Aberavon beach

Glyncorrwg campsite (on a sunny day)

Fat Albert (Schwalbe )

Something better than a Nicolai Helius CC ? surely you jest……

Always follow what your heart tells you.

I didn’t like it on the Turner Flux one bit, sold the Flux and bought the CC.

Good on any hardtail though.

I’ve had a pair for about 18 months, excellent shoe with good ankle protection.

I’m one size down for sizing with Shimano shoes though, Shimano 46 – Specialized 45.

Good shoe for trail riding, only wear the MT90’s in the winter and rain, 110 seems to get worn for the majority of the year’s riding, holding up very well in terms of durability.

I’d buy another pair without hesitation.

I put the ‘hoff on a previous bike, Turner Flux, see below.

Didn’t feel right to me, I then rode a Nicolai CC with the ‘hoff – it was simply much better, why exclude the Nicolai?

I’ve got a photo of him just before he crashed , Stuart Sibley 345.

Anyone know him? is he ok?

Don’t know any of the other photographers, in fact apart I only met one other taking photo’s. I was the only one who was riding around the event with the camera in my Camelbak(that i know of).

Whats your number? I might have an image, sorted the best ones out to host – but you never know.

Over the drop was quickest easily. But you could tell that these were the more confident and competent riders.

I helped one lad down who had quite a nasty fall, nothing broken, but he was quite badly shaken up (on the descent of the black run).

Anyone have an update on him – riding an Orange 5.

It was the Kona Mash Up at Glyncorrwg today – I took quite a few photo’s – having trouble getting them all uploaded tonight. I’ll put a seperate post up tomorrow when I sort it all out.

Thought this one was good.

Went to Cwmcarn earlier today and took some photos of this lad near the end of the downhill run.

Yes, I’ve used one through the winter (about 6 months of riding every weekend, in all weathers).

The non driveside bearing became quite gritty, I contacted Hope customer service who told be to return the b/b to them.

They replaced the bearings (both sides) free of charge and sent it back to me.

So, excellent customer service – but a little disappointed in the failure after 6 months usage. Stainless bearings if it matters.

Wall 2 at Glyncorrwg

Kona Mash Up is on Saturday 13 June this year, so you should be fine.

After posting for some advice on a dslr recently, I bought a Canon 40D. Weather wasn’t too bad on Saturday so went down to the Mumbles where there was a kite surfing competition on. The wind was very strong with squally showers, didn’t get a good opportunity to take any impressive shots. Went down to the Mumbles pier where I took some landscape photos.

Pretty new to this, but they look ok for a first effort (in my opinion).

1.years have you been commuting by bike? -25 years

2. times have you been badly injured (ie. hositalised) whilst commuting (let’s expand it to any road riding)- yes, once

3. times have you been knocked off or otherwise shunted by a vehicle with no injuries, once

A bit grainy, but captures the racing intensity.

The drag is definitely there on a brand new hub, but it does decrease over time (miles). Changing the oil after say the first 500 miles seemed to help as well.

The drag is virtually gone now (or I’ve just got used to it).

The weight issue in the rear hub has never bothered me that much – but I do think the ‘hoff is more suited to a hardtail than a normal full suss bike. Another reason why I chose the Nicolai , as the frame can be specced with all the cable routings, and the frame has been designed with the Rohloff user in mind.

You need to get a ride on one, it won’t take long for you to decide whether it’s for you.

Can’t comment on the Alfine – but have heard good reports from riders I’ve met on the trails with one fitted.

No problems with the Rohloff, and very few reported instances at that.

You could use the same Speedhub on different bikes, but depending on whether you use a Speed bone or the Rohloff torque arm you may have a little faffing to swap over.

Quite costly to get the shifter gear click box and necessary fittings though. Have a look at SJS website, they carry all the spares for the ‘hoff.

It’s not for everyone, there will be those who like it alot (like me) and others who will tell you that you can buy an awful lot of chains, mechs, cassettes etc for the same amount of money.

Well worth having a demo with the rohloff though – could just be that its not for you.

I do like it, and wouldn’t go back to conventional gears though. Dead simple to ride, no gears deciding that they won’t work because of the gloop conditions etc.

Here’s mine (again)

Thanks for the replies, I’m pretty meticulous about most bike related things (especially a clean drive chain).

Probably replace things a shade early rather than run them into the ground.

Front chain ring is treated with the same scrutiny – I’ve used the Thorn one, currently using a Middleburn unramped 38T ring. The Middleburn is definitely lasting longer than the Thorn.

Might try a better quality 9 speed chain soon, but the 8 speed SRAM’s are relatively cheap at the moment.

I always believed that the more expensive chains were basically the same (as the cheaper chains) , but had a better plating / finish and a few more shifting cut outs to aid shifting (with conventional gears).

Not a real problem with the chains, but it does seem too short a time / mileage – my 9 speed chain on my road tourer has been great- must be the grit and harder life due to the terrain.

Anyone got any feedback on using the Rohloff chain? Looks good from the manufacturers blurb, but would like some users feedback (bit pricey at £45….)

One of the reasons I switched to the Rohloff was the sheer drive chain wear rate at Afan / Glyncorrwg , didn’t really get much more out of the conventional derailleur set up. Chains and cassettes were changed quite regularly (plus I ride in all conditions). The local terrain is very sandy / gritty, not much mud, but quite abrasive.

Brake pads were once a problem, but this seems to have subsided now that I’ve switched to EBC sintered (or I might not be braking so much).

Wouldn’t go back to gears (conventional), just seems that the chain wear is quite shocking.

simondbarnes
Well the reason why I don’t absolutely run the chain into the ground is

Accelerated wear on the rear sprocket (now about £25 to £30)

Accelerated wear on the chain ring (around £25, depending what you buy)

Chain suck – I referred to my bike , Nicolai Helius CC (5 inch full suss) , therefore if the chain and ring wear become bad I will inevitably get chain suck issues, which is something I wouldn’t be looking forward to.

Running the chain till it breaks (or any other component) isn’t really my style, don’t like faffing around in the dark trying to fix the bike (gets ridden on night rides a bit).

The Thorn forum is mainly concerned with hardtail bikes, so running the chain till it dies with sprocket and chain ring isn’t too much of a concern (given that you’ll then spend say £60 replacing the lot).

Front chain ring is fine, doesn’t wear at quite the rate as the rear sprocket. Rear sprocket wear rate is not that good. I wouldn’t go so far as to say its made of cheese, but its not fantastic either.

Sprocket has been inspected and replaced when it has shown the slightest bit of hooking – these are now something like £25 ish as well……

Yep, I’m 95 Kgs, and alot of time is spent each (most) weekends climbing out of Glyncorrwg up the Whites Level / Skyline climb.

I do tend to try and spin, but I climb at a more leisurely pace (shall we say), using 38 x 16 in the lowest combinations (1,2,3)

Cleaned with the Park tool chain cleaner, relubed with a variety of lube stuff – Purple Extreme added before and after every ride.

Yep, road chain with derailleurs last a reasonable mileage – 2,000 ish miles.

Considering my chain isn’t derailed across drive-chain angles it seems quite low, but faced with the diary evidence quite accurate.

Chain is cleaned when probably more times than is strictly necessary (but I’m like that), but I still don’t think this is a major factor.

Anyone got an opinion on the expensive Rohloff chain?

Have a look at a Salsa shaft – 31.6mm with good lay back adjustment.

I switched from a Thomson because it didn’t offer enough layback for me to the Salsa, been trouble free since the change (six months).

Surly Long Haul Trucker – been my daily commute for some time now.

I’ve been a trade union member all my working life, even held senior positions in the local work force union organisation (Chairman).

Can’t understand why anyone wouldn’t be a member of a union really. All fairly large employers have a HR department, the company actually employs people who understand the legal side of employment rights, but they use the employees ignorance (in many instances) to make slightly unethical practices common place in the workplace.

Now you as an individual in the workplace are not going to be clued up on the latest legislation etc – why would you want to put yourself up against HR individuals who know the legality (or not) of any workplace rights.

Seems to me, that you need someone who is their equal – but would have your interests at heart.

Really, tea breaks, not doing any work,Labour Party leftists….come on now,,,,I grew up in that era, but its really out dated.

I want a professional to represent me, and my entitled rights within the workplace.

I use a XT Hollowtech II with the 38T chain ring in the outer position (where the big ring would be).

This seems to be a fairly standard set up amongst the Rohloff users, who’ll be along shortly. Works fine, except for the short’ish life from the Hollowtech bearings…..well documented here.

Rang Hope earlier today (as per the advice), they asked how long I’d had the b/b fitted for and told me to return for a warranty replacement.

Top service from Hope.

Yep, mine arrived this morning – cheers

Nicolai Helius CC Rohloff

Using a Fat Albert on the front and an Albert on the rear.

Good combination of tyres. The Fat Albert has a wide profile and offers plenty of grip – but still rolls well. Took a little time to sort out a pressure though. I pump the Fat Albert up to 32 psi on the front.

Haven’t had it long enough to see what its durability is like yet – but looks promising .

What the others say above, this is how its supposed to look, Rohloff on Nicolai Helius CC.

If there’s still room for the last person count me in – YGM

Blue – Joni Mitchell

Schwalbe Fat Albert on the front

Schwalbe Albert rear