Because the maxle unscrews completely when taking the wheel off whereas 9mm quick release undoes but stays in (through) the hub even as you take the wheel off. Only switched last year and found this out, nearly forgot it a few times when packing the bike away after a ride.

I guess that explains it. One rule I tend to have for stuff like this is “put it straight back in” (either the wheel or fork in this instance). May help?

I usually end up leaving my SPD shoes at home so now hang them on the bike!

Haha, you’re not the only one, plenty of other Maxel users out there done the same :lol:

One quick question (not to detract from the deserved back-patting above):

How come so many folk seem to leave these things behind? I’m still using 9mm QR’s, so forgive my ignorance :P

I’d replaced most of the stuff on my Hardrock Comp so all that was left to replace was the frame. I fancied steel or titanium HT, rather than a full suss. LBS had a new ti frame at a discount and I thought what the hell 8)

Still my only mtb 12 years later so that worked out well :D

Only downside I can think it’s that if your tyre goes flat, the bike will fall over.

This. Having regularly gone out to find a flat tyre I’d rather not find my bike on the floor! A simple rubber strap over the rim could have offered additional security.

Recently gone tubeless myself (26er, but still applicable I reckon).

I went for Specialized Purgatory 2.3 up front and ground control 2.1 rear. Ridden these for a few weeks now. Done everything from Trail centre red and blacks in three counties to lakeland routes and local messing, in mixed conditions (wet, dry, and in between, sandy, rocky, rooty, etc). The Purgatory has been faultless, I really do mean that. It has impressed me and got me out of some bad line choices and stupid mistakes.

Was recommended on a thread when I asked, and it’s been great.

For the rear, I’ not sure, but imagine it could only be better than the ground control on wet rocks.

If anyone has a 2000-2003 “Airborne” jersey in Medium or Large I could be tempted by that for beer tokens 8)

They used to be white and blue (or black) with this rather large logo on them

Don’t have a Decathlon near here, but may try similar stores.

Must say, I’m rather keen to find somewhere that stocks these and give them a try – they look ideal.

Thanks all, may take a look at bibs. I don’t find the lycra shorts come down or are uncomfortable, it’s the over shorts that do.

I may end up wearing just lycra again to be honest, got sick of my overshorts slipping down or snagging the saddle today!

Searching for bib shorts and found these – reckon they look great for me. Just not at that price! Will have a look around though, sick of been uncomfortable.

Gore bib shorts

None :|

I just wear whatever baselayer I drag out the wash basket!

wow, that ‘could’ be more ugly I suppose, but you’d have to try really really hard

In fairness I was thinking more along the lines of Jones rather than Cube :wink:

I stand by my suggestion though.

‘Custom rack’- would be very nice, yet very expensive, especially in Titanium,

A custom frame isn’t exactly cheap, a rack would be a small percentage of the overall cost.

But…why not have the rack incorporated into the frame rather than an accessory? That would be the most “elegant” solution.

Something like this, but obviously much nicer and in keeping with your frame rather than just looking like a welded on extra:

A few of my “friends” hate cyclists and regularly try and get a bite from me. You’ll never, ever win an irrational argument. Sounds more to me like your colleagues are baiting you to start an argument to be honest.

You weren’t parked in Whinlatter car park in the afternoon were you?

Bike looks like one on top of car I parked next to.

Not me. I was at Whinlatter the day before, but bike lives in the car. Never seen anyone else with a Lucky Strike to be honest so be strange if there were two at the same time 8O

Well I tackled the Grizedale to Parkamoor route yesterday. No GPX files or SO :twisted:

Was a tough day, with some pretty steep climbing in places and plenty of rain for the Parkamoor descent.

The highlight of the day for me though was the cornish pasty and cup of tea at the end descent to Force Gill. Really enjoyed that one as it suited me and the bike nicely 8)

The worst part of the day was the exceptionally steep descent from Breasty Hoe, not sure how I survived “the steepest descent in Grizedale” to be honest. It’s not quite in the XC category despite it’s bridleway status (first time I’ve ever had my saddle as low as it will go)!

Only got a couple of pics before it lashed down.

wrong thread

How about a ‘disc’ type rack that mounts with the quick release? You can change the seat clamp for one with rack mounting holes in as well.

Easy to remove when not needed (just swap the skewer and undo two screws.

Or use a rucksack.

I’d have thought Parkamoor-Nibthwaite would be pretty full on for newbies.

Having done it today (the whole Grizesale-Parkamoor route) I’d agree. Mostly because of the climbing, but don’t underestimate the descents for a “beginner”! Still enjoyed it however.

Not gonna get something 11kg for that money. Very happy with my kona dew plus from wiggle though £388. So far so good. Way nicer than anything by careera.

I’ve passed a quy on the local trails a few times who has a lid that he keeps on his handle bar! It’s almost like it’s mounted to the stem? I don’t see the point in that at all.

That might be me. I carry my helmet like that, so it’s there for the downhills. Don’t see the point in wearing it when spinning the granny ring for 20mins uphill or long easy sections where I’m not gonna go over the bars though.

I also don’t wear one for the commute and get various comments about it. I love riding without a helmet. I hate wearing helmets, be it work, water, rock or otherwise. As soon as I get t a safe spot it comes off.

This one in Durham

They recently added this cycle lane. Problem is the car lane isn’t wide enough for a car now!

Re-evaluate your carefulness.

+2

That Grizedale/Parkmoor route looks just the job. I am also going to be visiting the area next week (family staying at Windermere) and will be taking the mtb. Don’t have a gps but I will keep an eye on this thread anyway.

if you mean its a couple of mm below the top of the stem then yeah, it’ll be fine.

Think I just fell in love (a little bit) :P

Had my current bikes nearly 3 years now, not even getting an urge to look at anything to replace them

That’s good, it means that you made the right choice when you bought them 8)

I’ve had my bike for over ten years now and have no desire to change it at all (and I’m a bit younger than you). No need to get sucked into this yearly “upgrade” or n+1 crap!

Thanks all, seems it may be a case of go and have a play, see which feels good to use.

Shame about the Park Tools pump though, as I can get one cheaper than the rest! I can also get the TruFlo MaxTrax pump pretty cheaply as well if they’re any good?

Will look at Lezyne, didn’t want to be spending a fortune but would like a steel barrel I think. An extra fiver isn’t so much if I get one on sale.

I don’t know why this is so sodding controversial

Me either, or why people get so sodding defensive :lol:

Buy the right frame, sell yours for similar cost, probably cost you nothing in the end?

I learned a lot about jumping off and over things on my long travel bike, which gave me confidence to then do it on my XCer, because I’d done it and gained the skill. I don’t think I’m alone here either.

I dunno, I mean, when there was only rigid bikes or HT’s people managed to learn those skills pretty well. And by your own admission, you CAN do it on your XC bike. You could have learned that skill without buying a long travel full suss.

You COULD then use the ‘wrong’ bike as an excuse not to do things, but that doens’t mean we should all be making it harder for ourselves.

Or you could realise your skill level is at fault and not the “wrong bike” and learn to overcome your weaknesses.

There’s not much I’m unhappy riding on my rigid bike, and the stuff I am I practice at and develop the skills to ride it. If you start small and work up to stuff I can’t see the need to “learn” on a long travel bike before going back to an XC bike.

Rab Vapour Rise Stretch.

For economy and comfort and overall noise etc an estate car is hard to argue with for the commute.

For practicality a van, however you may not find the smaller vans as practical as you’d think so worth trying a few options.

I’ve had large vans, land rover vans, and many different estate cars. Now I leave my seats down in the estate and use it like a small van anyway, but have the fun/comfort/economy side of the car. I did consider another van, but enjoy the performance and economy of my current car.

an SB5c with real size wheels

I was all excited…until I saw they had the 6 upside down :cry:

Not a fair weather softie are you?

Not at all, just know it’s gonna be bleak and nothing like the promo video suggests :wink:

Only have one mtb, but happy to ride anything other than downhill courses on it (it was a HT, now a rigid).

I may not be as fast as some, on some routes, but I’m not having any less fun and don’t feel “restricted” by only having the one bike.

I might do that actually. October in the Cheviots though… 8O

Wheels and tyres are the first place to start (give the most noticeable bang for buck in my opinion). Then the forks.

Replace everything else for lighter as it wears out or breaks.

If you were THAT bothered about weight you’d not be fitting a dropper, so don’t worry, you’re not a weight weenie :wink:

I blame the BBC for dropping the MET office.

today’s bikes seem more & more out of reach (see the latest Yeti) so how do you pay for the latest stuff?

Don’t buy the latest stuff? Be happy with what you have?

If you feel happier not having debts then you’ll feel happier riding what you have and not what’s got you on the monthly.

Personally I think buying used/in sales/self-builds are the way to combat this. You spec the bike/frame/parts that you can afford at the time and upgrade when funds allow.

I did spot that Bandit. If I hadn’t just bought the commuter I’d have stupidly bought that instead and used it for work 8O Looks perfect though (more so than a Sub 5 even!)

Way over my budget for teh forseeable future though, think I’d rather save a bit longer and get something I really fancy later in the year.