That footage looks ok. Not as jerky as some GoPro footage, has the Hitachi got stabilisation?

I haven’t injured myself but I find Reverb buttons too small and slippy. I used Sugru to make a big round grippy button, seems to work so far…

I’d like to get a very small hydraulic brake lever and use that instead of the Reverb button.

Looks like a Duffbag then! Anybody put their bike in it without first standing it on handlebars and seat? Just wondering, don’t want to start that debate again but I have a reverb remote sticking up…

But I do have to say: very useful thread again, thanks. I have actually bought most of the products recommended after my questions! This is what STW is actually for!

Try this code for £100 off if you spend £75:

CRC99URACNT

Are there any online 3d modelling sites?

Hope Hoops.

I have an Eberspacher 5kw diesel water heater, I plan to plumb it in and heat either the engine block on cold mornings, the hot water header tank or heat the rear living space.

A shower is a must for those nights spent out in remote Scottish areas with no campsites.

Any comments on the choice of vehicle? I chose this one because it has a large overhang behind the rear wheels so I can get the shower in without running up against wheelarches.

Go for the Pikes. They feel like my old spring Lyriks.

I’ve had a Joe Blow for about 10 years. I knackered the dual head by accidentally sucking sealant into it. So I bought a new single type head and carried on. I use it to pump 4×4 tyres up. Will go from 20 psi to 40 psi without too much effort.

Thanks – I’ll go for a platform version then. Turns out the 10% off code at CRC only applies to some pedals though. Will hang off until the next site-wide event.

They’re less than £20 from CRC, why wait?

I was thinking of getting an early morning train to Bamford and cycling up to Bradfield to watch the riders come over the last small climbs before Sheffield. The roads should be reasonably quiet up through Ladybower area hopefully.

Reminds me of “The Chase” courtesy of Mr Sean Lock:

+1 go tubeless.

Latex tubes are a total waste of time. I used them in the 80s, they were supposed to be better than butyl. They weren’t/aren’t. Normal patch kits don’t stick. Send the tubes back to CRC for a refund.

buy 2 Schwalbe BMX inner tubes with Schrader valves, make them into rim strips, mount your tyres, pour 3 cups of sealant in each tyre, go to a garage, inflate with an airline – bingo! Tubeless!

All fitted and working. Front went up with only a track pump, rear needed a blast from a compressor. This is the first tubeless setup I’ve done without a Schrader-valved bmx inner tube split down the middle. The shop flogged me a length of yellow rim tape similar to Notubes. I may replace the Notubes valves with Superstar alloy ones. I don’t use the removable core to refill, I have an adapted tyre lever with a filling port.

Forgot to add! Might need to be 142mm rear…

I have a 1.2 Suzuki Wagon R which will take my SB95 inside with only the front wheel requiring removal. I don’t even have to drop the seat (and I’m 6’3″ so my seat is waaaay up). it goes in upright with the rear tyre wedged between the front passenger seat and door frame so it stays upright and supported. I push the passenger seat backwards to hold the rear wheel more firmly once I’m in. Much better than an external rack. There’s still loads of room behind the driver’s seat for gear.
They’re very cheap to buy and the older MK1 versions are Japanese made and therefore more reliable. 16v 1.2 chain driven camshaft. Not fast but it does what it needs to do. It’s a mobile bike shed!
Mine is a 1999, had 25k on the clock and cost me £725.

Deveron, why do you want to go flat out up the hills? All the stages are downs?

I’m doing the ‘Sportive Enduro’ (All Mountain Challenge) on the Saturday. It’s a one lap non-stop ‘race’. So, no taking it easy on the climbs then sitting around chatting before beeping in at the start of the downhill bits. To me the enduro format should include time-limited uphill liasons otherwise it’s just a collection of downhill tracks minus the motorised uplift. But each to his own…

I ordered my chipset with my frame. It came with a Shimano one. The nut is compliantly held by a grub screw.

Hi Occam, I’m about to flog my Tower Pro 140s and matching wheels if you’re interested. 29er tapered fork, 15mm front, 142mm rear. Very cheap…

I’m doing the Saturday one as well. SB95/Pike 150/Reverb/2×10 with 26t and 38t/Hope Hoops Flow with Magic Mary Supergravity* front and HD rear.
Currently training by riding 3 or 4 times a week with at least a 20 mile ride once a week of at least 3000ft of climbing. About to hit the gym for strength and power training.
I’m going to try and improve my power and recovery so I can go flat out up the hills, recover fast and have enough in my legs to pedal fast through rocky flatter sections and hold my ass over the rear for the steep stuff.
Is the course the same as last year? the stages seem to be on Strava along with several people’s rides.

*as long as they arrive in time!

I have seen loads of commuters using one sided clipless pedals. They often fumble about and wobble in front of traffic as they set off from lights.
The double sided users just step on, click and go. Safer IMHO.

Anyone thought about fitting a small hydraulic brake lever instead of the Reverb push-button? I find it a bit fiddly to get my thumb in the right position to push, especially if I’m on unfamiliar terrain and get surprised by a rocky section!

How would that work? Surely you’d have to keep hold of the lever or your saddle would just come straight back up (or down, never played with a Reverb enough to know which is is which!?).

But you thought you’d contribute anyway… So, by this thinking, you reckon Reverb users have to have their thumb constantly and without letting go, pressed hard on the release knob while they negotiate a nice rock garden?

I have to take my front wheel off to get my bike in the car. I hold the bike the right way up. Much quicker. I also do the rear the right way up. I suppose I’ve just got used to doing it. I hate getting grips and saddle scuffed, scratched and dirty from upside down wheel removal.

15mm and 12mm axles btw.

Just to hijack this a bit…

Anyone thought about fitting a small hydraulic brake lever instead of the Reverb push-button? I find it a bit fiddly to get my thumb in the right position to push, especially if I’m on unfamiliar terrain and get surprised by a rocky section!

The other alternative would be a panel van of the high-cube variety. High volume, low weight. I want to put a double bed, storage for 2-4 bikes, a shower and cooking facilities. I’ve already sourced an Eberspacher 5kw diesel-fired auxiliary water heater!

My main question was the typical gross vehicle weight of coach-built ambulances. Any ideas?

Is there an updated MM Tracker? I thought it was ‘stopped’ due to copyright issues.

What’s the best ride tracker app? I might just record my tracks separately. I want one that interfaces with the latest HRM devices.

I fell off on my favourite segment last night, I’m certain I was heading for a PB, the feature would have shown me how I was doing right up to the off.

Somewhere online I saw a hinged, spring loaded sign that sticks on the bonnet with magnets. As you drive along, the wind blows it flat, but as you slow down, it pops up and warns you about ‘toys on top’. looked very handy.
I always buy a car that will get at least 2 people and 2 bikes in. My car is a motorised bike storage shed.

I used to have some Lyriks on my old Nukeproof Mega and loved them. Now I’ve gone 29er I was waiting until something close to them came along and now they have… Pikes.

Ordered Pikes from Merlin at 10am yesterday.
DPD handed them to me at 4pm today.
Was out riding on them by 5pm.
Set 2 top ten downhill Strava times by 7pm.

Happy happy joy joy!

Yeti. Over the long term they have innovated and inspired loyalty (racers and buyers).

I worked in a bike shop for 2 years (recently, so relevant). Only ever had one snapped chain and it was a Sram 9 speed (gold coloured, can’t remember the model number). Was on a fellow employee’s 4x bike and he snapped it during a crash mid-race. The magic link was ok, the chain snapped at an untouched link. The side plates were a bit twisted.

I snapped a 1070 recently but it was a freak shifting accident, I got the chain trapped and it twisted it at an untouched link again.

I’ve used Sedis chains since late 1992, then Sram chains since they bought Sachs. This is after my Shimano chain failed at the hardened pin during the national MTB Championships at Broxa, 7th August 1992! Never used Shimano since.

Well done for spelling it correctly.

I’m waiting for the SuperGravity 29er to come out. Nextdaytyres have the Snakeskin version at the mo.
22nd April is the latest revised 29er SG release date.

I’ve had 2 Delica LWBs, excellent all round except the dreaded fuel consumption!
I’ve had a Diesel Alhambra MK2. Watch out for the auxiliary heater, it’s usually dead and the engine is very efficient and doesn’t kick out a lot of heat so you will freeze in winter.

I’m getting confused…

This map seems to have the Green Hill portion of the Red ‘erased’. Also, was there a trail South of Green Hill as well?

Pile of Stones IS Green Hill as far as I can tell.

Something is afoot…

I run my HDs on 29er SunRingle Radiums (not sure what rim it’s based on but says 20mm x 622) at 20psi and had what I think was a near rolloff of the tyre on a sharp corner last night. No burping but it was a scary moment. I’m thinking of putting a Magic Mary on the front and using Flow EX rims.

I’ll define my findings a bit: The Gordon way is clear from the visitor’s centre up to the junction with bottom of Rocky Horror Show. I then went the fireroad way to the top of March Burn. There was one solitary fallen tree across the track just short of where the fireroad joins the Gordon Way again.

I went. It’s 99.9% clear.

I’ve tried Ardent 2.4s but went back to Hans Dampf (Pacestar both) for the sheer grip (massive handful of brake and hardly any skidding). Vary pressure according to type of riding but about 25 psi front, 30 psi rear is the best feeling. (30 psi rear for avoidance of rim dings on the huge waterbars of Bennachie)
For a skinnier version, maybe try the Nobby Nic.