1×10 seems like it’d be cheapest and I think I’d be more than happy with it.

The cranks are whatever comes with an X9 crankset (https://www.sram.com/sram/mountain/products/x9-crankset) with 39-26t (I think… certainly the largest chainring is 39t. I was led to believe by the LBS that if I wanted a single chainring that was smaller than a 39t I’d need new cranks. Is that not correct or have I misunderstood something?

All depends on if you’re looking for the absolute cheapest option, or want a new setup.

I think I want a single speed, but I’m not brave enough to do that to my only mountain bike.

Sorry, should have mentioned that I currently have a SRAM X9 2×10 rather than shimano. Hasn’t thought about the free hub issue. I reckon I’d be mostly happy with a 1×10 with a maybe about a 30t chainring (currently have 39t the largest). I guess that would be a cheaper option, although I’d still need new cranks, cassette, chain, chain ring and possibly bottom bracket.

mega, thanks.

Note the currently cable tied front mech.

Cheers guys. Don’t have and never wanted a bottle cage so not an issue for me.

if you want to go for an easy, muggle-friendly walk in North Wales, there’s chuffing loads to keep you happy. The same can’t be said for muggle-friendly offroad biking.

Not sure I agree with that. Firstly because I learned to mountain bike in North Wales – main trails on a commuter hybrid fwiw – but also because there are lots of odds and sods about such as the track between capel curig and cwm idwal and the vast amount of forestry bits and bobs.

But also the place is teeming with road bikers these days, and there isn’t too much catering for them. If there were, it would most probably also cater for mountain bikers too.

Have you considered a dirt jump / trials bike? Might be the slightly more “grown-up” option. Also to be had on the cheap 2nd hand.

(PS – I am looking forward to having kids for this specific reason)

I do think that, as much as the Welsh economy is beginning to cash in on biking, there’s still much more that could be done. I’ve never understood why there are so few bike shops in Snowdonia compared to how well used the area is by bikers. I remember chatting to a mechanic working in the Planet Fear in Betws who was perplexed as to why central office had decided to close the shop there. As he put it, if you can’t make a bike shop work in Betws-y-coed, where can you make it work? Given the proximity of the Marin and Penmachno trails, as well as the bridleways, etc. I reckon the local economy would support more than just the place in Llanrwst.

Signed and liked.

If you need volunteer labour I’ll be moving to Edinburgh in July and would be happy to help out.

What’s with all the grey?

26″ (I’m afraid) Ragley bluepig.

OP.
I have a stinger you can have for postage if you want to try it.

That’d be grand. I’ll send an email to the address on your profile.

Blackspire Stinger were the two that worked best for me.

Are these relatively easy to set up?

.its the fact I feel like a pillock in front of all the neighbours..a middle aged man learning to wheelie.

There’s a dirt road behind some allotments near my house. It’s where I go to practise my middle-aged wheelies away from curious eyes.

Quick question,what frame for manuals?

Easier with small wheels and short chainstay. Also easier with a heavy backpack.

I’ve always ridden 26″ hardtails but occasionally borrow my brother’s 650b hardtail. There’s definitely a difference – I feel more in control on my bike, the bike feels more in control of me on the 650b. More than that, I just have more fun on my bike.

I wouldn’t swear that the difference was due to the wheel size rather than anything else on the bikes, but my feelings about the two seem to agree with what people say about the difference between the wheel sizes.

I have the gps for the slate side if you want it.

Yes please.

Is it mega technical or all fairly doable? I’ll be on a hardtail because hardtails are better.

Follow-up question – if you only had the chance to do one route there, which would you do?

A friend of mine who lives in the east midlands was once asked by an American tourist “Do you live here in Loogerborooger?”

Obviously the weirdest thing about that story is how a tourist ended up in the east midlands.

Occasionally. Considering getting a bmx or a trials bike (I’m 35, so this is probably socially deviant) to get better.

Actually, you can also eliminate a bit of climb by not going up towards mount famine but just following the valley top the north up to the start of coldwell clough.

Would it not be easier going via Rushup Edge instead of Jacobs Ladder, climbing wise ?

Aye, no doubt, but I really like Jacob’s ladder – as jameswilliams54 says it’s definitely one of the best descents in the dark peak. I also think that the eastern section of rushup edge (where the bridleway splits with the footpath) is horrible. It’s always a boggy mess whenever I’ve been up there.

You could cut off a bit of climb by ignoring the bit at stanage (you could make that decision during the ride) but I’ve more-or-less done that route and it’s not *too* knackering.

I’d prefer the techier Rivelin valley to Bole Hills (via Stanage Pole (RIP) to Redmires, but difficult to find without a guide.)

Not sure that’s kosher. I may be wrong.

I can’t wait for these to be released OWN, look perfect for what I want.

They do look interesting. I’ll definitely keep an eye on them.

Really wish someone would make something like the MT91 but with a stealth rubber sole for flats

I have a pair of MT91s but I’ve not tried them with flats. I suspect it’d go badly. I know what you mean though, they’re great for the off-piste stuff.

Here’s one I made[/url] to include lots of the nicer descents, including Jacob’s ladder, Beast of Hope, Stanage plantation, Jumble Road and Devil’s Elbow.

Just an idea, and you could vary quite a few bits of it, such as going straight down porter clough (turn left at Ringinglow, then turn right down into the valley) or getting the train home from Dore station.

.

Medical student here. Would recommend a gap year 100%, assuming that he can defer his place. A medical degree can be fun, but it’s mostly just a grind and (depending on the course) there’s often relatively little opportunity to take time off compared to students on other courses. It’s not that it’s harder than any other degree, it’s just that you have lots of things to go (lectures, teaching, placement) and the holidays tend to be much shorter.

The next opportunity he’ll get to take a longish break is after FY2 (that is, after having worked for 2 years after graduation). Realistically, you can’t take a break after the 5 or 6 years of med school before starting work, partly for financial reasons, partly because it makes the first year as a doctor (FY1) that much harder. It’d be much, much easier to slot back into first year of medical school – where he’ll basically go over a lot of A level stuff again, so it won’t disadvantage him to be a little rusty – and there is considerably less pressure.

After FY2 he’ll have a bit more freedom, but that’s at least 7 years away.

EDIT – I did a gap decade (started med school when I was 30) so I may be biased.

I’ve been looking at getting a road bike to commute on and build up fitness wonder if anyone has one or opinions on them as I don’t know much about them.

Have you thought about getting a single speed? If you don’t need gears, you might find an SS a bit more reliable at the budget you’ve set.

EDIT – Genesis Flyer on sale at about 500 here

Hunters Bar, Endcliffe Park, Porters Clough, road to Ringinglow, possible pub stop at Norfolk Arms then over Houndkirk and down Blacka.

I do need to introduce him to blacka but it was pretty wet up there at the weekend so now might not be the best time.

Sherwood pines might be the place. Has it changed at all in the last five years since I’ve been there or is it still the red that’s not really a red and the little skills course?

Did the good bits of the eastern tour the other day. Curbar edge was horrible – all the decent lines were flooded and just sapped your speed as soon as you want anywhere near them.

Nice one, that’s definitely a possibility. Is there anything easy at greno? I’ve never got round to checking it out.

Ah. I did that the other day and it was pretty dry, but Jacob’s ladder + beginner friend=lol no.

Google hasn’t helped…

I’m a thirty something currently studying for a second degree with a bunch of early twenty somethings, and I reckon it’s a fairly shit time to be a twenty something. The mountain of student debt awaiting them on graduation has sucked the joy out of being at university, which used to be about having more money and freedom than you could have conceived of even a few short years before. Now, with the exception of the private school / family money lot, they’re all earnest and hard-working, hardly any of them take drugs and (judging from facebook) their idea of a night out seems to involve putting on make up and getting shit-faced in a flat, presumably because it’s cheaper than going out.

Have a look at Torridon. I think it’s the only place I’ve ever enjoyed proper road cycling.

Kwah duh fair (more or less)

Well so long as you’re not planning on doing road racing or CX then either of them. Cdf would make a great commuter or tourer or shop potterer, but looks-wise I don’t think the current edition is the best genesis have ever done.

If it’s not a silly question, what’s the bike for? CdFs are brilliant work horse / tourers, and it has similar kit (1×11, hydraulic brakes) to the kona but is cheaper.

The Beast from Hope Cross
Jacob’s Ladder

+1 for these two. I’ve ridden both of them in the last few weeks and they were pretty dry. There’ll be some snow there today though so that might have changed.

If you want some singletrack, it’s not quite the peak district but Blacka Moor on the eastern moors has two nice descents. On this map they’re the two bridelways to the south of the arrow. Both were pretty wet up top but dry lower down today. You can also link that up (sort of) with stanage bridleway, which is okish.