That’s nothing

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cirencester-and-Swindon-Fairford-and-Cric-Ordnance-Survey-Sheet-map-folded-/391239866758?hash=item5b17b69986:g:iqcAAOSwyQtV4Ae7

This must be pretty damn accurate map… 8O

No such a thing as a slow tyres – all you have to do is to push those pedals a bit harder! :lol:

To be honest I think the Beavers are really nice on tarmac. I commute on them everyday, normally it is about 30% woods (mud, roots, rocks) and the rest is solid roads – so tested properly ;)

Beaver in wire version. £18.99 on CRC.

Haha, you might be right :wink:

“Cable actuated hydraulic integrated brake”? :?

You’d be better off buying my old set of Shimano M505-M447! 8)

Just an update:

I followed a friend of mine (experienced rider) on that section on Friday and I saw how he rode it, with no real issues. I did it in a very sketchy way, dabbing and stopping few times…

I then came back there on Saturday night, around 10pm. I walked the track up and down and then I started riding it. First up, then slowly down… Then again… And again… And after like 5th time I was able to ride it down, maybe not very fast, but with no excessive braking, without stiffening the limbs, unweighting the front end on some nastier roots… :mrgreen:

I was buzzing all day yesterday that I finally managed to do it – so in the evening I got there again, just to enjoy it a bit more 8)

Thanks another step forward! Thanks for all the advice!

One thing that speeds up drying the shoes massively is packing them in the old pillow cases and throwing them into the washing machine: my trick is to run a “quick” wash followed by additional high-speed spin.

When you take them out they are nice clean and just damp, instead of being soaking wet.

There was many… But the two I listened to most are:

Public Service Broadcasting “The Race For Space”

Leprous “The Congregation”.

I can smell a new thing hitting the industry very soon! ANTI-SUSPENSION!

It works in a way that when you hit a bump, the fork – instead of “sucking in” the stanchions – “explodes” them out :lol:

Thanks guys!

I have no problem with them when climbing steep wet stuff – I consider myself as a good one in that particular moment of riding: I like controlling the torque, “feeling” how rear wheel is trying to secure the traction…

But it’s where gravity would let me get some speed – that’s where I realise I’m gonna die in a second…

Well, I’ll keep trying to “stay relaxed”! Cheers!

Zetco on its 5th flashing setting is bright enough to be well visible on glorious sunny noon!

It’s a solid light.

Lezyne Zecto.

Instagram, VSCOCam and Snapseed – your bike rides are now to be 3 times longer (while the distance stays the same…)! (“Oh! I must to take a photo of that!”) :lol:

Crud Racepac 29er and front Mudhugger for me – going strong for almost 2 years now!

I went out once in “being all cool” mode – leaving the plastic at home…

Never again!

I’ll wait for 650b version. The pavement will come to live.

A bit of advice: use the mini-app “Touch Block” that comes pre-installed on Xperia, when you put your phone into the pocket. It won’t unlock itself again!

Niterider Lumina 750 and 400. Shopping around you’d get both for about £90 now, as they’ve released new series and the standard Lumina’s get nice price reductions.

The 750 comes with helmet mount, but stick the lamp on the handlebars, then fit the 400 on your lid (using the mount from 750). Perfect lights in my opinion (and proper jobbies, not some Chinese copies of the copies of the copies…)

Well, bike was just next to me – this morning’s commute, Proper Autumn:

I’m hoping to find the new Cranked when I get home.

In a pile of f***n bills and credit card offers.

There are some tracks nearby that about 4-5 years ago were way beyond my dreams about riding them “at one go”, without stopping & walking some parts (riding up or down them).

I remember my first attempts… “I’m gonna make it… I’m gonna make it…” and then fistful of brakes just before the first technical bits… :lol:

Now I’m still way below my friends’ skills level (they’ve been riding much, much longer), I’m crap on fast, twisty downhill tracks, plenty of times I chicken out seeing something that would put me beyond my confidence area… But I can clear the “impossible” trails now, even in the worst winter conditions – so I am getting better, but it’s still a long way before I feel I’m good!

They seem pretty useless to me – what protection from splashing mud can this thing provide, being so highly mounted and so small?

I use the Racepac 29er[/url] and after riding over muddy sections there are still bits of dirt on clothing/helmet!

So in my opinion – go big or go home :lol:

I’d unclip and get ready to fly over the bars. But first I’d put the Garmin into the pocket, so any potential KOM would be recorded! :lol:

I ran this combo for the first time this morning, on my way to work. I had never tried the Beavers before (so it was my first time with a beaver… :oops: :lol: ).

This are now my favorite autumn/winter tyres!

I rode through leafy/rooty woods (wet), gravel tracks covered with leaves (wet) one steep loamy downhill singletrack with two sharp corners (wet) and plenty of tarmac (dry) – despite the nice, low rumble they were very easy to roll, but most importantly they gripped to everything they went on!

They are narrow, but I feel more confident on them than I was on Butcher/Purg combo to be honest!

Can’t wait for commute back…

You probably need some sort of these… :lol:

Try this .

I’ve been using it for 3 years now, really good bit of kit. Fits under my A1 helmet with no problems.

What about a spray-can of the new MucOff Fabric Protect – that should make any shorts waterproof! :wink:

…but you’re perfectly entitled to look at getting it sorted out by the shop you bought it from

Can they stretch the bottom of the headtube a bit? :wink:

I bought the bike in 2014, a bit long time ago… I know Merida gives lifetime warranty on their frames, so would that classify as a manufacturing fault? 8)

Has the frame changed or just the fork in which case it’s a spec change

On the spec it says “Manitou Marvel Comp 29 TS air 100 taper”, while in reality is is 1 1/8″, as the tapered steerer would not fit the frame at all.

I think the “invisibility spray” would be much more popular.

GoPro cameras x3 (helmet, handlebars and under saddle)! :lol:

And Strava account, hehe :wink:

Seriously speaking: all what others said. There is stuff that make a difference, but is not necessary to enjoy riding (SPD pedals, mudguards when it’s wet, jacket with ripstop sleeves).

What I can recommend: set yourself an Instagram account, as you’ll discover some great views you’ll want to share with us!

Stand next to the bike and smack your pelvis or hip (or whatever height your saddle is in “ideal position”) with the saddle few times – you’ll remember where it hurts the most… :lol:

As long as you use either Shimano joining pins or some quick-link you’ll be fine.

I made a mistake once joining a chain using a pin that was pushed out from the link, then pushed back in… I works OK. But before you hit some steep climb full power out-of-the-saddle, make sure:

A. someone is filming it
B. someone has their finger on “dial 111” button
C. a circus theme music is playing loudly.

:lol:

My Merida Big Nine 900 came with the triple and it’s still going strong. I don’t feel the urge of swapping to 2x or 1x – at least not when it’s my only “do it all” bike.

The “wildlife thing” is a big bonus.

Regarding the fear – the only time I feel it a bit is when riding near some big farm yards.

Also when you see a dog in remote areas at night – this means “troubles”. 8O

:D

This one is really good.

Lezyne lights are nicely visible from the sides too.

I found the night rides are much faster than doing the same distance during the day. Probably it’s because taking photos when it’s pitch black has no sense :lol:

BTW, by talking “night rides” – what time do you normally start yours? For me it’s about 11pm… :|

I’ve got the Gore Windstopper – they’ve been with me for good three years, really good bit of kit. Even though they were slashed with brambles plenty of times the wind stopping membrane seems to be intact (it’s white under the black outer shell, so easy to see in places…).

I wouldn’t rely on them as my main barrier against chill when it’s properly cold, but with an insulating long sleeve on top they’re perfect.

If you ever fancy a late night Fri/Sat/Sun adventure in the woods – let me know… :roll: