Obvious answers, because in STW mountain biking doesn’t exist South of Sheffield!

Where will you be staying as of course that is the key factor – remember you can’t take bikes on the surface level tubes or trains in what is deemed to be peak periods. Not at all on the sub-surface tubes. You say “central” so you will have real fun getting out unless you go out of peak times.

I live in the Chilterns- if it is still dry, lots round our way, take the met line right through to Chesham (takes a bit over an hour from Liverpool st, about an hour from kings cross etc).

Bucks can have its moments with some hysterical horse riders, fly-tipping seemingly encouraged by the Council and lots of nasty little No Cycling notices prominently put up on Bridleways.

Our MP on a bike? Hahahahahaha! Daft woman’s busy trying to ban us all

Having been staunchly anti- shimano brakes all my riding career, I finally succumbed and fitted SLX this week to my Ti456, first ride yesterday (I was fed up with jamming Pistons and leaky calipers). I Have an old pair on an ex-demo bike which I was going to bin but have been surprisingly good.

I wasn’t greatly impressed fitting, they look so bland. However, and although it deeply pains me to admit it, on the basis of one ride I was amazed – I very nearly had an over the bars moment early on when I thought I’d see if they had any bite. I really like the feel and seemingly so powerful – and I’d doubted running 160s would have been enough. Not a single screech, dribble or back to the bars moment at all.

I suppose the downside will be when they start jamming / piddling fluid as there’s no shimano backup, but until then they seem absolutely remarkable. I confess to feeling more than a little sheepish for my very anti stance to-date, and that’s just after 25 miles. So yes, SLX can be very good.

Try to look through the crap that people do – you can reflect it in the price and undo it later.nit’s the location and the “feel” of the house itself that matter.

Had a great ride round wendover today. Starting to make up for the 6 months of sheer horror that is winter.

I generally rip tyres apart on the flints. Managed not to today though – bonus!

Yacoby has it surely? Pretty straightforward – the same as giving a grid reference from a map.

Ah, ok – chilterns. That last pic could have been taken by the back of our house. I had to look really closely to see if I recognised the stump!!

Good day out! Whereabouts was it – it looks like round here?

Waiting to get my first fatbike. What rims (and hubs) are they, please?

Good article. But you mis-spelt “Stasi”

I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you / sharing a car with you but I really like your writing too. Please do keep it up.

Top bluebells! Ours aren’t out yet.

A leatherman?

Very best wishes, my friend.

Don’t forget 26″………!

The generally vile people I have to go to / from work every day who 1. Just throw whatever rag they’re reading on the floor when they’ve finished looking at the pictures – usually on my feet. How hard are litter bins to use? 2. Stink of fags. 3. Gas endlessly at 6am entirely inconsequentially; 4. Put their feet up on empty seats etc etc.

People who insist on paying for a couple of pounds’ worth of lunch by card – as above, with all the accompanying surprise and rummaging for said card when actually asked to pay.

Tailgating through speed limits only to disappear when the limit goes. You “drive” everywhere at 45 mph regardless, don’t you?

And the ridiculous and meaningless use of “like” randomly scattered in every sentence.

Return of the prodigal crown race in a way.

What was the question?

Post up pics and a write up whatever you do! Quite fancy doing it myself.

Rover

Good video. Where’s bpw?

Thanks stoner!!

Am interested if this is leaky seals though and whether it affects SLX too – have had something sort of similar on my older SLXs after changing pads. Seem to have settled now though.

Nice! Enjoy.

Ordered a bike last Saturday with a 5-6 week lead time. I know your pain as I have been counting the days off. Only 8 days so far……it’s going so slowly!!

I am very much in ton’s technophobe camp. Although I do post on here. No idea how to do pictures though.

I do have a smartphone, no idea how to use it really, I have to ask my mrs. Refuse to use gps, much prefer maps, cannot work out music streaming (tried one, bought some stuff then PC seems to have lost it all).

Agree frankly that there is a lot if subtle (and not so subtle) manipulation and control going on behind a fair bit of tech. Contact payments? Get away with you!

Great Easter present – a mcmoonter Landy thread! (Some gratuitous shots of landy near wood stacks though, please)!

Last thing I fixed – many years ago when I was running it – starter motor. Cheap to buy but a pig to fit. At least it meant no more bump starts.

Aaaaaaahhh, I still hanker……..

155metres here.

As qwerty above, did you happen to leave on your industrial ear defenders forgetfully while riding it?

Wish I was doing it.

But I’ll raise your “horrible Cotswolds mud” with my far worse Chilterns mud!!

But their system doesn’t recognise the words “**** off you bunch of ******ng ********s and go **** yourselves sideways”, as I discovered when recently enjoying dealing with them.

A disappointingly low 10. I must stay in more.

Can’t really help as I’m 6’2″ and the large fits me perfectly. 3,500 miles on it and it’s brilliant.

From personal experience solely of my 29er, I will go with the ability to roll over stuff vs the fact that it’s bottom gear is significantly higher than anything on my 26ers. It is good for maintaining speed better up a hill if you hit it hard at the bottom and get out of the saddle to “hoof” it.

Your canal woman sounds like pretty like everyone on the canal round here. They’re all pretty hostile to be honest.

Urgent message: our roof comes off the house starting tomorrow so the weather for the foreseeable will be wild and wet in the extreme. As it has in fact been today. Back to the winter gear, everyone!

Tom B – if you’re a man you get royally shafted as well. Been there.

Binners quote is bang on. But I’m not bitter, oh no…….

Mackem – oh please, oh please……..!

Ask STW and you’ll find everything. Thanks again, I’m still set on SLX.

OK thanks. As I thought. SLX it is then!