how easy is the CREE/cutter conversion thing to do? can i run it off the 14.4v lith battery? how much effort and money do i need? are the results worth it?

Pretty easy – I needed help from Rob to as I’m not handy enough with a soldering iron. I can run mine off 13.2 and 14.8 volt batteries fine. Cost about £70 and 1 evening. The results are awesome!

Separate issues.

Yeah, On the other hand I’ve been running tubeless on two bikes since 2005 and only carry a pump and an inner tube. I finally used it for the first the other week. That’s a lots of trailside time spared!

HaHa yes, I noticed that too! What were they thinking…

Not sure about this – In the case of the cutter kit I’m running now it will accept a range of input voltages but it will only draw what it needs. Over volting it doesn’t make it any brighter.

I did that to a DT hub once. Switched to Hopes and never had a problem since!

Hmm, you know that that’s a Hope Pro II up there right?

That said I’ve never had a problem with Hope hubs.

Yep, as already said start of slow and steady. I probably run more than I cycle these days but when I started out running (maybe 5 years ago) I completely killed myself on the first few attempts. Your cycling fitness is not your friend here as it’ll allow you to go much harder than you should at the start. Feels ok at the time but you’ll be limping for days.

Start out with a 10 – 15 minute run. If you feel ok the next day then up it a bit. Once you can handle 30 minutes you should be able to survive a 10k alright. Even at a very gentle job it shouldn’t take more than an hour.

559 is a normal 26 inch mtb wheel so yes it’ll fit. 17 is a fairly narrow rim though so its profile will be a bit round.

But yes, it’ll be fine.

Depends – For the the money I think it’s hard to beat Hope Pro II hubs. But I’d still go for a CK headset. I’ve had Hope too and they’re very good but I think CK edges it.

Usually 1 pair of thin socks (Endura coolmax) and a thicker wool pair (woolie boolies).

Yep, still me.