Thanks for input, will check out the various links.

I’ve already got some Rad8 photochromics and whilst they’re decent glasses, I’d rather have properly clear lenses for night riding. Might see if I can get them reglazed with clear prescription lenses.

My auntie bought me a porn mag for Christmas when I was 15. I’m not sure how was more shocked – me or my mum. So in that vein, porn hub subscription?

Brakes with a consistent bite point?

Oh god so many (hazy) memories.

The Que club was such an awesome venue. I’d spent 3 or 4 years clubbing all over London and still remember the holyfuucck moment I walked in the main room for the first time … and the night when there was a power cut and stomping in unison (it felt like it anyway) until the tunes came on… and the night they had the dwarf Elvis tossing with nurses in rubber outfits…

Also had many a good night when Billy Nasty properly leathered it. Steve Mason was amazing at Club UK.

Dave Clarke was always immense – tune selection, mixing style, just everything really. When he dropped Red 2 at Atomic Jam everyone went batshit. Ade Fenton was a really under rated DJ from Jam.

Jeff Mills was frigging awesome. Only saw him once unfortunately.

Carl Cox’s technique on 3 decks was insane.

If the OP wants to hunt down proper sets (none of this played on laptops malarky), look for stuff from nights or DJs who played at Atomic Jam or Final Frontier.

It used to be about dancing all night, now I listen to it whilst attempting to run and keep the middle age spread to a minimum.

Giro seem consistent. I went from a large Hex (non-mips) to a Chronicle mips and it fits great.

Tried a Bell Sixer that fitted but snagged my glasses. Same with a Fox Speedframe. POC sizing seems bonkers. All ordered online, all sent back and refined fine.

A lot of the moor can be a slog fest but you can do a 30+ mile killer loop starting in the cleave. It’s bloody ace / hard work / techie in equal measure.

Likewise you can do big day / old school rides that take it all in. Top tip: eight pints and a chicken chilli balti is not the best prep for riding from Tavi back to Bovey the day after.

Slight hijack… Can anyone recommend a skinny softshell type gilet? I’m a sweaty bugger and want something to keep the chill off without it being boil in a bag, costing a fortune or being bulky. Moon on a stick?

I’ve got these. Cheap, come with 5 diff lenses, inc clear, and a reasonable case. Quick delivery as well.

The lower kink in the bird downtube really doesn’t do it any favours. I get the need for it if a bottle is important but is fitting a bottle really that important? I’d sacrifice a bottle for not looking like you’ve ridden into the back of a bus flat out.

If I was building a burly bike I’d go for Cura 4s or Saints.

HTH

The official routes are pretty tame but the off-piste stuff is decent. If you’re after something more gnarr, have a look at the Cafe side stuff on YouTube. It’s a 10 min pedal from the main hub the other side of the a380.

Depends what you want. If you’re after nice mellow trails, nope. If you’re after jumps, drops and 28′ gaps then yes.

There’s plenty of stuff in the middle over by the main hub.

The Madison Zeniths are great but I find the waist relatively big compared to the leg diameter and there’s no belt loops. I’ve bodged it so I can use braces or they slip down.

I don’t think stiffness is the issue. I had the same shoes and they died so treated myself to some ME7s. Gave up on them after 3 rides due to heel lift when off the bike and pushing up steep stuff – I tried different sizes but the narrower shape meant I had to go up a size to get the width (and I don’t exactly have duck feet and my old MW7s in the same size are fine). They’re supposed to have something akin to higher volume / more adaptable to diff feet shape but they don’t seem any wider.

I eventually found some brand new wide fit M087s size on ebay for £20 and they’re a perfect fit. No heel lift, no rubbing etc. I need some new winter boots but can’t see myself buying Shimano again.

Anyone interested in some size 46 ME7s?

What chain are you using?

Fox Rangers are super thin on the palm.

When you can buy 4 sets of pads from Disco for £25 why fanny around with burning them? Just buy new ones have have a beer in the time you’ve saved.

3cm overlap, plate with 8 screws, 6 weeks of no driving, 12 weeks off the bike.

I’ve never used F&B but I’ve always found Dulux to be better than Crown or own-brands. B&Q started selling some other brand that I can’t remember rather than Dulux. Used it once and it was awful.

Don’t go crazy but don’t buy the cheapest.

I went round a bus and straight into the back of a car parked in the bus lane. My Accu-Trax were fine, the downtube of my new Orange E2 less so. The replacement frame lasted less than a month (cracked at a weld). Didn’t own an Alu frame for a good few years (20 ish) and that cracked too.

We used to go to the one in London. I went to the 2nd bday party and it was so packed and hot they opened the doors into the shopping centre. Hundreds of people sat on the balcony overlooking woolworths off their faces. It was like day of the dead.

Access… Those were the days. Remember Steve Mason playing it in Club UK and everyone going absolutely postal.

I got some not Oakley Jawbreakers off ebay for £20. The lens change mechanism works really well and ‘proper’ Jawbreaker replacement lenses fit.

Deore 4 pots probably but have a look on Bike Discount. New SLX for £150 or Magura Trails, 4 pot front, 2 pot rear, for the same price.

I had an uber bike one. Died after a few wet rides. They sent me some new bearings. They died. It could be me but I reckon it’s down to crap sealing and crap bearings. Replaced it with a Saint BB.

Plant based cat litter in socks inside boots + airing cupboard. Warm toastie boots mmm….

Did my first ride in some sealskinz cold weather mid lengths with hydrostop today. My feet were damp after the first few puddles so they’ll be going back. Probably OK if you also have waterproof boots on but that’s not really the point of them.

Will save up and get some proper winter boots.

Yes

(can someone summarise what he said, didn’t read it)

What they’ve said really.

Lustleigh cleave is bloody awesome. The run from hunter’s tor, on to the nutcracker and then down to the bridge too far via the sneaky traverse is perfect natural riding (wear pads, there’s a lot of pointy hard stuff).

The unmarked stuff at Haldon is running perfectly at the moment – although it’s been a tad wet for the last 24 hours so it’s probably gone from marbles to buttered scaffolding poles.

Either will give you a good day. But if you can get to the cleave you won’t be disappointed.

I know form should follow function and I really wanted to like this but the rocker / seat stay & top tube angle looks a bit pound shop.

No doubt it’ll ride great and I’d love a short travel 29er but I think they’ve missed a trick on this one.

Nah, not enough arguing over nothing.

A Stage 4 does appeal but they’re blooming expensive compared to other alu bikes and appear to be welded by Stevie Wonder.

Reading this with interest as I’ve got something like this in mind. My Aeris 145LT is great but I fancy some a bit lighter (Pikes rather than Lyriks, single rather twin pot brakes etc) and different (29er, 120mm – 130mm) for long days out and because why not.

I like the idea of a Flare Max but unless I spend a fortune it’ll weigh more than the Bird.

What else is out there?

For components I’d say white porcs.

If we’re including bikes it has to be a San Andreas, not just for the bike itself but also for all the kit that was on it.

Honourable mention to Tioga Revolvers.

+1 for Valley Caravan Park.

Great site, walk to the beach in your wetsuits, plus top owners. Doom Bar on tap I seem to remember. The warm outdoor showers are great if you’ve been in the water all day and your suit is full of sand.

The ducks can be noisy f***ers but it just means you get to make the most of your mornings.

I’m more bothered about ****ts cutting corners and putting multiple lines in on established trails to make not overly technical trails simpler. If you’re that fussed, get a bloody road bike and ride in a straight line.

With DT…

1500 = 240 hub 36t ratchet
1700 = 350 hub 18t ratchet
1900 = standard pawl

I’m sure it’s possible to do a fully objective analysis of power, heat management etc. so much is down to personal preference – I like sintered in the front, organic or kevlar in the back. Others hate sintered. Some people prefer cable discs over hydro (weirdos).

In terms of brands, I’ve tried a few and disco seem the best alternative to Shimano. I’ve got some disco sintered in the front on my Zees to try them but I may move back to Shimano for feel.

We spend a bugger load on kit, why try and save a few quid on pads?

Jambo is right that some of the push ups in the cleave are hardwork but they’re worth it.

The run from hunter’s tor, down the nutter cracker (take the traverse on the right 80% of the way down) and then down to the bridge is awesome as it has everything; fast open singletrack, techy rocky steep bits and even faster swoopy bits through the trees. Bloody love it.

Edit: don’t be fooled by the miles – Dartmoor miles count twice, especially in the cleave.