i clicked on the link because it’s a pretty car. I’m old but no way I could afford one, even if some rich bloke had paid all the depreciation for 10 years for me!

only on ropey halfords models or cx bikes 😀

Are these new dangfangled forks a new standard? Are they backward compatible? Is there an adapter that I can buy for a few pounds more to make them fit a straight taper headset?

Agree with above – too many compromises. Hex set, torx set, chain whip, cassette adaptor, bb tool, syringes for brakes, chain breaker, good quality adjustable spanner, cable cutters are musts. Work up to headset press, headset remover, 7mm spanner for shimano brakes. Cone spanners are never used now. Spoke key is handy.

15mm or narrow adjustable spanner will do pedals. Nice to have lots of other things but if you are a gorilla/have carbon get a torque wrench from Superstar.

It’s just a hipster fad. CX used to be what roadies did in the winter to keep fit and it just wasn’t fun. Narrow tyres, lots of mud, no suspension. All sounds amazing.

Tell you what, ignore this internet thing too and go back to writing letters.

Appreciate all the replies – Thanks.

Thanks to you both – very useful.

Yes, that is the route he had looked as a starting point but was considering doing it unguided. Looking at end of May time to catch the daylight and reduce any bog.

His fitness is very good but I think he’d admit that sometimes not the most technical. That’s probably the big unknown and when things get technical sometimes it can be quite a drain on what was originally a decent level of fitness.

Best suited for a trail bike (which is a lot lighter and full suss) or is it doable for a fat bike? If there is much pushing or hike a bike then I’d err towards the trail bike. Is that what you mean by stiff climb? Sorry, probably another very individual question but appreciate your thoughts.

DMR it can take a longer fork and I’ve chased it on a full suss and it’s remarkably capable. Or maybe I’m incapable on my full suss…

Better than a Ragley Bluepig or Cotic Soul by all accounts.

No idea if that is the sort of HT you’re after though.

More that Mrs Smith’s estate needs to be over £325k, regardless of who is inheriting. There is new legislation coming in (might be this April) that lets the primary residence be taken out of the calculation.

And if you are risk averse and she is in decent health then take out 5 term assurance plans for 7,6,5,4,3 years each plan for 20% of the amount of the inheritance tax, or a bespoke gift inter-vivos plan.

Steer clear of the funeral plans and go to a financial adviser for a cheaper advised policy. Most of the main companies cover up to age 83 some go to 89.

That looks the business. Well thought out and executed.

I’m about to sell a used set of Fox Van R 36s. 160mm travel with 20mm bolt through. Scuffs and cable rub but still working well – heavier with coils but smooth.

Sounds like you want a new set and less travel, but shout if you’re interested.

Do I have to put my pitchfork away?

I’ll keep it handy just in case it was a bug and they appear again.

I stopped using Crash.net because of the intrusive links, pop-ups and banner ads. Don’t miss the site and will actively avoid any sites using this. Would expect this was switched off for Premier subscribers in the same way as the ads and if not I’ll go elsewhere and probably cancel subscription.

Used to do lots of motorbike track days and the first corner at knockhill always scared the crap out of me. Found I’ve been miss-spelling it for the last decade this week and it should have a double ‘f’… Doh!

You’ve not been sent an overdrive version of the Lezyne pump in error that only is intended to go to 60 psi?

Apologies for the question. Just ordered one and was looking for a high volume low max pressure one, but found the array of their pumps is quite bewildering.

Talisker distillery is well worth it. There’s a nice amble down to Talisker beach where the sand is black. Not been on MTB at all so can’t comment on routes but sure there was an out and back in either ST or MBUK recently.

Midges are almost inevitable but you might get lucky in May. June to Aug can vary from annoyance to intolerable, but if there is a wind up then it’s OK. On Skye that can also be quite frequent.

Good chippy in Portree but beware the kamikaze seagulls.

Not had the fiver off vouchers in an order of late either but couldn’t remember if there was a value threshold but if there is, £130 is below it.

Praxxis work with the hollowtech 2 cranks that are 24mm. They were really helpful and although I thought I had a BB30 on SJ Carbon Evo, they checked and pretty sure they told me it was PF30 on the 2014 model.

+1 on both of Peter’s points. There also seems to be a little lateral movement in the bushings of the Shimano ones that you don’t get with some of the bearings. Helps with variations in chainline using an expander sprocket and reduces wear on the jockeys.

Buzzrack works well on an estate car. Takes 4 bikes and tips to allow access to the boot.

Like the Northwave Celsius boots and they are warm enough without being too hot, but have had issues with SPD cleats not releasing as cleanly as my other shoes. Have tried a worn set so I could back-to-back test them and definitely not as easy to get out. Brand new cleats were no improvement. Might just be my angle of the cleats as otherwise they are superb boots.

Cheers! Stepped down from a 34t in summer to a 32t in winter and it was unexpected having to mess about with different chain ring bolts.

For the other end of the scale the Tattie Creel’s stovies are superb, or the Sicilian bakery on Albert Street is focaccia and arancini heaven. If you ignore the cakes…

Anyone know why the 32t is threaded but the 34t and 36t versions are not?

No idea re price range as above, but three decent places
Gardener’s cottage[/url]

Angels[/url]

Wedgwood[/url]

Hope it makes the LBS more competitive but from what I have heard, and was said earlier, they get it tough trying to compete with CRC with the Madison prices.

I’m not fussed where it comes from but having given SRAM another chance and had another failure after 2 days riding, I’ll stick with shimano. Admittedly not top notch kit but their x5 gear is absolutely dreadful in comparison to the equivalent shimano.

A week past Sat riding WHW on Rannoch Moor with 60+ winds and horizontal snow. Lots of pushing and kept getting pushed off the central rise on the track into the deep snow at the sides. Hardest 19 miles I’ve ever done and took five and a half hours. Character building, allegedly.

Thanks very much I’ll check that out. Hadn’t yet priced up the Rotor option but thought it might sting.

Or might need to look at expander and go one-ten nw oval but currently like the range of the double on the fat bike

Have you checked the Plumb line from the knee bump to the right side of your right knee has a vertical line down through the pedal spindle. Measure when pedal is at the o’clock.

I got knee pain going to longer cranks on a roadie but chainring size is bigger as well. Think it was because the longer lever meant you felt like you could run bigger gears and it wasn’t great on the knee.

Ha ha Thanks. I’m old enough to have run biopace on a roadie twenty five years ago!

Not sure if they are still doing them, or if the order level has increased but my last order was £130 and devoid of any voucher.

Did the red loop on Friday night when there was still a lot of snow at Spooky Wood and right down past Buzzard’s Nest, but it was great fun and Falla Brae was open but unrideable due to ice. The diversions were a mixture of slop and ice (even despite minus 4 when we got back to the car and not enough to freeze the mud). With the rise in temp that’s coming it will be even sloppier!

I’d tend to agree with Paul that Inners might be a better shout – you miss some of the good trails with the closures. Alternatively there is the black at Glentress but there are still some closures on that too.

Thanks all – that is extremely helpful.

I’ve gone for the carbon fork upgrade already so hopefully that should make a difference on the weight. Will break out the drill initially and if I like it will be considering a frame upgrade.

In terms of rear rotor spacing is that a case of shimming out the disk between the wheel/using a specific brake calliper mounting adapter or is it completely non-interchangeable?

they’re great but two caveats
1) they don’t last long with walking in them
2) they can squeak! First ones I had were fine but I got the Endura ones (which are better overshoes) but the ribbed part on the toe squeaked every time it touched the crank.

In descending order of my preference of the relevant ones
Angels with Bagpipes (top of Royal Mile)
Wedgwood (bottom of Royal Mile)
Ondine (but v expensive)
Cafe St Honore
Escargot Bleu
La Garrigue
Stac Polly

Not been to Witchery for a while but it was good, but OK
Cannot comment on Tower, Honours, Castle Terrace, The Kitchin as not been.

Nervous about posting this as it might be misconstrued as being mean; it’s intended as genuine feedback.

Saw your ad and gave it serious consideration. Thought it was well spec’d and lighter than the on one but three things put me off. No matter how recently it was bought it wasn’t enough of a discount off new given what else was out there, it was XL and I could get a Fatty on a cycle to work scheme saving the tax and spreading the cost.

Hope you get what you’re looking for it.

I’ve not got a huge experience as I had a goretex from 20 years ago that was a small fortune but was still a bit boil in the bag. Took a punt on this when it was first launched, so was a bit cheaper, but I have been impressed how much materials have come on. I use a merino layer underneath and it is superb and surprisingly waterproof despite the lack of taped seams. I have found I need a second layer when it gets down to freezing, but just another option. Think it was aimed at roadies, but works well on mtb

Galibier[/url]

Their customer service is exemplary. I’ve used the 1200lm version and the battery went after about six months, quick phone call they checked the purchase date and sent a new one out with a return envelope for the old one so it cut the down-time for riding.

I’d use them again and thanks for flagging the brighter version…!
[/goes to check paypal account]

Alpkit – well made, well designed and decent price.

Shimano for drivetrail and brakes. Thought I was succumbing to brand blindness and went for SRAM and my experience was dreadful for their mid-range stuff.

Rockshox was a bit of a mixed one, Pikes are amazingly good after coming from Fox, Reverb has had so many problems but their customer service has pulled it out the bag and I think I’m a fan.

Merlin – competitive priced and excellent service a rarity.