Me too – probably all those ads loading. Can i disable them anyhow?
Might have to migrate to Bike Magic.

Half Pipe on Golborne Rd – just off Ladbroke Grove north.
Really top blokes and a great skate/bmx/snow lifestyle shop too.
Ask for Johnny or Nick.

How about the Bullheart/petesgaff award for most inspirational STW’er. Probably could double up as the most posts award too i reckon.

The ones with Capt. Jack Sparrow were pretty good i thought.

Had its first outing last week. Pedals really light, solid as a rock front to back stiffness with no bob at all but absolutely smooth over the bumps. Completely silent too which is a bit strange when you are used to all the banging and clattering you normally get.
Bought it unridden with leap of faith to replace an Intense Spider XVP which was pretty good but this is much more to my liking. Thought it would be good but its surpassed expectations so far. Just need to tweak spacers and a few other bits.
Frame weight is a smidge over 6 lbs but thats with the front mech, bb and headset so probably about the same as the Intense in real life. Pedals like its 2 lbs lighter though – feels really lively.
That lower link has 8 bearings in it so will hopefully last a while.
Luckily i work in the bike trade so it won’t cost too much to run.

They are 120mm Magura Durins so not 6″ forks – admittedly a long axle to crown length though.
Its a 90mm stem – pretty stock for an XC bike in my opinion – much shorter and its a bit wandery up steeps.
That was the first ride setup so steerer not cut yet and will probably drop it 20mm – takes a bit of fiddling with cos i am right in between a medium or large frame. I just prefer a nippier frame to a stretched out one.
Its not as much of a mudtrap as the Tracer its replaced – and a Mobi washer is a wonderful thing.

They are supposed to be slightly bowed apparently.

If it helps you my 07 1.9TDi DSG Golf was returning an average of 45mpg doing 800 miles per week. 2 days of long motorway jaunts and 3 days of tootling around London was an average week. At a steady 50mph for a few miles you will see about 58mpg with a light foot.
Had one issue with the DSG – mechtronic unit was replaced under warranty just under 60k (which was a common issue apparently) apart from that the car was faultless. Just changed it last week at 130k for my new Octy VRS DSG. Wouldn’t swap it for a manual – the DSG is excellent.

Also had a manual diesel Touran for a bit. Gutless brick that struggled to get 40mpg anywhere. Too heavy for the engine i reckon.

My wife walked down the aisle to White Wedding by Billy Idol and we had Metallica, The Goo Goo Dolls,Black Crowes, Queensryche and Dan Reed on the playlist. It was our day and we played the music we liked. Everyone said they enjoyed it because it was a refreshing change to the standard stuff you get at weddings. Unfortunately the DJ managed to get 10 secs of Clff Richard’s Congratulations in before my (new) wife got to the decks!

I’ve just changed from a 1.9TDI PD 105ps Golf Match 07 plate to a new Octavia VRS 2.0TDI CR 170ps estate this week. The difference is huge – obviously massively faster but much smoother and more refined too. Both were/are DSG boxes. The sheer grunt the Skoda has makes it really relaxing to drive but its a rocket if you nail it. The 1.9 Golf was a bit breathless – loads of noise but didn’t actually accelerate too well.
I loved my Golf but the Octy is way better than i expected. If it was my money i’d get a 2.0 TDI 170 engine if possible.

Queensryche

Tried Greenbee/John Lewis?

These guys are highly recommended

Cycle Systems Academy[/url]

Rab Belay jacket
No moisture/washing problems cos its Primaloft
Job done

Its owned by the two guys who started the Action Bikes franchise. They have a shop on Epsom, Harrow Rd (Paddington) and Chiswick. Been going donkeys so should be safe enough.

I had a 180 on the back and it was damned tight.

Just to buck the trend – i had one (a Life) about 4 years ago and hated it. Too long, low at the front and steered like a barge.
Tried it with 100mm and 130mm Rockshocks and a hi rise Thompson stem but still felt too low and not at all nippy.
Real shame because the finish and looks were great – i really wanted to like it.
Sold it.
Bought a Whyte 19.
THATS the best frame i’ve ever owned.

OE Kendas are a much harder and less grippy tyre than the “proper” aftermarket Kendas.
Thats probably why you didnt get on with them

Mobiwasher here – good bit of kit.
Those garden squirters don’t shift the crap i ride in!

I have a Montane Prism
Lovely snuggly and packs small
70sniffs from Ebay new Prism Jacket

Sweepy – i used to ride with the BenjyBoard guys Marc Sinclair and Jeremy Henderson back in the day.
My first skateboard was a bit of wood with half a rollerskate nailed to each end. Anyone remember the Surf Flyer?

You boys are youngsters!!!!!!!!!!
I had a Hobie Flex circa 1978 then progressed thru Z Flex’s, Alva’s, Sims Superlights (the lolly stick one)with original Red Kryps, Chaput Chapstik – one of the first wide decks!, Powerflex with Powerflex 9’s, finally Benjyboard John Sablosky signature with Lime Kryps.
Gave up for a long while but succumbed about 23 years ago to a Brand X Riot Stik with Slimeballs which is still in the garage.
I really fancy an old school build though – maybe something like a Dogtown Jim Muir, Dressen or a Powell.
Used to skate at Rolling Thunder, Meanwhile, Watergate, Knebworth, Stevenage, Brighton Barn and Cage, Harrow, South Bank and even the original Skate City by HMS Belfast.
Gone all weepy eyed now!

I grew a beard

Ive got some MX140’s.
They are fantastic – light, comfy and waterproof apart from the big hole in the top. The BOA is the best fitting ever.

LOts of bears in lumberjack shirts in the crowd.

I bet people had this conversation when acupuncture got popular!
Yeah,Yeah,Yeah – you stick a needle in your foot and it cures hayfever. Thats gotta be bollox mate.

DT78 – yes, absolutely.
Try one – they have a money back guarantee – nothing to lose apart from a bit of postage maybe.

iDave – the blind test was carried out by someone standing behind me and popping each item in my pocket whilst i carried out the tests. No improvement with the Lance band, no improvement with the fake, big difference with the authentic one on the balance test and core strength test.

Yes theres definitely a difference.
I was completely cynical until i tried one.
My balance is better, core strength is better, recovery is definitely improved. I have done “blind tests” which involved using a genuine one, fake one from ebay and a lance armstrong band and every time the genuine one was used there was an improvement.
I also suspect those posting above haven’t actually tried one.
There’s a 30 day money back guarantee on them too – try one and see. Check out all the You Tube footage too.

See if you can find “The Red Baron”
Unexpectedly good WW1 film

Just had exactly the same issue Clicky
Bought this Seal kit from ebay for £8, some fork oil from CRC, spent 2hours yesterday tearing everything apart and changing the oil whilst watching the tech video on youtube (reckon i can do it in 45mins now i’ve done it} and it seems to have done the trick.
Saved myself £80 in the process.

My asthma has been much better since i discovered red bush tea. I now have much less milk in my diet as i’ve dropped tea with milk and have much less milky coffee and its made a big difference.

Ken, check your facts – they are not full on winter boots, they are a lightweight eVent lined boot.
I have some and they are ideal for your requirements. Light as a summer shoe but decently warm and dry because of the nufoam/eVent construction.
You are probably confusing them with MZ302’s.

Lake MX140

Klipsch iGroove is fabbo

Thanks guys

They werent stooges – i knew one of the volunteers and he had nothing to do with the shop.
They repeated the tests a few times on each person to disprove the “i knew what was coming so my body adjusted itself” argument – they still improved with the band on.

Oh
Thats sort of undermined your cred a bit i’m afraid
I saw a demo in a shop done on 4 people – every one showed an improvement in balance and flexibility – i’m just not sure how it works though.

Have you tried one?