Finally, got round to taking a pic and uploading it: [/url]]Bfe looking orange[/url]

Flew to Seattle via Vancouver, on Air Transat. Was not as bad as I had thought it would be, but I paid £200 for the upgrade. Felt like business class in 1980, (I am guessing here).

Usually BA is my choice, I flew a few times with them and no cost for bikes (both within the UK and to US).

Will try and post a picture; I am so out of date had sort of forgotten Picasa is no longer and don’t have any way to host photos online. Will try and have a look.

Feeling rough as sin so can’t get out, really frustrating.

OP, it will beat being at work in any event. Can not remember what I have had on the rear before, possibly an Ardent, but you do not need much rear grip as it mostly drains very well.

Hope you have a good day.

Anyone able to save me from my numpty skills?

Cycle Active Courses are £89 at Swinley. I did one years ago and thought it was quite good.

Diablo is £145. I think we should get enough cash for the latter.

Am also looking at skills days; good shout. I need another one of those myself.

His bike is brand new, so not much chance of him changing i the near future. (it is a new fangled 650B plus)

Thanks all.

A light is simpler for me to get (as I can not really get the size wrong). I do know the bike (Cannondale Beast of the East), so can get the right seat diameter, but I suppose I could get one that is too long/short. Also best not bought just at the start of the winter…

I think he is unsure about night riding but I think if he had lights he would try – I only tried when I had bought a light (seems an obvious chicken and egg discussion :-) ).

Thanks slack boy

Thanks all; I am of the opinion that it is better that someone enjoys it rather than no one. Any ideas on what I should expect/hope for the frame? It is not obviously not in the same league as a Turner. If someone was really keen I would almost consider giving the frame away, but sort of feel I should try and get some cash in for the Bfe build.

I will try in the world of eBay and the classifieds and see how I go.

Reggie – thanks :-)

I had the Fire XCs in yellow, which makes me feel shameful…but still have a 2.1 Ignitor, which comes up about about 1.5.

Curt beat me to it. Wow, what a question – without sounding like a perve there is much said to embracing alternative lifestyles.

However, 2 mother in laws, 2 x the nag factor, the lost goes on. I a, not sure I could take it.

I vote go for one partner and then make sure they accept your irresponsible lusting over bikes, without judgement.

Where are 2.6 aredents available in 26 inch available? I can’t not see them online.

No, I am not even counting it is so bad. Second child, getting fatter, blah blah. I don’t have an excuse, just need to get back in the motivated state I use daily it be in.

Ride at Swinley and a Bfe waiting to be built up are making me feel more in the mood for it…

I hope they are; I am building up a BFe at the moment!

New Bfe, or old Bfe. Sorted.

Interested in this as am going to be running the same set up; is the goatlink the best option out of got link or longer b screw?

Cotic Bfe, only because I am buildings one up. It might make you feel better to know They upgraded the model before I have managed to get out on it.

Nice looking site

Just booked, but not stayed there yet. Friendly enough though.

Kayla, Interested in the WTS 2.8. How much clearance did you have on the frame and fork when fitted to your soul (I have a Bfe)?

Just posted a 720mm bar, brakes and shifters for £5 2nd class.

I have a Rubber Queen 2.4, huge. Think they are all called Trail King now, but I prefer the old name.

What about a Maxxis Ardent 2.4? Have got the same requirement myself, building up a Cotic Bfe.

Yes. I never got excited about power tools, then I bought a Makita SDS (corded). Feels like I am wheedling power like a crazed loon. Great deal online (Amazon).

Makes light work of tough masonry and makes my other drill feel inadequate.

Thanks for the advice all; I am going to work through the suggestions above one by one. No time after work at the moment.

I have used brake cleaning spray to clean the discs – with fresh pads fitted. I will need to get baking though.

Thanks all for the advice. Roof box is ordered. Not sure about the bike rack options yet, but likely will have to wait until I get some more cash in.

Like the idea of the hitch attachments, but it all comes at a price so we will have to see.

I am going to try and leave as much stuff home as possible, as that is the inherent problem!

Thanks all. I only have the one car, the Golf has long gone. So we just have the XC60. I don’t personally think it is too small, but then we had a BMW 3 series touring before which had very limited space.

Google has helped me find a rack from Hollywood that holds three bikes, hangs off the back but can have the straps over the top of the spoiler. It seems like a good bet, as it is £170 versus the other options at maybe £500 + . I will price up a tow bar and rack at as well.

I will need to measure up the roof bars as I am not sure if I will even be able to get one bike carrier on next to a roofbox.

Thanks for all the suggestions. My preference would absolutely be to take less stuff, but the wife packs as if we are making an expedition to Africa, via every microclimate known to man.

We have not got a tow bar so if anyone knows a cheap place to do that, it would be a big help. Long term I can see they make sense and we plan to keep the car for ages, as it is only 2 years old.

As above, have an Asgard and they are great.

Looks like a good enough reason for a sabbatical from life.

OP, trying to do exactly the same thing.

Frame was new from manufacturer, but other parts I am less fussy about. Fork kindly donated by STW legend on here, found a deal on pedals (online), wheels (LBS old stock but excellent Mavics), stem (online). Bar is off another bike, using a spare on the older bike. Got the cranks coming from another online shop.

Paid top dollar for decent brakes though (LBS) and need to get Groupset, which I probably will get online.

I think it is just a question of looking on eBay and on the classifieds here, but also generally keeping an eye open for bargains online.

There will always be a better deal, but don’t worry about it once you have got what’s going on your bike. Building a bike up is part of the fun – it is not cheaper, but I think you can get decent parts from the start. Also helped me learn a lot about looking after the bike when things go wrong.

I have a set of deore dual control leavers. Let me know if anyone is gagging for them , I am willing to give them to a good home for postage.

Some great advice here. I have tried it twice, completed once.

First time was with a group of mates, stopped halfway at Amberley and had beers and a good meal. Rained off at Lewes on day 2, chalk was lethal and we decided to go home.

Second time went about 65 miles day one solo, pub dinner and then on at 6am next morning. Kind fellow from STW joined and helped motivate me to Eastbourne. He also shared a gpx file, which was a massive help.

I had a 5in full susse, overbiked but nice to have suspension all round. I was not very fit but it is a great sense of accomplishment.

I did faff a lot and ate three breakfasts on the way, so I am sure I could have been more efficient!

I think I have only a 10 speed compatible hub, an old Hope Pro 2. Is it best to stick with 10 speed and then Shimano or SRAM?

Am interested in this thread as I need to get a full group set, so am l looking at gears, cranks and brakes etc.

I am not fussed about 1 x 10, or 1 x 11, but that is likely because I am ignorant of the benefits of one over another. I did see the Zee stuff on CRC which looked good value at circa £200, but not sure if anyone has any comments on this given the comments on XT above?

Given the above, am I better to go SRAM for gearing and drive train?

Andy, wow. Many thanks. I would certainly be up for that, that is very kind.

Will try and PM you.

Chris

I had a set of 150mm QR Sektors and now have 150mm 15mm axle Revs (26in).

Sektors were fine, but obviously QR not ideal. I would definitely get another pair, I liked the coil spring.

Bfe ordered. It took me a while (I have been away), but full susser frame going in the classifieds or on ebay soon.

Thanks for the help and advice.

Thanks all. I appreciate the advice and comments.

On balance, it will probably be financially not that sensible (£380 for a BFe frame, replace dropper post as my seat post size is different, new head set). That will only be offset a little bit by the sale of my trance frame and old dropper post. I have got some other random stuff I need to ebay to contribute to the pot.

However, I fancy giving it a go and it is still parting with less cash than I need to go and get a decent full susser which will likely be a treat for next year/year after. Have just seen a similar Trance go for £460 on ebay, so even selling the complete bike would still leave me some way short of having dosh to get something new from the LBS.

I presume ebay/classifieds are the best place to sell frame/dropper/stems/handlebars etc that I have?

All, in answer to the questions above. I do indeed have a hardtail, an xc focused bike which performs winter and child seat duties at he moment. Made a lot better with some wider bars and a shorter stem recently. I took my xc hardtail down Snowdon and did not mind the clattery nature too much, but I was younger then!

I have got some decent length forks and that is part of the reason for going for a longer travel bike. I think I would love to look at a decent full susser one day; the giant is a good bike but I am not sure me adding an oversized person and forks to it are that helpful.

I think the bfe is to be honest more than I need, but I like the fact that they are solidly built and look very capable. I would like over the next few years to get in a cheeky alps trip, before I am too old and after the kids are not such hard work on the weekends, ( I mean that in a nice way)!