Check out 18bikes various roadrat builds on flickr – lots of
nice setups

We got a taxi from Edinburgh to GT, and on the way back taxi to Peebles and then the bus back to EH. The extravagance of taxi there was because we only had the Sunday and the bus didn't leave early enough for us to get a full morning in.

Also worth saying they have showers so you can get sorted for a public transport journey back!

In short, it's very do-able – go for it 🙂

Thanks everyone. Sounds like b) then – that size suits the intended riding, and it's a biggish bike anyway. Appreciated. I will definitely look to demo one.

Good effort for first video – lovely quality video.
What bikes are you riding?

Thanks Rock – so pads for the M515/M525 will fit the M575? Why don't they just say that!? Cheers 🙂

Some buddies and I can arrange Brighton if there's the appetite 🙂

I was looking for exactly the same – handpicked personal recommendations for great camping sites, especially where you can have fires and so on.

A few days ago I got a list of recommendations from friends and contacts on Twitter, and listed them here:
http://willmcinnes.wikidot.com/campsites-in-uk-and-france

Brighton.

Enjoy Afan – end of Jan
try and find time to ride in Scotland again (one morning at glentress in 09)
learn how to bunnyhope on flats
see what it feels like to take my 29er ss offroad – currently set up as commuter – when the spring/summer arrives
fall off at speed more
spend less time here reading and more out there riding!
have fun 🙂

Kensington, Liverpool. Graffiti on moving in: "kill all studies [students] and pros [prostitutes]". It was nice to know upfront where we fitted on the social strata 😉

At the time it was one of two postcodes that endsleigh insurance wouldn't cover (the other being mosside, manc).

Lots of stories but it was what we needed though. Real life.

Thank you so so so much.
I can't express how useful you've been without sounding like a simpering fool!
THANKS 🙂

If I reduce adverts do you get less money? Because to be quite frank, I'd rather you were making as much money as possible just to keep something I love sustainable.

I've got a 2nd hand Scandal if you're interested.

Thanks all. I am now in possession of the facts 😛

Love that.

We had comedy high winds, hail and torrential showers on the south downs this morning. It was brilliant, brilliant fun. The bike is in slathered in mud 🙂

Best thread ever. It's like a lifetime guide of trails to ride. Thank you.
That is all.

Sherriff – you're right, I'm missing the Euro mains kettle type lead. Phew – thought I was being a frickety-dork-twonk.

Gator – thanks for letting me know. How do you know this out of interest?

Thank you both, much appreciated.

These are all good options above.

Also see if you can squeeze in a trip to Bill's at any time
but especially for breakfast.
Chilli pickle for posh, delightful curry.
Pompoko for inexpensive but tasty Chinese.
Iydea for wholesome veggie right-on goodness.

Enjoy 🙂

Love love my genesis altitude 20 but:

1. crushed the back wheel jumping down some steps – now have superhardcore ex500 / hope hub wheels
2. The seatpost clamp is embarrassingly crappy

all in, it's a superb bike and one I'm proud to pootle about on.

Thanks Explosion, you crazy-named wise person.

Thanks guys.

Two more dumb questions:

1. Is a chain tug different to a chain tensioner?

2. Will a normal junior hacksaw cut a bolt down or do I need something gnarlier?

Thanks again.

Bump

I love my Genesis Altitude 20. Happy on very tech singletrack, downhill and air, steps: all good.

I switched to Apple about 18 months ago. I have made back any additional costs in hardware and software by not constantly having the blue screen of death, rebooting, freezing and other crap. I'm not one of the Apple fanboys, but I do recommend it to you for very pragmatic benefits 🙂

Plus you look cool 😀

Sounds like Kyle Straits win. Did you guys try different sizes or just guess based on your normal clothing sizes? Just can't imagine my local shops will have various sizes in..

I really enjoyed that – nice one 🙂

I don't mind it personally. I think it's a brave attempt given the overwhelming sameness of most MTB advertising.

Sorry this sounds a bit earnest, but more importantly, and if you know anyone that works in the media they will back this up, websites like this are paid for (or more often, only subsidised and run at a loss) by advertising, and without that permanent RHS ad, STW would be less able to put on this big fat conversation that we all seem drawn to. So I welcome it, given the advice and connections I've had from here for zero investment!

Leith Hill, Surrey has good stuff.
So does Stanmer Park, Brighton, with lovely carefully cultivated technical singletrack.
But neither of these will be 'most/best'.

Once again in awe of the stw smarts. Thanks you bike gods.

@Woodey – once but ended up taking a wrong turn and finished early on the walkers path :(. Do you recommend it? The red trail or is there other stuff? Thanks for Freedom tip.

@enhft lol!!! That's what I thought 😀

thanks both.

Ignore this (not that you haven't already) – found the answer in Zinn 🙂

Is it the same as the headset size, in this case 1 1/8?

Thanks chaps.

This thread is why I love STW. Pointless, amusing and deeply deeply uninteresting to 99.73% of the population 😀

Getting to the bottom of a new trail or descent with a few choice mates and bursting into wide laughter at the adrenaline and wholesome sense if being alive and utterly in the moment.

Enormously helpful 🙂

Unbelievably frickin helpful. STW community generously gives every time. Thanks! (Now I get to buy a bike stand too – win!).

I think it's a great project and you should do it.

@mattsccm Welding a car wheel is less fuss than buying essentially a two component kettle (bowl and lid)? Hmmmm.