Cheers guys, thats a great help and you will be pleased to hear I have finally got it Anyone know of a decent cheapish freewheel ?

Dicta are cheap as chips and “fit and forget”*

I’d go for a shimano one, seem to last forever.

*as in fit it and forget about getting it off without going medieval.

You’ll definitely notice a difference. My main road bike was singlespeed, moved to a geared bike, similar weight and was a lot faster (as measured by Strava :) ) and less worn out on the geared bike

Push a tennis ball between the tyre and seat tube to push the wheel back and hold it in place whilst you tighten the nuts.

This is how you look in cheap sunglasses

Mitts, as in multi-layer winter things?

No just regular fingerless gloves, I’ve always called them mitts. Probably been getting it worng all the years…

Before you do all that, I would test a handlebar with a few extra degrees of backsweep – it will let your little fingers relax instantly.

That may be something to do with it. Just switched from Mary bars to El Guapo’s because I wanted something wider but they’re not as swept back. Ideally I need a wider Mary bar…

Mountain bike?

Yes, fatbike with suspension forks.

What’s the pressure or contact point on your hands?

A pair of OnOne grips and some old Specialised mitts. Don’t think that I’m putting too much weight on my hands but that probably got worse as I got tired

How tightly are you holding on?

For grim death most of the time :) Seriously not too tightly, it was all pretty non-technical stuff

Like milky says there’s nothing there at night that isn’t there during the day, just at night it’s awake and hungry.

Don’t make her ride her bike if she doesn’t enjoy it? The “We” above should be “I’m”

This! She’ll come round to it in her own time. Or not if its not her thing

Can’t really have quiet with a White Industries freewheel. They make that reassuring buzz that says “keep pedalling you lazy git”.

Google for “cycle Computer” you’ll find something suitable for your budget.

Regarding singlespeeding. It will immediately make you, wittier, more charming and 5000% more attractive to your preferred sex.

And remember you actually have 4 speeds not 1: sit, stand, push and puke.

Matches with my experience of Dicta free wheels. Lasted 80 miles before it failed and then had to destroy it to remove it. Definitely a false economy.

As rob2 says really. Some steep but short climbs, bit rutted in parts but hard tail I’ll be fine. All pretty dry at the moment but will be slippy it it rains

Looks good – thanks!

Kwack – did you do it yourself? I’d be interested to know what’s needed in terms of tools, spares and mechanical knowledge!

I just serviced my Blutos using the guide from the SRAM/Rockshox website. I imagine there’d be one for your forks as well, but this went step by step through each stage of the process.

Toolwise I needed Allen keys, 24mm socket, rubber mallet and some rags etc.. You can buy new seals and oil etc. from TF Tuned (and elsewhere I’m sure).

Also plenty of videos online.

Depending on how challenging the terrain is it’s usually No Easy Way Down or Road to Nowhere

I seem to have a block writing account which can be a problem in my job

Adding a set of Bluto’s has been the best thing that I did on my Puffin. Almost certainly a reflection of my skill level but I’m a lot more confident riding it now.

Thanks!

No good for me then :(

The wahoo one is excellent, just attaches to the rear of the crank arm. No magnets, clunky sensors or zip ties required.

Or to your shoe so that you can switch from bike to bike (or shoe to shoe :) ) But it just works, no messing around trying to get magnets in the right place

doctorgnashoidz – Member
What’s the best lakes ride?

A couple of cheeky ones out of Keswick :)

nedrapier – Member
Nipper, amedias, worth checking on the sizing.

I might be talking out of my arse, but I think the medium and small sizes were shifted, so an earlier small might be a later medium.

I’m pretty sure that’s the case too, my 2009 Peregrine was a small but now corresponds to a medium – 52cm I think

Same saddles for me too, either Brooks B17 or Swift

Thanks – bit of oil seems to have done the trick, all moving better now and sag doubled at the old pressure so I’ve pumped them back to the recommended level.

There’s a campsite at the Youth Hostel on the Ridgeway above Wantage and another about 1/2 a mile off it at Uffington that I know of.

I used to have a thermometer. It survived crashes fairly well by escaped one day never to be seen again :(

Depends on how long it is at the moment! If it’s already too long it will obviously be even more too longer

Thanks for the pointer, just ordered a set.

Very timely as I was bashing out bearings with a hammer last week and disintegrating them I though “I really must get the right tool to do this”

I had a similar problem. I solved it with a different cassette removal tool with a longer reach – alternatively try your LBS they tightened it up whilst I waited

Was up there on Tuesday. Round Wantage anyway its drying out nicely, even dusty in places. A few puddles in the usual places.

If it’s a first date probably I would.

I think they slipped something in my drink.

Thanks!

I just put it in my jersey pocket in its case but a quick Google for “neoprene iPhone case” shows some cheaper alternatives

Very personal things saddles. Glib answer is “one that he’s comfortable on” and stock answer is “Brooks”

But what’s his current saddle and why does he want something better?

I had a Brooks copy that I never got on with as well. Wasn’t a Spa but can’t remember what it was :(. Brooks works for me but not for everybody.

drofluf – Member
Budget?

I’ve been happy* with MPow Cheetah http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mpow-Cheetah-Headphones-Microphone-Hands-free-Bluetooth-Stereo/dp/B00OH9IB8I Comfortable, easy to use good battery life

*my first set did fail before the first charge and I returned for a refund. They then contacted me and gave me a free set in return for a review. Make of that what you will but I’m still happy with them 9 months later

A bit of a postscript. The MPow Cheetah has a weakness in that it doesn’t like getting wet. Got caught in the rain this afternoon and the buttons went haywire skipping tracks. Now in a bag of rice in the airing cupboard

Thanks

kick in”?

they don’t work like that

I know, just lazy shorthand for “be absorbed so you can start gaining the benefit”

Thanks!