Exactly what DK said. KCNC ones are far better in every way than the dearer SRAM ones.

Standard 11T ones fitted mine fine

Something like Ralphs work there in the depths of winter. It’s bone dry at the moment so you could go even slicker.

Got F32s on both my bikes and they’ve been perfect. One oil change type service every 18 months or so and nothing ever gone wrong with them. Only 100s and 120s mind and both on light bikes with light(ish) riders

I use a Gore activeshell gilet if I want to windproof my chest area (not as bothered about arms). I think it’s a ‘Path’. It adds hardly any weight or bulk and can be stuffed in a pocket if you get too warm.

Like you I wear a Phantom in the winter and have moved to LS jersey plus gilet in the past couple of weeks.

I’ve also got an Endura roadie LS jersey. FS260, it may be the jetstream already mentioned above? It’s windproof but like an idiot I bought a mainly white one. It was in the sale – £25 but hardly gets used as the trails need to be dry or it gets filthy. Really good jersey though.

The missus has just got a LS Castelli Gabba to use on her road bike – a thinner windstopper. That thing is amazing….still not sure it justifies the price though!

Connect working fine for me. Uploaded a session this morning and one on Sunday from 2 different devices. Using the modern interface if that makes a difference.

Never used the planning side. Just upload sessions as and when

Got one on the front and an old style one on the back. Had a couple of front wheel wash outs in the mud. Could just be me but I’m a bit wary of pushing it too hard in the wet around corners. 2.25 Pacestar by the way

Doesn’t seem to ride a million miles away from the old one to be honest. I tend to ride loamy natural trails so rocks and sidewalls etc are not a problem.

Looks like just outside Queenstown with the Crown Peaks in the background. Some good riding on Bob’s Peak when I was there last.

There’s a Premier Inn at Bagshot (has it’s own pub). You could ride to the bottom of the red route in 10 mins. Travelodges in Bracknell and Camberley – both a 5 minute drive away. Plenty around to be honest

Muc-Off Drivetrain Cleaner, chain cleaning device, a brush and a bit of clean water.

This stuff is great for cassettes, jockey wheels and chainrings. Then degreaser in a chain cleaner.

Missus uses a Wahoo Blue SC on her TT. Speed + cadence. ANT+ or bluetooth so you can use it directly with phone or Garmin.

3 parter – main bit on the chainstay. Magnets on spoke and crank.

Definitely X0 shifting (XT cassette). Happy with my X0 brakes too….never used Xt brakes though

Got a 3 year old Canyon Nerve and a new Canyon road bike as well as a 4 year old Cube hardtail.

Never had a problem with any of them in any way. That being the case, I’d go for the Canyon with it’s better value for money every time. The road bike was with us within a week of order (despite not showing as in stock) and the communication & delivery was bang on.

Been ‘fine’ for me. It was down for a few minutes earlier today though and sometime seems a bit flaky.

Yep – had the mullets (£40ish) and they did not change much. Okay for fairly sunny days but a bit crap for riding in and out of trees. Can’t really complain for the money though.

Only ever used PaceStar. Got an old NN on the back now and a 2015 model on the front.

The back tyre has been on the front of my bike for around 2 years and there’s still loads of life left on it.

Not sure if that helps with the side tread for the GateStar but the centre tread should last well.

deadkenny – Member
GXP Team is £20, may as well replace the lot than faff with replacing one bearing.

Personally my GXPs last a good couple of years

Mine’s starting to click after just over 2 years and just bought another to replace it. Like DK says, at £20 for 2 years it’s just easier to replace.

Same here – had my kcnc ones in for a year now and not a grumble. Apart from the paint worn off the teeth they still look immaculate.

They also have the advantage of holding onto less crud so the rest of your drivetrain keeps cleaner.

I’m assuming 2013 is still standard 11T?

Was there yesterday and there were a few muddy puddles but mostly frozen over. Set to change for the weekend and Porridgepot is normally quite a bit muddier than Tunnel Hill

Go for bibs. They warm that spot at the small of your back when your jersey tends to ride up or is pulled up by your Camelbak (or is it just me?). Much more comfortable too with the only downside being if you need to take a ‘comfort break’ out on the trails.

They look ridiculous but once you’ve got your baggies on over the top who’s to know.

I wear Sugoi RS Zeros – mainly cos I’ve always got on with their padded undercrackers. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sugoi-rs-subzero-bib-knicker/

Gonna try some of those toe warmers. Went out on a 3.5hr mtb ride with the missus yesterday – zero degrees for thwe whole ride. She had on : Gore Alp-x winter socks, Woolie Boolies, her Shimano spds and then MT500 overshoes.

Even with that lot on her feet were numb. Not sure what more she could do short of splurging on some winter boots!?

Freerider Element (not VXI) is the best allround riding shoe I’ve worn.

Great shoes

Nanos are streets ahead of V8s. Both in terms of grip and how long the bearings last before needing attention.

I’ve got the older 26″ Nerve XC – brilliant lightweight bike. Delivery and process was faultless so never had to deal with them other than to order. Had it for nearly 3 years now and only things that have needed fettling have been drivetrain wearing out.

Regarding mech hangers, I get mine from here : http://gearmechhanger.com Next day free delivery and a great product.

8mm on my gxp X0s. Never had a problem and doesn’t take much effort

More of a pain in the arse to get back on to be honest.

The missus wears Gore power softshells on her mtb. They are meant to be road gloves.

Sunday mornings are almost always clear of soldiers. Weekdays you’ll usually see a lot more.

Never been a problem on any day though

Likewise, I prefer SRAM shifters although it may be a little unfair comparing my X0s to the SLXs on my last bike. A very satisfying and loud click. Mechs need very little fettling – easy as maintenance free as Shimano stuff.

Never had Shimano brakes but my X0s are much easier to modulate than the Formula Rxs.

Bottom bracket has worn well – on its way out but over 2 years of 40 off road miles or so a week. Jockey wheels on the rear mech are made of cheese though and cost a fortune – ceramic bearing kcnc ones were cheaper and better.

Similarly with chainrings. Wanted a new 33 for my triple and cheapest I could see was £50 plus delivery. Luckily ebay came to my rescue.

Gore Phantom II softshell jacket. Not been cold enough down south this year yet but it’s coming…

MT500 spray 3/4s. Perfect if you want to stop that wet arse. keep your knees a bit warmer than shorts too.

I’ve got some (not the IIs though) that I wear when it gets really cold and damp – sub zero. They are very hard wearing and a good slim fit down the leg but I’d say more showerproof than waterproof.

Unless you really need full on waterproof then I’d certainly recommend them

Got a DT RWS on the back of mine. Easier to use and feels a lot more solid than the usual QR ones. Maybe not as quick to use but no different to the bolt-thru I have up front.

At under 20 quid from CRC I always just use the SRAM team gxp ones on my x0. I’m assuming the 11 speeders use the sane BBs

Missus is loving her MT500s. Only one off road ride so far mind you but she gets really cold toes and these helped hugely.

Seem to be sturdily built (huge rubber toecaps) although I guess the soles will be the first to wear if you walk on them for any amount of time.

I’d go a size up. My missues rides with Shimano WM63 shoes which aren’t that bulky. Hers are size 40 which is right at the bottom end for the MT500 mediums but are still a struggle to get on. They may stretch but I’d not take the risk.

Had them on the back for this morning’s ride. Plenty of sideways action, especially on roots. Helpful some of the time but on balance I think it’s time to swap them out for a few months.

Waiting for a new NN to come from the Germans for a bit more confidence next weekend.

Almost shat myself once coming round a corner to find myself staring down the barrel of a gun. He didn’t shoot.

Yep. Done that. Belting along ‘Banana Split’, half way along the trail I slammed the anchors on and came to a halt about 2 metres from a shoulder deep foxhole with 2 squaddies in it.

Mumbled apologies, turned around and buggered off.

Cheating gits use this camouflage stuff so you sometimes can’t see them until up close.

You’ll be fine. Just be polite if you come across any squaddies and head off in the other direction. They are usually only in groups of around 20-30 so can be easily avoided.

Strava is a good way of finding any trails. None are marked, you’ve just got to look for the entrances off the fireroads.

Been a bit wet lately – Tunnel hill (south of the canal) usually holds up better in these conditions.

Another Freerider Elements wearer here. Had mine for a year now and apart from being caked in mud they look as good as new and keep your toes toasty and drier than most.

http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/type-2-headset-bearings-1-5-or-tapered-45×45-degree-x1.htm

http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/integrato-headset-mtb-semi-integrated-zero-stack.htm

Is this the Nerve XC?

Mine’s just over 2 years old and the headset is getting a it grumbly. I only notice when it’s up on the stand but I guess it’ll need changing soon

Cane Creek site for me comes up as :

TOP – ZS 44/28.6
BOTTOM – IS 52/40

Loads of them on ebay. Just make sure they’ve got the right number of teeth – 11T.

Replaced my ‘made of cheese’ X0 wheels a year or so back (the bearings fell out when I took them off) and bought a set of ceramic bearinged ones of the bay for £30.

They’ve been great. Slightly noisier but still looking like new and shed the crap a lot easier due to them being ‘spoked’ rather than soild.