its a great idea, but became frustrating having to hop off and put on, or when it was getting really good and fast, off it comes when you dont want it to…..

go for superstar stuff; i have gone back to a 2×9

yep, go for it, its full of tiny runs, but demanding. you have to be very quick. also the tunnels from mardley to welwyn north/digswell are good.

its a good little run, there is a higher one of six big lumps, with not much more than a tyres width in some place.

there is also a run on the southern side which is hard, also the double dipper, which is mighty scary!

Did you do the rollercoaster?

No, its a post to say hi to some fello bikers we see on a sunday, numbnut.

rode them today, very different in a good way, felt very stable at high speed, felt very tough over a very rocky patch which normally is a challenge for the other tyres. good grip on corners etc.

however the farmer/tractor jokes were in full flow, and also the noise on tarmac!

still got a puncture.

Well I will test them on sunday; should be fun.
Will report back.

What I do like is that there are peolple like on one etc who are selling tyres by respected brands in other areas of cycling for very cheap prices; £25 for £80 plus worth of tyres. Fantastic, you can experiment.

Maxxis are the current favs for most, but who had heard of them 10 years ago! it was Continental and WTB.

I have used summer tyres through the winter, the Maxxis advantages were quite acceptable.

I remember getting a pair of the semi slick Ritchey tyres in the 1990’s, which were used by the first Olympic mtb races, they were scarily fast.

However, is there such a thing as too much grip!

erm, some subtle adjustment worked a treat, doh!

did the limiters etc as well.

cheers for your replies

the chainring, casette and chain are all new, i may play around with the screw( not the limiters) .
may have to be a new mech!

s

chain is run short, as its a 1 x 9
i think it may be the top jockey wheel, shed visit did not happen as i was putting a new window in said shed!

wednesday is my next day i can look at it. never had this problem before though

arghhh!

a rope may do a better job….

done the links, i thought about the chain, so checked out a new 9 speed against this one and it looks like its exactly the same, width, length and model number on the chains.

i am going to the shed to check it out again and will report back

looks good, will give it a go today

erm not me though i was out somwhere in some woods

s

well they should make some mtb ones, i am sure there is a good reason to go back to drop handle mtbs’s……

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=94356

any thoughts on the midges? i may have to get a fake H bar

being off road, is automatically a 1/3 rd harder than being on the road; this is from a relative who worked with the american cycling team in the barcelona olympics.

pretty obvious really, but a good measure.

also a no brainer; but when you get on the road linking sections of track, its always a breather and rest.

so, whats the deal with the different sizes?
i am happy to get a new stem, but not levers.

they do look great fun, maybe i should get my tape measure out!

aww well, usual load of rubbish and gems thrown into offset it the rubbish.

am i a noob, well yes after riding for 15 years and thousands of miles here and in NZ, still heaps to learn and develop… every ride brings something new.

the point is; with good wheels and tyres on most trails in the uk do you really need suspension? picking the lines and getting into corners is where its at.

one final point; why is singlespeed/on one/ rigid so popular now?

16 years and just about getting to grips with it all:)
we ride out of welwyn, northwards and east.

would anyone be able to suggest a mutual meeting point for all the riders to gather at on a sunday? a bit like ace cafe for mountain bikers.

i am thinking a cut down front mech, just enough to keep the chain inline and on track.

thats more like it! maybe a jubliee clip will do?

world of bodge is my aesthetic

i am skint, got a box of bits and dont want the noise associated with the type of chain device.

i like the look of the new hope device

addiktion in st albans

just an update to keep on topic;
cables are all good; i use a split system, for old times sake; the frame is 15 year old after all. its ridden 6 days a week, work; long mid week ride and epic on a sunday.

so; feel great, especially as i sucked oil through the outers before installing. its nice to have some kind of shifting after a winter of mud and stuff. finally i have loads to keep in the rucksack, in the bike box and some pressies for the guys on sunday!

sorry, i asked for 3 feet…..

i am sure the wilkinsons stuff will be fine, looks like any other!

i could have brought a whole gear changer for £15 and got the wire for free!

whats the average in mud, dry and frost/ice( found this to be scary fast)

cheers
do you ride in herts cinnamon_girl?

quicker than google there!
bit pricey though!

any others?

Buy some Pace RC31’s while you can. i have the same hope set up

they are good(until the magnesium cracked, whcih can be replaced). in the meantime same set up and on one scafolding pipes for forks!

36 t is proving a bit of a challenge through the winter, i am going to chuck a granny on.

hi,
cheers; sow hats the xc like? need the same tyres?

also how busy does it get and whats the best days?

in terms of the xc route, whats that like?

i am riding a 1 x9 with a 36 front tooth. do i need to put a granny on?

i am looking at some spiky mud type tyres anyway, my advantages are slipping a wee bit too much

should be fun; whats the best time to kick off?

well, been riding on ice, snow and mud; no change then.
looks like the chalk surface will a be akin to slickrock, plus roots.

druidh – Member

rocky mountain – Member

remember their stuff is made in the same factory as endura

In Livingston?

i love endura gear and have brought stuff from the mid 1990’s onwards, the bib shorts really were the best.

however, sewing up a pair of endura lycra shorts and a pair of aldis they were identical in construction, stitching etc. made in the far east or does endura make stuff for aldi?

aldi stuff is good, and cheap, yet lacks the detail and thoughtful bits of endura; vents, extra pockets. it does suffer from a bit of euro trash styling that may appeal to some

the black snowboard jackets look good though!

snowboarding stuff in now; jackets and thermals. i am sure they will have some uses; gloves look excellent.

remember their stuff is made in the same factory as endura

nope, anyhow i would have kept them;)
i think they have a new labeling system

i think for postage merlin is the best, range chain reaction, wiggle i dont bother anymore.

looks like it was speeded up in the edit….

went out , by myself; everyone had good excuses….

found the chain frozen and cleats solid with mud and ice( not cleaning after wednesday), so de icer and chain lube. seemed to work. though the spd’s soon turned to stumps. somehow clipped inish

route was digswell, welwyn north tunnels, woods, roman road to datchworth then bramfield, mardley hill, tewin and concrete mile path back.

may have to carry the de icer more often.

anyone game for the morning?
s

cheers,
a friend uses a double set on his spesh enduro.

maybe i should drop the 36t to a 34 or even 32, any thoughts?

i still like the single ring set up, much easier in the mud, everyone else is seizing up etc