little more supple. Ran the front tyre at my usual 10psi.

Chronicle is a heavier tyre though, but I didn’t notice any difference in drag etc.

1955 Morris 1000 Traveller.

Yes, it can be difficult in the mid forties where you contemplate the future etc.

I have just retired at 60 and sort of went through the experiences you are now feeling.

My best advice is to get the work / life balance correct.

It was necessary to work and have a career, but not at the expense of your life.

Whatever it is that you and your family enjoy, then make this a bigger part of your life.
to a certain extent I let work take me over a little ( probably alot), but I wished in hindsight that I hadn’t spent so much time and energy focusing on my work / career to be honest.

Have a reflect on the things you want to do, whilst acknowledging that working will be just a part of the journey .

I did make reasonable plans with pensions to allow me to retire at 60, and I don’t miss work one bit now.

I can usually be found riding around Afan most days of the week if the weather is reasonable, all the things in life ( outside of work) have taken on a new perspective.

Have a long think about what you really want to do, and treat work as a vehicle to achieving those goals.
Regards

Denis

I was looking at buying the Straggler as a frameset and building it up into a lighter tourer than the LHT.

Looked at most of the others listed, wanted a light(ish) bike, with discs, and 1 x 11 drivechain that would be comfortable. Must have rear rack, and mudguard eyes.

I have settled for a Charge Plug 5 titanium complete bike as it fits the bill perfectly. Will be expecting delivery in the next fw days.
Regards

Denis

I fitted a Chronicle to the front of my Stache 9 yesterday after a few moments earlier this week,

Definately looks better in terms of the profile for the winter, I’ll see how it goes today if I can get out.
Regards

Denis

Surely part of the advantage to having this unit fitted is the increasing pulse rate as a vechile approaches.

This “should” at least make your presence more visible to the passing motorist, and it just might be enough to avoid a collision.

I’m tempted for this reason alone.
Regards

Denis

I’ve got an ordinary mobile somewhere, but I never use it.

Since retiring from work earlier this year, I don’t have any type of phone, now arch either.

Would drive me mad if I had to return to being on call again with time deadlines, but then I’m a bit fortunate.
As an aside,it seems most people rejoined at the hip to their phones though.

He seems to be orchestrating an exit from English football.

Only downside that I have really found is that now the weather has changed, the front tyre is beginning to let go a little.

Had a couple of moments and one spill when the front tyre turned in on me on the steps at the top of the skyline descent.

Rear mech hanger is very slightly out of true causing some shifting issues.

Might change to a Maxxis Chronicle for the winter.

Thanks

The OMM Kamleika are now in my Wiggle wish list.

Took a bit of a tumble on Thursday.

Bruised and battered at the moment, sun is shining….
Regards

Denis

I have the Stache 9 , 5 10 tall, 32 inside leg.

Riding a 19.5 inch frame
Regards

Denis

Time

Yes, Blade is open.

Been dry all week, still some gloopy bits in the wooded sections, but there is als a lot dust!

Yes, top hats out.

Seems as though the O ring requires a lot of pressure to sit in the right place.

Eventually with alot pressure I managed to get the grease to exit on the outboard side of the bearing.

I used to own a Vespa GTS 300, echo what peterpoddy says, really good commuter .

Simple to ride in traffic, good weather protection, very calming ride experience.

See if you can get a demo ride, I think you will be surprised.

Tubeless

Well I have owned and ridden mine for the last 4 months, so I suppose I must have a good idea.

The forks are ace.
XT brakes – spot on
Sram 1 x 11 – works very well.
Frame design is good, Trek just didn’t throw a pair of 29+ wheels and tyres on an existing bike, they redesigned it.
Bottom bracket wasn’t great – now replaced with a Chris King.

Climbing, probably won’t get you KOM on Strava although I’m sure some riders will go much faster than me uphill, but I’m not a racer.
Very comfortable for a hardtail, just need to go tubeless to allow the very low pressures from the wide rims and big tyres.
Trail and downhill , very good, confident, loads of front end grip.

Its a good if not very good trail bike.

I like it alot, there are loads of good bikes out there, but this one suits me down to the ground.

Ultimately a number of factors influence your opinions on any bike.
What you want from a bike.
How you ride.
Where you ride etc.

Regards

Denis

I have had one for about 4 months now.

Can’t agree about it harsh on the descents. I also have a Trek FUEL 9.8 650b full suspension bike.
The Fuel does feel more comfortable, but on all the local Afan descents , the Stache 9 is my fastest bike consistently (I’m no hero by the way).

But it is quicker downhill for me.

Climbing is in the more touring mode of sitting back and enjoying the climb, and occasionally it can be a little awkward.

Nevertheless, I like it a lot. Forks are ace.

10psi front, 12 psi rear , comfy enough .

I have bought two new bikes this year.

One is a 29+, the other is 27.5.

The 27.5 feels very similar to the 26 bike of old.

The 29+ although, does feel very different.

The 27.5 performs just like a 26 inch wheel in my opinion, and I can’t tell the difference really.

The 29+ does have a lot more momentum rolling on the flat or downhill.
However, slower climbing does not feel as easy, and it can “stall” on some of the slower technical climbs etc.

Airshot for me works really well.

I have used it to go tubeless on fat bike tyres, works well.

If it will seat fat bike tyres, then ordinary tyres are simple.

Hi Neil,

Sorry to hear about your recent thefts, I can’t believe the run of bad luck you’ve had with bike thefts.

I went through similar periods of losing interest when other priorities took over, work and family commitments.

It was really good to see you at Afan recently, brought back some good memories of when we used to work together.

Wanting to regain your fitness and get out there is the first step. I see you use Strava , building the miles up and beating and improving on your own performances aethe beginning.

You will get back to some respectable fitness it will just be small steps at a time.

Keep your chin up mate.

Bought a Fabia Scout ( Estate version) 1,6 diesel new about two and and half years ago.

Really good car, loads of space, relatively cheap compared to VW.

Would buy another if I was doing highish mileage ( probably have a petrol engine these days).

Regards

Denis

A chap I used to work with was called Teflon.

He was a welder.

zinaru

only about 5 weeks I suppose.

Problem is that my left leg and right arm and shoulder are giving me alot of pain during the ride, and more after it.

The hardtail and full suss give me an easier ride (kind of obvious I know), but my body can’t take the pounding.

Have considered just selling the frame and buying a Jones diamond frame as a tourer. The riding position is fine, its the lack of any suspension really, I genuinely thought it would be ok.

Regards

Denis

I’m afraid that I seem to be moving in the opposite direction to you with the gel to a new bike.

It disappoints me to say that I can’t get on with my Jones Spaceframe bike.

I bought it as a rolling chassis off a forum member, and have built it up into a complete bike. Changed a few things like the bend bars to open loops, but I can’t get on with it.

It has agrivated an old injury, I have seen a cyclist physio who has helped me understand what is happening, but essentially the rigid fame is not doing me any favours.

Will be listed for sale very shortly in the classifieds.

Like the recent thread by ton, this bike isn’t going to work for me sadly.

I bought one new about five years ago.

It’s the 1.4 petrol engine version.

Sub frame has rusted and been replaced , common problem.

My daughter now owns it, hasn’t given much problem, likes front tyres every 10,000 miles or so.

Feels a little budget class now, a bit gutless once out of town on the motorway though.

Wouldn’t buy another though, there must be better alternatives these days.

The electric shower might not be too complicated as we have solar panels on the roof.

All sorts of electrical grubbing ( technical term

Ummm, having second thoughts now.

Electric shower is becoming a better instant option with quite a lower cost.

Keep the comments coming guys.
Regards

Denis