Not so much dropper stems but maybe lever controlled angelsets… push a button to slacken for descents and another to steepen it up for climbs. Other brands have done this by messing with suspension travel front and rear (Bionicon and Cannondale) but the adjustable angleset is probably what most really want from adjustable geometry and arguably less complicated/messy leaving the suspension to what it’s actually for.

The guy in shop it’s the best because of how it pivots the wheel up & down unlike other manufacturers where there rear wheel pivots towards the front thus on return throwing the bike forwards.

Stop listening to this man.

Seriously, Yosemite – would be such a shame to be that close and not do it. Going to properly eat into your time but I did two weeks in San Francisco back in 2002 and aside from generally being a fantastic city, my main memory is the 2 night stay in Yosemite.

Alcatraz was cool, Golden Gate has to be done, did a walk up in Marin. Make sure you ride the cable cars :)

Some scope for some proper awesome uncle points here – maybe he’s just really into Ponies/Horses? You could take him Pony trekking or to some stables/petting zoo or something? Whether he was into My Little Pony or not, would be a cool day out all the same…

On a related note, are Amercian Classic tubeless races going to be too wide at 24mm internal? And what tyres are people running tubeless? Seems to be a few TLR options the states but getting them in the UK is like hens’ teeth…

There’s a difference between him being an MP and a cabinet minister though – my MP is Liam Fox but he was removed from being defence minister.

I think the petition is a little vague, we don’t need him being removed as an MP, just as education minister and that is entirely possible.

Not that I’d have any hope for his successor being any different.

Hahanna and Fire-Mtn had the same basic frame I reckon (anyone care to correct me?), just different parts fitted and paint job to meet price points, Shirley?

Depends on the year, I had a 94 Fire Mountain and it was Tange, whereas Hahanna wasn’t. I don’t know what appreciable difference that actually made though…

Had a 94 Cinder Cone too (we had a few 94 Konas that got passed around the family) – Kona’s peaked that year I reckon – vintage year.

94 Hei Hei must be one of the prettiest off the peg bikes ever made.

If you are worried about the purchase price then you probably can’t afford to maintain it properly.

This is more the concern for me, if you’re worried about paying £200 over the top for the pup, I think it’s going to be the least of your worries over the lifetime of the dog…

I’m moving next month and as first time buying was looking into buildings and contents with a new insurer, at first glance John Lewis seemed to be offering the old m&s style cover for bikes and seemed affordable. Haven’t actually gone past the meerkat quote stage but listed 3 bikes over £3k and it seemed cheap

Our 2.0 Diesel MPV – Motorway trip trundling at 60mph = 58-60mpg, avg combined rural/urban being careful more like 43-45mpg, heavy foot combined more like 35-38mpg

1.6 petrol french warm hatch – motorway trundel = 49-52mpg, avg combined 43-45mpg, heavy foot combined 32-35mpg

I can make the french hatch go into single figures briefly if I go to limiter on a steep hill but I guess that’s doable in most cars.

29er for 2.5 years now – love it and wouldn’t go back, but make a conscious effort to not be a dick about it. Ended up giving my Wife my 2008 Five as the shorter travel Gyro was lighter, faster and more fun. Not compared it to a 650b or last generation 26er Five, or even a 29er Five, hence why I try not to be a dick about wheel-sizes :o

Yep, it really didn’t sell the area as a riding destination for me; poorly defined trails, muddy, wet, boring riding on the whole etc etc. Nice place to look at the scenery but a long way push a bike through a bog. Most people could be in the Auvergne or the Alps quicker.

Obviously didn’t watch the whole thing, yes there was some trudging but there was also plenty of stunning riding in there!

Also, with these things, it’s really hard to stop yourself and get the camera out when it’s going great, and so easy to faff with it when it’s shit.

With those kinds of savings you could get a spare set of wheels, forks and a few sets of tyres and be sorted for many years to come and still have LOTS of change from the RRP :)

Of course, your trails won’t feel as alive…

Nearly a million views in 24 hours!

Assuming you want articulate and talking to corporates, TMo would be hard to beat and was the first to spring to mind.

Otherwise, James Fairbank of Rapha (head of marketing) is good (I should know, I booked him once!) on the talks scene and does this a lot.

Danny didn’t look that happy on the road bike.

Those awkward looking bits – he literally took delivery of the bike, got on it and just started filming having never ridden it – pretty impressive really!

Edit: @spawnofyorkshire – yup, that’s the one!

Nope I stand corrected, the Trial zone lever was modified to fit better :)

Standard Hope Trial zone brake just positioned with a set of modified hoods strategically placed I believe – shifters are then sprinters Di2

I got to photoshoot the bike in the studio last week and had a cheeky ride :)

iainc
does make you wonder how they will approach the PR of dropping 26 for 27.5 if they ever do !!

Na, it’s win win really, his hand will be forced because SRAM et al drop 26 components from the range and he can cull the 26ers citing lack of components without really losing face. The rebel fighting the good fight but ultimately being over powered.

Saying he’s stuck with dead stock, as mentioned previously, it’s a brand new shipment of frames in new colours.

I’d assume if I lived in Inverness with right to roam and all that stuff you’re lucky to have – I’d be spoilt for choice!

Anyone done the Gorilla tape approach with cross tyres?

More an overlap, Five is also designed to run 36s at 160 and is just as tough as a spicy. Doubt you’d notice the 20mm of rear travel between Five and Spicy that much if built up the same.

Can’t say I’d fancy running a zesty like that, couple of mates on 2nd or 3rd frames riding the south…

I’d pass on it and see if you can get a taper HT/larger seat tube model – was that 2010, 11 or 12? Eitherway, 27.2 dropper choice still isn’t good enough and probably never will be now.

Total disaster – it was a MX course so predictably shit and almost unrideable on an MTB. Half the guys pulled out and all of the girls did.

When the men’s race ran, the crowd apparently didn’t even notice it was on.

Bit of a fail really

Cut a square of inner tube and super glue it on the side.

Agree with that except the bourdais example. Bourdais won multiple championships because the standard of driving in Indy cars is abysmal

Damnit, beaten to it.

And, when Mansell went to Indycar, he just rocked up and stuck it on pole and won in his first race, the first ‘rookie’ to do so.

read the paint instructions.

Well I haven’t bought the paint yet!

painting floor needs to be done at a warm time of year also which is why i didnt do it when i moved in – february.

How come?

I’m getting a new place in Feb and I know if I don’t paint it before I move in, it won’t get done. If I go ahead anyway, will I die? What about if I burn a shit load of dinosaurs and have a halogen heater on in there while it’s being done/drying?

Picked up an 820 for £10/month a few months back, doesn’t matter if it’s any good for that money

Hesjedal celebrates Tour of Alberta stage win a lap too soon!

American Classic All Mountains plus Hans Dampfs running tubeless would save you around 1lb but in the right place and arguably give you more grip and a wider carcass. Unless you ride somewhere really flinty and need UST that is.

An Airshock will make an obvious difference but it depends whether this is your big trail bike or your little DH bike as to whether it makes sense.

Hope’s IBR and chainguide might shave a decent amount.

MT Zoom XL carbon bar but not if you’re doing BIG jumps.

All of the above might get you to 30lb but you’ll be around a grand worse off and you could buy a Canyon hardtail for that and just leave the Alpine for what it’s intended for ;)

Got an 820, same sentiments as andyfla. It’s fine, it was crazy cheap and couldn’t justify insane cost of iPhones anymore. But that’s about it. Hardware is nice and iPhone 4S level, WP is really slick and zippy, but usability is pretty woeful and feels old fashioned features wise in places. Home screen pinning is ace but doesn’t scale well if you have more than a few non standard apps

Just to play devils advocate, but I reckon someone like spesh or trek creates more uk jobs than most of those niche British brands combined :)

I agree – it’s all about these…

Funny old sport, too often crap conditions in the UK and too faffy – makes group MTB riding look efficient – but when it’s good it’s unbeatable fun.

I ended up scratching the itch by buggering off to Vass for a holiday, first season of the week, so brand new kit too. Was amazed that I could just hop straight back on and into the straps after so long off (my last board was a Gecko 298 so I’m pretty out of date too) – turns out it’s like riding a bike in that respect.

Spent 7 days laughing my tits off, overpowered on a 4.5 wave sail most of the time, knocking out kilometre long runs. I figure I’ll just do that again in a few years rather than sink money into kit again.

RRD Firemove (I think) was what I got on best with – wasn’t as manoeuvrable as the Starboard but it was a much better blasting board – very point and shoot which was great considering the time off I’d had. Didn’t get on with the Fanatic Shark all that much – just didn’t want to go in the same way (heavy?)

The 160mm 29er Strange at Eurobike looks nuts – would love a go on that!

Yes Ian has some bits missing

Ian H by any chance?

Tried on frames at the Oakley concept store in Cabot and then went to Goatman & Batham on Queens Road for eye test and order (they don’t carry much stock so couldn’t try much on, hence going to Oakley store first). That was for clear lensed racing jackets for on the bike.

Several years ago I got some everyday Oakley glasses (split wires) from Brian Vousden in Clifton.

I’ve done a day at the office with bibs under jeans due to an emergency work pants cock up. No one should have to sit in a chamois and do a desk job all day :oops:

Spot +1, exact tool for the job