Due to the encouragement and “5 minute job” quotes I did as advised: no babies died; no third world countries were wiped off the map; and I now have a working reverb. (Loads of air in it ???)

Many thanks people

Cheers guys….LBS it is then as I have very little gear and am crap

Cleared the bamboo bridge of death in Hoi an Vietnam

If it’s Manure I applaud you…if not you’re ill

Just an update: had a great ride with http://www.hoian-mountainbike.com yesterday anyone who says there’s no decent MTB in Hoi an has never met these guys….fab 50 mile day’s work

I used this for RatRace crossing….worked a treat

Cheers for that: going for 30 chainring- Shimano XTR cassette- hope extender and chain.

The Tallboy is 1 year old now (that’s quite old for me) so I’m looking to get there or thereabouts for minimal outlay.

I like the XX1, but in the Manx slop XTR wins hands down for reliability anyway.

Ok guys,nearly ready to pull the trigger,one last question: long shot but is it possible to achieve a 10tooth top gear sprocket when going for the 42t expander option?

I’m crap at fixing stuff so it would be LBS fitted, I’m not going to get the full job done for much under £800-£1000…..depending upon who buys the kit…….I only looked at a few sites (CRC…Planet x etc)then realised that I haven’t got a clue what I’ll need

Just a little bump cos I need to do something soon

Just a thought: can I fit a decent (superstar??)single 30t front ring to my perfectly good XTR cranks; ditch front mech,shifter and cables;buy new XTR cassette and chain; lastly can I then fit one of these expander 42 tooth first gear sprockets to the new XTR cassette??

This would then almost reflect the xx1 config that I have on my other bike.(minus the 10tooth top gear)

This way I’d ditch a bit of weight, and it wouldn’t be as expensive.

Any ideas re makes models of said bits if it’s feasible.

Full groupset and XD driver I’m afraid …eek!!

Garth Dderwen: great people, bike store/cleaning facilities, great food….really enjoyed our stay with them

Cheers for that

Saaaweeeet

Spoke to Jonny at Bear Back last night and email being typed stating what I want,as we speak…..cheers guys

Cheers all: I’ll spend a few hours picking the bones outa that lot; I’ll contact Bear Back I think (ed2k) as I don’t want to waste any time; it’s my 60th (eek) birthday treat from my wife, but only 3days/4nights of a 3week tour of Canada.

My guess is probably 1 day guided in the park (I’m a bit overconfident at times, hence current detached deltoid and 6 weeks out) and 2 days XC/Trail, but I’ll let BB design a package for me.

Once again , thanks all.

Cheers: just thought it worth a mention:

Superstar Ultra Mags,1 year old; bearings still holding up and still spinning like a good un.

DMR Vault Superlight MG, 6 months old; lateral play on shafts and bearings need changing (twice the price of the SS pedals and heavier)

WTF

Bikes against a pile of stones in a roundabout kind of way..knackered arm/shoulder so they’re going to be there a few weeks I fear :-(

Happy new year people

Cheers guys, great info: as soon as we know when we’re going I’ll contact all of above.

I was thinking more, good B+B
/Hotel…..and, maybe 3days riding ….1. Whinlatter. 2. Grizedale then another day XC/Trail day out

Carbine

1x. XX1 chain ordered from CRC…..should I measure it up against the old one, or is there a magic formula for old people?

£25 from local junk shop…..it lives at my Mums eagerly awaiting my trips back to visit

This just so ugly that when it is reincarnated in carbon it just might need to be mine

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/mondraker/crafty-r-29er-2015-mountain-bike-ec074248?country=GB&currency=GBP&gclid=COPT5eDfqcICFUPLtAodq0MAew&gclsrc=aw.ds

Cheers muddy is that ok for sidewalls?

I destroyed a pair of AC’s (race29 admittedly) and laced a pair of Ryde Trace Enduro rims to the AC hubs…..30mm wide so not far off the LB rims in width…..really happy with em.

I destroyed a pair of AC’s (race29 admittedly) and laced a pair of Ryde Trace Enduro rims to the AC hubs…..30mm wide so not far off the LB rims in width…..really happy with em.

Defender for me, even on Tallboy with stealth dropper, clamps on to the small outer body of the dropper(not the moving bit) and clears the back wheel nicely (does spoil the look a bit, I admit, but keeps my old ass crack reasonably gnar-free)

New front triangle on the way: I emailed Intense in the States as well ExtraUK AND MY LBS.
(I did similar when it took,7 weeks and 3 wrong parts delivered, to get a rear mech hanger)

The frame was invisiframed with the specific Carbine kit; don’t know how you’d tape up the rocker.

Any way all appears to be progressing in a good way (LBS has even asked for some assistance with rebuild costs)

Coincidentally, my mate,on the island, bought the Enduro mag’s Carbine on eBay; how spooky is that;that’s probably why I checked and why I was reasonably confident of a result ( or a good scrap)

It is difficult to see from photo how bad it is, but it is nearly half way through.

Just thought I’d post in case any other Carbine owners are ignorant of this issue.

Thanks for all input.

One of these: in a freezer bag in shorts pocket for a bit extra waterproofing.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s_ss_i_0_18?ie=UTF8&k=case+mate+iphone+5s&sprefix=case+mate+iphone+5

Or an overboard case around my neck:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0023SNZQS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1414150990&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40

Right

Apologies: Just been winterised.

Just to throw another one in the pot, I fitted Magura MT 8’s on Intense Carbine build earlier this year and find them pretty damned good.

I’ve also got XTR on another bike: they’re good also, but the MT8’s just edge it I’d say.

I think the MT6’s are cheaper but just not as light.

A Few, post tempest, shots from yesterday

American classic race29 er wheels……..4 months of old bloke mincing and the rims are well dinged plus there’s a load of bulges below spoke holes in rim wall……I’m 180 pounds and run 25-30psi……LBS currently fitting Ryde Trace Enduro 32mm new rims……..maybe our cross country/trail stuff is a bit too aggressive for them or I’ve developed massive radness

Not sure if this includes the area you’re pining after but have it anyway….a great Manxies away trip this summer at Dalesbikecentre

Just got a set of Ryde Trace Enduro 29’s ….32mm wide look great…..being built as we speak…updates will follow on durability

Yes, I believe we are……best bit IMO….worth all the hard slog over to it