+1 SKS here, been the best rear mudguard I’ve had and my garage is a mudguard graveyard but I do think the bike design plays into which might work best for you :/

James

Look lovely, but then I am a bit biased as I have one in the garage for the last few years, no unicorns though but I am all good with any help you can get, unicorns included.

Mine survived in standard spec for about 6 months only, now gone all the way to just short of S-Works spec, oops

Lovely bike to just ride, preferably a long way (did KAW and it was peachy) and ideally with some pace (in my case to the next coffee stop) and repeat.

Enjoy.

James

Mech hanger alignment? I know that they are sensitive from a quick google (https://www.reddit.com/r/bikewrench/comments/13962jz/sram_axs_xplr_shifting_issues/) and if you have tried everything else ….

Good luck.

James

Last year I did King Alfreds way, around 220 miles, needs a gravel bike or MTB I would suggest depending on timing but depends what you want and how big.

I looked at Canti way, but for me, too much road and that’s about 140 miles IIRC

I am just starting to investigate, with some trepidation I might add, a just under 300 mile off road for 2024, nashes teeth, but it’s for charity (mate) ;)

James

I think the bushing issue on SID may have been an early on model “thing” as I had them replaced under warranty on mine, still seems to get talked about but

a) think it is fixed (assume that stock is current not old, worth checking) and

b) warranty IME was easy breezy.

James

Fir me it is a combination of 75% my own commitment (actually doing it) and 25% diet / hydration / facilities.

But I’d also suggest two things.

1) a goal – an event, ride, charity ride whatever- have something personal to aim at. Since turning 50 I’ve gone from 10 miles per week to 50+ and two (for me) major event / rides and currently starting to plan a big arsed scary third one (maybe Plymouth to London offroad?).

2) a reward- not a day or week off! But a shiny bit of kit, posh dinner, whatever motivates you – for me I’ve been tying 1) to raising cash (for charity mate) which has massively helped with motivation / training ride guilt.

Works for me but we’re all different so find what works for you.

James

This reminds me of all the arguments about tyre sizes – all bollocks – all tyres are good if they do what you want, but others are different so don’t be a dick about it.

Life is most often how you adapt, see things, and make the best of them.  Kids included, (dare I say similar to dogs in many ways?), they come in all types, shapes, behaviours, good and challenging with rewards of mostly good and occasional less so days.

I’m DI 2xK WAD and enjoy the ups and downs, just like riding the bike (of any wheel size) and have mates of single, divorced, NK, with kids ebike, proper bike, and relish their company and perspective and if you don’t? Change your friends.

I think the points above about it being harder organise with kids to plan is very valid.

James

If you have the space two bikes and two trainers are definitely cheaper :/

Thanks TJ

I think you’re more likely to feel the difference in weight than feel and that is even more true of the wheels in my experience. A Lighter set of wheels and tyres are transformative but for the most part mine have always been trail bike esque but with a much bigger grin.

James

If you have DTSwiss hubs you can buy the Torque cap adapters if that helps?

I am not a fan of the twistlock and found it a PITA to use, or rather not use plus F’s up any grip choice you might want, big no from me.

James

To add some balance to this went to Finland, ideal timing over Xmas (plus bonus no family to see) with just me, Mrs and kids.

Had a fabulous time, North Finland is great, but did not see the Northern Lights at all, not once, however, would go back in a heartbeat (and not just to ride the fat bike in the woods).

James

I put a post up along similar lines a couple of months back for my POC (lovely helmet but I bake) and took the collective advice for the halo headband and, for me, problem solved.

I am not sure it is a helmet “thing” or just some of us run hotter, for me headband for the win and a much cheaper option at £16 than a DRT helmet from Oakley and I did it on a .. **** it for £16 it is worth a punt.

James

PS I am also grade 1 or 2 all year, makes no difference.

I’d echo the comments here as had great service from them, and even got to meet a couple of them when I did a cycling course face to face pre covid. All good people, apart from one who refused to touch a mountain bike, which I found funny, but he was a hardcore roadie.

To be fair also had great customer service from Scott (when a front derailleur mount peeled off a carbon frame, they replaced the frame all costs covered) and Rocky Mountain (exploded a rear fat bike hub x 2 and they replaced the wheel with a much better one).

However, Trek and Giant not so much.

James

Remote control plug of choice from fleabay or Amazon? With a simple remote to keep costs down or you can go “Posh” with a smart one with app etc.

If you’re in the same space around the same time a simple mechanical plug might also be a cheap option, I have a raft of these around the house for various appliances, simple but work.

James

Personally I swapped out my SLX as it shifts on release as opposed to push (if that makes sense) which I found a bit odd to get used to, almost a delay and had no reservations or wish to go back but everyone is different.

James

Just to add a little balance into the carbon wheel bashing, all puns intended, I ride a pair of the DT Swiss ones, luckily picked up cheap(er) from fleabay and they’ve been ace.

But go back to summer last year and a bad set of coincidences had me hitting the side of a moving farmers pick up at about 20mph both him and me.

Yeah, I was fine, but my first thought after turning off all the alarms to not call Mrs was OMG my carbon front wheel! No worth noting I had it square on at speed, dented the wing of the pickup, but wheel was fine.

I don’t do jumps but do do lots of miles, rocks, etc and it’s only on a 120mm bike and yes the odd scrape but nothing catastrophic (yet) so perhaps there is something in it or I am just plain lucky.

For my two pence I love the honest reviews, I love that the customer service is ace, but it just feels like a version one type issue, great idea but got a few issues / bugs in it and everyone seems to have them (yes Hope cheese rims were version 1, version 2 so much better) so pays your money makes your choice perhaps?

James

+1 poc

@stanley I use a small weecog bag on mine and it works just great :)

Have had that and the SKS Mudrocker and I have to say the Mudrocker is better, plus the optional extension is a good option. Note on the extension though to fix it as they say don’t fit and forget the pin / zip tie or it will go missing and yes I did and yes it is now missing :(

James

IIRC, and I might not, most current entry level MTB so think Kona Lanai, Trek Marlin 5 etc are 135qr rear, even now, but not sure about front.

James

+1 Mezcals front and rear on mine as soon as I possibly can, surprisingly ok in the wet and surprise mud in my experience.

James

I can’t sing Rad8s praises enough and now had two pairs and even when mine got broken they sent me a replacement part for free. Just awesome people to deal with.

I wear varifocal glasses and no issues and much MUCH cheaper than Oakleys from RX that I’d had previously.

James

When I asked on a thread recently about my excessively sweaty helmet (fnar) the overwhelming response was Halo headband, but they do hats too so I’d check them out and not mad money either.

James

@mark one for the moderators to… enjoy ;)

James

Influencer .. groans

Expert .. anything!

James :)

Mine could be taken in one of two ways

1) I used to ride a fat bike (still miss it and hanker for another) and a love coffee

or if I don’t ride enough

2) I am fat, bike and love coffee.

Both work for me at times :)

I’m going to give the Halo headband a go but if anyone else is interested you can also by teh sweat brow thing from Troy Lee A3 as a spare part.

That might be the next thing I try if the Halo doesn’t work for me.

Thanks for all the kind ideas and feedback.

James

@tiagain as I have already busted one lid this year (and lack flowing locks) I will pass thanks :)

@ernielynch it is the sweat that is the issue and yes I have dressed down to the point of cold and still have the issue. It is as if I have a sweaty forehead during exercise hence trying to fix it.

@fossy Skull cap could be an easy thing to try, thanks for the idea.

@ta11pau1 Thanks for sharing that, useful, trying to avoid spending the cash TBH but it is getting a little interesting with sweaty vision, glasses, speed, and mud so creeping up the things to sort list.

Thanks for the accolade on headline :)

Hair situation is grade one or two, no mullet party here.

Helmet is also used year round, although seriously thinking of a full face given how cold it was through last winter for exclusive winter use but that is for a random internet hunt for a deal another time.

James

From experience of hundreds of these things the hotel might have a nice steel frame, acting like a cage to prevetn any mobile signal so the Chromecast might be a challenge. Hotel Wifi is often not site wide so inevitably the room your presenting in will the be the one that has a dodgy signal. Wired = safe every time.

Like other have said call ahead and ask what connecter they have on the projector they will be giving you on the day, as I’ve had different connectors on different projectors and hotels often have a few.

They might just put you on a big screen with no projector so well worth calling ahead and being there early as others have suggested and also get a remote clicker (as suggested above) as this helps you be more chilled too.

Keep the PP to a minimum and just recall all the pants slides and presentations you’ve seen and don’t do any of those things!

No videos built in, no sound, no wifi, and a wired connection = painless as it can be.

Good luck.

James

Another vote for the Mezcals, run them all summer long and around SDW too never had an issue. Interesting someone else mentioned Ikon as I wanted to love them, and it might just be my bad luck, but shredded two, had no similar issue with Mezcals over last three summers now.

James

Also worth keeping a close eye on fleabay as I picked up some EXC1200 for a really good price and in excellent order for much cheapness last summer :/

Depends on your need / timing.

James

I’ve had it and asked Strava about it and got f all response.

I wonder if although you (and I) are on normal bikes the device your recording on picks up on the ebike sensor system and hence “suggests” it’s an ebike ride.

I mostly ride with a guy on an ebike and this 50/50 pisses me off and makes me laugh.

James

I need me some of that cycling phycology, I wonder if that is what I already get in my camelbak mouthpiece and the book tells me how to fix it ;)

Thanks for the smile.

James

Interesting to read this as I have an Epic evo ’21 and I think you need to be a little careful as Epic Evo with the brain tech in it, around 2020 and before I think IIRC, is a very different bike – hence I bought a ’21.

I use it for just what OP wanted, a long haul marathon type bike, done South Downs Way, King Alfreds Way and over 3k miles now on it and it’s ace.

No it doesn’t have downtube storage, but it does have two bottle cages, I’ve never found mine to bob going uphill, so was interested to see someone else mention that. You do have to watch out for the early SID fork bushing issue, mine got replaced under warranty but as a 120mm front just over 100m back it is awesome sauce for what I ride.

Done Wales, trail centres and lots of natural long haul and wouldn’t swap it but then I have gone to town on it since buying and around 22.5kg now and can easily keep up with ebike mates, which is a good laugh, but then they might just be humouring me.

Hope it helps, but if you have any questions I can help with drop me a note.

James

Comes to something when the cheapest thing in the list is £2,499 :/

Then there’s people like me that couldn’t care less if liked or not.

Where no doubt others will measure self worth by them  …

:/

James

Depends on what you prefer, want or like on this one.

Like someone said above Shimano spd seem pretty excellent apart from xtr which I had issues with too.

Im loving my Nukeproof horizons though, good platform, standard shimano cleat, rebuild kit (but need “special” tool but £5) and hence ace –  but for what I want / need – you might be different.

They do come in a range of pimped anodised finishes to colour coordinate if that’s your bag, or black like I have ;)

James