Julien absalon has moved over to 29ers this year and is racing well but is he any better than when on his 26″ wheel bike? He’d be winning overall if his mech hasn’t broken in the first race and put him out despite a dominating lead. Two second places after that.

Things have improved 🙂

Is it this exciting on bike radars forum?

Perhaps some kylie pictures would improve things. But then even a picture of a brick could do that…

Oh go on then, twist by arm….

Enjoy. It’s a great bike to own.

The green would suggest a grass snake perhaps? Adders tend to be brown and some have a diamond pattern. I ran over one before but was to scared to stop and find out if it was ok!

No beards here (it comes out ginger which isn’t a good look on me) besides I’m a racing whippet and a beard and shaved legs just don’t go!

As above 🙂 rub Ice onto outside of elbow. If its a sprain then it’ll be right in a couple weeks if it is Tennis Elbow which I doubt if its a sudden injury then expect 6 – 24 months or surgery to improve it.

Nope, no man…..you still run gears 😉

‘Tennis Elbow’ is a long term over use injury brought on by repetitive movements like racket sports or factory work. Pain is usually on outside of elbow. What you have is probably just a strain so prognosis could be better than said tennis elbow which is hard to make better. Get it rested. Ice the area for every so often over three days then start adding heat and trying some stretches. If in doubt talk to a physio. Doctors can throw the term tennis elbow around too easily sometimes!

Haha, can’t believe I’m reading this thread now! Just bought a new BB because of an annoying amplified clicking noise. Didn’t solve the problem. I greased and tightened the chainring bolts. Still no change. Yep it was the drop out bolts. So at least I know I’m not alone on this! Got them tight and the noise has nearly all gone, just the occasional click when putting a load of torque down.

It’s not too bad an area. Although, I used to ride the single track left after mountain mayhem and one occasion I rode past this couple bonking away like a couple of bunnies. I rode by casually with a cheery “evenin'” . Next time I was there I was going down another track and glimpsed two naked people running away in panicked state.

Wonder if the scenery has changed much….

Whites and creams work best with blue bits. I used bike cad when designing mine.

Grey frames are often hard to jazz up but I’d avoid anodised colours, it can be more tacky than bling. If you want some colour maybe add it with grips or saddle.

Sorry not tried it but even with a 100mm fork the bike sits up very high as is typical with 29ers. I see no reason why you can’t I’d just run it with an increased amount of sag.

Isn’t that Kitch one of the ex editors of what mtb? Why are we concerned about how he looks on a bike?

Thanks bigyinn and robinlaidlaw that does make sense, I just couldn’t picture it like that. I run a lesser tread for my rear tyre but that’s more to do with cornering and how I like my bike to feel, never associated with it actually being quicker.

My point is if you have a HD on the front having an RR for example wouldn’t roll any faster because it is limited to the speed of the slower tyre. Rolling resistance is only going to be as good as your slowest tyre, if that makes sense. Obviously if you had two RR on one bike versus a bike with two HDs then there would be noticeable difference.

Perhaps I’m being thick but how do you have a faster rolling tyre on the back. Surely both wheels roll at the same speed? Variation in grip I get, variation in speed I don’t.

Don’t use DOT 5 in any shimano brakes systems it’ll swell the seals and knack your brakes. Mineral only. Google it and you’ll see what I mean.

One bike, one gear. It’s all I ever need.

Thanks for the kind comments Miketually! 😳 Its even odder seeing a pic of me holding my frame in the raw before painted it proflexforever!

Anyway, the raw finish is just that. It’s not polished or pretty as such. Mine had a rough finish to it but that’s what I expected. However, you never need to worry if you come off and scratch it you won’t notice the damage. Looks wise it’ll work with most coloured forks or silver/black finishing kit. And if you get bored of it, it’s ready to paint as I did with mine for that extra bit of individuality!

Put you raisins and nuts in a small plastic cup like the disposable ones in your jersey pocket. It’ll give you easy access to your food so you can eat it on the move. Works for me during 24hr racing.

A very unique hanging basket?

set up for a gangly eejit like mee…

I’ll vouch for that…….

I’ve got two off road climb ones of about five minute duration. Got both on my single speed.

I get a few niggles in the cold and damp in my elbows but considering the damage I did to them from going over a jump and landing on my hands I shouldn’t complain. In summary I dislocated and broke both elbows cleanly snapping off the radial heads off the bones, and tearing on all the ligaments. I’m told I’m lucky still to have use of my arms, and that I would never straighten them or have much roation in them again.

My elbows nearly fully healed, are straight and have near full rotation. I still ride on….I just don’t jump anymore.

Aren’t they about to get some of the lower end Pinorellos in stock?

Sounds like you put more than 40psi in them!

The community will be along in a minute to tell you to use a SS specific chain and sprockets

Damn missed my moment…. 😐

Perhaps we should be discussing the mentality as to why these threads are started in the first place. Both arguments of which is best and manufactures forcing a ‘new’ standard have been done to death!

Interesting that everyone names road riders or DH mtbers. No XC Heroes? Thomas Frishknecht, Nick Craig, Tim Gould, John Tomac and Ned Overend who all sparked my interest and love of xc racing.

Isn’t the charge spoon titanium a slightly different saddle? The shape is the same but am I right in thinking they use leather and it needs more looking after? Love my spoon cromo and for the price you can’t go wrong.

I always thought clowns rode those little wheeled bikes? Monkey bikes?

May need? Almost certainly will need! Hope you enjoy your single speed experience 🙂

KMC z610 3/32 singlespeed specific chain is one of the best to use. As rated by myself and many others on here.

I find my NN (evo snakeskin) grips well and works well used with a RR at the back. It does clog a bit in the more gloppy mud but no problem at trail centres. Run it tubeless on a 21mm inner rim at 20psi (10 stone rider) I’d agree with comments above about it being more a race tyre, and yes it wears down fast 🙁

On one are a good place to start for affordable and quality single speeds. They do both frames and built up bikes.

That is lovely- first bike I’ve seen with those forks that didn’t make me feel a bit ill!

Thanks! Perhaps it helped painting them the same colour as the frame?!

It is a great event and with everyone in the same boat, soloing together, the race has a unique atmosphere. It probably isn’t as ‘famous’ as mayhem so doesn’t sell out as quick but I was put off this year by its change in venue and I know others have raised concerns too. It used to be held at Newcastleton but is now in the south on a course that isn’t all weather friendly. If things don’t dry out soon its going to be a mud bath which for a soloist would be like hell.

Recently converted back to rigid. Love the fast and direct steering it gives over sus forks. Yes you would be faster with suspension forks and your wrists less beaten up after a few hours in the saddle but it feels so right! 😀

Bike above is singlespeed (chain tension devise has been now removed) and on my scales comes in at 21.5lbs Just need to change the brake levers and its finished.