oldgit – I’m trying to work out which is shinier, the bike or your cooker.

I haven’t ridden a geared bike for years, one of the reasons I like SS is the fact that you’re forced to attack the hills. I wonder whether I have the mental fortitude to maintain a fast uphill pace when the option of changing down a gear is available. I hang my head 😐

Thanks for the replies. I’m thinking of going 32h rear, 28h front. Brass nips.

As an aside, is there much functional difference between 105 and ultegra hubbage?

Thanks everyone for your responses, you can always count on STW for quality advice, I’m going to mull over this one long and hard over the weekend…..if the baby doesn’t come along before

The though of the new job does get my ‘juices’ flowing, I suppose if I think of long term it does make a lot of sense. The job market is crap at the mo, I’m not long (3 years) qualified, and I reckon the hossie job would set me up for future moves, if I stayed where I am now I will de-skill (I don’t do any clinical stuff at all, just paperwork, training and ‘management’).

Seize the day and all that, I think I would kick myself down the line.

AAhhh, I have to make a decision this weekend and let them know on Monday.

Raleigh Massif

then…..

Raleigh Apex

Sadly both nicked.

Edit: Darren that’s the exact same bike I had , complete with flex-stem. Oh how I loved it.

Crispo – enjoy, they’re brilliant trails.

My thoughts are with you and your family, I’m so sorry for your loss mate….

OT – do you think you’ll get another spec?

Happy new year to you too.

Oh god, the snow….I’m chief shoveller on my block due to being surrounded by lots of old ginks who’s shovelling days are well and truly behind them.

Just down the road from me kind of, I’m in Queens, NY. I think we’re getting your snow at the weekend, alas no fatbike for me, are you commuting on it at all, or is it just for off-road use?

Joe, you may have already answered this, but whereabouts are you based?

If I was going to buy a car I would have to get a loan of around 5 grand to get anything half decent, and when I sell it I will lose a chunk of my investment. For example buy a focus for 5 grand and sell it in 3 years for 1k, losing money.

Leasing seems like an option as I’d be losing money if I bought anyway no?

Or maybe I should just buy a 500 quid banger and deal with the consequnces.

I know, the whole leasing thing doesn’t really make sense to me, just throwing money away.

The noob holding up the ipad looks suspiciously like that moron with glasses from the “war on Britain’s roads’ documentary.

After having numerous holidays (family/cubs/scouts)on Angelsey as a nipper, I can confirm that it has very nice beaches.

It comes with a 2x phillips bits, I can get the Makita set on Amazon for half the price of HD.

I would agree with all the positive comments re CTBM. It may be possible to get cheaper stuff from the mega-stores, but I like supporting an “LBS”. His site, along with Sheldon, really inspired and helped me in my first forays into SS.

Also a major reason why I use him is the way he communicates, none of the surly (pun intended), passive aggressive attitude on show here, which is certainly not the case at my LBSs.

bash – I got it here in Queens, NY.

1:20 😈

After much deliberation I plumped for this, 12v, feels really comfortable, solid and evenly weighted and comes with a nice box, NRA style holster, little led light and 2 li-ion batteries all for circa 60 quid.

I’ll try to pick up a set of bits on amazon/ebay.

Thanks for all the advice, time to get drilling.

Thanks for the responses, I’m going to nip to Home Depot (in the US) and see what’s on offer.

Am I right in thinking that the multi-position tools are a bit cack? I get the feeling that the fewer moving parts there are the better.

No fuss tubeless.

I did hear, however, that Mavic were bringing out a 29er version of 823, not tubeless (could be ghettoed), but well strong.

Flwos

Yep, with no problems at all on crests and flows. Needed compressor though.

Fantastic pics, make me pine for the highlands.

Christmas is coming, so it’s got to be the Santa Cruz!

11 out of 10, best brakes I’ve used for any reason you can come up with.

Dirty Dans = traction

Thanks for all the replies – I think I’m going to go with the Marathon Supremes, in 28mm.

Music no good

I think the sound is more ‘alive’ on vinyl, kind of warmer with more character. I like the crackling, gives it another layer. not sure what that means really, but I know I prefer it.

SS rigid – Ardent 2.4 on front – Beaver on back, tubeless, flows, very nice indeed.

Thinking of switching to beaver on front too, anyone got any experiences?

I use this for most greasing purposes, it wreaks but seems greasy enough.

I put the following on things that creak and seize.

I agree with Llandegla as an option, it’s a great trail centre, the cafe is very appesling too. Otherwise you could get the train/drive to West Kirby and go on Calday Hill/Stapledon Woods/Thurstaston Hill, though can be infested with shouty dog walkers at peak canine defecation times.

Deore from Rose and I haven’t looked back, used loads of others previouosly and nothing compares to feel and reliability of the Deores.

On a school trip, age 13, nearing summit of unknown hill/mountain, saw appealing looking smooth rocked Shute/slide with blind bend at end, slid down on arse, rounded bend to be presented with 2/300 ft sheer drop, legs dangled over end, shit in pants, told off by teacher, end of story.

Very nice, do you know the frame weight by any chance?