Got the fat front wheel up and running just now. Took me quite a while but did everything slowly and methodically.

New Surly rim tape, rim cleaned of all previous residue. Followed the link below as it seemed to make a lot of http://cyclesinlife.com/tubeless-fatbike-conversion-update/

The tyre I fitted was a Maxxis Mammoth 26 x 4, and has good clearance.

The tyre seated with the inner tube in no problem, took the tube out and inflated with my Airshot can and went up straight away.

I used a track pump to inflate to 25 psi and it stayed inflated without any major leaks for one hour.

Deflated, added Stans liquid, pumped back up and rode about for 10 minutes to circulate the liquid.

I’m leaving at pressure overnight, but there is no seepage at the bead sections on the tyre / rim so far.

Hopefully everything will still be at pressure in the morning, drop the pressure to 8 ish psi and go ride.

I think it’s the rim that is widening the Surly Bud.

The Darryl rim is 80mm, think it is widening the tyre footprint, which is causing the very close clearance.

Had my first ride on the Jones today.

Here are my scattered thoughts.

This is using the 29+ front end with the Surly Knard front tyre, which was pretty good, but once I get the fat front end sorted I can see this wheel being sold.

Very comfortably geometry, you are sat further back on the bike with less weight on your wrists and leaning forward. As a result the saddle might need a little more thought, as you are now sat more upright.

Climbing, I’m not the fastest in the world, but it does feel easier ( maybe not faster), this again might be down to the more upright position and having more weight over the back wheel.

Bars are very comfortable, seem to be in a very natural position with respect to the wrists.

Obviously not as fast on the downs, and needs a slightly different approach to remember to put your weight a little more to the rear and let the front end go a little light, very easy to do in practice.

I like it.

Will definitely switch to the fat front end though , as I need a little more cushion effect.

Still early days, and the bike does handle differently, need more time on it to be more confident as it does ride very differently to anything I have ridden. But I can see that given time and a bit more confidence this will be a whole lot of fun.

Just to add, my fitness levels are very low at the moment, had food poisoning about a month ago ( which took two weeks to get over), and then had a shoulder injury that hasn’t helped.

Did enjoy getting out on the bike today, and that is what matters the most.
Regards

Denis

I had a Cannondale SAVE post on my Cannondale, it really was quite comfy in taking out some of the rear trail end buzz, I was impressed with it.

However, if the carbon post failing is always in the back of your mind then I suppose its not worth it.

However, I thought it was very good.
Regards

Denis

As much as I wanted the 4.8 Bud front tyre to fit, the clearance on the front fork stays is just too tight.

I have removed the tyre and put it up for sale in the classifieds. Raining here again in sunny South Wales, so I took the time to clear up all the remains of the tyre sealant, not the nicest job, but complete now.

Out tomorrow regardless of the weather.

The big tyre definitely needs a bit more push to steer in my limited riding, but the steering feels very direct as others have said.

I’ve got a full suss, I want a Jones for something different.

Not confrontational, so don’t take it the wrong way, but it’s not always about going faster etc.

I genuinely just enjoy going out and riding round the Skyline at Afan, not being concerned about how fast etc.

I ride from my doorstep most times and just wander around single track and fire roads as the mood takes me.

Even just riding it on the Tarmac today it felt very comfortable and relaxed in its riding position. The bars are placed just in the right position and braking and changing gears is effortless.
Just feels right, can’t comment about off road yet, hopefully if it stops hammering down with rain here, then tomorrow will be the first real impression.

Thanks guys.

I will put the Dually on the front with the Knard for tomorrow then.

Not that much mud at afan really, thanks though Steve, I have emailed you with details.
Regards

Denis

Thanks Stu

Only ridden around the block at the moment.

front tyre clearance does look close though.

Was wondering if a different front tyre might give me a little more clearance, what would you recommend?

I’ll alter the bar angle, but it did fell very comfortable round the block, no tyre rub, but this is just riding on tarmac with some kerb jumping.

probably ride around Whites Level tomorrow though, all the bits are working as they should.
Regards

Denis

Cheers, 10 psi it is then.

I run the Stache 9 at 10 psi in the front also.
Regards

Denis

I think it’s a marmite bike really, I do like a bit of marmite on thick white toast though.
Regards

Denis

What I found was that there is a lot of perception involved in being motivated……..

Senior management seem to think (IMO), that staying late, not taking breaks , talking relentlessly in management speak and rushing around is somehow being motivated.
I think it just shows in the current work place environment that individuals are a little fearful and will do all or some of the above to show some sort of perception of motivation. now that’s not to say that the above bland statement fits everyone, but there is some truth in it.

I do know some very motivated individuals who work long and hard just because that’s the way their personality is.

It will be difficult to be motivated and do the usual expected activities for a long period of time as it will get quite wearing.
Also, as you get older (which will happen), your level of energy, concentration and motivation will drop for most people. I know it did for me.

I was going to get drawn into this, but I am genuinely glad to be out of the workplace now. What is normally expected is very usually over and above the job role.

slowoldman

+1

I’m 60 now, he speaks the truth
Regards

Denis

I’m with rocketdog.

Left school at 16, worked all my life.

Its not to say that worklife means that you go in and do as little as possible, but for the majority of people they are going to work to support their families, and have a lifestyle they want outside of work.

Going into work each day is a means to achieve what you want in life, as work is a part of that.

But it is impossible to go in each day and give 100%, there will be a natural level at which individual rests.

Go into work, do your best, don’t get drawn into work being the most important activity in terms of absolute effort and commitment, just do a good days work.

All of my family have died within the last two years , Mother, Fater and brother – not one of them said that they wished they had spent more time and effort in work. They all said they wish they wished they had done other ( life) things.

Life’s for living, now retired, seem to have a life back, don’t miss work at all
Regards

Denis

Ta very much
Regards

Denis

Joss is thanks.

If you could send me an image it would help.

I was assuming that you had to use the gear outer cable around the seat post / brace area.

What is the. Skinny tube made of , is it just a piece of plastic hose like that used for bleeding brakes?

Email in my profile.

Thanks,

Yes it does help a lot.

Looks like the cable with the outer comes from the front shifter and enters the cable stop on the left hand side of the Spaceframe tube.

Then the cable exits without any outer cable on it, until it meets the seat post tube and brace. This is where the outer cable is then put back on and routed down to the front mech.

Thanks for the image, that will help be a great deal.

Can’t wait to get out on it, I have a pair of sandals already, but Won’t be able to grow a beard and ponytail in time for the first ride though

no eats
no listen

that just leaves the drink
Jura Superstition single malt, nice
Regards

Denis

I’m not trying to make a sweeping judgement here, so please don’t attack the following as a generic statement.

When I got married I was in the company final salary pension which were part of my terms and conditions, so I was fortunate enough to have contributed into a final salary pension for 24 years. The company closed down with redundancy and everyone lost their jobs.

In this time, we started a family, my wife gave up work to look after what turned into 3 children eventually, we sold the car as we couldn’t afford to run it, or replace it.

Al the time I was contributing to the company pension and making some additional contributions.

When I left, I was then in money purchase pensions in a few companies, again always paid a little extra in additional contributions, still didn’t have a car , hardly any holidays, but very little debt and a reasonable mortgage .

Things eventually sorted themselves out in my 50’s , but I was still making quite high additional contributions which have enabled me to retire early on the strength of my pension activity over say 40 years.

My reflection on my younger working friends portrays a very different picture.
High mortgages, holidays, cars, a lot of expenditure on lifestyle purchases, no pension payments even into their 30’s as they see this as something they cannot afford.
Most were envious of me retiring at a relatively young age, and not having any debt and a reasonably comfortable lifestyle, not extravagant though.

I don’t blame them entirely, but the erosion of final salary pensions and general workplace benefits compared to the 70’s and 80’s is stark in contrast.

It takes a long time to accumulate a reasonable pension pot, and early sacrifices have to be made.

Obviously, this isn’t totally representative of everyone, but I believe it is more common than not.

The times have changed, and they will change in the near(ish) future I am sure.

I have recently retired at 60.

I think I’m a little lucky, but I have always had a pension and paid additional money into the pension pots, even when it was difficult with a growing family.

Fortunately I have 24 years worth of a final salary pension, other pension funds are now consolidated into a future drawdown fund, yet to be used.

It will be difficult for individuals with the current economic situation, but paying as soon as possible into company pensions is a must, additional contributions make a surprisingly good investment over time.

Someone gave me this piece of advice, there’s only one thing worse than a bad pension and that’s no pension.

It will be impossible to guess the pension funds status in the next 10 years, let alone further into the future.

Property is not cast iron, neither is the stock market.

No problem.

Not a fan of press fit bottom brackets at all, the Trek one fitted was ok but it had just started to make the odd squeak.

It’s more me really, I don’t like things falling apart just at the wrong moment, so I got it replaced with something that should be trouble free ( hopefully).

The King bottom bracket fitted easily with the supplied diagram, but I did let my local bike shop fit it (Skyline Cycels, top shop), being such an expensive part.

321 account, had one for quite a while now.

No risk, good return at 3%.

I tried 15psi and sort of worked my way down to 10psi really.

10psi in the front is fine, sometimes I have put 12 psi in the rear for just a bit more reassurance.

I weigh 79 kgs on the bathroom scales, so add about 4 kgs for Camelbak and clothing as a total weight.

I bought the bike blind really, didn’t have a test ride, in my experience it is always difficult to make your mind up on a test ride anyway. The test ride bike usually feels different, and trying to decide if this is better or worse can be difficult.
Easier if the bike in question is radically different, but in my case I wanted a solid hard tail trail bike that offered some squish without rear suspension.

Can’t say I’m disappointed really. Sorted out the bottom bracket long term with the Chris King version, stem will be changed soon.
Can’t see me doing anything else to it except riding it and wearing out brake pads, tyres and cassette.

Bike sizing can be a little odd, have a look at theTrek geometry charts.
The 19.5 inch is actually 18.5 inch from centre of bb to the top of the seat tube, which tends to be ideal for me at 5 10 tall.

About 28lb, tubeless.

No issues at all with rim strikes, and I ride at Afan which is relatively rocky in parts.

The rims are still like new and unmarked, the tyres have the odd scuffing mark, but again nothing to worry about.

The only issue is that the Bontrager tyres are still unavailable in the UK, and the tyres will be expensive.

Ref the dropper

I did find it a little strange at first with the dropper, still not 100% convinced, but I have had the dropper in and out at least twice, using a normal post etc.

Eventually decided that I would get a Thomson dropper and just leave it in there, comes in handy sometimes, it’s more about ne and my riding style I suppose.

Had the KS up for sale, but nobody seems interested, gathering dust in the garage now.
Regards

Denis

wiggles

here’s a little more detail, but i think its great , it attracts alot of attention everywhere though, so be prepared for alot of questions.

Tyres are great, immense amount of grip, I’k running them tubeless front and rear, 10psi front, 12psi rear, no problems whatsoever.

The fork is probably the best I have ever ridden, maybe the boost (110mm) width , coupled with the lightly different axle retention helps, but it is excellent. Seems to float over the stutter stuff very well.

I’m about to change the stem though, comes with an 80mm one, will change to a 60mm.

I also changed two other things, but they didn’t need changing, its just me being a little fussy.

Chris King bottom bracket, Thomson dropper.

The paint being a flat matt black doesn’t clean up that great, but once you’re on the trails its always dirty – doesn’t bother me at all.

1 x 11, I didn’t think I would like this, but i find it much easier to ride than double or triple ring setups.

Climbs very solidly.

On the trail it feels like its on rails,

1 x 11 makes the whole drive chain very quiet, no dropped chain yet.

I find the geometry spot on, 19.5 inch frame – I’m 5 10 tall.

If you are local to South Wales, near Afan, you are welcome to have a ride with me to help.

A tad expensive, but worth it in my opinion.

Regards

Denis

My main concern with the Camelbak was that on descending the pack would shift around.

I never could secure the thing properly.

The Wingnut sits much lower though , and is definitely more stable and comfortable.

I’ll probably buy one of the smaller Wingnut packs now for shorter day rides in the summer, where I don’t need to carry a lightweight jacket for rain.

I’m usually more restrained, and tend to not let the media affect me in their reporting of all things in the wonderful world of our royal family.

In this instance I have been drawn.

I think I’ll return to the ostrich mode, now that a large glass of Jura Superstition single malt has been consumed.

My p*** has been returned to its normal temperature

I genuinely didn’t know that the daft old duffer had done anything until I saw this thread.

Had a look on the BBC website and had to chuckle, nobody seemed to have the balls to tell him that he shouldn’t behave like that.

It’s the media really, TV and newspapers that keep promoting them, they are a relic of the past in my opinion.

Probably take another 50 years for them to sort of disappear into some form of obscurity ( hopefully).

I just don’t like the society of privilege really, wealth and power influencing the country.

They can on occasion boil my p*** , but I suppose that’s my problem, I really should let them get on with it in their state funded accommodation and welfare handouts.

Making the news….

It’s the media promoting them as some sort of “god like” hero worship.

None of the media will come out and say what a rude chap he is, and all the other family issues.

To be honest, I don’t care what they get up to.

What I do care about is that the nation is funding them, and has been for what seems like forever.

The sooner they are out of the funded housing and state benefits the better.

I’m not a fan, but, you might have guessed that by now.

Must say, it does make for great footage – can you imagine if it was a politician, they probably would have been forced to resign by now…..
Regards

Denis

Uk is a society of priveldge.

Royalty, House of Lords….

Can’t wait for the day when it all ends.

hardly anyone cares about them anymore, yet the media still continue to keep them in the limelight.

Just ignore them I say.

He’s a stupid old duffer who has continually shown his distain and ignorance of others, bad manners is his speciality.

I bet you can guess that I am no fan of the royalty, and it will be a good day when they don’t have any state funded housing etc.

Regards

Denis

Excellent

Needs to be on the front page , or at least a sticky to lighten up!

Haven’t read all the responses here, but this is my take.

Off-road, definitely without question.

On road, not so sure. The helmet will not prevent much in terms of a car thumping your head, can help with direct contact with the road or kerb though.

It’s about being happy with the trade off of potential risk here.

I don’t like wearing a helmet for road cycling, and probably only wear one on the road bike for say 10% of the time I ride road.

Thankfully it’s still rider choice.

Suppose I’m in the minority these days, but I do get a little fed up of some sanctimonious comments about my choice not to wear one.

Using the Trek suspension set up guide for your bike and weight.

Fork
70psi
13 clicks out on the rebound

Shock
160 psi
9 clicks out on rebound.

What settings have you been using?

I genuinely think it is related to how old you feel in your mind.

I have slowed down and nowhere near as quick or have the strenght and endurance that I had 20 years ago.

But I’m still riding and enjoying, I can’t think of anything better to be honest.

Haven’t ridden for two weeks now due to food poisioning, but can’t wait to get back out once I have gained a little strenght and weight.

Lost 6kgs , surprisingly, my electronic bathroom scales tell me that I have lost fat as opposed to muscle content. So perhaps it was worth it after all :o
Regards

Denis

I have come back to riding this year ,after a5 year break.

I’m 60 now, can’t ride enough, as others have said, takes longer to recover etc.

Enjoyment is still at maximum though.

Doctors won,t give anything to combat it, unless you are on deaths door.

The general consensus is the the first three days are just grin and bear it, it should improve after three days.

If it doesn’t, then a visit to the Doctor.
He gave me some very good advice saying that you need to keep hydrated at all cost, and get the poison out of your body naturally.

Most people he sees who complain of food posioning don,t actually have food posioning but a severe stomach upset.

I know the difference now………

Hot soapy water.

Soak the grip first, then use a small amount of soapy water and apply washing up liquid to the bar and the inside of the grip.

Take a clean dry rag, start the grip on the bar, and pull the grip onto the bar.

Probably takes two minutes.

Leave to dry overnight.

mboy

Are you based in South Wales?

If so, you are welcome to have a jaunt with me , you can ride my Trek Stache 9 29+.

You might like it, you might not, worth a ride though.

I live near Afan.
Regards

Denis

redsox

I to have suffered with depression and anxiety for over 30 years.

Over that time I have had counselling and taken various medication.

I knew the root cause of my issues along time ago, the medication did seem to help, but the underlying problem still existed.
In my case, it was largely family based, but these are my experiences , and everyone will be different.

I made the mistake of work making me stressed aslo. I had a stressful position which never allowed me to get out of the vicious circle of pressure ( which I don’t react to well).

It was difficult as I was supporting my wife and three children and felt that I needed a high salary to provide etc….

I have since retired from work (I’m 60 now), have slowly reduced te medication (not for the first time), and now feel much better, even though I don’t have a large salary coming in each month.

It can be difficult, and everyone is different, if you want drop me an email ( in profile), but ultimately you have to come to terms with the root cause of the issues, and then take actions to reduce / remove the stress and anxiety levels –
Regards

Denis