Apologies – and thanks also for the status updates on the various trails!

Thanks Gav and Euain for the accommodation recommendations – booking made!

Thanks for all the responses – looks like there’ll be plenty to ride!

We haven’t been for a few years so looking forward to checking out some new trails and new venues such as Thorni.

SS Stu – many thanks for the offer. We’re planning Monday to Saturday so once our plans are firmed up I’ll drop you a line.

The next challenge is finding some bike friendly accommodation…

Thanks OP, this has worked for me.

Double DHR II has worked for me for the past several years.

Thanks for all the responses.

Apologies, I should have made clear I would be cycling and planning to use a bivvy bag. Saying that, the idea of a lightweight tent is appealing. I also like the idea of a cheap tent and using different bits as needed.

The DD tarps look good based on the cost/performance ratio. I’ll have a look at some of the other suggestions before making a decision.

Cheers 🙂

Like that idea TJ – I’m handy with a sewing machine so could probably do a reasonable job.

I should probably define expensive! 😆 £50+ seems a lot.

Saying that, I’d prefer to buy something that will last rather than fall apart after a few uses.

What do you get with the expensive ones, more attachment points, lighter and more durable (recognising that lighter doesn’t always equal durable)?

How about titanium?

This bike is a bargain IMO. I’ve seen it in the shop and it’s lovely.

https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m1b0s223p4629/SABBATH-Silk-Road-Disc-%28One-Off-Limited-Edition%29

Blue thread lock for me so they don’t come loose. Has worked fine for the last 10 years.

DeFeet Woolie Boolie 24/7

+1

As much as I love cable ties I’ll try the hot water method first, then escalate to super-glue if that doesn’t work!

Thanks for the suggestions.

Thanks for all the responses, looks like I have a few options! 🙂

I like the idea of heading over to Newcastleton, or trying out some of the MTB trails. I’ve driven past Kielder on a number of occasions, but never stopped off as we’re normally on our way to Innerleithen etc.

I’ll be back in the area later next week (picking up my mum after dropping her off tomorrow), so my current thinking is to drive up early to ride that first route of yours jonba – thanks for the links.

@oikeith the only specialist tool I used was a copy ring nut tool from eBay and the correct DT grease as others have mentioned.

I’ve fitted some decent 6902s and the rear wheel now keeps on spinning. 😊

It appears that the cheap bearings fitted by the LBS were to blame. 🤞

Thanks again for all the responses.

I’ve been with Aviva for several years now. House and bike insurance premium <£200 per year. Covers multiple bikes up to £2.5k (each) which is plenty for me.

@joeegg – Out of interest, what did you do to resolve the problem in the end?

My hub has been fine for four years ie with the original bearings. That suggests that the hub machining is probably okay?

The replacement bearings were fine at first (ie the wheel span freely) but stiffened up after several rides.

I’ve ordered some decent replacement bearings and will report back.

Thanks once again for the thoughts and ideas.

I’ll try some reasonable bearings this time around to see if that helps.

If I remove the freehub, the wheel still only you rotates a few times and the spindle feels notchy. To me that says it’s something to do with the main wheel bearings/installation. Would you agree?

Thanks for all the responses.

They are actually Spline One hubs (EX1501 wheel set) which a Google suggests have 240 internals (not EXP).

https://www.mtbr.com/threads/review-dt-swiss-spline-one-wheelset.1169234/

It looks like the first thing to do is strip them down to make sure no parts are missing and then try some decent bearings and make sure they’re properly seated.

The only thing that can possibly be missing is the shim ring that sits behind the ring nut. See Page 11 of this document {apols for the long URL).

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.upgradebikes.co.uk/files/technical/reynolds/DT-Swiss-240s-Technical-Manual.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj4zf7B5qbwAhUOTcAKHWl9BlwQFjARegQIGBAC&usg=AOvVaw2ZYMmyokwkOCTE8G-idKUl&cshid=1619814317283

Thanks Hatter.

Would that explain the gradual deterioration (they work fine at first)? I suppose if they are the wrong width they might be under side load resulting in premature wear.

Just bought this, figured it’s easier to use from a tub….

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MOBILGREASE-XHP-222-500g-TUBS/392312562904?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908103841%26meid%3D29f4ff5f01694e72a70ee15987474ee2%26pid%3D100227%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D392312562904%26itm%3D392312562904%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2053904%26brand%3DMobil&_trksid=p2053904.c100227.m3827

I did a little bit of research last time I bought some silicone lube. I was going to go for the SP-90 stuff that Tootlstation sells, but I spotted that it says ‘safe on MOST rubbers and plastics’.

WD_40 and the 3-in-one silicone products say they’re safe to use on rubber, so I went for the 3-in-one just in case (I use it on forks/dropper and the car door seals to stop them icing up in winter).

Thanks for all the responses – some there that I wasn’t aware of.

Will do some homework on the suggestions tonight! 👍

One of these?

https://www.startfitness.co.uk/kinesis-tripster-at-mens-gravel-bike-2020-orange.html

Same thing happened to me (just one piston was damaged).

I’ve just fitted one of these in my 105 calipers and it’s holding up so far:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hope-Caliper-Piston-X2-/324240375136?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10

From what I’ve read the Hope pistons are slightly deeper than the Shimano ones so you might struggle fitting pads if you have to do both sides.

@fazzini I went a size up (from 47 to 48) as I wanted room for thick socks in winter. I’ve stuck with a size up as that works for me with normal socks too.

A second recommendation for Scott shoes.

I’ve tried Lake, Sidi wide, Shimano wide, Bont etc.

Scott are the only shoes I’ve found that work well for my wide feet.

Exactly the same thing happened to my P7 (2010).

Found a Cotic Soul Mk 3 as replacement which has a much nicer ride!

Edit: Just spotted the link above is for a Cotic Soul. Fate.

Thanks for the responses – I’ll put it on eBay and see if there’s any interest. Would rather that it goes to a good home than being melted down…

When I had an allotment with loads of overgrown brambles, this was one of the most effective tools…

Grass Hook

One of these might work (been looking for a solution myself).

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BLTFMBXL/twofish-megablock-xl

Thanks for the responses.

Woops, they’re 7000 series shifters (7020 I think}.

Good idea re Madison.

Thanks for the link Damascus – I’d found that through a search. Unfortunately my levers don’t have free stroke adjustment, only reach. I’ve played with the reach but that didn’t solve it.

Razor – I’ve struggled to find a direct replacement rim, which is why I was interested in a replacement set. It would be much cheaper to replace a rim though, so I’ll have another look.

I’m in need of a new set of wheels for my Mk1 Aeris. The 1501s that came with it are just about shot.

Is there an easy way to convert these to non-boost? That may be a dumb ass question, I’m a bit ignorant about the whole boost thing. 🙄

Great thread, took me back to my first decent mountain bike.

1995 Marin Indian Fire Trail (rigid) – £1050. I’ve still got the receipt, catalogue and official price list… 🙂 In fact, I’ve still got the bars knocking about in the garage somewhere.

I bang on about this all the time – it’s the Riddlers, they puncture like they’re made of tissue paper, and they are tough to get on and off.

I’d swap them for something else as early as possible.

Yep, the Riddlers do seem to be a little delicate. I’ve set them up tubeless and so far they’ve been okay. I’ve got some Panaracers in for when they need replacing.

I picked up a D3 a couple of weeks ago. The bike has been great, except for two punctures on the first three rides. 🙂

Does anyone else suffer from rattling 105 shifters? When riding on anything corrugated (e.g. tractor tyre imprints) they start rattling away and are getting a bit annoying.

Any easy fixes?

I’ve had an axle on a Hollowtech ‘wear out’.

I first spotted some play in the cranks, so fitted a new bottom bracket. There was still play in the cranks. I removed the cranks to check I’d fitted everything correctly and discovered a pitted and worn section (almost like it had corroded) on the axle at the drive end, which aligned with the plastic bearing sleeve. I ended up getting a new crank. I never got to the bottom of what caused it, although I suspect a seized bearing may have been involved.

Sorry, I should have said that I’ve already got eBay search alerts set up. It’s the faff of searching all the other sites that I’d like to avoid.

Top of my want list at the moment is a Surly Straggler (58cm) frame and forks just in case anyone has one in need of a new home? Admittedly that’s not quite in the ‘bits and pieces’ category… 😆