A full calliper service kit is as cheap as chips and includes replacement pistons and seals. A little creativity with a track pump to pop the pistons out and it’s easy peasey.
I love my Avid Elixir R’s and I own Hope brakes too.

+1 for the Topeak adaptor. East to fit a works a treat connected to the cheap tyre inflator supplied with the compressor.

Tubes – how quaint. I seem to remember my dad telling me about them. 🙂

Maiden ride complete (60k XC) and first impressions are good. Definitely smoother over the course gravel and hardpack and as a result faster. I was aware of the size for the first few minutes but it was never an issue and the bike felt lively and responsive The 2 x 10 drive chain worked well and was extremely quiet as was the bike in general meaning that the modifications to the internal cable/hose routing worked.
As for the comments about the bar ends and full suspension, I fail to see what the suspension has to do with fitting bar ends. I could understand if the comments refered to the intended use of the bike but not to the fact that it had full suspension. The bar ends are in fact a new addition to my bikes to try and give me alternate hand positions on longer rides (80 – 100k three times a week) and I would not contemplate keeping them on when visiting the forest or other more technical trails. However, the first ride with the bar ends showed promise and after some minor tweaks to the angle, should prove a worthwhile addition.
In brief, some of the hype about bigger wheels has some elements of truth to it and I fully recommend having a dabble with the different wheel sizes.

Lettering faces inboard on granny and middle rings, outboard for the big ring on a triple.

I really like Lefty’s. 🙂

+1 for Commencal Direct.

+1 for giving the plod a call.

I think the potted plant is actually covering an unsightly manhole cover, but I will mention it to the chao that does the gardening. 🙂

The first time I nearly ran over a snake was quite emotional! 😯

Slightly different than your average knife incident I think.

You have a two year warranty so why not use it?

Ergon grips are for winners.

Change the cassette.

Cheers mate, made my 510’s even cheaper.

You need 56 at 298 mm.

I have two pairs of Shimano M162’s and can’t recommend then highly enough. Tredz are selling hem at a very good price to boot..Cheap summer shoes

I use them on low rise without any issues except the total lack of wrist/lower arm pain. I was the biggest sceptic out there and tried everything else from bike fits to excersise and nothing worked. Bought the Ergons and after two rides with minor adjustments to find the optimal position I’m now in a happy place. Yes they look a bit ‘old ladyish’ but I don’t care.

+1 for the Ergon grips. Fitted to all my bikes.

I’ve been running mine on the top for the last two years with no issues. I have had several offs including an OTB moment with no issues. Just take care when and if you turn your bike upside down on the trail to fix a flat etc.

North Shore Billet do a replacement spider which then allows you to fit standard 104 BCD rings which are a great deal cheaper. About thirty quid delivered from Canada.

Hope do matchmaker clamps for Shimano.

Use the ones with Presta valves if you want to run tubes but I would strongly recommend going tubeless.

Thanks nick.

Can’t fault them. Cheapest place around for Hope stuff usually.

Do a forum search for CRC Vouchers. There are several floating around as I used one yesterday.

Very many thanks. That took the edge off a pair of Easton bars and a Hope bash guard.

Do you need an adaptor? If your brake and fork are post mount then for a 160 mm disc you just bolt the caliper direct to he fork lugs.

Beer fridge.

Forget the tool chest, get a tool board and think about tool placement on it.

SRAM PC1071 chain with 120 links here.

Kuco – Member
I had to hacksaw mine on my Meta SL so I guess the 29er will be the same.

Thanks Kuco looking at pictures of the frames I think you’re right.

ain1775 – Member
Regardless, still won’t fit my Commie Meta AM
Central collars no good for me. This is the only BB that will fit – http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/a55628/bottom-bracket-cups-dura-ace-sm-fc7800p.html?lg=en&cr=GBP&cn=gb

Any bb71 or bb91 (41A) will fit, but you have to take a hacksaw to it first to cut one half of the protruding edge off. I was glad to have the hacksaw handy when I discovered that the original bb92 had been cut by commencal in the factory.

But as you say this makes the hope useless to us

I have a Commencal Meta AM 29er booked in with 18 Bikes at the end of the month, will I have the same problem and therefore should cancel my appointment?

B tension screw needs adjusting to give a larger clearance is my guess.

+1 for the CB19, but having said that, the others are good also.

661 recon has a good wide brow pad and a good vent system. All day comfy too.

Done

VMT

Forget the cling film, a condom and a zip tie, job done.

Recanati Reserve 2009 – a cheeky full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon from Israel.

Very nice indeed. 🙂