Clubber – thank you. Have got one on order to help motivate me to burn off the extra Easter Egg calories.

Will be hiding my home location when I register, more for the shame of being so slow rather than bike security!

Am inteested in using Strava, but have a Nokia phone from an age where Sinclair C5s were the cutting edge.

If I buy a Garmin Edge 200, will I be able to use this to track/upload Strava times? Does the App used on smart phones simply allow you to turn the recording on/off? I presume you just have to select a segment from the GPS file recorded if you are using a specific bike/walking type GPS?

Thanks z1ppy. The forks are from my brother, so hopefully I will be able to get a deal. I have a pair of Rebas, but I am not handing those over to the wife! The Rebas seem much more substantial.

I think it is only worth doing if they are really cheap, as you can get a pair of new 100mm xc recon silvers for a little over £100.

I will measure up to see how much shorter they are from axle to crown.

Anyone?

I have the Stylo 3.3 crankset, but woudn’t bother getting another. Bottom brackets are rubbish. A replacement lasted 3 months, so I ended up forking out for a hope. I should imagine Shimano would last a bit longer.

Rockrider 8.1 good value. Might not be big enough though, even in xl. I have ridden an xl 8.2 for 5 years, good bike for me (mostly Surrey Hills, a bit of Wales and USA). I am 6’2.

Specialized make bigger sizes – I would be happy with one of their hard tails. Also look on Canyon website for 29ers. Not sure they are that cheap though.

Have got a new middle ring on order from CRC – hopefully I won’t be feeling the Johnny Cash ‘Ring of Fire’ any more…

Try getting involved in a group that goes out regularly in the evening (or when it is convenient for you). You LBS should have some details of any groups/clubs.

I have been meeting up with a group that go night riding during the winter, which at least has got me out once during the week on top of weekends. Admittedly you need some lights, but you don’t have to spend a fortune. When work has got too busy for me to fit this in, I have been going for local solo rides after dark – better to get out for a brief stint rather than not at all.

I agree with the above posts re: trying to find somewhere locally. Have a look at local rides on websites and ask the LBS – even riding canal paths is better than being stuck in traffic etc.

I bought a Rockrider 8.2 some 5 years ago, it has been ace. Not the most bling bike, but easily good enough for me and very decent spec. Similar frame to the 5.2, and worth upgrading in my opinion.

I think the tyres on the Decathlon bikes used to be outsourced (mine were Hutchinson), but you can get relatively decent tyres for a few quid of the internet and bin the ones they come with – still better value than much of the competition.

Have visited both Leatherhead, Burpham and Haslemere stores, always found them to be a helpful bunch of lads. I go to the Haslemere store regularly for bits for my hardtail and always receive great service.

That is where my next bike is coming from.

I have the exact same issue on a Rockrider frame. The frame has recently been changed due to warranty, still annoying click. Time for a strip down and grease up.

Last sentence not meant to sound like prison speak.

Thanks all.

Lowey/agent – thanks, will have a look Lowey’s route when I get home.

Thanks all for the help above.

I think they are M585 Shimanos – they are attached to dual control levers. I think the pads are sintered.

Will clean discs with some alcohol and checked they are aligned.

I am going in two weeks.

I muck around with my tyres a lot, (too much), but I am simply taking off a draggy Panaracer Trailraker (2.1) on the front and putting on a bigger volume Panaracer Rampage (supposedly 2.35), as I have one in the shed.

You will be fine on a pair of 2.1 tyres though, I used to use panracer Fire xc 2.1s everywhere, nothing wrong with them.

Patriotpro – at the risk of getting it wrong, that looks like a Muck Nutz Fender Bender. I have one, excellent for keeping crud out of your eyes and of your forks.

Fender Bender (worht buying for the name alone)

Panaracer Trailraker. Probably no good for ice, but fine for Snow.

Good effort.

Was out last night, froze my fingers and was felt slow compared to the group I was riding with, but it was better than being sat at home watching a property program…

Justy – have pumped the full of grease today to try and keep them going. I stupidly didn’t do this when I got them, so kind of my fault they wore quickly… :?

If there is play, which parts need replacing – just ball bearings or bearings and spindles/axles?

Rickmeister – thanks, probably looking for a change from DMR.

Regarding the Nano pedals some people have mentioned, what is the difference between Superstar Nano Thru Pin Pedals and Naon Techs? I am guessing this is something to do with pins on the pedals, but what is preferable for regular xc riding I do and what is the benefit of getting one over another? Prices seems identical.

Also, Nukeproof Proton and Neutron pedals seem to be exactly the same price at CRC (£49.99), but can’t see the difference in the models. Is one designed for a different use or more lightweight?

Thanks for the advice, will likely be ordering one or other of the above.

2nd what Rusty Spanner said – I have got a Decathlon Rockrider 8.2, superb value but definitely looked down upon by some. I don’t care, plenty good enough for me.

There are plenty of brands offering good value, but I would personally try and get something from the local bike shop now, rather than going online/larger retailer. I didn’t do this 5 years ago when I got my first bike, partly as money was tight, but now I would definitely try and get something that you can get from your local shop (assuming there is a good one near you).

£1,000 will buy something pretty decent.

Look at Boardman at Halfords.

Cycle Surgery had some. I bought mine there. They are the best shoes I have ever had.

all, thanks for the tips and recommendations ride wise.

Spacehopper, it is a landmark trust house we are renting. If you google them you can see properties in the area. They are not cheap and some can be pretty basic, but if you want to get away from it all and are happy to stay in a place that is different from the norm, they are good.

There are cottages locally that are better value, definitely worth looking around.

crikey – have got a copy of Dirty Dancing soundtrack on cd for the road trip – I thought that would do the trick for the romance bit?

Blackhound – many thanks, will try and find out how close we are staying to the village an start of the trail.

Might knock that idea on the head then – love the idea of a big fat tyre to add comfort, but don’t want to screw things up. Will stick with 2.25.

I also don’t have the cojones to lean it far enough owner to get the best out of the grip whilst cornering. I like to think I do, but I don’t.

Thanks, I think my forks are slightly older, but hope the fork brace will be the same size.

Do you find them ok for xc riding (i.e. not too draggy) and do they cause any issue with clearance of stones etc?

Have the same issue on a pair of 115mm 2007 Rebas.

I think it is worth setting it up as grevioustim said – I can never be arsed, but when I do take the time it seems to help.

I have run some chunky(ish) tyres on my Mavic 317s. Have run both Michelin 2.35 and Panaracer Rampage 2.35 tyres (Michelin were bigger) and they seemed to be fine. The Mavic website said that they were able to handle 2.35 tyres last time I checked, but tyre sizes vary massively (my Maxxis Ardent 2.25 seem as big as the Rampage 2.35s I have).

I have a ding in my rim which presses into the side wall, but this does not seem to have done any harm to the tyres.

Swansea also has The Potters Wheel and (had, not sure if it is still closed) The Swansea Jack, two of the best pubs in all of South Wales. Try going in there in a pair of slightly too small lycra shorts.

I live in the South and yes I am very jealous of people living in Edinburgh, Exeter, Bristol or anywhere else apart from the over crowded South East.

By way of update I took the bike back mid December.

There was a few discussions with different staff and eventually I had to take it in to show the store manager. I think they were not sure of me as it was an old bike and I had previously worked at Decathlon.

However, they conceded that there was a problem with the frame and duly replaced it. I now have a similar frame (branded 8XC), which they have today fitted out for me. Seems more than fair.

Just want to give them a nod to say thanks for the good customer service given by Decathlon.

Thanks both. I do have proof of purchase. Has been seen by a workshop technician and a colleague to ‘verify’ the issue, but now apparently store manager wants to see it as well.

Will see what they say next week! They don’t make that particular model any more, but I think the model below (8.1) which is still made, has the same frame.

I have bought some wider bars for my bike and I definitely feel more confident. In contrast my brother has some narrow carbon race bars on his anthem, and it feels twitchy (think more like riding a brompton).

I am not very fashionable bike kit wise, but wider bars makes a difference. Too wide and you might be giving the local trees a shave though.

It is the one car I would sell my soul for. If you can afford it, go for it.

Glock 18 – have a look on youtube

Good for angry people and those not subject to many gun laws.

Thank you for the comments above – have looked at garmin connect and will see if I can get a local map for some local route advice.

If you go up the steep path by the church, where is the best route from there?