Damn it. This ticks pretty much all of the boxes on my next bike list.

Big dog ticked a lot of them, but this has even more.

That howler frameworks bike was lovely. I remember bumping into the chap who makes them at BPW earlier in the year and drooling over it then.

Stanton had a bike with a colourised clear coat so you could see the welding, also very lovely.

The Curtis stand was great, but couldn’t stay and look too long otherwise I’d get ideas I can’t afford.

I’m a big fan of estates but I did really enjoy my old Volvo 850 saloon.

-Less road noise, and music/sound quality
-Could still carry long bits of wood or poles with ski hatch or seats folded
-Boot was massive in terms of volume, but just restrictive with bulkier items (roof rack helped with that mind)
-Being able to get something out the boot without losing all the cold or warm air from the cabin
-Sitting on the boot lid was nice – I remember watching the Vulcan do its final flight sat on it

I value the ability to carry bulky things these days over those, so it’ll be an estate, MPV, SUV, or van for me in the future.

They’re chatting shit

I usually get absolutely eaten alive, but this year camping in kielder it wasn’t half as bad as previous years. I only got around 20 bites all week, which is a miracle for me.

-Smidge worked the best
-DEET did **** all
-Covering up is vital, long trousers, tucked into socks, long sleeve top etc.
-Net over the head, although this does get in the way of eating and drinking, which I do lots of when camping

Guy at the campsite office said they have those midge machines, and it’s really helped reduce the numbers apparently. I remember thick black swarms in previous years but this year wasn’t that bad.

I’d add Stanton Sherpa or Pipedream Sirius S5 to the list.

The On-one big dog, scandal, or vandal might fit the bill also.

molgrips
Full Member
I can’t use the stop-leak myself, nor can I put more gas in, because for both you need the compressor running. The car has detected the low gas situation and will not run the compressor…

I need to do similar as the system is low – the process I’ve been told to follow is:

-Start car
-AC on, blowers onto max, recirculate button on
-Top up refrigerant until compressor kicks in (assuming it does)
-Add stop leak
-Top up refrigerant again
-Pray you haven’t just wasted £100 on greenhouse gases that are now in the atmosphere

Travelodge has a pub next door also

I can’t answer your specific question, but I ran SRAM centreline 220mm with guide re before, and didn’t have any rubbing issues.

I’ve got the multispace ‘car’ version, and used something like this to Bluetooth the phone into the car speakers.

https://amzn.eu/d/eAJdJx9

There’s the red/white aux input in the glovebox.

I dropped you a PM with a route I did the other week which was roughly 21 miles.

I think they’re referring to the bit where you said the switchback has a higher BB.

Whilst the switch9er has more drop this is primarily due to the larger wheels raising the rear axel further from the ground, so it needs more drop to keep the relative BB height similar (from the ground).

I’ve got a Gen 3 Switchback and a Switch9er FS, so can’t really comment on the Switch9er, but have ridden similar 29er hardtails.

The Switchback is a little hooligan and definitely more towards the fun side of things, but still a very capable all round bike. I’ve used mine for all sorts – pump track, practicing jumps, local woods blasts, trail centres, and also longer rides.

Although it can do them it’s probably least suited to longer rides, where a 29er would roll better, be more comfortable and efficient. I tend to take the full suss for longer rides as it’s comfy and pedals well and feels like less of a slog grinding up fire roads.

As mentioned I’ve not ridden the Switch9er, but the geo looks like a scaled up Switchback with a little longer reach and chainstays to fit the larger wheels, so it will probably plow through rougher stuff with more confidence and climb a bit better.

I’d try more HSC first before replacing the spring. But if you’re still blowing through then a firmer spring will be needed. You can dial in a bit more preload to help with sag.

A progressive may help, but might not be necessary. I’m running too firm a spring at the moment and need to go down a weight, but the small bump is fine – it’s the midstroke and bottom out that feel a bit too firm.

People taking to me from another room.

Being asked to do something that I was just about to do.

Paper straws.

I’ve got a Mac Allister cordless electric screwdriver from Screwfix – I think it was about £15. It’s been absolutely fine for little jobs like flatpack and it’s still working after 5 years. Small, handy, and fits in the toolbox that’s kept in the house.

The 12v parkside drill/driver from Lidl is really good also, about £25-30, and is great for little jobs and can quickly convert between drill and driver. It’s probably my most used tool and it’s just really handy.

My combi drill, impact driver, and SDS hammer drill, barely get used these days apart from bigger jobs as the 12v parkside is so handy.

6mm ply.

Used underlay in the kitchen and the bounce/flex is annoying.

Bathroom and hallway are done with ply and it’s far better underfoot.

That means it needs an isolator switch rated to at least 3amps i.e. it can handle that level of sustained current.

A 10amp one will be fine as it is more than 3amps.

An isolator is not a fuse by the way.

On-One Bootzipper or the Sonder Frontier might fit the bill.

I use the cycle paths these days when commuting – I’ll happily take the extra 5-10 mins it adds to the journey if it means avoiding the idiots on the roads.

Sure it means more crossings, junctions, traffic lights etc. but had too many near misses riding on the roads during rush hour in a city.

Starling
Stanton
Cotic
Pipedream
Howler Frameworks
Curtis
Morph Cycles
Production Privee
BTR

I came across the Endura Singletrack II which looks very well vented. Anyone got one?

I’ve got one and it is indeed very well ventilated, very happy with it.

I run hot and sweat profusely, and notice a lot less sweat dripping into my eyes on hot days.

I wear the full face (MET Parachute) for gnarlier rides, but the endura has been great for xc/trail/commuting.

I can’t see anything funny in that quote but presumably it was the reference to women since you highlighted it in bold.

Some might see the quote as patronising to women by grouping them with children and disabled by implying they need a ‘safe space’ in order to ride a bike. It’s pointlessly gendered.

Areas for the nippers is always a good thing but shame the plans didn’t include a pump track also, as that would have been more popular for sure. Some of the local residents were under the impression that’s what was being built, so this will end up being a disappointment for them.

No sure about 10 speed, but the M5100 deore 11s shifter will work with your 12s derailleur.

An 11 speed 11-46t cassette and a 30t chainring would result in similar ratios, and might save a bit of weight.

Thanks for the input everyone. I think I’m going to get a shark, as my other half prefers them.

Also, should have said – the powerful corded upright is staying for the proper vac round the full house.

We tend to use the cordless for intermediate cleans and hoovering up toddler mess.

The Shimano BR-MT520 brakes have a lot of bang for their buck.

Basic levers, but have great stopping power.

It’s an odd size indeed. I struggled to find one second hand in 27.5 flavour, so ended up getting a new nukeproof horizon v2 from chain reaction.

20mm has generally always been 110mm total width, but you can get both boost and non-boost hubs, which refers to the hub flange spacing and how the brake mounts line up.

A non-boost wheel will work in a boost fork with rotor spacers, but not the other way round. So for 20mm non boost you need exactly that.

Edit: I looked into turning the fork into 15mm but that would need new lowers, or spacers/bushes/inserts thingys but they were strongly advised against. I’ve seen some people insert them and then use a bolt on both ends of the axel, but that seemed too much of a bodge for me

Thanks!

Option 2 is my preferred option if going solo.

Option 1 is better with mates, as you can have a few beers and good scran afterwards.

This walk is lovely if you fancy a day off the bike. Nice walk along the beach, fish and chips in Robin Hood’s Bay, then back along the Cleveland way to Ravenscar

https://www.walkingenglishman.com/northyorkshire15.htm

Good luck, hope you smash it.

I’m a fatty (more so than you), and have yo-yoed with my weight over the years, and one key piece of advice that has worked for me is try not to make too many changes at once, especially extreme ones. You’ll be far more likely to establish good sustainable habits if you focus at one thing at a time, and it’ll be easier to adjust to also.

The things that have worked for me are:

-Counting calories, and setting a realistic target (i.e. not too much of a deficit)
-Low GI diet, cut refined carbs and sugar out as much as you can
-Allow yourself treats – I find it much easier eating healthier during the week when there’s something to look forward to as a ‘reward’
-Exercise – in whatever flavour you choose, just make sure you’re doing some at least 3 times a week
-Mental health – for me, all the above goes out the window when I’m not in a good place mentally, so keeping that in check is important

For me the hard part isn’t starting it’s maintaining the discipline – but once the momentum builds and the weight starts coming off, your clothes fit better, you have more energy, and you’re in a good routine etc then it becomes much easier to keep it going.

Aye, they’re fine.

Got a set on a bike with 4 pots and no issues whatsoever over the last couple of years they have been fitted.

Used Paisley freight a few times. Very happy with the service so far.

Optional insurance can be purchased also.

My mate has a Sentry pro and has abused it load and its still going strong. The paint is a bit of a weak point though. I used to have a Triple B and abused that loads too. I think the Facebook owners groups know the bearing sizes that are used, so should be able to get those at least.

This is the speculation from the Calibre FB page about the whole Calibre – Polygon thing. Might be rubbish, but here you go.

Go Outdoors (Calibre) went into administration in early 2020 which resulted in lot of their suppliers and creditors not being paid, and orders with bike suppliers being cancelled. The Indonesian company that manufactured the Calibre frames for Go Outdoors, were left with a bunch of frames from the cancelled/unpaid order, and ended up selling them themselves under their own direct brand, Polygon. A bit like Planet X/On-One buying up the Sick bicycle frames and launching the Hello Dave.

Go Outdoors were bought back out of administration later in 2020, but the pandemic, supply chain issues, and bike part shortages, meant that they were effectives right at the back of the queue for ordering any new bikes and parts from suppliers. It appears that they haven’t been able to get any new Calibre bikes made, so have then struck a deal with Polygon to sell their bikes in the UK for the time being.

It’s unclear if Go Outdoors will release any new Calibre Bikes or whether Polygon will end up being their in-house brand going forward. One thing that is known though, is that the guy who designed Calibre bikes doesn’t work for Go Outdoors anymore, I think he’s now at Whyte.

I’ve used the Topeak Java cage listed above and a fidlock on several bikes with under the tube cage mounts.

The Java is the most secure by far, and can take an 800ml bottle, but is more of a ‘have a drink at the top of the climb’ kind of cage, you won’t be able to easily reach down and have a drink while pedalling.

The fidlock is far better for drinking on the move, and I’ve not had it rattle off…yet. Mine made a bit of noise too, but a bit of tape between the magnet thingies stopped that.

I switch between my gravel bike and rigid MTB for commuting. Gravel averages around 23kph, MTB averages 17kph, although I usually take the more fun off road route when on the MTB so not a true like for like comparison. Both routes are around 10 miles each way and bit hilly.

The difference in real terms is only about 10 minutes, but I’m happy sacrificing a bit of time for the more enjoyable route away from cars and traffic. MTB is more comfortable too, but more effort.

I’ve got both Gap and M&S ultimate.

Gap is a bit easier to find the right size and length, but the M&S ones are nice too.

Big family tents makes things much more comfortable, especially when it’s wet. My big regret is not buying an inflatable one, as the biggest stress of going camping for me is faffing with the poles.

-Get a pitch with an electric hook-up. Having a cooler/fridge is great. And having a device charged up when the little one needs a bit of down time is essential.

-Tent carpets are fantastic, makes it much warmer and nicer inside the tent.

-Ground sheets – these are great at keeping the tent clean and dry when you pack up, and stops you having to dry the bottom off, or unpack later and dry out.

-We tend to go for ‘family campsites’ these days with more facilities, rather than the basic farmers field type campsites you can get.

-Have a plan for activities to keep you and the nippers entertained, but be flexible if you can due to weather.

It can be quite stressful especially with kids, but it’s worth it once all set up and you have a cold beer in your hand and a BBQ on the go.

It’s entirely pot luck whether your local courier is good or not.

They outsource most deliveries to ‘self employed’ couriers. So it’s often not Hermes/Evri delivering to your door.

Our local courier is spot on, and hasn’t failed to deliver anything. They always take care putting things in our safe space also.

Had a chain reaction evri delivery turn up this morning absolutely fine.