As above it depends on the riding, surely? It’s relatively flat round my way, I’m not very fit but I still reckon a good proportion of any ride is in big ring. When I go to the big hills then that’s not the case – it’s the granny.

I tried a 2×10 on a test bike at Swinley and just didn’t get on with it personally, obviously different bike and all that but I seemed to be constantly mashing between big and little ring at every section.

But that’s just me. And obviously not necessarily you.

ChrisE – Short, 1979

Cheers for info

Paul,

Will email you shortly.

Cheers

Can I just say that this is the first time that I’ve appeared in a Daily Mail thread?

My favourite bike of all time was my Soda, I was very distressed when she went. I have a Soul now which is lovely, but not quite the same somehow. Not much “technical” riding round my way, so the Soda was perfect for delicate fast shifts.

Shame they’re being dis-continued, but understandable from a business perspective. I just don’t get this clown wheel stuff.

I am actually glad that Cy didn’t say “Just 4 large Soda frames left” as I’d have a serious hole in my wallet by now.

We have just replaced our Braun Passionaroma or whatever it’s called after many years daily service with exactly the same. Does the job and has been dead reliable. I think it was nearly 10 years old.

Thanks. Very timely as I ripped the rear out of mine last week.

But it’s in the Daily Mail! It must be true!

All good experiences bar one. Most people on here are fantastic, really helpful etc.

The one bad one was a chainset, the thread on one of the arms was stripped so the arm was useless. Seller not interested as I hadn’t noticed immediately.

Thnaks everyone. Reasonably satisfied that the fixed “furniture” is pretty tough, I didn’t want the padlock to be the weak link. Chased some little scrotes away from the neighbours garage last weekend (in broad flipping daylight, can you believe!!), so upping everything.

Cheeky – agree with the sentiments.

Thnaks Rusty. This is for door security duties.

Will take a read through that lot.

My favourite series was the Fish Out Of Water series – it put the writer in a position closer to most of we mortals, ie unsure of excatly how to do something and discovering a lot on the way.

My all-time favourite Singletrack article was the frame building one, which was from that series.

The proper place for something is where they happen to fall. Anything else will not end well.

“Labelled boxes and drawers”???!!!!!! (Above)

For those pishy ones on external sites that are forever wittering on about changing it whenever you use it, I release my irritation by using the most sweary combination of insults I can think of. It makes me feel better. The problem of course is that I can’t remember what combination of swearing I used, so next time round I have to re-set it with more swearing. A small price to pay i think.

Thought of that Al, but it’s very low in there and already have to crouch to move around. Any more will make it too uncomfortable (it’s my man-shed!).

Changing it when you get the first reminder feels far too much like giving in to the annoying, petty little ****. I leave mine until it expires just to annoy Microsoft.

Perhaps I should get out more.

TJ – thanks. That’s a helpful article / site.

Balancing may well be part of the problem (not heard of it before).

Great ride Singletracksurfer, really enjoyed it. Medal to your mum for sitting at the checkpoint all day.

Pah, it barely rained at all – just a light drizzle once or twice(!). We even saw a dry patch of road near the end!

Looking forward to next year, let me know beforehand what I can do with publicity or any other help if I’m around – you have my email address.

Oh yes – ace cakes indeed!

Oh my God I can’t BELIEVE you suggested that! I NEVER took any cash!

Honestly. Sort of.

+ another one for Mint Sauce cufflinks.

And rear brake lugs that can be araldited on.

Marilyn Monroe had six toes. On one foot. I forget which one.

See slimjim – if you don’t sign up we’ll finish it all and you’ll have to go to Planet Cake in Cholsey.

Used SRAM on a number of bikes, ridden far and abused etc and rarely had a problem to be honest. Much prefer the feel. I have used Shimano twice and each time have had protracted setting up problems – just when it’s all nice, one ride and it’s jumping again. It seems incredibly sensitive.

Blimey. I thought I had pretty much the only Soul in the Chilterns, I never see another. Hmmm blue eh? Look forward to seeing that.

Thanks surfer. Yes indeed, cake?!

slimjim – black helmet, brown Lezne hydration pack, no tattoos, fat and old (I note the 78 in your name, I’m way older than that) no hair. An unbeatable combination!

Will be wearing whatever shirt falls out of the drawer on the day.

No problems slimjim – I start off OK-ish but then seem to burn out pretty quickly at present. Not sure what time I’ll get there but will aim for 9ish. What bike are you on / descrption and I’ll look out for you.

Personally, I agreed with quite a lot of it but for me his delivery was just a little OTT in places.

The only bit that I thought was right off the mark was the bit about you can always find time. Coming from someone lucky enough to work in the business that was a bit rich. I would love to not have to be away from the house for 15+ hours a day and have perfect trails on the doorstep. Not choice but reality for me.

PS Mr singletracksurfer – where’s best to park up please?

My local-ish area! Lovely. Mrs is in that London on Saturday so sadly it will just be me. Still recovering from an ankle operation so will be slower than ever and probably only good for the 75k at best but will be there.

singletracksurfer will try and say hello. I’m the fat old bloke on a black Cotic Soul if you fly past me.

Bacon sarnie. With lots of ketchup.

Wait until he’s right up behind you then put the brakes on hard. Smurfhat told me.

Thanks everyone. There’s a lot to think about it in there, but I’m getting the sense that a liner is the way to go, which given the state of the roof means we’ll have to sadly ditch the wood burner and try to think of something else. The fire angle / insurance is sobering. How else do you keep a cold room warm in winter?! Ideas please.

Certainly the first bloke (who recommended the liner) was certified with everyone inlcuding HETAS, not sure about the second. Both said air intakes were fine as fire would be less than 5kW.

According to the first chap, deposits of something flammable up there owing to the roughness and coolness of the existing chimney which then catch fire. Or something.

“Prepares for a flaming… “

I suppose there’s no smoke without fire!

M_F – that surprises me as the buggers are really expensive. But that is going to need a roof visit, I’m sure……

My mrs’ sister swears by the wet knife trick. Never tried it myself, I just go in for the manly tears.

Generally good, a little prone to tearing more than others, but I find them pretty useless in heavy mud.

It’s easy enough to avoid the roadie threads where they get all evangelical about what must be worn and what mustn’t and stuff. I did accidentally read that one yesterday though where someone had the effrontery to overtake someone else wearing jeans or something, but generally can dodge them. I found the recent threads on Camelbaks very odd for the number of posters getting het up about what others dare to carry around. Very odd.

1freezingpenguin – that picture is terrifying. Ruined my day!

Sorry greeng. I read that and it seemed rather early. 8.00 – 9.00 for me.

I don’t think British Columbia had been invented in 1126. Just saying.

Maybe he actually said “Andy, if the boys want to fight, you’d better let them” referring to his friend Andrew who ran a boxing gym and was waiting to hear from Phil whether the match could start or not? This of course after the fighting and drinking in the pub has gone on. That would be perfectly plausible.