I run RL520s with a mini-v on the back and a road caliper on the front and they are fine – they make me stop when I want to.

I got a large pair and they’re well too short, and getting shorter after each wash.

Run 32:18 most of the time, however I have my first race coming up in a few months, IOM end to end, I’d love to stay SS but somehow I think it might be a disaster. Thinking maybe a 1Xsomething, say 7 or 8 with a short cage road mech and cassette.

Campfreddie, that’s a great set-up you’ve got there.

Looks like it’ll be good fun.

I’ve got a 2.4 Ardent on a crest rim. Very grippy and rolls well. Different beast to the 2.2, more aggressive tyre IMO.

Thanks everyone for the advice – I’ve also seen an Ultegra 6700 wheelset for 160 quid, I could be tempted to up the auntie and get something for the 150 mark.

Liverpool – can see the welsh hills from the lounge window, bit too far to ride to though so rely on trains and borrowed cars to get to trails. Plenty of extreme urban commuting to be had though.

Looks like its somewhere in the US.

Cheers, I’ll use that and see what the calculator comes up with.

Just found these bad boys.

Am I right in thinking that Dave Hinde is a little unreliable though?

epo-holic – could be interested, are they black?

Good luck with that, had a bike nicked from the stairs when I lived in Marchmont. I always used to see neds on the hunt in broad daylight. Once saw a couple moving down Marchmont road kicking-in one front door after another.

You say you like dong research…What sort of tools are we talking about here?

The only way infrequent brake pad replacement can affect the rim is he it wears to the metal inside it which then scores the rim.

Yep, not good I know.

Anyone had any dealings with the Planet X Model B or C?

My current aksiums have lasted 4 years of major abuse. The braking surfaces are very concave as a result of me not changing pads often enough. Maybe another pair would be a good bet, I’d be more conscientious this time.

I do like the idea of the Open-pros though, I imagine they’d be a fair bit lighter and certainly stiffer with 32 spokes.

They are to go on my Pompino and will be used on the daily 10 mile commute, occasional tours, cheeky off-road but nothing major at all (towpaths)

Sounds like a plan – Have you thought of picking up a second hand square taper chainset? The bottom brackets last for eons and are cheap as chips. I have had one experience with a Truvativ gigapipe and it lasted a week.

Yes, a great thread. I remember being in a darkened corner of Cream in 1995, ahem…Laurent Garnier playing this..

The main route I’m concerned about is the IOM end2end, I hear that there are some sizeable road sections where I could be left for dust if I go 32/20 or 18…. As I couldn’t manage marathon climbs on 32/16 or lower..

What’s all this wobble ring business about then?

Interesting point. So, if I put gears back on the bike would I travel at the same speed overall and just be less tired due to less resistance on the ups? UUUmmmmmmm…

Speedy J – Ginger

Leftfield – Leftism

Orbital – Any

Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works 85-92

Sasha and Digweed – Renaissance

Paul Oakenfold – Goa Mix (Radio 1)

Widge – how did you do yours?

Pulled up on yesterday’s ride after out of the saddle SS grind cauaed a sudden twang/pain in my lower back. Off work today, GP tomorrow. Hoping it’s not too serious, ie slipped disc.

Further pictures of ss rigid 29ers for viewing pleasure

indeed white101.

Pretty much unrelated, but still a good watch.

Looking good.

Just pulled the trigger and ordered a pair of 25mm. 55 quid from high on bikes, so not too bad overall. Thanks for all the input.

Excellent chaps, I’ll have more of a look around for cheaper prices. Over the years conti ultras have been the fastest I’ve used, but used to get shit-loads of puncs.

You can have 1 piece of checked luggage, i.e your bike box/bag with whatever else you can fit in under the weight limit (50lbs I think).

I’m always surprised how much I can get away with in hand luggage – you could always wear the full face helmet on the plane!

I have used KLM a few times going to NY from Manchester via Amsterdam. They really are great, one of the few airlines who don’t give you a problem. I used one of those massive bike boxes, as long as it was within the weight limit they were fine with the dimensions. One thing though, you may need to ring up the customer service centre to book it on, there is usually some friendly dutch guy on the other end of the phone, exshellent.

I’ve also travelled with Delta, American and United who are all theiving bastards. Air France is touch and go, it seems you just need to be lucky with the check in person.

Rab – I think Llandegla is an excellent trail centre, the new sections in particular are great, however there do seem to be a higher than normal amount of tossers. Don’t let them win! Ride on in the knowledge that they are the ones with the problem, not you.

My salsa 32t snapped in half whilst I was “cranking down”. Shimano ramped 32t was tough as sheet.

excellent, thanks for that. bruneep, sorry your having problems, I’m only after it for calls and texts on a cheapo phone 5 quid jobby. ta

I’d be interested to know how many have breakfast pre commute or on arrival at work? I’m currently wolfing down porridge/muesli or the like plus a banana and coffee before heading out and burping it up constantly during the ride, I wonder if I set off earlier and had a bowl of muesli/protein/banana in work.

I am a bit concerned by the disparity of pace between road and off-road sections, maybe dingle speed at the back, maybe a 20 and a 16. Is it just the first 13 miles that are road and then the rest mtb-ing?

I’m usually somewhere at the back along with Father Christmas.

Just looking at some youtube vids of it, looks great – really looking forward to it!