Safer to use a higher rise bar or higher rise stem for piece of mind. I would have though 5mm absolute maximum but wouldn’t do more than the recommended 3mm myself.

Shimano MP66

Not very roadie though :lol:

Racing Ralphs :twisted:

Will M

125mm will be bang on for your RC405, it’ll fly up and down don’t worry about travel adjust :D

Great trail nosh IMO, easy to eat and tasty, keep your energy levels topped up. I like the Carrot Cake, Mint Choc Chip and Peanut Butter ones best. :D

I bought some OEM Schwalbe Racing Ralph’s from Merlin – good price came without the box etc, not fitted them yet but they look ok, hope they’re not different from the usual EVO ones!

The RC405 has more “zip” than anything i’ve ever ridden. The only bikes i’ve ever ridden that come close are the Orange 5 and an XC light Yeti 575. I bought a 405 in the end in a size medium which fits me fine at 5’10”. It has a relatively short top tube which suits me as I like the quick chuckability this creates. This bike seriously gives you more when you put the power down. PaulMc, it sounds to me like you got the wrong size and set-up for what you were looking for, as there’s no way you could describe a 405 as sluggish.

I’ve not ridden the Zesty but it sounds excellent too from reviewers comments.

Maybe one of these chaps…

http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/show-me-your-pics-of-all-white-bikes

Sorted now, didn’t manage to get red ones :( but got some in black anyways :-)

These work for me:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=9294

Mark

YGM Re: Subscriber Member Number :D

I set up a subscription this afternoon but have no Subscription Member Number yet, any way round this as i’d like to order some?

Yessum

They’ll be staying on till winter now to avoid more tubeless faffing 8O

Wrong way i’d say, sorry.

Might have been a bit hasty putting the Racing Ralphs on last night then … he who dares I ‘spose. :lol:

7.05lb for a 20″.

It looks lighter than that :?

BadlyWiredDog

What’s the tool you need, and are the bearings a particular type?

Cheers :D

Go for the RC405, its very quick and accelerates well due to the stiff frame, climbs very well due to the free-floater system, and would make a comfortable and fun ride for long South Downs epics, whilst also being a riot in the Surrey Hills and Welsh Trail Centres. I should know as thats where I ride on mine! (a 2008 medium in snow white). There are a loads of new colours available for 2009, and the XCAM130’s will work perfectly too.

Also check this thread http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/show-me-your-pace-rc405

Probably will do, just interested if anyone else rates this stuff.

Agree with Cofeeking, 29 lbs is not heavy for a full susser, and the rims, tyres, and spokes will have the most impact on how heavy the bikes feels and rides out on the hill – what’s important IMO.

If you’re really concerned about overall weight on the scales, check things like the saddle (you’d be surprised for some saddles!), stem and bars, and change for some lighter air forks (don’t four supremes come with Fox F100’s as standard – this would knock a big chunk in weight off). :wink:

Basically, eat properly and often when exercising, with a balance of carbs and protein, and limiting your fat intake – particularly saturated and processed fats.

Nuun and Zyme both work for me, esp like the lemon & lime flavour. Get my energy from food.

13 miles each way, do it 3-4 times a week, less in mid-winter.

Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Omega 3 Oils etc might help, plus plenty of stretching. :wink:

Fox Talas or Float 140’s, QR15’s if you can stretch that far.

How busy is it on the BHF ride? Have you found points where you have to slow or stop for loads of other riders? Hope not… I start to sieze up if I stop for too long!

I quite like the taste of the chocolate flavoured Rego, but might give the Torq stuff a try on your recommendation. Where’s the best place to pick some up?

After a long or particularly tough ride I find SIS Rego recovery drink helps. I keep a litre bottle of it made up in the fridge to drink as soon as i’m home. I don’t notice any performance benefits, but seem to feel less fatigued the next day. Rego is mix of complex carbs, fructose and protein. I think the carb : protein ratio is about 2:1.

Bonty Mud-X, slightly narrower but the best in wet and muddy conditions IMO.

Out of interest, how did you guys manage the travel to and from the start / finish for this ride?

Gonna get the missus to drop us off at the start or get a B&B, then get the train home from the end (not too far for us).

A friend of a friend has recommended wearing two pairs of padded shorts to avoid saddle soreness. Hmmm I’m not so sure about this, especially in mid-summer!

Assos is a must though, and a change of shorts half way if needed.

Yeah the climb up from the River Adur up to Truleigh Hill and onto Devil’s Dyke is brutal at the best of times, but I hope to have a kit change and some proper food waiting there which should hopefully give me the boost I need at that point. Worse still, I’ll be riding about a mile from my house after 75 miles, now that’s gonna take some will-power!

I’m assuming BHF will have the tricky navigation bits well signposted?

Woodsman

What route are you doing for the C2C?

We did St. Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay, the off-road route following the original “Wainright’s” route as much as possible. Used Packhorse for our luggage (they were excellent). Our route:

Day 1: St Bees to Great Langdale (incl Black Sail Pass) (approx 35 miles)

Day 2: Easy/Rest Day – Great Langdale to nr Kentmere (incl Garburn Pass) (approx 15 miles)

Day 3: Kentmere to Tan Hill (approx 40 miles)

Day 4: Tan Hill to Danby Wiske (approx 40 miles)

Day 5: Danby Wiske to High Blakely Ridge (approx 30 miles)

Day 6: High Blakely to Robin Hood’s Bay (approx 30 miles)

Approx 190 miles total.

If you do Black Sail pass you’ll be hike-a-biking at least 50% of the climb and the descent. Practice how to carry your bike comfortably as part of your preparation.

Yeah, i’m really looking forward to Itford Hill 80 miles into the ride… NOT. The Brighton to Eastbourne trails make up most of my local loops so at least i’ll know what’s coming!

Its the organised BHF Randonee ride, so I was assuming they’d have the water stops well signposted??

As far as South Downs flints go, i’ve had two tyres burst in the last 10 years, a Panaracer Fire XC years ago and a tubeless Bonty Mud-X last month. If you hit a sharp one I don’t think many tyres would stay intact.

Tried a mate’s spare Spoon saddle but still went back to SDG – got a Bel Air on my commuter and a superlight Formula FX on my trail bike.

What kit / food did you carry with you? I’m keen to keep the weight down, especially on my back all day.

Cheers guys, how often do you find you need to top up the sealant?

I’ll be running my usual summer choice Racing Ralph’s – tubeless with Stan’s No Tubes so they should be fast rolling enough I hope.