Here’s my entry for nice non-plastic road bike; my Serotta:

I’m a fan of old steel frames (this one’s 2001), but I like the function of modern parts.

That’s a brilliant link; not seen that one before. Thanks!

No, you need a guide on the top.

So how are these clutch rear mechs going to solve this problem (as I read)? Still need a top guide as well?

Is nobody using one of those Bionicon guides that hang off the chainstay? Are they viable as the only chainguide for a 1x** XC bike?

his looks a lot more aesthetically pleasing….

Form over function :wink:

How come your ring is behind your arms ?

Gives a better chainline on the inner cassette sprocket

Stans yellow tape arrived to tubeless these new Crests like my older ones.

Once the tape was nicely stretched & fitted it was the same story as before, tyre very tight.

Using tubes to seat the tape initially (as per NoTubes vid), I managed to get the Nobby Nic on the front, but broke a tyre lever and pinch-flatted two tubes trying to get a MudX on the back.

Brilliant!

Some good info here: http://www.cxmagazine.com/going-tubeless-cyclocross-tires-racing-recommendations

I’ve got a new pair of Crests for CX duties, amongst other things. I haven’t done anything serious yet, but my 35mm Racing Ralph went up and stayed up tubeless, and went on easy (might make it a candidate for burping I admit).

I think the OP might have had a problem with Maxxis Raze if they’re wire bead one = stiff sidewalls. The bloke with the CrosslightPro6 was running folding Razes on Crests…hang on…there you go, here: http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/my-new-head-down-bottom-up-crosslight-pro-6

additional sections that will only be open after midnight.

Easier or more technical?!

I have a plan!

I’ll have my (one and only) bike setup 1×9 with Racing Ralphs, then have my spare wheels SS with MudXs on. Swap chains with quicklinks in, remove rear mech and I’m ready to attack the mud!

Fingers crossed for bone dry.

Really? You think you’re more likely to compress the rim than stretch the spokes!?

Yeah, to an extent. It’s worked with open pro rims I’ve built in the past.

But no, I’m not going to tweak the wheelbuild; I’ve bought both these Crest wheelsets pre-built as I read before that non-eyeleted Crest rims were not very tolerant of my cack-handed wheelbuilding skills. :oops:

I’ve just removed the rim tape and got the mudX on with the bead right in the channel. Looks like that was the problem, although they’re definately still tighter. I can believe it’s batch differences if it’s just a bit of extra effort, rather than herculean.

Time for a stans tape purchase rather than the tubes plan.

A bi more info on the Bear Bones Bikepacking forum.

http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=315

Buy this and you can put a 1.5 crown race on your fork over the top of it.

Ah, ok. So I use any tapered headset and bung that on the fork. Sounds like a plan.

Oh, and of course I can’t use my *external* CK headset on *integrated* headtubes. Sometime I wonder whether the ‘send post’ button on here includes a ‘disconnect brain’ function. :oops:

Thread resurrection after a forum search…

I have a 1 1/8″ steerer Reba fork. Pretty much all the new frames I’m looking at have tapered headtubes.

I don’t want to replace my fork for the moment. Other than the CK option above, are there other headsets to allow me to use a std steerer in a tapered headtube?

I doubt I can, but if I could just buy the 1.5″ bottom half of a CK headset, could I use my current 1 1/8″ top half? No, thought not.

Those clip-on racks are usually a bit flimsy, and if you’re putting a few kilos on it I would expect a bit of ‘tail wagging the dog’ effect.

If you’re comfortable on the bike why not stick with it and get a saddlebag, something like a Carradice or Ortlieb (the more touring roadie tyre ones), or a bikepacking-style one from Bikepack.eu?

Just make sure they fit and remove easily: Something like a Carradice Barley is great for carrying a few clothes and your lunch for work, but a bar steward to get on and off *unless you buy extra quick release bits), and not a great shape to carry any distance.

dyffers are you seriously planning on changing tyres during a race ??

2 pairs of wheels. Racing Ralphs on my good set, may as well have the MudXs on the spares in the car ready to go if the monsoon summer lasts into July.

Thanks both. Plan made. Now just the lists of stuff and the worrying to do. :-)

This’ll be my first 24hr solo, well, 24hr anything (on the MTB at least). No pit crew, just going to see how I get on myself.

I’d sort of come to the idea I’d be able to stash a couple of boxes full of bottles/food/obvious spares/clothing/lights somewhere like the solo tent.

My Q is: How close will my car be? If it’s within 60 seconds ride off the course I’ll leave the bulky and/or expensive stuff locked in there. Thinking one dusk and one dawn trip to the car to change clothes, lights, mud tyres etc…or is this going to be a logisitcal nightmare?

Some good info in this article:

Going Tubeless for Cyclocross – Avoiding the Burp, Choosing the Best Tires, and a DIY System (Updated, Part III)

Interestingly, the OP is using Maxxis Raze tyres, one of the ones that article says didn’t work very well (I would guess because of the wire bead?).

I’ve had reasonable success with 35mm Racing Ralph on Crest rims, although I’ve not done any serious riding on it to give it a full test.

Cards on table: seeing the OPs pics the other week has got me seriously considering buying a Crosslight Pro6 in white! :oops:

Not so sure about the white rim / white bars / white stem one though. Black rims FTW.

I have a large Inbred 26er frame that, with a pair of exotic carbon rigids, would easily build up sub-25lb SS. And that’s not a light frame. Could probably manage 25lb with the Fox forks that are on it at the mo.

What I’m saying is 25lb wouldn’t be much of a challenge with a few carefully chosen parts off the classifieds. For a rigid steel 26er you should see 22lb, shirley?

Fairy nuff; I didn’t check the initial price you’re right.

I’ll go for another looksee and fbk might yet get another fiver. :-)

Good shout, I have a few old Merino 200 long sleeves that are coming to the end of their life.

Put 2 in the basket, accepted the £5 delivery charge…then they added tax the sneaky blighters. Didn’t spot that at the start.

Not such a great deal after all, seen as the RRP would be including VAT.

We did it in January. Went through said farm and there was nobody about, so we carried on through the gate and up the bridleway without any bother.

I can see the problem in that there’s a very clear way up to his property, and after his property, and pretty much no other way to join the two. But it’s mud track through a farmyard; it’s not like you’re riding through his flower garden FFS.

Get in touch with the Dorset Rough Riders. We do plenty of local trails. Check out the rides list on the webpage.

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Not running sealant I guess increase the chance of a puncture but in the worst case scenario its a cleaner job.

The simple idea is tyre full of sealant = most small puntures seal themselves and you never know about them (until you check the tyre in the distant future).

(Yes, I do carry a tube. No, in 12 months I’ve never needed it. It’s like a comfort blanket.)

But…what tea tray for a wet, rooty kitchen?

Hiya yetirose. I was the guy on the singlespeed Singular.

I thought the event was well run, although the course was a bit on the ‘slop’ side of muddy for my tastes. Still had a good few hours though; learnt a few things ready for the next step up, which is probably Erlestoke 12hr.

I think riding round almost any trail, lap after lap, will be dull if you were only there for a laff. It’s the challenge of having others to beat, as well as pushing yourself harder than you would on a social ride, that makes it worthwhile.

It’s also not very often you get to see how much faster the national 12hr champ can ride muddy singletrack on virtual slick tyres than you can on Mud-Xs. 8O

Great photo, looks like a model!

Thanks. I’m in it somewhere down there, chrisn is the bloke you can see and the third of us on doing the bike tour, Toby (not on here), is the photographer and photoshop expert.

Rode it May 2010 in sunshine with light touring kit on a road bike. As said upthread, it’s just a long hill. Don’t give yourself nightmares about it; you could walk up it in 2-3 hours if you had to.

Photo looking back from the hairpins:

Truvative worldcup SS flat bar feels the same and are a lot cheaper.

best for cash that you can pull like a monkey boy on are the truvatives

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Truvativ-Stylo-World-Cup-SS-Flatbar_40174.htm

That ad quotes the weight as 180g at 700mm wide. Can that be correct? My old 710mm Fleegles are 350g.

I think these sum up my WRT 2011 experience. Brilliant fun, I’ll definitely be back in 2012. (All pictures taken by my long-suffering mate chrisn + a few more here)

Thanks so far chaps. Have logged into facebook for the first time in months (!) and left a message for the Cowal MTB club. Looks like Glenbranter is a regular for them.

Mud x are going on tomorrow. I can’t see the point in having more than two sets of tyres per bike. Too much faffing.

Especially running tubeless. Refilled my rear Racing Ralph with Stans sealant the other week after 3 punctures, now the Ralphs are coming off in favour of Mud Xs. Couldn’t afford the sealant if I swapped about all the time.

In Britain, best descent without a doubt is the A470 going south east to Dinas Mawddwy. I do it a couple of times a year and never go quicker on a bike anywhere else. Blind left corner at nearly 60mph on 23mm slicks? Brilliant.

Best foreign descent that I’ve ridden: Luz Ardiden.
(My photo looking down the first third from the top)

Possible contender but I’ve only driven it: Stelvio.

You’ll be fine with anything for a couple of hours riding.

Remortgage for some Assos bibs if you’re into endurance rides. Assos shorts are like drugs: you’re frightened of trying because you know they’ll be so nice you’ll need more.

Was considering a lap of the Dorset Dirt 50k this weekend, but I reckon it’ll be mostly Dirt and not much Dorset to see.

Considering going to the local Cheese Festival instead (which will probably get cancelled as it’s on the flood plain at Sturminster Newton).

Another fillet brazed Roberts, this time one of those in-vogue rigid 29ers, but perhaps not exactly the kind of hardtail you were thinking of? :wink:

(Roberts Audax Custom circa 2006, fillet brazed Columbus Nivacrom)

On Friday I was glad I’d chopped in my Kielder entry as my right achilles still hadn’t recovered from the week before.

Now I’m disappointed I didn’t go as I love watching others more miserable than me in bad conditions!

Respect to all those that finished. As much mental straength as physical by the sounds of it.

If anyone’s missed their chance for an entry, send an email to info@ssuk2011.com

Wish I’d thought of that 2 weeks ago: went to sign up, no places left. Then didn’t have an excuse not to work that weekend. Bah!