Also have a Cannondale Cujo 24 for my 9 year old daughter. Really impressed. Bought it secondhand from Facebook Marketplace for about £225. I don’t think she’ll be on it for more than a year, as she’ll need something bigger. I’d buy secondhand, given the number of years it will be used (unless you can hand it down to the next oldest).

I’ve got a QuadLock, and keep the case on the phone all the time. It’s maybe 3-4mm thicker than any other case, and only for a small section in the middle. It’s super secure on the bike too – I think it’s brilliant.

Is your case like the one in this link?

Quad Lock your new iPhone X to the handlebar

Nick

I have an RS front and an older Hylex on the rear of my SS commuter. Both feel exactly the same, only the dimpled lever on the RS feeling different.

I think they are great. Easily as good as a MTB brake, only less powerful, assuming due to smaller 160mm rotors, compared to 180mm on MTB.

Far nicer feel than the TRP Spyres they replaced. Better than older SRAM hydro’s I’ve had a spin on in the past, never tried Shimano hydro’s to compare.

If you want SS drop bar brakes, I can’t imagine there is anything better.

Nick

aracer » I like the way the cans are carried next to the wheel where they’ll get the full force of the bumps – that way most of it will fizz out everywhere when you open the can and you won’t have to drink too much of that piss

Hey, at least they are cold, with the freezer pack 🙂

This one looks OK …

Sky’s explaination, which is obviously one sided:

This is a process that in normal circumstances would be confidential. However, in light of media interest, we believe it is important that the facts are set out clearly for all.

Chris has had asthma since childhood and uses an inhaler to take a common medication, Salbutamol, to prevent and ease symptoms brought on by exercise. Salbutamol is permitted by WADA rules (without the need for a TUE) when inhaled up to a limit of 1,600 micrograms (mcg) over a period of 24 hours and no more than 800mcg over 12 hours.

The UCI informed Chris that a urine test conducted on 7 September 2017, following Stage 18 of the Vuelta, revealed a concentration of Salbutamol which exceeds a threshold that requires him to provide information to confirm that he inhaled no more than the permissible dose. Analysis indicated the presence of Salbutamol at a concentration of 2,000 nanograms per millilitre (ng/ml), compared with the WADA threshold of 1,000ng/ml. None of the 20 other urine tests taken by Chris required any further explanation.

During the final week of the Vuelta, Chris experienced acute asthma symptoms. On the advice of the Team Sky doctor, he used an increased dosage of Salbutamol (still within the permissible doses) in the run-up to the 7 September urine test. As race leader, Chris was tested after every stage through this period and he declared his use of the medication as part of the process.

The notification of the test finding does not mean that any rule has been broken. The finding triggers requests from the UCI which are aimed at establishing what caused the elevated concentration of Salbutamol and to ensure that no more than the permissible doses of Salbutamol were inhaled.

There is considerable evidence to show that there are significant and unpredictable variations in the way Salbutamol is metabolised and excreted. As a result, the use of permissible dosages of Salbutamol can sometimes result in elevated urinary concentrations, which require explanation. A wide range of factors can affect the concentrations, including the interaction of Salbutamol with food or other medications, dehydration and the timing of Salbutamol usage before the test.

https://www.teamsky.com/article/ts-statement

None.

Tubeless tyres, even if they get punctured, take hours to go down, so you can get home on it.

I’m not sure I have any tubes that fit.

Obviously I’ll get 2 punctures tonight on the way home – looks a nice evening for a walk 😉

Nick

zippykona – Member

Nickwatson more pics please

As you wish …

Not built light by any means. Pike 150mm fork, Hope Enduro wheels, HR2 tyres, XT 1×10 drivetrain (XTR mech), Thomson post, Renthal carbon bars.

I’ve got a magic set of scales …

… and no, the front wheel is not on the ground. Has my Genesis Day One Decade at 10.5kg, which is pretty much bang on as advertised.

Nick

I don’t think my 2017 Five is as good as my old 2011 Five at climbing, but descending it’s a whole heap faster and more stable. Probably due to it being a bigger bike. More suspension, bigger (heavier) wheels, etc.

No regrets buying it though, does exactly what it say on the tin – except I can’t work out where to put the files. 😉

Nick

The way I see it, is that it will be your most used bike, so get something nice but reliable. If you do any off road on that commute, the Ramiin sounds perfect. I’ve used a 29er for ages to commute (only about 8-9 miles each way) and can take the fun route home when I want. I also liked Specialized Renegade 1.95 tyres tubeless for the commute. Light and fast, plus no punctures when set up tubeless.

Nick

Another without mudguards …

Nick

I quite like it.

Sure, the rider looks like he’s never seen a bike before. The front disc rotor is way over the top.

But $7k is about £5k. 34kg for an electric fat bike sounds reasonable. Looks “unique”.

Edit: I’m mixing pounds with kilos. It’s a heavy overpriced beast, best avoided.

Absolutely. Running WTB nano 40’s on Mavic XM719 rims, for the CX commute. No issues at all. Easily inflated with a track pump (using lots of washing up liquid).

Blimey, you were lucky you are not allergic.

I’ve had a bee fly into my mouth and sting the inside of my cheek, and half of my face swelled up for 2 days.

Had to have steriods to eventually return it to normal.

If I had stung the back of my throat, I guess I wouldn’t be here …

I’m looking forward to how both Yates bothers will develop. They don’t seem to race together at all, but could they work together to mount a future GC challenge?

I’ve enjoyed the race. Froome has been consistent without being spectacular, wonder if we will see a more attacking rider at La Vuelta?

2007 Giant XTC Comp HT
2009 Lapierre Zesty 314
2010 White 19
2010 Specialized Langster SS
2011 Orange Five
2011 On One Pompetamine
2011 Cotic Soul
2008 Felt Breed SS CX (secondhand)
2012 Cannondale Super X (secondhand)
2013 Boardman Carbon Team Road
2012 Cannondale Synapse Alloy
2009 Niner EMD (secondhand)
2014 Stanton Sherpa
2017 Orange Five
2016 Genesis Day One Decade (secondhand)

Never more than 2 at a time.

Really is 20% off everything. Voodoo Bizango for £500 (minus any further saving), hhhmmm, must resist.

I’ve gone through the same journey, wanting a lightweight SS CX. There aren’t many out there. Other than the Pinnacle, there only seems to be the Niner RLT. Even getting a cheap frame (several older models at topfun.com), you’re still looking at £1.5k for a SS build.

I’ve ended up with a secondhand Genesis Day One Decade. Put some nicer wheels on it, and it’s very close to 10kg’s. No EBB (sliding drop-outs), but will take 40mm tyres, which I think is essential. Also don’t rule out TRP Spyres mechanical discs – I rate them higher than the SRAM CX1 hydro’s I’ve had previously.

Also thought about fitting an EBB to a Boardman and the like, but never seen it done.

Nick

Finally managed to go tubeless with some WTB Nano 40mm TCS. Needed lots of washing up liquid, wheel on a bucket (so on its side), using a track pump. Went up without sealant, but have added some for puncture proof-ness. May have got the Hutchinson tyres to work the same if I had been persistent enough.

Now the rear hub has fallen apart, so pricing up replacing the hub with a fancy Hope SS one, for reliability (and bling).

Nick

It’s a medium, and I’m 5’9. That was the seatpost that I had lying around (still working out whether I want a dropper). I tend to do all my climbing out the saddle, so makes little difference to me.

This thread needs photo’s, so here’s my 2017 Five …

I can’t imagine I’d want anything more for UK riding. More confident than my 2011 Five on the downs, OK on the climbs, but no rocket ship really. Only thing I don’t like is the routing for the rear brake and gear cables, as I knock them with my knees when stood up climbing.

Nick

Suzuki Swift (both wheels off), Fiesta (front wheel off) but only just. Much better, just buy the car want, and get a rack of some sort. Small proportion of the overall cost of a car.

I go to Mallorca a couple of times a year (in-laws have a place there). The only company I would use is Vanrell. They are pretty much the only ones who don’t have hidden extras – you pay for the fuel you use, rather than an expensive full tank. Also mandatory insurance is included. Pick up from airport, queues are far shorter than the normal hire companies.

Prices range massively depending on time of year. From 50 to 300 euro a week.

Nick

I’ve been looking at these too. Found this link to Cycle Republic, for £200, seems a lot cheaper than anywhere else. Does this look like the full 15QR version?

https://www.cyclerepublic.com/seasucker-talon-1-bike-15mm-fork-mount-rack.html?gclid=CKnCk67EwtICFcVAGwodTVoJFw

If so, think I will take the plunge.

Nick

@NW Alps, only with photos (please) …

It’s blooming good fun though, and will put a smile on your face.

Best done as an addition to a longer loop, as suggested above.

Nick

I’ve had an older Soul, and now have a Sherpa. I would say the finish is better on the Stanton. I would also expect the Slackline/Switchback to be more hardcore, and the Soul more XC based. Very pleased with the Sherpa, and would definately buy again. Nothing against the Cotic though, both would be an excellent choice (not helping much am I?).

Nick

In terms of the frames loosing weight, the new Five is supposed to be approx 400g lighter than the outgoing model. Now the Four, which was supposed to be the lighter-weight option is only 440g (if I remember) lighter than the old Five.

Which means the only real difference between the two built up would be the forks, and maybe the tyres. I used to have a 2011 Five, now struggling to work out which one I like the best now!

I guess a good test ride of the two, when I come to buy is needed. Reality says Four, over exaggerated riding God inside me says Five.

I like them both.

And can anyone see any difference between the 2016 and 2017 Four?

Nick

17″ frame, 35mm Hope stem, 760mm Rethal carbons (cut down), 100mm SIDs.

Nick

I run a blackspire stinger on my Sherpa, with a N/W chainring (cause that’s what’s on there with gears). Looks more sleek in my option than a tensioner. No issues so far with dropped chain. Used during the winter for commuting, so not to eat up posh gearing.

I commute about 9 miles each way, on my Stanton Sherpa. I’ve tried various cyclocross bikes, and much prefer commuting on the MTB. It means I can take the fun way home more often than not, so varies my routes, and keeps commuting more interesting.

I live about a mile from Strelley Hall, but haven’t seen them over there.

There are plenty of deer around Watnall/Greasley fields, but that’s quite a long way away.

Shall keep my eyes peeled.

Daffy, that RTL is lovely. However when I (keep) adding up how much a nice example would cost, it always comes out at about the £2k mark. I’m tempted to try and import a Raliegh RSX from America, with taxes, etc would work out about £1.5k, and does look rather nice …

So, fiited Apidura (smallest) saddle bag, and just done a few miles to see how it felt, loaded with typical commuting kit (lunch and clothes). Moves around a little, but nothing to worry about. Also can feel it a little with the back of my hamstrings, but again nothing to impeed cycling. First commute with it tomorrow …

Nick

35mm Hope stem, with 780 Rethal 30mm riser bars on my Sherpa – feels bob on!

Thanks both, I think it was just the set up of the Apidura (and decent reviews) that swayed me. I can just chuck a couple of plastic bags inside (clothes and lunch), strap it up, and hopefully will mean no rucksac for the 10 mile XC commute. We’ll see!

I’ve just hit the buy button on an Apidura bag. Looks closest to what I wanted.

Thanks for all your replies.

Nick

Thanks for the links and info so far, like the look of the Apidura the best. Any other ideas gratefully accepted.

Trail rat, which wildcat have you got?

I’ll say it quietly …

“I really like that”

Nick