Various boxes and shelves in the garage.

Last time I had a sort out I made a list on my phone of all the spares and parts I have and I keep that list up to date as things are acquired or used.

I bought a Frontier frame and built it up rigid using parts from my spares stash and a couple of new bargain buys.
It’s a cracking bike. I used it mainly for commuting and the odd trail ride and had no problems at all.
Unfortunately I have knackered my shoulder so it’s currently hanging in the garage getting dusty.

Sonder Dial or Frontier.
They look very similar but have some subtle geometry differences.

HA:
Dial 69
Frontier 68

SA:
Dial 74.5
Frontier 73

Reach:
Dial 475
Frontier 460

Wheelbase:
Dial 1167.5
Frontier 1184.5

Hope you recover ok, OP. 🤞🏻

OTB on the Cafall Trail at Cwmcarn 6 weeks ago resulted in a dislocated shoulder, smashed rotator cuff and fractured humerus.
Dislocation was relocated in hospital the same day but they waited a couple of weeks to see if the fractured piece of bone (the greater tuberosity) would stay in place. It didn’t so had an op’ to screw and suture it back in place 4 weeks ago.

@slowol – Thank you for the pictures and dimensions. I’ll see if my mate can print something using the information.

@damascus – good call. I’ll give it a go.

Mon Mothma popped up in that Ahsoka trailer so it looks like a few of the spin offs could be coming together.

In addition to most of the good suggestions above I also take a small 1st aid kit. Not had to use it for myself yet but it’s come in handy a few times for cleaning up and giving plasters to crashed bikers. Luckily I haven’t come across anyone with more than cuts and grazes yet.

Nice bike.
I have had my Revolt Advanced since 2019 and really like it. It originally had the Giant Conduct brakes but I upgraded to Ultegra (about 2 weeks before GRX was launched!) and they work absolutely fine.

re. Giant warranty – a few cracks developed around spoke holes in the rear rim after about 18 months. A quick call to my LBS, a few photos sent to Giant and I had a new rear wheel a week later. No hassle, no wriggling, no problem.

4 weeks ago I crashed on the Cafall trail at Cwmcarn – dislocated shoulder and fractured humerus. Luckily I had phone signal and was able to call my wife. The pain was horrible and I could barely move. No one came down the trail and it was nearly two and a half hours before my wife and a Ranger found me.
This happened mid-afternoon on a dry, relatively warm day. I was genuinely scared and shudder thinking about how different the outcome could have been if it had been later or much colder or if I had smashed my phone.
The whole episode, including the resulting hospital stays, operation and worry and hassle it was/is causing my family has made me reconsider where and when I ride, especially solo, and I have decided to sell my trail bike and stick to xc and bike packing from now on. No more tech’ or gnar for this old bloke.

(Anyone want to buy an upgraded 2016 Giant Trance 2?)

That looks very good, but €700 for the derailleur and €240 for the shifter is just too much.

@deadpool You have done the right thing by posting and ‘talking’ on here.
People care, usually a lot more than we realise, and getting your thoughts out and interacting with them is a vital step in turning things around.

My brother in law took his own life last year and it has had a devastating effect on the family. We knew he had money worries but he refused to talk about how he felt or what thoughts he was having. I can’t help thinking that if he had opened up a bit he would still be with us. Because he didn’t talk to anyone or leave a note there are so many questions we will never get answers to and so many “What if?” thoughts that will never go away.

You have your children and they have you. Talk to people and get help so it stays that way. Please.

I live near a canal and regularly ride alongside it. I often wonder if the ducks, moorhens, herons, etc get cold feet. I also wonder about the Kingfishers: is it a shock when they dive in to the water on a hot day?

It’s one of the things I love about riding bikes – thinking about everything and nothing. It really is a time to uncompressed your brain. I sometimes start a ride in a bad mood but rarely end one in a bad mood.

I have used KMC X11 chains for years without any problems.
Recently converted my hard tail to 12s and the chain (SLX, I think) was showing rust spots within weeks. I know they don’t affect the chain but it looks horrible. When winter is over I’ll get shot of it and fit a KMC X12 and see how that goes.

Visit to trauma clinic yesterday. More x-rays revealed that the fracture isn’t the glenoid. It is the Greater Tuberosity and although it was almost back in the right place after my shoulder was relocated it has since been pulled around the head of me humerus and is nowhere near where it should be.
Going under the knife on Friday to get it put back in place!

Looks like you did a proper job, @colp.

This was mine before being relocated:

As far as I know there are no adapters that will work.
you can buy new shifter covers to convert your shifter to band on though. Try SJS Cycles.

Thanks, all. sounds like I could be off the bike for a while.

The head of my humerus dislocated about 7cm downwards and inwards towards my chest, fracturing the glenoid (socket) as it went. The medics haven’t mentioned any rotator cuff damage but I have an appointment with a shoulder specialist on Tuesday so will find out more then. I am typing a list of questions so I don’t forget.

Before changing to 12s I ran an 11s SLX cassette and 11s chain with SLX 12s chainset on my hardtail for about 15 months with no problems at all.
it was quiet, meshing was no concern and there was no excessive, unexpected wear.

Multi release have a letter ‘M’ stamped on them.

3 have beefed up some of their security recently and a few actions now need extra input or checks.
I’d give 3 a call and explain the situation.
Been with them since they started and they have always been helpful with queries ir problems.

Alpkit Soloist tent. I have been using it for the last 3 years without any problems. Packs up small and is light (1.2kg). The only downside is the door being at the end of the tent means you have to crawl in and out and that isn’t pleasant when it’s raining or the tent is covered in dew.
The design of that Decathlon tent looks good.

I don’t like mummy sleeping bags and it’s hard to find a well-priced rectangular bag that packs down small enough for bike packing so I use an Alpkit Cloud Cover quilt and a cotton sleeping bag liner if it’s a bit chilly.

@ampthill – Any chance you could share that route with me, please?

Tailfin SFM – expensive, but very well made and each has multiple mounting points.

Spotted at Llandegla a couple of years ago:

I’ve seen quite a few kids bikes with the forks on backwards riding along the local canal path. I sometimes tell the parent and offer to turn the forks for them. Usually get the “that’s how it came” reply but most are happy for me to put it right.

Going to swap from green (sintered) to red (organic) pads for the next ride and see if that makes any difference.

Noise is not as bad but it’s still there!

Going to remove the calipers tomorrow, check the frame and fork mounts are clean and flat, check the rotor bolts are all tight and then refit and align the calipers.

Had to use the bar mount with my Wolftooth light action remote and the Tech 4 levers. It’s a good fit though and puts the lever in the perfect position for me. I don’t think I’ll bother changing to an integrated mount even if WT do produce one.

I am wondering if it pad/caliper related but would have expected more reports of the problem if that was the case.
Going to swap from green (sintered) to red (organic) pads for the next ride and see if that makes any difference.

Had a look at National Express but that is over £100 return and by the time we add on taxis from/to home it will be nearer £150.

Anyone experiencing brake ‘warbling’ with Tech4 E4 brakes?
Mine were fine for the first few rides but after one particularly long and bumpy descent they now now make a noise like a turkey gobble at anything above walking pace.
I have realigned the calipers, reset the pistons but the noise persists.

@ayjaydoubleyou @politecameraaction
Coming from South Wales. Just 2 of us.

Fancied letting the train take the strain, but over £240 for the two of us!

A couple of hours on the gravel slag yesterday:

A little bimble up to Cwmcarn this afternoon where I met a guy who had just been off-road unicycling, as you do:

Barcelona is great. The old town has lots of beautiful buildings, there are loads of good places to eat, interesting markets, Parc Guell, La Sagrada Familia and even beaches if the weather is good.

I asked the same thing a couple of weeks ago and got a reply saying the problem was being resolved imminently. Looks like it hasn’t been.
I got in touch with the seller by searching the Forum for a thread he had posted in and DM’ing him from there.

I am currently happily wearing a pair of Timberland Crossmark goretex boots. Lovely slipper like boots.

Ordered a pair of these following the recommendation from @matt_outandabout. They are arrived yesterday and I have to agree, they are very comfortable.

Frame protection tape/stickers.
Also check there is no grit trapped in the frame bag straps that could be causing the scratching.

My mate has one and loves it.
I have had a couple of rides on it and the kingpin ‘suspension’ gives a nice damped feel to the rear end.

Cheers, Mark.

Built this one before Christmas.

Now need to be the (retiring soon) Elf Club House ready for next Christmas.

The pre made-carrot and suede mashed potato is pretty good.

Don’t you find it a bit leathery?

Thanks for all the tips.
Was chatting to friends last night who were there for New Year and they recommended the NH Collection hotel. Had a look and got a good price for a Junior Suite so have booked it.