I was thinking this too on my ride in, I’m even more of a giant at 5″6 but quite wide! I thought wider bars may make stuff a bit easier.

I await some helpful responses….

Is it dot5.1 in it instead of Mineral oil? Contamination could be breakdown of seals?

I was thinking of selling my orange 224 evo for a bargain price? Any interest in that? Its still in one piece!

Sorry I see you have included the case type!! TO be honest I could barely fit my HT wheels off and cleverly angled into an Aygo. I still think you would struggle with even a compact case!

I struggled to get a road bike all boxed up ready for postage into a newer renault clio yesterday. I am noth sure a regular sized bike box will fit into a C1 etc.

Hebdencyclist –

Do they come with bike mounts as standard? They look pretty decent!

http://www.7dayshop.com/7dayshop-bike-light-hyper-bright-t6-cree-led-bicycle-light-with-headlight-kit-rechargeable-genuine-cree-t6-xm-l-led?backUrl=L2hvbWUtb3V0ZG9vci1naWZ0cy1saWZlc3R5bGUvY3ljbGUtbGlnaHRzLWFjY2Vzc29yaWVz

I came across the above. It looks like it could work! Anyone used one of these? I looks like the C and B seen set up a bit.

My budget won’t strecth to exposure I know that!

£30-50 I reckon. These are not for off road night riding and I am sure I saw the Soalr Storm ones for about that price before.

I agree with everyone who says get a cheap DH bike. First time I went out was on my Heckler. I survived but came home thinking I would have fun on a bigger longer travel bike, 2nd time I went out was on a Santa Cruz Bullit, rode more or less the same stuff. My pal was on a 224 hand he had a great time, Isurvived but came home thinking for the DH trails out there a DH bike is what you need!

Also it would be heart breaking to spend big money making your Trail – AM bike a bit more DHy only to have it ruined int he alps. Spend the 600ish you would pay for Pikes on a decent 2nd or 3rd hand DH bike and leave your good AM bike as it is! I sold my Bullit and now have a 224 too. Its the right tool for the job!

Marin and Penmachno would be worth a look but I don’t know what state either of them are in after all the bad weather. You could easily do a loop of Penmachno or the Marin and get a good day at Antur Stiniog but like you say the weather for the weekend looks less than fun!

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-26884530.html?premiumA=true

One last question –

I have my eye on a Saracen Hack (compact chainset) Could I run a 32t lightwight MTB cassette (Sram or Shimano) on that with a 9sp SORA road mech (the SG version to give me a good range of gears?

I am hoping not as with the gear ratios etc talked about above it should be ok especially if a 32t can be put on the back. The bike that is currently the main contender is a Specialized Secteur Disc, looks pretty good, good price and comes with a a decent range cassette!

Jameso –

Thats good knowledge. Its not actually for me but my GF and she was convinced that she needed a triple (as we live in Norht Wales and ride around Snowdonia). I will pass this on!

I count 3 rings on that cannondale too. It doesn’t seem to be regular spec though! I did see the Tricross too, looks ok.

Went on a local ride with my gf, stopped at wet little bit rocky section and muttered the immortal words “watch out its a bit slippery”. Safe to say about 2 secs later I lost my from wheel and landed right on my knee! Normally I wear pads, today I didnt! Its a bit sore!

I like the ride up too, its not really too bad apart from the steep rocky bit before the clogwyn station! I really rate the Llanberis path as a descent, the rangers is ok but I much prefer the flat out nature of the Llanberis path (obviously ridden responsibly when outside of the voluntary ban).

Either route you take it will be a good day out and if you are quick the whole thing can be done in under 2 hours.

I reckon upto 5 years old so anything from 2009 upwards. I think it depends on the milage a bit. Have seen a 207 2010 25k miles for a decent amount, will look at a few more options today and hopefully test drive a few soon. My GF hasd a desiel Clio which I may see if I can borrow for a few days to see how I get on with it on regular commuter driving. I have limited experience with diesels and how they drive so a bit research wont hurt!

Thanks for the advice, my annual milage is around 12k so not massive, mostly on A+B roads and country lanes. I tend to keep cars for a while so I don’t know if that makes any difference?

I do like the Skoda a lot, but the 207SW is a strong contender too!

It is well worth doing even if you prefer the more rocky technical stuff, its fast and flowing all the way round. I reckon its my fave trail! Its pretty easy to do Climachx and NYA in one day to be honest.

I like the look of the partner. Is it OK as an everyday car too?

Trail rat – sorry what do you have? A berlingo?

I like smaller cars plus where I live something smaller is more practical than a large estate! I havent really considered a small van but its something I will look into. How much space for complete bikes is in the berlingo? Can 2 get in there easily?

I did like the stepaway a lot but the budget sandero would probably be fine for my needs. Cars don’t really excited me that much so I have never really cared what I drive! Any more input regarding Dacia’s would be much appreciated plus any other advice!

AS this is singletrack I just had a quick look at coffee machines and found without adding too much extra I could get one of the cheaper ones! That Quadcopter looks like a lot of fun too. So much choice!

Thats good knowledge! Did your stove look like the top plate just needed to be put back on properly? Or like you just needed to shift it over a fraction of an inch to make it fit again?

I burn wood and some maxibrite style coal ovals so maybe they are to blame. Got someone coming to look later so hopefully I can get some idea of the cause and how to fix it!

Yes they will. I have the same combo and its fine.

I did ok with AA buildings and Contents insurance. 2 named bikes named on the policy and still cheaper than the rest of the quote I got.

There is talk of a hydro electric scheme up above Glyn Rhonwy, I would have thought the lots that have been built there would service that? I think the council were responsible for that.

There is so much potential for making something great in that quarry that it would be a huge shame for something like this not to go ahead. Look at Blaenau and how successful that has become, no reason at all why Llanberis couldn’t offer the same.

I think it would be brilliant, it would do Llanberis the world of good!

Bits ordered. Thanks for all your help!

Brilliant. Nice, straight forward answers are what the internet is missing these days!

I measured it as 68mm the other day. this is backed up by the spec on the Bianchi website saying its a 68mm x 103 square taper BB. So does this point towards it being English thread?

Its going to be a hollowtech external style BB so width shouldn’t be an issue….

Shifter and mech shpuld work fine its just the drive side crank neefs to be spaced out a bit. I read somewhere you need to increase the bb splindle length by 5mm? Can anyone confirm this? Also will any square taper bb fit and square taper crank? Road bikes are very complicated!!

Does this mean my 224 EVO is now a collectors item?

This sounds like it could be fun, I could do either date and I work in llanberis so could provide upto date weather updates if necessary!

i’M 5″6ish (may a touch under…) and had a 14″ 456 and it was just too short and small. Went for a 16″ Blue pig and it feels perfect. The 14″ was tiny.

Tricky Dicky – PM’d you

Thats not a bad idea! I can mix and match SLX stuff too I suppose. Shame the SLX brakes are out of stock as I would definately go for them.

The consultation phase has all been done and permission has been granted to put a fully functional door in place. The next phase is to fix a frame in place and then hang a door off it…..hopefully it will not reduce the house to rubble but sometime you just don’t know!

I will approach this in the spirit of all great DIY adventures and make a massive mess of it then pay a man to sort it out.

However thanks for the advice on starting small, I will give that a go.