Yep I got one too. They’re after a lot of stuff it seems – they’re going to be busy going around picking it all up.

I managed to get a 27.5 2.8 WTB Ranger on a 40mm Scraper rim in the back of my mk1 with no problems – not sure I’d want to go much wider though for clearance. Have gone back to a regular 29er out back now though as it wasn’t my cup of tea. May be selling wheel and tyre soon.

I had similar thoughts when I got a Frog for my daughter, it looked very stretched and head down. I got a cheap riser bar and cut it down a bit. The stem was the smaller diameter older clamp size stem so most current bars didn’t fit the existing stem, but you could change that too. With a riser bar it is still a bit stretched out but more upright and looked more relaxed to ride. It does still seem a bit of an odd geometry to me.

Having struggled on the SDW a while ago I always follow these posts with interest. Let us know you’re doing alright this morning it sounds like a nasty crash. Take care and get yourself looked at, you can always come back and have another crack at it another time – it’s not going anywhere!

I wouldn’t write off FoD. The green is no fun for the kids as it’s just a flat loop, but my little six year old loves the kids practice loop over the bridge from the cafe and the new pump track they’ve built. He’s also alright for messing around on a few bits of the blue trail once he’s been given a bit of help up the opening sections. I don’t think it’ll be too long before he is doing more of it (with the right chocolate incentives!).
Enjoy Fort Bill – I hope your daughter enjoys it :D.

Been there and done that – not good times! It looks like you got away with it lightly. I managed to rip the whole bike rack unit off and pull the car roof side rails apart. Lots of car fixing to do along with my classic Kona written off. Insurers and more importantly my other half were really good about it!

My nephew just got one I think, and it’s the best little bike I’ve seen. He was ripping around on it and loving it.

I just read your post and the description of your feelings sucked me straight back in time to around 12 years ago when I went to the hospital with my girlfriend who was hit with news very similar to yours. I’m not a good enough writer to describe all the feelings at the time, but we really needed all the support, love and help from everyone around us that we could get – take every piece of support you can. It’s a memory that is still so strong that it is bringing tears back to me now and at the time we didn’t have kids, hearing mine downstairs at the moment can only make me imagine how that adds to your feelings.

I’m so happy to say that my girlfriend from that time is now my wife. Somewhat strangely I still don’t really believe in luck or miracles, but somehow we got lucky that time, her cancer got caught just in the nick of time and a good surgeon saved her life, with possibly only days in it.

I wish you a happy ending to your story. Good luck and best wishes.

Just had a marmalade butty and then saw this thread. I don’t think it’s ever too late in the day for one although it didn’t go too well with a glass of red wine to be honest. It was thick cut so maybe I am old though.

I’ve been thinking along the same lines and wondering which Garmin would be best. Is the Garmin Touring any good for this sort of thing? It looks to have the same navigation features as the 800s but is cheaper – I was wondering if anyone had used one.

I can’t compare across brands, but I was sceptical about the whole idea of a frame bag until I tried one of Alpamayo Designs one. It’s been so good that I never take it off now.

Thanks for the replies. That’s good news because I’ve got a standard 29 rear tyre so I don’t need to carry different tubes.
Cheers

I was looking at this too and the best I could find was a wtb i35 rim and an SLX hub, just starting to tension the wheel up this evening. I didn’t really find much in the way of fully built wheels.

Is the rolling threads thing why on DTs the spokes stop in the nipples and on the Sapims they can keep going through?

For the few wheels I’ve built before I’ve always used DT double butted from Rose bikes which normally come out cheap despite the big postage cost. This time I’ve gone for some Sapim D-light from Just Riding Along. I’ve only laced the wheel up so far so can’t really comment beyond the good service from Just Riding Along. The D-lights are a bit thinner than the DTs so might wind up, but the Sapim Race look almost the same and are a bit cheaper.

Wow! What did you use to strip that down and make it look so shiny?

Yes, I’ve gone with cable ties at the moment, but wanted something a bit neater. I’ve got C clips for the single mounts and wondered if there was something similar for the doubles.

Hi all, just putting together my first Stooge thanks to ssboggy. It’s looking lovely, but what do I need to fix the rear brake hose and rear mech cable to the down tube twin fixings? I can’t seem to find anything online so any one got any tips?
Cheers

Cheers for the replies. All makes reasonable sense. I got a bit ahead of myself building wheels and then changing my mind on a frame. 2.2 Ikons look really skinny on the front of a Stooge! Doesn’t look like there is anything in an in between size anyway. Will see how it goes as is, then might try a 2.3 or 2.4 inch and then might rebuild the wheel with something wide enough for proper plus size later on.

Thanks for the tips. Ended up just doing the Verderers as I could only fit in a quick dash today, but will have a look at sorting out a device for gpx routes next time and might give you a shout for your kind offers. Cheers.

Thanks for the responses and thanks for the offer of the route but I’m not technically advanced enough for gpx files (that might have to be another post!). I might have a nosy around and go look for it and see what I can find.

Cheers.

Thanks all.

I couldn’t seem to find much in the way of full UST tyres and as by the sounds of it I’m better off using some sealant anyway I’ll keep an eye out for some general tubeless ready ones.

Cheers.

Thanks for the info Andy, I was hoping it would make things that easy, but couldn’t quite convince myself it would!

Wow – good effort.
I’ve been thinking about getting a kit like this from the London bamboo company and building up a 29er to go with some singular swift forks as a commuter. So really interested to hear how it finishes up and especially how it rides.
Good luck and keep up the updates!

Try over on retrobike. Someone on there must have one or some spare parts.

Hi,
I used to live down in Clerkenwell and there is a gym on Goswell Road (so not far from you) that was run by one of the colleges and therefore relatively lower cost by London standards, it used to do yoga classes. I think it has been done up recently so might have gone up in cost, but might be worth a look. Looking on google maps it looks like it’s called city sport now.
I hope you find somewhere good and it helps you out.
M

I had a problem with a rear deore like this. Tried all sorts, bolts, new pads, cleaner, new rotors. In the end I identified the tiniest of leaks in the caliper which occurred only under pressure. Sent them back and not had a problem with the replacement since.

Try Agent Zigzag. I read it a while ago, but remember it being a good read, with the added bonus of it being (relatively) real.

Bath Plugs???

If you’re at the Olympic park you might even be able to book in for an hours session at the velodrome!

If you like coffee then a nip to Colonna and Small’s is a definite. Just off Queen Square.

I’ve found that moving into more mid to fore foot striking has naturally made me move faster and made running feel much smoother. I’ve made that transition by running up a lot of hills (because that’s what’s out my front door) which has strengthened my calves. I’ve found I feel much less impact on my knees running now and it feels easier on my joints until my lungs blow out!

Hi, are the Conkwell trails easy to find? Any good splinters where to find them? I’ve never been over that way but live not far off so might have an investigate.
Cheers

I just looked up the natural history museum in Oxford eddiebaby mentioned and it’s pretty stunning. Maybe the Smithsonian courtyard is the modern equivalent.

Struggling to find a good photo but Otto was genius and with help from Schlaich this is pretty awesome:

Munich Olympic Stadium

Thanks for the thoughts. Had a look on the map and think I can pick out that route. Think I’ll go and have a look around there. The wishing tree sounds intriguing!

Thanks folks. Sounds like the avids are a bad idea – Shimano it is then.

If you ignore the fact that the you tube video was made for Lance Armstrong, the Founder might be good exercise. I was recommended it by my chiropractor and it has really helped me. Try searching for – the founder lower back exercise on you tube. 12 minutes of back strength and hip flexor stretching pleasure/pain.

Made in England – all about handbuilt frames. Proper big coffee table book.

Take the kids to the zoo – it’s great and they’ll love it!
(Although I am slightly biased as I helped design the elephant house thre)