a quick google shows a majority of clowns ride micro-wheeled bikes like this:

although it did throw a 26’er into the mix

and a 36’er which i’m sure the OP will enjoy whinging about

but otherwise i’m happy with my 26 inch DH and Trail bikes plus a rigid 29’er for mid week/night riding fun. happy trails!!!! :D

finish in tynemouth much nicer than sunderland! :)

oh nearly forgot this:

£3 off here

my top 5:

1) our £400 Y reg ford focus that we’ve had 4 years and never missed a beat
2) moka stove top coffee maker i got for 10p in a charity shop
3) fox closing down sale polo shirts and gloves
4) my budget wilko tools i used to build our sheds out of reclaimed wood
5) and after last nights ride – on one chunky monkey for £15!

jacket (if it looks like raining)
shirt
maybe a sarnie or a banana or something else lurking in our fridge
errrr thats it!

only a 2mile commute though i can walk home in 20mins and carry keys/phone/wallet in my jeans pockets, lock at work car park etc :D above will change when we move to 13 mile each way though :?

dust

How on earth do people cope financially in the UK?

i think you need to re-phrase that to How on earth do people cope financially in the UK LONDON? as it seems that it’s perfectly fine elsewhere (assuming you live within your means of course – but then again not everyone does that!)

had a genesis latitude which can handle up to 140mm. nicely designed frame only changed to a fortitude for 29 wheels – picked mine up for about £230ish. the BFe looks a good frame too.

Looks like its all OK he actually meant the NW so we’re saved.

thank dear god

i’ve got some fox ones and although i think they’re great for DH i wouldn’t want to be out on an all dayer in them. maybe other brands inc the 661 ones would be better

you need one of these

and one of these

and go for pot luck! :D

typical fracking southerner

wanaka was really good when i was there, we did an out and back ride down one side of the lake. i remember a lot of the bike parks being quite groomed, which disappointed me a little bit. the kennet brothers book would be the best bet for finding more natural stuff. some good rocky trails around queenstown as well – not just the bike park!

Specialized Trail 110 boots

these in size 45

and fiveten hi tops i bought in a sale for about £45… :(

my mate has the new triple clamp domains and really rates them. included springs/crown options and a service kit in the box too. if i was on the lookout for a workhorse DH fork that’ll be what i’d be going for (i have boxxers now)

i used to ride a msisle with dirt jumpers for DH. steepest head angle known to mankind with bodged 130mm travel. probably the best thing i ever did to improve my bike handling and obviously i’m not dead (yet!), so i reckon you’ll be alreet. if u run tubes be prepared for LOTS of flats! ;)

Gazc. Do they have TNT written on grey sidewalls? If not, they are ordinary folding Sagauro’s. They tried to fob me off with these a few weeks ago. Ended up buying proper TNT’s from Halfords.

yes the one i have does, same as a datura i also have

not sure it’ll get speed up to require the wing tho :(

geax saguaro at on-one. TNT sidewall seems sturdier than my old racing ralph evo and only £15. not ridden yet tho so what this space if i die or not

loads of trails in chopwell worth exploring, probably best going with someone who knows them to get most out of it really but the main trails are pretty easy to find if you follow your nose. same for thrunton

hamsterleys good crack, can go out onto moors from there if you want to escape it too. lots of moorland trails out edmundbuyers/hexhamshire common way

surly krampus – will had plenty of mud clearance too :wink:

i used one then gave it to the mrs when i got a revelate bag. the revelate one stays in position better but the topeak one is fine as it is and not yet fallen off!

sold mine gutted :(

what about a poundland/builders tarp. literally a couple of quid and the small ones are big enough for one person and not too bulky when folded up. a mate of mine brought one on a multiday bivi no probs, bit conspicuous tho!

i did it a few weeks ago in good/clear weather, i went up it from garigill and looped round past cross fell/gregs hut. don’t think it would have changed much from your experience tbh. quite few stretches by the river have been undercut and collapsed so needed to make a few stream crossings too, and was boggy higher up although got much better nearer the road. had a great ride mind :-)

my mate (STATO on here) is running a XT or SLX clutch mech with sram shifter 9speed. just need to make a simple spacer. worked really well and as far as i know he’s still alive :D

buy one of these and go and explore! :D

i’d say check all the bearings/check the back end motion without the shock on to make sure its all straight/no play etc. i had an old heckler which munched bushes too – replaced main bearings regularly/checked all tight/aligned, so put it down to the slightly flexy back end putting sideways strain on them, probably not helped by a raggy riding style and being 14stone! found BETD strong bushes with hula hoops lasted longest, use them now on my newer el guapo with no problems

cheers just ordered one, will be great for hols/bike tours without worrying about losing/breaking a more expensive kindle! :) also found this software looks good for converting file formats from my current books http://www.calibre-ebook.com/%5B/url%5D

Could STW become the new Sheldon Brown ?

god i hope not

should also add i’ve worn through a few pairs of humvees too. the stitching aint the best but a £5 repair down at my local clothing alteration place and they’re good for another year or two

whatever has the thickest sidewalls to keep the sharp rocks at bay on the back :)

i’ve had a few pairs of few humvees. really like the zillion pockets for tours/longer rides/quick blasts when i can stick a few snacks/buff/extra gloves/map/phone/wallet etc in there so not need to wear a pack or have said items readily available. tend to wear my other shorts (which are more like the singletracks) for trail centres/DH rides

chunky monkey seems good vfm if it fits your fork

2.4 nobby nic? assuming you have a smaller one now btw. stick with what you know and all that. i have one and i’m not dead

send it now has an option to drop off at a post office of your choice. well it did last time i used it anyway!

not a dog but me and a mate were doing the off road st bees-robin hoods bay coast to coast ride a few years ago and met this crazy french woman doing a bike tour in the north york moors with her cat. may need a bigger box for a dog tho :)

like the cardboard policemen in some shops round here. you catch them in the corner of your eye and even though i’m no shoplifter i feel like someones there watching me. freaky

lube

unless he’s literally got everything and gone belt drive?

i mentioned my mate might be interested – but he’s out as he needs a 3 bike carrier. cheers!