I like the paint/finish on the frame.

I got the BETD one and it works a treat : )

Gotta keep that tool kit growing!

I'm liking those TW-Bent Bobcat copies!!

: )

Do 700c wheels work ok on an inred then?

They sure do – and they make commuting fast fast fast.

I made the transition from 26" MTB > 26" slick > 700c Road wheels/tyres after my commuting distances increased.

I use Hope XC/Mavic OpenPro with either Conti GatorSkins (700cx23) or Schwalbe Marathon (700cx28) and there is loads of clearance.

No idea about sticking 700c MTB tyres on and running as a "29er" though, but I'm sure the forums here/online have lots of info on that.

Oh – Upgrading/increasing the hard-drive is a piece of pi$$ too, should you ever need to : )

http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/127009/how-to-swap-out-and-upgrade-a-ps3-hard-drive/%5B/url%5D

Aye – if you want to be able to run your PS1/PS2 games, you'll be after a 1st generation (60Gb) version, as these had HARDWARE-based PS2 emulation.

Model Number: CECHAxx

They also have 4 USB ports on the front (reduced to 2 on later versions)

They also have a whole slew of flashcard/memory-card reader sockets too : )

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_3#Model_comparison

Regardless of what version you go for, if you want to transfer your PS1/2 game saves you'll need a USB adaptor to stick your PS1/2 memory cards in. These are pretty cheap/available on Ebay etc.

Old Man Mountain "Sherpa" for me.

Needed to put panniers on an original Ti-Inbred, running 700c wheels, discs and no rack mounts!

Job done : )

Shameless plug….

Refurbished and for sale : )

I had some stuff delivered even though it was still showing procesing?

Me too!

The older "classic" bombers had nice removable bushes – like long top hats.

They should slide out (possibly destroyed in the process) and the new ones slide in.

Not familiar with the smaller bushes.

http://www.willitblend.com/%5B/url%5D

+1 for the "centering pistons" comment above.

This really can turn piss-poor lever feel into mighty modulated braking!

Get over to Hope's website and check out the video(s).

Well worth investing the 5/10 minutes it'll take.

Not familiar with these frames, but in total agreement with Spey Stout:

The shock makes a big difference, consider your options.

Perhaps the £100 difference could help service/tweak/tune/upgrade the shock?

If you are willing to spend £5-10 on NitroMors – It'll take you 30-45 minutes.

Everything else you need can be found under the sink!

You'll need:

Open/outdoors space to work in.
THICK rubber glove or TWO PAIRS of washing up gloves on.
Something for your eyes – Sunglasses/specs will suffice.
Old paint brushes.
Access to water/hose etc to take the NiroMors off (It's a fairly thick gel)
Brillo/Scourer/Wirewool etc to get in nooks & crannies.

I lie the frame on its side and slap the stripper on, leave it a while n scrub/hose off.

Simples.

Aah – I love the good 'Ol Bomber days….

Easy peasy lemon squeezy service : )

Got any pix of the damaged ring?

*** insert ring-based fnar fnar comedy here…***

Le voila – works flawlessly.

http://www.didtheyreadit.com/%5B/url%5D

Tupperware?

Or "Foreverware" if you were a fan of Eerie Indiana!

Never worn one out, other than the pulley wheels.

Dislocated knee : (

Great pix!!

A lovely reminder that this kind of riding is so accessible – a pleasant/inspirational change from FS/DH bikes

: )

Just mailed you – I can help.

Rick (Ealing/Holborn)

Aye – I'll sign up for this

*** PREVIOUS POSTS ***

Cyclepassion…. yum….

I had the same issues with some 2nd-hand Mono M4s (Black/Gold) and I even had Hope bleed/rebuild them.

They felt exactly the same, so I figured the problem lay in my setup.

Since discovering the videos (linked below) ALL my brakes are absolutely perfect -The "Centralising Pistons" one made a massive difference to the brake feel – I thoroughly recommend following the tips.

A ride in wet/muddy conditions beds new pads in perfectly.

Bleeding Brake Video

Rolling Diaphram Video

Set Up Caliper Video

Centralising Pistons Video

Fond memories of a few SGPs, before prices rocketed… : (

Somehow it was better when it was a relatively undiscovered treasure…

I've always run Mavics. 517 (rim-brake), then 317 (disc-brake), 717 (disc-brake), with a spare set of 317 (disc-brake).

I also use Open-Pro rims on my commuter. All on Hope hubs.

I'm about 6ft, 90kg, and no finesse and I've never had problems – whether shop-built, 2nd hand, built by me.

+ 1 for Topeak Aero : )

I swap my between my commuter and my other bike. Saves faffing around when swapping bikes.

I did my Endura Stealth, Endura eVent trousers and Gore Cosmo a couple of weeks ago – and they're all just like new!

1 – Make sure your washing machine has NO detergent/conditioner residue by running an empty wash, on the highest temperature.

2 – Throw clothing in the wash with Granger's 30°C cleaner.

3 – Repeat step 2 with Granger's 30°C proofer.

Leave to drip-dry.

Don't tumble-dry the Stealth. The 30°C proofer doesn't need high temperatures to activate it, and the Stealth is not made to be tumble-dried.

Enjoy : )

If any lesson is to be found in "Hive" it's that budget CGI has no place in this world.

It was true with Red Dwarf, and its still true now!

Helmet!

Saddle Bag: Alien II, spare Hope Vision 2 battery, innertube, tyre levers, puncture kit, powerlinks.

Pump in bag/rear pocket.

Aye – 700c on MTB Works a treat.

Running an old skool Ti Inbred/Pace RC31s which alternates between 700c Mavic Open-Pros (Skinny tires are Continental Gatorskins, chunky tires are Schwalbe Marathons) and Mavic 717s whenever the mood takes, as the hubs/disc rotors are the same on both wheelsets.

Variety is the spice of life

: )

Not mine – In fact I have no idea where I got the pic!

Tasty tasty!!

Ooh I like Hadge's bike!

Looks spot-on!

Awesome : )

I love it when a plan comes together!

Always good to see someone take a chance, and come up winning.

Enjoy!

(Not my ACTUAL bike pictured)

My first and last new bike – everything since then has been self-built and 2nd-hand.

GT i-Drive XCR 4000

I had new pads/rotors and found the best thing was to get them plaster in mud/rain/general trail s**t.

Came home from the ride and they were lovely : )

Many Happy returns : )

B&Q/Homebase sell hose by the meter.

Just chop off the length you want, and you're sorted.

I always get mine from there – Wide diameter for Hope, narrow for Shimano.

Simples : )