Done

Carry spare tubes. Puncture repair kits are for using in front of the TV when you’re warm and have time to do it right.

Me too…

I’ve been thinking about this too and wondering how many Single trackers are having to make do and mend or go for cheaper replacement options. Money is pretty tight for me at the moment so when the bearings went on my xtr jocky wheel it was replaced with one from an old xt one. I got a few months of life out of cassette and chain from the spares box and when they gave up the ghost I replaced with a deore cassette and chain for £25 from Merlin. I guess I’d rather have cheap kit or bodge old parts and keep riding….. Doesn’t stop me drooling over all the nice stuff I see on here but I am happy with what I’ve got and I enjoy riding regularly.

WTB stouts and dissents are epic in the filth and massive but weigh half a ton. You can get stouts cheap from unicycle.co.uk though

These stouts are wire bead.

I have a 2.3 Stout folding on the front and it’s great but had to replace the rear due to wear, couldn’t find these anywhere so have a 2.2 WTB Bronson which is excellent and will replace the Stout on the front with one when it’s worn out. I’ve tried 2.4 Racing Ralphs which are fast but puncture at the drop of a hat, no good in mud either as well as Michelin XC AT, good except for real slop and at 2.0 not a lot of volume. Really rate the Bronson as an all round tyre and not that heavy or expensive, £26.90 from charlie the bikemonger.

A Happy New year to one and all…

Hey jojo, as someone else said you’re not alone and I think your post shows great courage. I’ve been to hell and back over the last 4 years, have had counseling and just about survived. I still have wobbly days and my life could be a lot better but in the end you have to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and step up for another round. My email is in my profile and if you ever need to talk mail me and we can swop tel numbers and I’ll do my best to be there for you.
Cheers
David

Having thought about this and I really wish I hadn’t, I would imagine the 0 degree position must relate to the manufactures default position i.e when the 0 degree position is ‘level’ the claimed sweep and rise is as they state. Having said that, I think setting them up for yourself is trial by error as others have said. Apologies for the terrible pedantry…

Also using Hope Mono Mini and Monkey Nuts and there is no need to undo the rear caliper to remove the wheel, I also prefer it with a bolt up rear hub. Here’s mine bought from singlespeedstu and still going strong, great bike, love it :-)

[/url] Karate Monkey at Ditchling Beacon[/url] by david.hunt36[/url], on Flickr[/img]

Really like those wheels coastkid, what are they?

Great pictures and well written account, really want to do something like this one day….

Sorry for stupidity, but what is lock

It’s when the threads are fully engaged….

SDG Bel Air Ti for me too….

Half a turn past lock is how I was taught…. you could then check with a torque wrench. like TJ I don’t use a torque wrench on a bicycle.

I think the king kit sounds like a high tech solution and like some of the previous posters can’t help wondering if a more low tech approach with universally available parts wouldn’t be a better option. I’m curious; what bike are you riding? Also be interested to see some pictures of it and the full spec….
Sounds like an awesome experience btw
Cheers
RR

Always good to see one of your videos, I quite often cheer myself up watching your films & looking round your excellent website. love Surly bikes and would love to have a ride round your way one day, it looks amazing!! Hope to have a Fat Bike (Pugsley would do nicely) eventually if I ever any money again lol. Keep it up mate you really capture the spirit of Singletrack riding IMO…
Cheers
RR

As promised a quick review of the WTB Bronson 29er Race 2.2 as used on a KM. It hooks up and clears well in deeper mud in fact better than I thought it would from looking at the tread pattern. My route was across a stretch of the South Downs which comprised of a variety of terrain including slightly gloopy mud, wet grass, wet chalk/clay, wet leaves, loose and wet stony stuff. I have to say it was great I felt totally confident at all times. The tyre rolls well on tarmac too, all in all I’m a happy bunny and will definitely put one on the front when the Stout wears out…. Oh and £26.90 posted from the very nice Charlie the Bikemonger.
Cheers
RR

Currently psyching myself up for a blast across the South Downs on the Brown Monkey, don’t mind the rain it’s the 22 mph wind that does me in….

I’ve been running WTB Stout 2.3s on my Karate Monkey which are not bad in mud and various other types of terrain. I’m just about to try a 2.2 WTB Bronson on the rear. The Bronson looks good and apparently it’s rain here in East Sussex tomorrow so I shall be seeing how it performs across a variety of wet surfaces and let you know the verdict.
Cheers
RR

I suggest that you post a photos of yourself not holding the wheels that don’t exist to prove you’re not ruffriders. Or something like that…..

I fear that may only serve as proof that I am the perpetrator of this missing wheel scam….

I feel I should point out that ruffriders name does point to mental health issues or criminality, implying as it does, multiple personalities…

I’d just like to point out before the lynch mob arrives I am not this person.
cheers
David aka ruffrider(not ruffriders)

lol
It is good to see the Great British shed inventor is alive and well….

Really lovely looking bike, quality build too by the looks of it – no wonder you’re pleased.

Oh God, I know it’s wrong but I can’t bring myself to have a bell on my bike (can’t help thinking it would ding all the time off road). I do find the combo of Hope Pro2 and a friendly hello seems to work fine…..

+1 for Cane Creek here, bought a used S3 off here 3 years ago still silky smooth. There’s an S1 on CRC for £12.00 (reduced from £34.00) btw…

Meths, I always have it to hand when using brake fluid to wipe up spills. Brake fluid is fairly toxic so maybe wear some rubber gloves when you do the clean up.

In fact recycling is a bit of a none starter on a domestic scale, the average family, if it recycled everything it could and took it to the bins at the supermarket. It would require more energy in the petrol to drive there/back than would be saved by recycling them. That’s why they’re at the supermarket to try and minimise the extra miles.

The trouble is if we don’t make the effort we just end up with more landfill which is simply not the way forward. I now only produce 1 black bin back of rubbish a month, I live in a flat so all my food waste goes to a friend who has a fairly extensive wormery system in place. I recycle everything I can because I believe if we all do it on a “domestic scale” it will have a positive global impact….. Happy (re) cycling :-)

Got given some earlier this year, seems just as good as anything else I’ve tried…..

Hi topangarider, just go to the Topeak website, click on the service button at the top you get a drop down menu click on Int’l and that opens a list of all the International distributors. the one you want is: United Kingdom, Extra UK Ltd, 01933 672170.

defydude, I take your point and indeed swings and roundabouts sums up most things in life. I guess I was genuinely surprised that they would replace stuff they didn’t have to without the usual quibbling and nitpicking that a lot of companies seem to do or being invited to put my hand in my pocket and pay a stupid amount of money plus postage.

There you go a not great wrong way round picture of my monkey the only difference is I’m now using a bolt up hub on the rear and a constrictor for the seat post. Apologies to Stu for the gears :D

[/url] Karate Monkey at Black Cap[/url] by david.hunt36[/url], on Flickr[/img]

Hey Stu, I have a pretty rubbish one which I’ll try and post later – keep meaning to take a camera riding and post some pics thus avoiding the inevitable sofa/skirting board comments… cheers

I’m 6ft with a 32″ inside leg and riding the 18″ older frame with a 90mm stem. It fits like a glove, a lovely bike. Bought the frame and wheels of here from singlespeedstu who posted earlier on this thread I believe so a belated hello and thanks to him if he is the same gentleman. I also bought your Evil Sovereign frame James which unfortunately I was not able to build up and had to sell on so hello to you too James.

Mine brings a smile to my face every time I ride it, I’m not that fast up hill anyway but doesn’t feel slower than anything else I’ve ridden.All in all a very comfortable and versatile bike. The name always makes me laugh to myself too…. :-)

If you haven't turned it on try putting in a bag of rice for 48 hrs, it draws the moisture out. It brought my mobile back to life.
Good luck

+1 for freehub, I had this problem on a hope pro II hub and it turned out to be a siezed bearing race in the free hub.

I have a Karate Monkey too and use Racing Ralphs @ 2.4 for summer which are ace. Have just put WTB Stouts @ 2.3 on for winter, I've used them on a 26er before and they are a bit heavy, very grippy but not draggy again a great tyre.

Surly Karate Monkey has sliding dropouts and loads of mud clearance. Great winter bike with gears would be even better with Rohlof option IMO. 29er tho.

Hi Ton, These guys offer it as an option on a Karate Momkey build. If I had the dosh I would definately Alfine mine.
Cheers and I hope the link works as first time i have used it on the new site RR