Cheers, just ordered some 3/4’s. The pocket zips have gone on my old pair and I’ve been putting off buying a replacement as I’ve heard the new ones aren’t as good but at that price I’ll take a chance.

Have just bought a cheap Ford Focus for my 40 mile (each way) commute which came with four nearly new plastic ditch finders that were frankly scary in the cold and wet.
They have been replaced with Falken All seasons and the difference is astonishing – not just for their grip on snow and ice, but the overall feel of security in poor conditions. I work shifts so at least half the year is spent driving in low temperatures.
Never skimp on tyres!

Used a Tubby re enameling kit a few years back and it turned out better than I expected. As with most things it’s all in the prep. You won’t achieve a perfectly smooth finish (slightly orange peely) but perfectly acceptable.
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://tubbydiy.com/&ved=2ahUKEwiEyOKwvuL7AhUJZsAKHVOMBVIQFnoECA0QAQ&usg=AOvVaw2Tej_QrkptZQVs9XvPQdzZ

Had the place to ourselves at our favorite CL site in the Lakes for August bank holiday week.


Just over the hill in the background is the now ironically named Quiet Site that we used to go to years ago. Had a walk over and it was rammed full with every square inch taken up with glamping pods, tents and caravans – couldn’t believe the contrast when back at our
little site.
I know which I prefer (£16 a night vs £60 too!).

Glad you enjoyed your stay Ben.
Sunderland in general isn’t a pretty place. Like a lot of ex industrial northern towns it suffers from a chronic lack of funding, development and public pride (a lot of people just don’t give a s*#t and spending money won’t change that). There are nice areas (honestly!) but you need to know where to find them.

Thanks Sharky, at least I’ve got Tunstall Hills on my doorstep for a quick play.

Apologies for the slight hijack but is it worth exploring Cherry Knowle and Ryhope Dene’s on the MTB? Keep thinking I should when I’m riding past on my gravel bike.

I’m local(ish-Sunderland) and there’s loads of disused railway tracks to go at around there.
You could park at Cox Green – nice pub (Oddfellows Arms) and a great quirky outdoor cafe (The New Plough Tea/Coffee Trailer). Then pick up the Sunderland/ Consett railway path which is 7 miles to Beamish. Also worth a walk up Penshaw Monument and Herrington Park is nice to ride around. Nearer still is the Haswell to Hart path that starts at Ryhope and takes you all the way to Hartlepool (is a bit dull though). Sunderland to South Shields is a nice ride.

Currently running an XR5/XR4 front/rear in 27.5×2.6 flavour and have been impressed so far. Really wanted the SE version but got these cheap and they have lasted well in 6 months of Lakes/Peaks and trail center riding (much better than my lads same age Black Chilli Conti Trail Kings which are looking much worse). They size up bigger than most tyres, don’t drag much and grip well in all but the worst gloop.

Fastest Fred Whitton riders averaging 20mph. How is that even possible?

Ah thanks, got it.👍

The four passes is a strange one for me. I will do it one day but see it as more of a challenge to complete and tick off the list rather than a ride to savour and enjoy (plus don’t think it’s doable for us in under 5hrs!).
Was looking at a video just last week of the Barrow descent and it looked fab – might fit it into an evening quickie.
El_bouf – that looks good but can’t see the (saddle) return to Braithwaite on the map?
Thanks everyone keep em coming!

I run a XR5/XR4 combo on my Remedy and really rate them. Grippy in all but severe mud and not draggy. Have even survived multiple rocky Lakes trips without issue.

The smug Tesla driving bell end who earlier today parked next to a pump at a busy petrol station and then proceeded to do ‘very’ leisurely grocery shop.

‘BILLY ELLIOT!!’ as I waited at traffic lights in my winter tights. 😃

My neighbour fitted Michelin Agilis Alpin tyres to his California after asking around on the T5 forums and has been very impressed with them (he leaves them on all year).

Every so often I’ll do things that make me think I’m losing it then along comes a thread like this to make me feel better.

Currently staying at Manesty on Derwent water in the caravan. Took the dog out this morning for her usual walk across the boardwalk towards the Lodore Hotel:

The B5289 to Keswick is a river in places and the other road is ‘just’ passable at Portinscale.
Never seen the lake this high before.

‘My’ bench is on a headland off Myrtle Bay on Derwent water looking over towards Keswick.
My first memory of it is in 1987 as a sixteen year old camping in the woods nearby for a week with mates.
34(!) years later I regularly go to the caravan site in Manesty woods with the family (this week in fact) and the kids love sitting reading the ancient initials carved into it and it’s now ‘their’ bench.

@Northwind, I take it yours is a Fox then? Most of the ones I’ve seen are Rockshox

Can second Dragonframe if he’s into stop motion. It’s not cheap (about £300 iirc) but it’s very intuitive and easy to use even though it’s pro level software.
My son used it when he was going through a creative stage and won a national competition. Hasn’t touched it for a couple of years now though.

Not that it’s a consideration for my mum, but
I wonder if the resale of the eJimi and other adult Islabikes is as good as the many kids bikes we’ve had over the years.
Thanks for the kind offer Matt, she’s going to sit on a few in shops to see what she likes.

Thanks again for the advice, good to know there’s back up available for the Bosch motor.
B.A.Nana – I’ve PM’d you.

Thanks for the replies everyone – much appreciated
Really sorry to hear about your step Dad B.A.Nana, I’ll let you know. I’m in Sunderland so not too far.
One other consideration is weight. They go away with their caravan a lot and use the bikes to get about. When traveling they take the wheels off the bikes (which I think would rule out the Pendleton) and put them in the back of the car so how easy are these to manhandle? Would removing the battery (if possible) make much of a difference?
Also is it worth the extra for something with a Bosch or Shimano motor from a reliability/warranty/usage point of view?

I went the other way and fitted a 170 air shaft to my Remedy (>10mm) after reading how much better it is and seeing a cheap (£12!) one on eBay. The difference is…. minimal.

Thanks for the link Rick. Had a look through that website but couldn’t find anything – might send them an email.
Also cheers bigyan, quite an involved job then!
Looks like it may be going back if I can’t find anything.

I tried looking for something along those lines but couldn’t find anything. I’m surprised there isn’t some hardware available to convert it.

I’ll second the Latham’s doors. Very sturdy and secure. Also reasonably priced and easy to fit.

No problem, I’ve just checked and the 19T sprocket looks fine.

@Weeksy, I have a 12sp NX cassette which was working fine until the 28T sprocket wore away the soft alloy freehub but should still be okay. You’re welcome to it for postage if you can use it as I’ve now replaced it with an SLX using microspline.

Just rode Grange > Honister > Warnscale > Buttermere > Sail Beck > Rigg Beck > back to Grange as I’d wanted to do the two descents for ages and TBH I was a bit disappointed.

The top section of Warnscale had too many unrideable bits (for my skill level anyway) and Rigg Beck, whilst fun and flowy towards the end, wasn’t really worth the slog up Sail Beck to get there (may work better as shorter loop starting from Stoneycroft as mentioned above though).

So, in my limited experience, my fave descents are Watendlath to Rosthwaite and Styhead to Stockley Bridge with an honourable mention going to Hause Gate to Manesty.

It’s surprising how much more confidence you get with a bit of regular exposure to this type of terrain. I’m riding stuff I wouldn’t have dared just a year or two ago and picking my way down a technical rocky descent is probably my favourite type of riding now.

Well I tried another repair, this time with Araldite ‘Steel’ epoxy and it turned out very good.
Used 2000 grit wet and dry as mentioned above and then toothpaste to polish it up.
Shock is still leaking air but not nearly as bad as before – managed to get all around Whinnlater with just one top up which is good enough until I can service it (or upgrade!).
Thanks everyone

No, I didn’t replace the air seal (not that I’ve got one anyway). It stays pressurised overnight and when locked out (so the damage is kept more away from the seal) so I’m hoping it’s ok. Going to try the epoxy repair this morning and if it doesn’t work I’ll just leave it locked out.

It’s a Deluxe RL off a Remedy and two weeks was what a couple of shops mentioned.
Thanks for the epoxy suggestion timbog – I’ll try it out and report back.

That’s the thing. I’m having to pump it up every 15min when riding.

Agree about deore 2 pots. Have ran them on various kids bikes and they have never lacked power and rarely need touching. Also have a lightly used set of Level T brakes available v.soon if that’s any use?

Nobeer + 1. Did the Langstraff add on to the Bash earlier this year. Getting to Sprinkling Tarn was a miserable slog but the descent down to Stockley Bridge was sublime. Gets my vote.

As above, my A6 allroad self levels with it’s air suspension – main reason why I bought it.

@Matt The Lost Words? Lovely book.

Thats a Giant Revolt Advanced same as mine. Looks like he found a good solution for his creaking press fit BB.