Words fail me.

I know the bit you mean – I used to enjoy that. And also the bit near the top of the Cwm Carn climb – used to feel quite good cleaning that as it was pretty tricky. I guess it was pretty badly eroded though, which is possibly why they filled it?

The bit I mean comes after that steep short climb which is a bit loose – you get a short breather/slight downhill before coming to the stump. Think we’re talking about the same bit? It looks like it has a gap in the middle of it – right hand line is very rooty. Think it’s a fair bit before the bridge but definitely after toll booth.

Ooh – thanks Twin, will try and remember that. I have a few days off the week after next so will try and get down.

Yes, that sounds right. The rest of it is no problem – just that one stump bit. when I next head down I’ll try just smashing through – had already guessed that staying to the right side was probably best.

cheers 🙂

I struggle with that weird rooty stump bit. I haven’t worke out the line and can’t see that I have pedal clearance to get through the gap. Anyone care to share how it’s done (without cheating and going round the side)? The best approach seems from the right hand side over the rooty bit, but I never seem to make it through. Perhaps I would clear it if I committed to it?

It’s not cool – it’s aluminium, and it’s got 26″ wheels, but it’s by far the best handling bike I’ve owned. Surprisingly compliant ride and not harsh at all. The 575 it replaced was great too.

Personally I’d be over the moon with the offer of the carbon frame. It seems pretty improbable to me that you would have any problems with the 514.

The course is riding beautifully and I’m confident you’ll enjoy it if not ridden it before. I minced around it today at the start of my ride. I hope the weather holds for those that are taking part.

I have just built up a bike with 1×9 (first time trying this gear config.) using the e-13 XCX. It works an absolute charm so far.

they’re 2012 RL Merlin Jobbies – so probably oe.

Yes, was wondering whether I’ll be able to ram 50mm of spacers there? lol

LOCO?

LsD, do you mean “losers”?

That clip is from “Decathlon” by Activision. Broke a few joysticks playing that!

It sounds to me a lot like it isn’t seated properly. Check all around the tyre for any points where the tyre is slightly tucked into the rim – that would certainly make the tyre appear distorted.

(assuming you haven’t done this!)

The Forest Enduro will be on the Enduro Trail I would guess (it usually is). It is not really comparable to Cwm Carn at all – much more of a natural feel, quite soily and rooty in places. It’s nothing like the two armoured “official” xc trails at Sallowvallets. I personally think some of the sections are fairly challenging to ride fast. ymmv etc

Inbred 56 – I think the Kili frame might include a headset. I have been fighting the urge to buy one for days!

I bet that’ll be great fun. I’m quietly envious.

I wish that I had remembered to shave my legs…

I am shortly to be leaving the world of guitar/musical instrument sales….. If I had a quid for everytime a supplier has misquoted a supply time….. Trust me, unless he’s a total numpty, it really isn’t in the salesman’s interests to knowingly lie about a lead-time; all that happens is that the customer gets the hump and usually wants their money back. I hate having to ring punters to tell them the guitar they ordered is likely to be 8 weeks, not 5 days as the supplier told me when I rang to check the stock availability…

I should also add that it is quite apparent that the Superstar rear cog is slightly elliptical, but there is no eccentricity problem and it seems to work fine now.

That’s a Dialled 853 PA (the original version, not the new one) for anyone that cares.

UPDATE!

In the end I ordered a KMC HLC710 chain from On One. I would have gone for the cheaper option and half link, but nowhere seemed to have the half links in stock. Anyway, after a little messing about it is absolutely perfect, and I can ditch the chain tensioner. I didn’t think the wheel was going to sit all the way into the dropouts once I’d fitted the chain, but it went in perfectly – almost like it was designed to go in there. Needless to say it is now skip free, and I am very pleased. Many thanks to you all for the advice and for helping to salvage my sanity. Here is a quick pic. It is a fairly basic spec as it was constructed mainly from spare parts (apart from the drivetrain, ironically…) but it rides lovely. Note the retro X-lite bar plugs I found lurking in the bottom of a box in the shed.

Just to add, it does seem to pick up and hold speed lovely on twisty singletrack sections and climbs.

I love mine, but have to agree with the comments about weight and the rate of shock bushing wear. Needed a PUSH tune on the shock to get the most out of it for me too as well. Still my favourite bike of the ones I’ve owned though. It would be sad if they discontinued it; would be nice if they could update it a bit, but perhaps there isn’t room in their slightly burgeoning range now…

Stunning achievement.

Dr P – time to go back to joke school!

There are plenty of dead badgers at the roadside at this time of year. Think I might convert one into a singlespeed.

Okay, I’ll try the chain first to improve the tension, then invest in a new sprocket if it still slips.

http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/gusset-doublesix-ss-cog—wide-foot-212-p.asp

I might try this in a 17t as a compromise – any thoughts?

Just managed to go and have a quick look. Eyeballing it, the sprocket does appear to be slightly off. What a pile of poo.

Just read the sprocket reviews. Sounds a tad dicey. Won’t be able to check it until tomorrow, but will update with my findings!

Would an eliptical sprocket possibly cause the skipping, Sum? It does seem to occur at a consistent point in the pedal cycle path (I put this down to leverage though).

boxelder – because of the amount of chain slack, I can push the chain into the stays. I tried removing the spring from the tensioner and using it as a push-up to see if it would theoretically work.

http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=58&products_id=480

Just noticed this too. Would this likely improve things? It appears they have added some new products since I ordered my stuff 2 weeks back!

http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=58&products_id=266

Sum, it doesn’t seem to indicate which chain width…

bm0p700f, is the chain you’re using a half link?

The problem I would have with a push-up tensioner is that I think it would push the chain into the stays. Not sure how I could adjust my chain line to bring the sprocket inboard a bit (could I lose the spacers at the bottom bracket as it’s singlespeed??) I wouldn’t mind running a slightly larger rear sprocket, say an 18t as that would be better around the Malverns, although I think not so great for the more general riding I tend to do (FOD etc) I guess.

Here are some basic pics. The tensioner doesn’t have much more room to move as it is fairly stretched as it is. I just want to make sure that I buy the right thing – even if a better tensioner is the way forward.

One thing I have noticed, is that the arm of the tensioner seems to “oscillate” slightly up and down when the chain is moving through it, almost like the tension is varying. It’s not by much but is noticeable, is this normal?

Sadly unable to attend this year 🙁 I enjoyed it last year in spite of the weather..