Specialised Rockhopper has had very good write-ups.

SKS are good.

Yes, excellent customer service here too. Not always the cheapest and the you now have to pay for returned clothing. Still very good.

From the Guardian article

In 2011 there was less talk of marginal gains and more of simply racing, with Wiggins taking to heart Sutton and Brailsford’s new maxim: work hard, and do the simple things well.

Suspect there are elements in the Great British motoring public who feel the same. Was very nearly hit last weekend by someone in an X1. Wing mirror almost clipped my elbow. Loads of room. Suspect they were just showing me who’s boss.

Times like this when I’m glad I don’t own a gun.

Yip bought a few bits from them. Had to return some bibs. They refunded the postage costs. Great company.

@captain-bastard. Yes, agree totally.

I like my Bell Sweep – both road and mountain.

The Slant is also good and is cheaper.

Road vs MTB is a bit ying/yang – it’s the same thing, but different.

IMO also the training is very complimentary, MTB is great for short fast bursts of power (up banks and so on), and bike handling. Road is excellent for getting in the groove and powering on for long periods. Add these together and you have a strong rider.

Agree. Uses surprisingly different muscles and as above, it’s important to get the right size and fit.

Had a serious off overestimating the power of road brakes. Went over the bars, back first into a dry stone wall. Completely destroyed it. Walked away with a minor graze. Now take it easy down hills!

How about cage fighting or karate?

Is Willy Waving a sport?

You could try it in a number of Islamic countries and I bet it would become one 🙂

Cool pic! Not been out on mine – ‘summer bike’ with summer tyres. This year’s been crap. Think I’m turning into a roady 😀

Funny how satisfying being the King of a crappy little mound can be 😀

I have 13 but most aren’t contested.

They are very easy to generate – just find a route people rarely ride.

Yip. Me too. Scott Addict R3. Fantastic for when I can’t be bothered with having to deal with the mud. Great for riding into the Yorkshire Dales.

Try and get as much compensation as you can (bike, and personal injury). Unfortunately hitting them in the pocket is the only thing that will have an impact, anything else they’ll just shrug off. If you feel guilty about claiming just donate it to a cycling campaign group.

+ 1 despite detesting all that no win, no fee money go round.

Sadly, this sort of behaviour isn’t enforced like it would be on the continent. Amazing considering how ‘Health & Safety’ this country can be.

Sorry – found this thread. Updates gratefully received!

It’s just there to hold the crank on if the bolts loosen

I thought this but was correct by a LBS tech who said they were for setting the correct pre-load tension.

Having said that, they tightened the pre-load bolt far beyond the recommended torque.

Tried to hire mountain bikes out there last year. Saw about 20 Scott Scales parked near our resort and asked if I could hire one. Unfortunately they were part of a (French) leisure holiday package.

The mountains along the coast look like they would have fantastic single track.

Might be a business opportunity here…

Ended up getting a Topeak DXG shock pump with a ‘Pressure-Rite™ connector’ which makes setting proper pressures easy and eliminates air loss when disconnecting.’ Looks like a good quality bit of kit.

Not sure if it is a gimmick or an engenius solution 😀

@velomatic Yes, the Ron / Ralphs are fast rolling at the expense of grip. Having said that I rode a section last night which was very waterlogged and boggy. My 26 hardtail would have struggled with that same tyre combination and I was amazed at home much more traction the 29in tyres gave. Think they are good on hard pack but certainly not great on wet rocks and roots. Also a bit skittish on the dry, loose stuff.

This bike doesn’t feel as fast as my Elite HPT but it is much faster. Been getting lots of KOMs (Strava) recently. Also feel very stable and haven’t felt steering control is compromised in technical sections.

Good on you for doing the race. Never done one.

You went with X-Kings for the muddy conditions? Or just because you disliked the Schwalbes?

The seat is way softer than the Selle Italia SLR on my ti.

Also like the SIDs – just installed a pair on my 26er.

Squirt is good. Discussion here.

Seems there is a difference of opinion on the air loss phenomenon.

Have opted to get a Topeak as it has ’a provision on the pump chuck to minimize air loss at the Schraeder valve when removing the pump’. Will see.

This review makes in for interesting reading on the subject…

Thanks but by reattaching the shock pump it is clear it looses between 10 and 5psi each time the pump is detached.

Like this one[/url] from Wiggle.

Lots of carbon cages cheap from ebay. Really like one I bought from this shop.

Phone, pump, cards and rain jacket in jersey pockets.

Multi-tool, inner tube, levers, patches in saddle bag. Water bottle (800mls) on frame.

Considering loosing the saddle bag and moving to a storage bottle on my frame.

I imagine you are going to get a broad range of opinion on this one.

My personal preference is a hardtail as it’s affordable to go light and light often means fast climbing and on the flat.

I also like feeling in touch with the ground and shifting my posture to account for differences in terrain.

Considered a 29er?

My first road bike (had first a cheap hybrid, then titanium hardtail) is a 2010 Scott Addict R3. Was bought as last year’s model but still paid quite a bit for it (£1400 on an original ticket price of £1800).

Never regretted it. Something about a light fast, well built bike.

It’s always worth buying good quality gear.

And here

Cube do crash replacement so might be worth asking.

I was told that Carbon can’t be repaired effectively because it acts a little like an exoskeleton i.e. the structural strength is produced across the entire shell. Have you taken it to a bike shop to see what they have to say? If it’s just the surface lacquer, you may be ok.

After breaking two carbon frames (once was my fault) I converted to titanium. Clearly didn’t learn the lesson because I bought another 🙂

Someone recommended 29er Mud X’s but also read a good review of Beavers. Will keep it as a dry weather bike – won’t be riding this summer then.

Me too. Just received some Beavers to go on a pair of Crests. Also been doing a lot of road riding.

Spent all winter riding in mud, ice and snow so enjoying the break from washing the bike and clothing.

Just bought a pair of Beavers. Thanks for the advice!

Sorry – ‘You will be able to edit your post for up to 15 minutes after posting’.

Don’t worry – people will read the thread to find out what the story is.

I scraped the lacquer when the chain slipped off the granny ring. Bike shop checked it and said no structural damage.

Have put some helicopter tape stickers around the spot to stop it happening again and asked the bike shop to put in a complaint to Cube. No reply as yet.

Time to just enjoy the bike.

I scraped the lacquer when the chain slipped off the granny ring. Bike shop checked it and said no structural damage.

Have put some helicopter tape stickers around the spot to stop it happening again and asked the bike shop to put in a complaint to Cube. No reply as yet.

Time to just enjoy the bike.

Quick update.

Item arrived as described. Prompt and efficient service. Very good value for money. Feel terrible for even suggesting this might be a scam now! Yes, crown race and star nut fitted to the fork.