Wow, never knew about Great Dunn fell – thanks.

No, tried last year and no chance, they do their own scheme I think.

I bought the non-folding version and it was really expensive as well. My view of Thule is that you get a very good product that will last well….but you do pay for it.

I would not consider anything else based on experience with the tow bar rack, a hang-on-the-rear rack and the on roof ones.

You wont regret the money in my opinion.

4 of us managed out, started wet but ok in the end.
http://app.strava.com/activities/124457038

I use one of the kids old phones, it is tiny and weighs nothing with a pay as you go SIM card in it, much better than crashing on or sweat ingressing a nice smart phone.

Other items are a tube, pump and a tenner, reckon I can fix anything with that lot, or wait up at a pub while the cavalry comes!

Kcal – me and my sister took a bit of a risk on him to do my mothers house, he finished a few days ago and has done more than expected in a number of areas and actually gave us some good options ( I live in in England now so had to go on his recommendation). My dad had an electrical contracting business in Edinburgh years ago when he was alive, so you can imagine that the wiring system had ‘grown’ over time, especially as my mum and dad built the house themselves in the early 50’s. Hats off to George for taking it on and doing a good job!

So, if anyone wants to rent a house in Edinburgh with probably some of the most outstanding views over the town, forth bridge and highlands, then let me know! It’s right beside the Braid hills with easy access to the Pentlands and has extensive bike workshop facilities :-)

Sentry Electrics have just done a job for me, rewired a 1950’s house that was pretty complicated due to the conduit installed. Have done a good job.

I have a trek madone 6 and (I think) the advantage is the level of compliance you gain with the no cut mast, it does seem to flex a huge amount and definitely seems to smooth the road out. I like it.

Andrew – nice article, well done.

As Kato said, I have had problems even with a compressor until I took the valve core out. I cut the internal sealing bit out to leave the external part of the core (if that makes sense…?), screwed it back in so I could attached the pump and everything has gone up fine since then. The valve core restricts the airflow and does not allow enough oomph to get the tyre moving on the bead.

The only alternative to this is a CO2 cartridge I think.

Iain.

Thanks poonprice, I had spotted Clee but did not realise they were the distributors.

mtbtomo – thanks for the advice

rickon – that would be utterly brilliant, I’ll send mail.

Thanks guys, Iain.

I am having exactly the same problem, does anyone know how to do this and also buy spare bushes as mine are now broken :(

Thanks,

Iain

The 9 and 10 speed MTB cassettes are the same, I think it’s the shimano road cassettes that are different, the 10 speed needing a 1 mm spacer. I swap between 9 and 10 regularly on wheels used on different bikes in my family with no problem.

They are the same width, direct swap – no problem.

I got a pair of Endura Stealth Extreme about a year and a half ago, they are still fully waterproof bar a very small amount on the knee cap in extreme wetness. Complely changed wet, wintrer riding for me. Also use a pair of Endura overshoes over Shimano boots so completely dry in all conditions.
The only downside is that you over-heat above 6 deg C :(

Stu, There were no adapters in the kit.

Sorry chunky monkey, no idea, I think they can be but it’s only a guess based on a mates 29 inch set that did convert.

Don’t go by the photo, mine came with white hubs. I think they are 2013 model?

I bought a set of QR wheels and the description was equally vague, phoned them on Monday to confirm and order and got them today. They were slightly less at £176 inc the 12% discount.

I did a bit of checking and the 20 110 i think is the 20mm front hub (bolt thru?) and I assume the 110 is the width ie standard.

When I ordered the QR version it went out of stock so I suspect thee is only one or two sets.

The wheels were supplied with all the normal valves, spanner, spoke key and front and rear quick releases.

Hope this helps.

Slight change of plan this year, entered the whole family. Hope it works out okay :-)

They seem to have sharpened up their act on this now, what I have found in the last week:

The vouchers are not transferable
You must be logged into your account for them to work
If any other account has tried to use them they will not work again
If you have a standard UK5 or UK10 code loaded, they will not work and will not work again once you reload the order

So it looks like you get one shot at using them and it has to be correct or it fails!

If anyone knows ways round the above or I have put them in wrongly then please let me know.

Iain

Talking off motivational tools, I think these are the best ever….

Demotivators

I have a Fluxient 3 x U3 and think its great, I bought it from Torchy/Big Jim (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2013-3000-Lumen-Fluxient-3x-XM-L-U2-with-solid-swivel-mount-front-light-/290999475849?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item43c0eb9e89#ht_4428wt_1399) in Glasgow and he has been great. The first light leaked water in and he replaced immediately and also sent me another mount FoC. Second light is perfect, good beam pattern, bright and battery life is good. Definately recommended.
Iain

I got my 11 yr old a new orange crush frame last year in an end of season sale, £195 for a 15 inch frame. The nice thing about the crush is it’s very short in the top tube so works fine for a small lad. I put RS Sektor on it and it and he loves it.

Stopped racing in 1987 and never put a leg over a bike (apart from the odd trip to the chinese to collect dinner) until 4 years ago, it hurt a bit (a lot!) when first getting back on!
In the last 4 years I have only had two 3 week gaps, both from injury (broken arm and collarbone) due to trying to learn new MTB skills that were lacking (and still lacking) from a road/track background :)

Distance 2,426.4mi
Time 212hr 34m
Elev Gain 190,879ft
Rides 116

Ardbeg is worth a go, really nice, The taste seems to adapt to your mood – or it does for me :)

Ps my uncle designed the still at Talisker ……

Iain

I did it about 25 years ago (!), well worth it and I still bore the kids with the story every time a picture of it comes up. I did it just as the road was built around the north peninsula that you can continue on from Applecross, it’s also well worth a ride but hard as it’s up and down the whole way.

This place in the next valley over from Coniston and is probably one of the most scenic in the UK, a bit off the tourist trail though. It’s also right at the bottom of the Walna Scar road which is ideal to start or end your ride :)

http://www.coolcamping.co.uk/campsites/uk/england/lake-district/cumbria/252-turner-hall-farm

Nice not to be going this year, have worked at the event most years since 1995 – there is definitely something special about the event however, it’s a bit like a magnet!

Will watch some of it on TV, my aim is to go one year with the lads and camp, drink beer and all the other good things that people do there.

If anyone has not been then you are missing out, very recommended.

Iain

Got some Deore’s for my wife’s HT last week from Rose £37+£41 per end plus about a fiver shipping. No Rotor’s included but fully bled (levers are continental ie wrong way round) with rear IS to post adpt.

Hi ps44, we ride out of Shipston pretty much every Sunday morning at 9/9.30am and Wednesday night at 7. You’re very welcome to join us anytime, just drop me an email and I will send details (my email is in my profile). We do about 25ish miles on a Sunday and 15-20 in the evening, although in the run up to the Honc and in a bid to get fit early in the year some of us were starting at 8am and getting a few more miles in.
cheers, Iain

Hi ps44, I’m in shipston on stour, where are you?

Singlecrack, you really should know better :)

Well, used the full sus in the end and had a really good day, real shame the event may not be back on again. I know the descents may not warrant it fully but they were more fun than on the HT ……. And when you live in south Warwickshire you got to take what you can!

Mick – nice to meet up with you.

Iain.

Thanks, much appreciated. Just looked at some you tube stuff and reckon the ups could be made better by enjoying the downs more so going with the FS.
PS44 – hope the new bike works well for you, looks like I’ll be on an orange Ibis to say hi as you pass me by!
Cheers
Iain

Oh bad luck, mine seems to be fine still. I did suspect the frame for a while as its a pretty skinny carbon HT but it still seems to be the cleaning that’s worked.
Iain.

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/help-needed-please–-xt-m770-crankset

This helped me recently, hope it helps. Rough Ride this weekend so hope the cleaning worked and its not a cracked frame like Antares has !

Iain

Confession time, I did the annual 24hr race in Ireland for 2CV’s in 1996, bloody brilliant fun, after 3 stints of 3 hours in the car you become so sensitive to it you could even feel it accelerating!

Qualified 4th out of 36 cars and manged to be placed in every position but first thru the race, loosing a couple of hours with mechanical problems and finishing 9th.

We did change a set of fronts after 20 hours which I thought was a big improvement on any other racing car!

Still giggle thinking back on the event, only time I’ve been a ‘pay driver’.

Not so sure I’d recommend one though…….

I had to replace a middle and inner a few weeks ago, bike discount.de were the cheapest at £14 for the inner and £63 for the middle – it still hurt but cheaper than anywhere else!
Iain