I use these that I picked up from work

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/safety-glasses/1772749/?cm_mmc=UK-PLA-DS3A-_-google-_-CSS_UK_EN_Personal_Protective_Equipment_%26_Workwear_Whoop-_-Safety+Glasses_Whoop+(2)-_-1772749&matchtype=&pla-338513409818&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgomBBhDXARIsAFNyUqNU6NJxOgYu3EU-3GkyThHOAHRIh51WaJWi6MFOX3m237zH_M8xh8MaAp3LEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

No steaming up either. Seal quite nice too so nothing gets in.

Tried some 100% Brisker gloves and seemed ok until I pulled them off and the seam unstitched straight away which was not good!

Will have a look at the Ardennes.

Looking for unpadded if possible though.

Got some Woolies and they are decent and fit in my shoes ok!

So next up is the gloves. Don’t want anything too thick. I don’t get super cold hands so something not too thick.

Will have a look at the above.

How do DeFeet Woolies size up? I’m a UK8 so think I’m between sizes of them.

Will have a look at them! I’m usually between sizes being a UK8. How do the On One ones fit as seem to only come in 2 sizes.

Looking at the defeat woolie ones too, but again between sizes I think!

Thanks, will get some today. The rim strips are such a pain to mount a tighter tyre too!

Do you just run a strip in the middle to cover spoke holes or do 2 wraps overlapping so go edge to edge of the rim?

Just standard width stuff? Single or double wrap? Is it sticky enough?

When I said flat and smooth I meant the surface, not actually flat as some of those hills are a nightmare!!

I used the Hotlaps 2l and a frame strap and it held enough for me to not run out of snacks for the London to Brighton off-road.

I ran ardent 2.2 all year round and it’s reasonable rolling, but I wouldn’t use it for XC trails. Just switched to Vittoria Mezcal out back and it’s a great tyre for XC trails.

I’m sure Maxxis must do something similar though.

I have the Dakine Hot Laps and the bigger one with bladder. Both excellent.

Thank you. Find these on eBay so hopefully be ok!

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F143380970891

Actually thanks to your info also found

https://www.hendersonbearings.co.uk/bicycle-headset-bearing-mh-p03k-mr054-mr122-th-873-30-15x41x6-5mm-36-x45-deg.html

There is a large available in the ex display part. Excellent condition.

Yes serious. Never had or seen a Titanium frame. Only thing I have seen Titanium is my ring and that’s more scratched than the cat post!

In same boat so watching this thread.

I was looking at the Sonder Ti.

They hope to have the large back in stock early May. How do these frames hold up to abuse scratches etc??

The Orbea laufey and Nukeproof Scout 290 are also ones I was looking at but again neither are steel.

I think I might try a bleed on the front I guess. I have decent lever throw and it’s not to the bars but just lack of bite.

I use Decathlon ones as they are nice and stretchy.

They have just bought out new ones – not tried these ones yet:

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/all-mountain-mtb-shorts-500-id_8550940.html

I had a lot of issues with my front RS – bled it so many times and in the end got a replacement.

Now I am still having issues – replaced front disc too and I just don’t seem to get a lot of bite up front compared to the back. I bedded them in and they both have same throw. Maybe the front slightly less, but marginal.

Maybe I just need to just keep braking more and see if it improves!!

So guessing I need the large at 5ft 11. Guide on Giant page says medium for my height and inseam so not sure! My Fuel is pretty short reach of 450 and the medium trance 442 and large 462. Medium has longer top tube than trek though.

I was looking at Pedalon as it’s £1699. I’m just under 5ft 11 so usually fall between sizes!

I’m not sure the bossnut is better than what I have got. After today’s ride I think a nice HT will be ideal.

Lots to read up on and can’t really go ride any (which is a big risk anyway) so need to get it right!

So on my short list so far…

Bird Zero 29 — looks good but they don’t seem to have any wheels in stock
Orbea Laufey – this years model looks good and in budget
Signal TI – only medium in stock and think I would need a large at just under 5ft 11
Nukeproof Scout 290 2020 – looks decent spec and good reviews
Clockwork Orange Evo 29 – looks decent again

Will have a look at the Ragley today.

Anyone ridden an Orbea Laufey? good all rounder?

That does look good but bit of a stretch price wise and the large has been out of stock for months.

I was thinking of getting a HT (Nukeproof Scout) but now thinking of a more XC focussed HT.

No idea where to start – the board man MHT seems more XC focused but what else? Maybe 1200-1300.

Was looking at the 290 but stock for large seems quite limited!

I think my main issue was I was pulling the cable too tight and not just taking up the slack!

Smashing! That’s great!

Cable is in but quick question. Before setting up is there a position that the high screw should be in? Screwed all the way in or out or does it mitt matter too much as will be adjusting anyway?

Thank you all. Cable coming tomorrow so will see what I can do!

I need to set it up properly as reason I am running new cable is because I made a slight rookie mistake when indexing gears and ended up cutting cable too short – don’t ask (in my defence it was my first time and I was rushing!).

So going to fit new cable, take my time and learn how to do it properly. It’s not like I’m short of time or things to do lol

Thank you. Do this with the derailleur just sitting normally with chain attached to front and back or take chain off front ring or put on clutch?

Plastic Nukeproof Electron Evo ones – used them for 5 or so years!

So ignore the guide that says pull the syringe at the lever and push the one at the Caliper instead to push the liquid back through?

They are the bleeding edge ones so at least they are less of a pain than before. Will have another bleed during the week and check for the damn air.

When bleeding it is worth pushing the fluid back and forth a few times? Guides just say do it the once and then pull on the lever a few times before pressuring the lever.

Will also try the lever trick and hold in the lever the night before a bleed again.

Rear brake still as is – never been bled.

Checked pistons and all good – plus brand new caliper.

Will bleed again and see how they feel!

Had race matrix before I think. Are the e bike ones better even for none bikes? I’m a big bastard so weigh the same as an ebike lol

Ordered both as both on offer. Will see what one is best and sell the other one on!

To be honest my GX Eagle rear mech lasted 2 years. The rear cassette is a month older and I’m still on the original chain and it’s been used all year round in all UK conditions.

It’s really caused me no issues and only been indexed once, so have no problems spending a decent sum on a replacement.

So ordered the X01 Cassette and Chain from Bike Discount and it’s on it’s way from Germany right now!