44×18 (64.5) on the Pompino, seems good for my relatively hilly urban commute and general shopping duties. I’m in the process of converting my Caad10 to SS, will probably go for something in the 70″ range. SS rigid 29er has recently changed from 32×18 to 32×20, pretty ponderous on anything long and flat, but perfectly suited to the short, steep techy stuff which I now ride.

Ron Atkinson more like.

210 quid still seems like a lot of cash to spend on cranks. I’d go second hand or Shimano.

Agree with blood on the tracks and the stone roses. Can’t think of any fillers on Leftism or Selected ambient works 85-92 either.

The phil wood that came on my Swift hasn’t missed a beat for going on 4 years now. Would recommend.

Would a car cover eliminate potential rust if left outside?

Shimano RX31, ultegra level disc road/cross. IME you can’t go wrong with Shimano.

Tune-in is pretty good on iphone, presumably available on other platforms too.

Weren’t 26″ wheels fine for everyone in the world until other sizes came along? I’d keep it if I were you.

Lol. You know you want them , I think you just need a nudge over the finishing line.

I might add, I got both my pairs second hand and they haven’t missed a beat. If you buy new it’s nice to know your supporting a smallish company who make great products.

There is absolutely no reason not to go Middleburn in my opinion, I have a set on the Pompino and the Swift. Additionally, I don’t see any reason not to go square taper either, Shimano BBs last for years – truly fit and forget. Enjoy if you decide to do it. Happy Christmas.

Alien, Aliens or Prometheus – if you haven’t already seen any or all of them.

Thanks to everyone for their advice, it’s been really helpful.

I’m now onto the Prius C, it’s a Toyota, obviously, so reliable – a decent amount of cargo space, and extremely efficient, I’ve calculated I could recoup the extra price over 5 years of fuel savings.

So it’s that, and still the Golf, I keep coming back to it – took an S for a test drive and it was lovely, so nice inside and such a solid, responsive ride. It just seems to make sense as a do-it-all car.

The Kia Rio is also on my radar, could be a wildcard choice, cheaper than the others and seemingly very reliable.

I’ve got to make a decision this week really, as I’m not sure how long it’ll take to order….

Oh yeah, I nearly pulled the trigger on a 1973 Super Beetle the other night – it was in great condition, 11000 on the original motor. Don’t think the wife would have been impressed, no airbags!

7 year warranty sounds right up my street. Going continue browsing the .www

Superb, interested to hear how it rides.

I run 2.4 ardent up front and beaver rear. Pretty pleased, have been meaning to try racing ralphs for ages though.

Beaver front and rear would be good in the mud.

Might still have time to edit protien…

Leads!

You could always use a couple of spacers on the BB for fine chainline adjustment.

Had pain from spoon, slr and bell air – now have romin – no pain.

Let us know how you get on…

You’ll also need a decent track pump, or air compressor if the pump doesn’t work.

There’s also the ghetto tubeless inflator option.

Soapy water is your friend. Be liberal with the sealant. Don’t give up.

Welcome to the exciting, yet sometimes frustrating world of tubeless tyres.

I love winter jacket threads.

Bet you he felt like a right plankton. He could have Krilled someone.

Stupid basstard

Ardent.

For mtb satisfaction you could always camp around Peebles, 3 days of Glentress/Inners/’off piste’ trails. Good food and beer in evenings too. Just a thought.

Alternatively, this is supposed to be good if you’re fit and really want to push it at short notice. http://cairngormsloop.net/

Thanks for all the replies, I’m swaying towards the c24s, especially with the included tyres.

A left field choice would be 38mm, wide Chinese carbons, but that’s another conversation, isn’t it?

The c24s in question are 290 quid, 2012 version with ultremo tubeless fitted. Sound like a good deal?

thisisnotaspoon – do you know whether novatech make planet x’s hubs? If so, the bearings in the rear failed pretty quickly on my al30s, the front has been perfect for years though.

I’m not a complete novice, I can manage most mechanical tasks, just seem
to have a mental block with indexing. Also first time using brifters, so would like them set up
properly first time round.

Thanks for all the useful comments.

That’s really nice, well done. I’d de-sticker the rims though.

Surely the answer is flat bar road bike with bar ends for out-of-the-saddle stuff.

Good idea, however said idiot has already disconnected the chain and has been left with the now snapped pin.

Had Schwalbe Duranos for the past year – regular crap weather, glass strewn streets and no visits from the puncture fairy to date. Not the fastest but grippy and hardwearing.

I liked the feel of gp4000s but got too many flats.

I have and it was fine, I’m by no means super fit. 32-20 on a rigid 29er was perfect, 32-18 was a bit of a grind at times.

Very nice, you just need to tipex an ‘o’ between the ‘k’ and the ‘tm’

Had one for 4 years now and can’t see myself getting rid of it anytime soon, it’s so versatile – rigid/sus, singlespeed/geared, fat-ish tyred/narrow,speedy.

I could be intereted in Sam’s new fat offering if it came out in alternative colour.

It now has de-stickered flows and a black spoon.

How’s it going?

I have an Epson and it’s shite.