Interesting ……have jumped many batteries in my time & always carry a set of heavy duty jump leads in all cars in the family. Always do battery to battery – being very systematic – pos to pos then neg to neg. Ensure the cars are close – but not touching (was bigger problem with metal bumpers) if you can get someone to rev the car with the good battery it helps – H&S = handbrake on & in neutral of course!

Again once car has started – systematically remove jump leads – one at a time………keep the flat battery car revving as much as possible & with a good alternator & battery is should charge up reasonably quickly.

Hi Derek
I have one that I bought for my Attack Trail. I fitted it. It then removed it without use as I was about to change my bike. They were quite expensive in the day! It’s in it’s original box and as new. PM me with an offer if I retested. John

Must be regional as not on in Cambs & pos not in London too:(

Hi Lester
I’ve got an Easton carbon seat post on it at the moment – but being a bit of a tart it doesn’t match my Ritchey carbon bars & stem – so it’s got to be changed. The Titus badge is of a smaller radius than the Rockstar head tube so might need to be ‘relaxed’ if that’s possible to fit.

What brakes have u got? I would happily come over to help you if you have any problems.

That’s good news about the Hans. Dampfs as I fancy a set of them – now to get a good price on them…

John

hi Robarnold
Im in the same place as you. I have some narrow mud tyres on my 26er but want some for my 29er to replace my Racing Ralphs. On ones smorgasbords seem a good all rounder – but i would prefer a set of Schwalbe Hans Dampfs 2.35s if they will fit my Rockstar…..Maxxis Beavers do get good reports too.

Yep MW81s here too.
1st pair are 1/2 size too large which allowed a thick pair of socks & this year bought a second pair 1 size larger that I can year 2 thick pairs of socks in when it’s extremely cold – in the minuses…
I have also made a set of gaiters / seals from the arms of a black pair of industrial rubber gloves that go snugly against my legs & over the top of the boots. This stops water going through my thermal bib-longs & finding its way into my boots!

Hi Krag
I’ve just had a similar challenge trying to get the right head bearings for a new Rockstar carbon 29″ frame. Studied the Hope info – looked at the Cane Creek Bearing finder -which was pretty good – but as I seem to need a bearing with a 45 degree seat AND I too have a 1 1/8 stem I was not convinced I had the right one.

Despite really wanting a Hope – I was resigned to ordering the FSA one from Planet X which is the one they specify & hope it will fit ok. I think I have a 1.5″ to 1 1/8 converter for my fork crown – if not I shall have to get one of those too – but they are easier to get hold of…

Hi mcinnes
I bought a T5 fully converted pop-top at the start of the Summer and they are certainly sell-able at any time of the year – BUT you will obviously get more from Easter onwards.

Converted pop-tops tend to start at about £17K from my experience and if it is ‘sweet’ as you say; with 100K; possibly has a tailgate; air-con; cruise; captains seats; service history etc etc – it should go for what you paid for it….

The best place to sell it (as has been said) is on the T4Forum – website but I have seen lots on Autotrader and for a fixed price on Ebay.

Good Luck with the sale – If I didn’t have mine I would be round to see it…..

Sunday – 15& off Shoes & pedals today. Code ‘UKSHPED15’. Bit cold this morning but I’m off for a ride…….

Today’s code – for those who may not have it is ‘UKWHEELS15’ .

Today’s code is ‘UKCONTACT15’ (in caps if that makes any difference) when I ordered yesterday it went in automatically at the checkout.

Hi nuke -tried ordering on my ipad initially – put the size in & hit the pre-order button & could not see how to proceed. Went on the laptop next & a pop-up came up when i put the order in saying that discount would be at check- out & i clicked to follow it. The discount was automatically taken off at the check-out.

Just tried the ipad again now – and again no pop-up to proceed……

£719.99 – built a Fireline Ti Fireline 29 last year so i have all the bits to swap over – & will sell the Fireline frame to re-coup some of the cost. I love the Fireline but find full sus far more comfy…..& just as fast XC.

Quick blast around the local cycle track (Greenway in Letchworth) trying to beat my PB for the route on my Fireline Ti 29er. Did it in 58mins odd – a couple outside my PB but had lots of big puddles, mushy leaves and a headwind for part of it.

I feel much better after eating all those chocolates (Terries segments!) last nigh & ready for the turkey……..

Had rain dripping down on the inside of my PVA window frames last night as the rain was lashing against the outside wall. Emergency – towel on widow sill time!
I think must have some issues with the pointing as i think its getting into the wall cavity and running down until it finds its way out through the window frames…..

Yep – just signed it.
Any additional cycle routes are welcome – particularly if they are designed in at the start and are not in sub- terranian cuttings where you see little of the surroundings……

Endura Thrmolite!
Have full length ones for the really cold days & knee length ones when it’s middling cold. They are comfy and durable. You can get them with pads & without so be sure you get the right ones……

Hi Andyfla
I have a T5 and have fitted a tow bar on it with my bike rack bracket – a Pendle I think – fitted between the bracket and the ball fixing. Two arms just slot into this and I can carry up to 4 bikes – with the potential to lock them to a steel eye as part of the bracket.

I’ve used the same bracket on various estates I have had and just don’t like the idea of hanging a bike rack on the back of a car or van doors. But that’s just me……..

Yea – great game squash!! I play 3-4 times a week and ideally you need to play someone of a similar standard to make it competative. Because your running & stopping, turning & moving from side to side a lot it’s a bit like shuttle runs and excellent for your fitness. Unlike tennis you can play it all year round & it’s just sad that it’s not in the olympics.

Been wearing a pair of Shimano MW81s for a few winters now & just bought a new pair as my originals were only one size larger – which was OK for most of the year – but a bit tight with my thermal seal skin socks on – so my new pair are two sizes larger!

They are very pretty warm – but I have also worn them with a pair of neoprene overshoes on the coldest of days.

To stop the water running down your legs into the top of the boot I have made a set of rubber gaiters from the sleeve of a pair of black rubber gloves. They are about 4ins long & work a treat by directing the water off my legs and over the top of the boots. They look as if they are part of the boots too.

Access to the Evans site using the above link OR by googling it is now being blocked my my computer’s securtiy software – Kaspersky 2013 -saying Access Denied ‘HEUR: Trojan. Script,generic’

Anyone else have this problem? Take care…….

I’ve been there and know your pain! Done Nobby Nics on stans crest 26″ rims & Racing Ralfs on crest 29″ rims – which were worse. The green Hope tape (polystyrene strip) worked ok on one wheel but not another. I ended up taking it off & using about 3 layers of electricians black PVC tape to cover the width. I’ve also had trouble with leaking valves tend to apply a little liquid gasket (silicon) to help seal them. I have also tried all the inflation methods & have had to resort to a small compressor to get them seated. I have broken Hope tyre levers and have bought some of their wider / stronger ones. Is it worth it? I don’t get punctures now …… Good luck!

I have Easton. C90 carbon stems & Ritchey WCS carbon & prefer the latter – along with bars & seat post. Lighter and far more stylish.

Interesting reading about Luton – where I work…….Its actually pretty much like the poorer parts of London.

I agree with Hitchin being a good call – I actually live in Letchwoth a couple of miles more eastwards. 1st Garden City (before Welwyn & Hamstead) and was the first New Town circa 1901ish ‘a town in the country’.

There’s some great singletrack riding about (we ride out every Sunday- Check out Bikeradar MTB Rides etc – and google ‘sillygrin’ and ‘MTB OTT’ websites who ride in the area.

Ditto the sticky mud too – but shh its dry at the moment….

Yep – used one after years of tapping off with screw drivers etc. Its a nice piece of kit – well made – effective – & will last forever…

Rudy Project Rydons with photochromatic impact X lenses with an RX insert for my varifocus prescription lenses. Cost ££££s but they look good & perform well. Plus I use them for windsurfing too with a neoprene strap. I can’t wear contacts easy ..

Hi Davovdv
If you ever want to swap Essex mud for Hertfordshire mud – give us a shout! We ride out from Hitchin every Sunday morning @ 8.30 am for 2-3 hr play around the local tracks – mud or no mud! We are within an hour from you (30 mins by train from Kings Cross). We post up on the Bikeradar website – MTB rides under ‘Hitchin Sunday rides’.

Nearer (from Harpenden) the OTT MTB ride out @ about 9.30 on Sundays & do mid-week rides. Check out their website – through google. This Sunday should be very dry -as it hasn’t rained all week – but COLD. But that’s another story ….

I’ve done it a couple of times & my ears are still ringing…. I blew my tubeless tyre off the rim when I was trying to set it up & get it centred at about 60psi – it had stans in & I managed to splurge myself & the kitchen……..

Yes – great kit! I have a couple that I have used for many years on car repairs etc – the smaller one goes down to 20Ft Lbs – which is OK for some bike work (cranks etc) – but ideally needs to go lower.

The adjusting mechanism is pretty good (winding in the end of the handle & the scale viewed through a little window). So yes – much better than a Park tools one. I notice that much of the bike torques are in inch pounds too – so worth bearing in mind.

Wear my Endural Biblongs when its evey cold – down to -8 without any need for anything else & they are TOASTY. Endura Stealth Biblings when cold & wet…

I got an acute pain in the back of one of my knees when I did the C2C last year with 2 days of solid riding of about 9hrs a day. I hadn’t had a problem before doing 2-3 hour rides & put it down to something slightly out magnified by the repetition.

I too read all the articles on bike fit & the various different methods & made several small adjustments. It took a while for the injury to go – but it did. As it happens I have been riding a hard tail over the winter with mud tyres etc – but took my FSR out a couple of weeks ago as it was bit drier – and guess what? The pain came back.

So back to the measuring of the various distances etc of the 2 bikes. Although pretty much the same – I have a Titus FTM (similar to the ASR5) and was not allowing for the riding position of the compressed rear suspension. I raised the saddle up about 1cm /0.5″ and made sure the shock pressure was OK- & so far after a 2 hour ride last Sunday the knee seems OK.

So worth thinking about the riding set up measurements when the shock is compressed……

Phew!
Finally got my money back after a month.
They don’t respond – or even acknowledge – emails & my refund just turned up in the bank.

I will stay WELL AWAY from them in future & would advise others to do the same……

Hi
Love the idea of a T5 – just stick the bikes on the back & get away for the weekend or longer….

I’m browsing the forums at the moment window shopping & daydreaming.
Q – is the 1.9TD I powerful enough? I know they tend to get re-mapped.
Q – is there a ‘best’ one as a base for the conversions?
Q – is the 2.5TDI too juicy? And is the 2.5 auto any good (DSG) as I know the Audi CVT gearbox of 98-2004ish is an absolute lemon..

The T4/T5 forum seema a goog place to look – but is there a better place to look/buy….

Many questions I know…

When I was at school I told a nurdy teacher my name was Ivor Nestegg after a character on TV advertising Post Office savings. It was a bit obvious but he continued to call me this name for several weeks – to our huge amusement & not getting it!

I work in a school now & the odd kid thinks ‘Ben Dover’ is new….. I’ve heard most of them now. Paul McSkinback?

Got a box of 100 blue nitriles last time I bought some big toy parts from the GSF (German Swedish French) car spares shop – they seem fine…

I’ve had about 3 sets of factory wheels from them (Hope/Crests) 26″ & 29″ – cheaper than elsewhere. No problems & good service!

Hi – I use a set of gaiters about 4″ long cut from the arms of a pair of industrial rubber gloves – in black. They are a snug fit on my ankles & go over the top of my boots. They have worked well for a few months now diverting all the water to the outside of my boots & keeping my feet dry.

Hi – I’ve had a rapid rise rear mech and the problem arises if you ride 2 bikes – one with conventional & one with rapid rise – as you are forever chasing up & down with the gears trying to find the right one!

The advantage is if your rear gear cable breaks the default position for the chain is in the easiiest gear. This is the same as the front mech.

But its really what you are use to…

I’m in my 3rd year with my MW80s & they are a pretty good 3 season boot. You do need to get a size up in them as they come up small & its good to have some room for thickish socks.

I have cut the arm part off a set of black industrial rubber gloves(pink or yellow just arn’t me!) & wear these as gaiter against my leg & over the top of the boots. This stops all the water running down my legs – or permeating through my biblings – into my boots.

A good question rubber’

I have one too in RED. Silver or black I could accept but red just doesn’t go with anything on my bike…..