Fine on the back in almost all weather and when its not too wet/muddy they are good on the front as well.

Probolt/tastynuts.

Always get good service and good quality bolts.

If you're doing a 24 solo or whatever, wear two pairs. It's only sensible!

I see no reason why you need to wear 2 pairs of shorts. I have never done this and never had problems. It could create more problems than it prevents.

The only time I change shorts during a 12/24hr race is if there is a period of wet weather followed by dry weather, in which case its not nice riding in wet gear when it is possible to keep dry.

I don't think you will be disapointed, the fit and performance is superb and they feel almost invisible in use.
Not had any problems with saddle sores or discomfort in my 12/24hr events.

If you can stretch to £80, go for the dhb Knowle shorts.
The finchdeans are fantastic and excellent value, but the Knowle shorts are amazing. Never had a comfortable pair of shorts.

matt -read many different theorys but i can sit at 195bpm for most of a spin class so i dont doubt my max on the bike is higher than 200 but i just cant push it there for my legs wanting to blow up. that is my reasoning for basing my max on my running max

I'd say your right and your max will be higher than 200, in which case its worth doing another max test. No point training to zones if you know they might be out.

my max attained when running is 209 my max on the bike is 200….i work my zones out using 209 as max

If your max is 200 on the bike, then you should work out your zones based on that, not your running max.

If you were doing running training, then your zones will be different as your max changes between different sports/activities.

Looks like the sort of film HD was "created" for.
Can't wait to watch it in 3D!

Sub 9 wont happen, but low 9's might and sub 19 might be possible.
The guy is awesome.

I'm not going to bother going any further, except to say that they is no chance they will be stiffer.

No where near. Perhaps you should ride some SLR wheels back to back on a proper ride with another lightweight alternative before commenting.

1500g is not that heavy, it's just not super light.
I know for example you can build a set of American classic hubs on stans rims for less money and less weight, but they won't be as durable or as stiff. There is usually a trade off somewhere.

I can see where your both coming from regarding price vs performance, and I have to say that if I were buying a set of race wheels I'd probably go some Hope Hoops SP XC3 with Stans 355 rims, although I'm not sure if they would weigh much less?

Been happy with mine.
So far they have been totally reliable and they are very stiff for a XC racing wheel (15mm version).

There are lighter wheels out there, but they won't be as stiff or UST.

Not saying they are the best wheels out there, just not as bad as some people (njee20 for one) are making out.

The pictures Nia took are online here[/url]

Uploading our right now…

Wicked event, really enjoyed the course and the atmosphere.

If Wiens was as strong as Armstrong then surely he could have stuck with whoever was "helping" Lance and rode as a group. I'm sure Wiens will be the first to admit that Lance was the stronger/faster rider and deserved the win.

It never gets too slippery around Brechfa.
Forecast is quite good for tommorow, so hopefully it will stay dry for the event. Not that it really matters, but will make it more pleasant.

Would be good to see a close race, but I can't see Wiens being able to stick with Armstrong on the climbs. He is a different rider this year, alot fitter and leaner.

Did MM and Bonty.

After 2008 I was expecting 24/12 to be the "best", but I was a little disapointed and felt that it hadn't really moved forwards. A good course, but not as good as last year (no doubt the weather played a part).

Mayhem had the atmosphere and it's clear that its the bigger event. Enjoyed the course at Eastnor this year and there was more climbing per lap compared to 24/12, although at Plymouth the climbs were steeper.

Both good event, but I hope to see 24/12 grow a bit for next year.

I think the internals of the 5's are also different, not just the lack of reach adjustment.

Old Deus was 10/8mm bolts.
2009 you need an 8mm allen to remove the bolt, then ISIS tool to extract the drive side crank.

Brechfa Red route is officially closed, but after 6pm (or weekend, but not this Sunday) or so you will be OK. It is shut because they are logging on a few areas and using the fireroads. Singletrack is mostly unaffected.

Black/blue/green all open as usual and riding well.

Have got CR's and R's.
Both are excellent brakes, although I don't think the CR's are worth the extra.

Personally I wouldn't buy an ex-PO van because I know first hand what they go through. You could get lucky and get a van thats had an easy life in a town.

I tend to fill the van up every 250-300 miles and a fill costs ~£40 or so. Not sure how economical that is? No idea what engine it is though, I just jump in a drive :)

I've often wondered how useful it would be if you removed the bulkhead. If the seats can fold flat or are removed easily then it would good.

I'm sure bladed spokes would cause as much damage, if not more than a small rotor.

Most of the black is included I think, but I don't think that section is included. I know the "bike park" section with the big tabletops is in!

Everything is rollable and has chicken lines though, so virtually anyone can ride it.

Similar amount of climbing to the Dyfi and similar distance, so the two should compare well.
Technically the Brechfa enduro wont have the same slatey poo-your-pants descents that the Dyfi has, but there some great descents in the route, some on the red/black trails and a few new bits that made been "created" :)

You should be fine to enter on the day.
Online entries stopped a week early, but there is still space.

I got a sneak preview of some of the added bits that will be in the enduro and they are great :)

Very, very different to the man-made trails. Narrow, tree lined singletrack with a great technical descent.

Most tyres work well at Brechfa, but I'd avoid anything with skinny sidewalls. Small block 8's work well as do Racing ralphs/nobby nics.

The RP23 doesn't have a lockout either, it just has more pro pedal settings, 6 in total!

Thats wrong isn't it?
3 settings plus "off"

From Fox website:

ADJUSTMENTS
– Tuning range adjuster with
3 ProPedal positions
(patent pending)
– (1) Light
– (2) Medium
– (3) Firm
-DOHC ProPedal with
2 positions
ProPedal On
ProPedal Off

Schwalbe Racing ralph are very good, also worth a look are Rocket Rons and Furious freds, but if you do any rides/races in rocky areas then best avoid them as the sidewalls are thin.

Medium to Ultra Long Endeavors

Thats the right answer, but some of the others are more fun :)

Both are too thick for the proper clag you get at SITS/Mayhem!

Trail Rakers don't have much of a place IMO, if it's sticky mud then you need something narrower, if it's not then the Mud-X is a far superior tyre.

Trailraker 1.95" front, Black Shark mud 1.5" rear.
Kept me riding through SITS and Mayhem last year.

The 2.1" version of the trailraker is too wide though.
Conti XC's are narrow, but no where near as much bite as the black shark muds.

elixirs are 50g lighter – not much in it really

Not the right attitude if your looking to lighten a bike.
Performance of the Elixirs is far superior, so there are more benefits than just weight.

Lifeline Syn lube is very good. In between the finish line lubes in terms of stickyness.

Could save a chunk by changing the brakes.
There are lighter and more powerful brakes out there, Hope, Formula, Elixirs.

Strange to see a tensioner on a frame that can tension a chain.
It would be smoother without and chaintugs for a QR are not that hard to find, nor are they expensive.

I tried what you did, but couldn't get them to seal easily enough without a rim strip.

Now using Stans standard rim strips and they go up nicely.

If you can squeese the tubes in then they will be fine, but you may have trouble trying not to pinch the tube on the rim.

Ragley got beat by Whyte 19. Sounds like they prefer the Cove Hummer over the Ragley as well, although all 3 scored 9/10.

Black Mountain Killer loops is ace, although much better on a nice day.
"The Gap" in the beacons is another classic.
Doethie Valley at the southern end of the Cambrian Mtns is one of the best natural rides going.

Nant and Brechfa are also well worth it IMO, and if you do the Doethie Valley, then a trip to Cwm Rhaeadr is good. Its only a 5km track, but lots of fun.