I’ve recently took one up to make shaving easier while I’m in cast and when I don’t need such a good shave like nights etc.
Found it doesn’t cut anywhere as close as a good wet shave but good enough for nights and weekends in work…

Cheers, Steve

Replaced my walking jacket the other day which was 6years old, on chatting to the bloke in the shop he said a good jacket is expected to last 5-8yrs.

Cheers, Steve

Give it a go, I like them many hate them….. one thing I would say is give them sometime, don’t go out on a handful of rides then dismiss them, give it 3,4,5,6 months plus to get properly used the them.

I’m a fan of Time as I like a bit of extra float, I found SPD’s too restrictive and hurt my knees, speedplay frogs were a fav but when I stopped cycling for a while I was too tight to buy another set…. so went with cheaper Time…

Cheers, Steve

Best – Proviz jacket or the coffee grinder…

Worst – 2 cans of special brew….will probably still drink it….

I also got one but found the fit ok for a large at 6ft, 33″ waist and a bit of a gut, only thing I found was a bit high in the front for my taste, I’m looking forward to sweating my 10 mile commute…

The thing worrying me is how well it will stand up to washing.

Cheers, Steve

piemonster – Member
Really need to decide whether I want 29+ or 27.5+/29

Why limit yourself…….

http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/vassago-jabberwocky-frame-2016-4393-p.asp

ps sorry for repeating myself…..

Or if you fancy something plastic fantastic…

http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/salsa-beargrease-carbon-2016-fameset-10185-p.asp

The Vassago Jabberwocky looks an interesting/versatile machine.

Cheers, Steve

To me now, nothing really, it’s all a big show for the kids and they seem to enjoy it. Well I suppose anyone would enjoy getting stuff they didn’t really deserve from a magical man who wants nothing in return apart from you being “good” or your parents being soft….

I’ve had a few Christmas away with work and while I miss my family we all seem to have a good time, the amount of booze consumed normally helps…. we drank a bar out of gin one year….

Cheers, Steve

look like they’ll rattle your fillings out on one run.

Nah…. x3.0 tyres will numb that….

I almost didn’t buy my crack & fail due to being made of aluminium but I’ve been pleasantly surprised. I do still prefer the looks of steel tubes though.

Cheers, Steve

smogmonster – Member
Genesis Tarn 20 or Pace RC127.5+ would be my preference

Yep that Pace looks mean (same steel as the Stanton but a cheaper price?), there is a nice lot of choice around atm.

Cheers, Steve

matt_outandabout
Those of you with + bikes, talk to me.

Mine (Cannondale BotE1) replaced a Singular Swift fitted with 29×2.4’s running an 8 speed Alfine (converted to commuter now)
I’ve found it up on grip, and I hold lines better on the bendy stuff while going faster.
Climbing on rough stuff is great, the lower ratio I have wth the 1×11 compared to the Alfine is nice on the fire road climbs, I can’t really compare to a similar ratio’ed 2.4. I have dropped some speed on climbs as I’m not pushing a harder gear…and blowing my hoop at the top….

Can’t comment on all day but done 3-4 hrs fine with the WTB Bridger tyres fitted, they roll surprisingly good, my initial test was on a road loop and it shocked me tbh.

Downside is weight (tyres/wheels/tubes) and weak sidewalls if you are turbo aggressive. They are also critical on tyre pressure, I ran a bit too low and had the the sidewall folding but an extra 1psi and it was fine. I’m yet to go tubeless and I’m not riding enough atm.

If you’re the kids of person not bothered about a bit of weight they are a great laugh.

Cheers, Steve

Beast of the East 1 here, love it! Though I was looking at a Vassago Jabberwocky to build an Alfine 650+/29+

http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/vassago-jabberwocky-frame-2016-4393-p.asp

The draw of the Lefty was too strong….

14494844_10153966557313225_4165495166450457365_n (1) by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

Or the lovely Swift takes 650+

http://webshop.singularcycles.com/en/Products/Singular-Swift.html

Cheers Steve

Going to get a bike fit

Best way forward IMHO

Cheers, Steve

scotroutes – Member
Have a ****. It’ll feel like someone else is tossing you off.

If you like the feel of another mans hand……

Anyways…. Short of carbon bars I lowered my pressure in my 28cc to 60psi and that while a bit draggy took the road buzz out of the roads down here.

Cheers, Steve

EBB for me, not had an issue with squeak or creak from my Singular.
Never got on with sliding dropouts.

Cheers, Steve

mechanicaldope – Member
Your name maybe a tad ambitious at sub 6″?

Indeed, but not related to my height but a Ska band we tried to put together…. didn’t get very far….

Cheers, Steve

5″11 and 3/4…. I will forever live with the shame of failing to reach 6ft.

Cheers, Steve

Spending that sort of money it’s worth driving to a half decent bike shop to try a bike out or even a bike fit to get it really correct for you.

Cheers, Steve

I could probably give up meat but not fish… Plus I like leather shoes….. so I don’t think a Vegan diet would be for me….

The thing that gets me is the Vegans who took Scott Pilgrim too seriously.

Beer is my fitness/health downfall but drinking is sort of part and parcel with the job….

Edit oh god…. I forgot about clotted cream and ice cream! Nope I’m out.

Cheers, Steve

They did when someone rear ended me, though it went small claims court and I had to prove they could see my number plate and rear lights.
I always use a trailer board for peace of mind, don’t be this guy…

IMG_20160609_091708 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

Bit of info here:

http://www.towsure.com/fitting_a_cycle_carrier_lighting_board

Cheers, Steve

Not a bad little run out of Postbridge.

https://www.strava.com/routes/5101200

Cheers, Steve

After around 17 years of steel, (Orange Clockwork, 3 x P7, Kona Explosif, Haro Mary, Singular Swift x 2, Kaffenback) I’ve bought an Aluminium framed bike (Cannondale Beast of the East 1)….. I was put off for many years after having a Cannondale road bike in 2005 and shaking my teeth out on the roads of Shropshire & Wiltshire…. when I tested the bike I was pleasantly surprised by how frame design has come on but that might be down the the plus tyres.

I’ve still got 2 steel frame bikes as I don’t think I would want to be without one as I enjoy the ride.

Cheers, Steve

I’ve been building up my Bimblepoon out of what I had around after my swift wasn’t selling.
Pricing up to what I was going to sell the parts for it’s cost about £500 in total, in reality I’m up slightly (£40) after selling/swapping parts for ones I need, though that will go on bar tape, chain and maybe a bigger chain ring.

IMG_20161210_114230 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

Getting their slowly, though I don’t really need it or have the room for it…. just got fed up having a bunch of bits hanging about.

Cheers, Steve

Getting there with my bitza bimble build…. mostly made of bits I had in the shed and roughly thrown together one handed…. Schwalbe Big Apples were not easy to get on and I think I need to put some 700CC tubes in as my 29er ones are blowing off the tyre at 30psi…. but better that it was.

Could need a bigger chainring for road 32T might be a bit spinny….. but worth a try, it’s quite hilly here… I have a 36T round but was thinking 38T or 40T

IMG_20161210_114230 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

Cheers, Steve

No problems here.

Getting closer on the range? That price though!

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/ethirteens-trs-race-9-46-tooth-cassette-now-available-2016.html

Indeed, cleaning a cassette eats into post ride beer sampling.

Cheers, Steve

Indeed! I’m keeping the IGH though….

Cheers, Steve

I think I bimble….. I don’t rush and I like to look at the country side… wrist is too broke to jump….

14212807_10153898624718225_5206254317153832326_n by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

IMG_20160523_115146 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

This is soon to become a rigid drop bar bimble boat….

Cheers, Steve

Well bought most the parts needed to do this apart from bar tape…. so see if it works, not really cost me anything as sold parts to do it so not too bad…

Only part I need is a 38T or 40T chainring and maybe a chain, I did have one out in the shed somewhere for this… will build with my oval 32T for a trial.

Also ordered 2.0 big apple tyres to go with the 700×28’s and 29 x 2.1 just to play with.

Should be fun….. though still got 3 months before I’m allowed to ride… oh and the misses is making me have the snip while I’m off the bike…. yay….

Cheers, Steve

Had a 32T Oval on my Alfined 29er and I could tell the difference switching between that and my road bike, so much so I want Ovals for that, I’m missing the oval on my new ride but not sure I have the clearance for an oval on it, it’s very tight with a round 30T.
I’m keeping my eye out for a 38T or 40T oval for my new build but don’t really want to switch cranks for 110bcd….

Cheers, Steve

I must be fortunate to have 3 fairly good LBS between 10 and 30 mins from my door, Hayle Cycles, Bike Chain Ricci & Clive Mitchell Cycles.

I have sometimes been disappointed while passing or popping in but they generally sort something out.

BCR sorted my Alfine build and sorted out any further issues quickly and FOC, and I got stonking discount on the Cannondale BoE1, they also tend to have some great clothing sales, loads at the moment is being given away for donation to charity, only time I’ve been disappointed is when I popped in for an emergency Shimano bleed kit.

Cheers, Steve

hairylegs – Member
@ jam bo. Thanks for that … looks like it ticks the boxes. Can you synch/download the GPS track log with any mapping software after the activity?

You can set it to auto sync to Strava, but the Garmin system is pretty good, also works with my fitness pal etc.

Cheers, Steve

Garmin 230 here as I wanted a chest strap so I could wear the watch over my jacket…, great bit of kit. 235 if you want a built in HR monitor.

The Vivoactive also looked good but I peferer the round dial. Does pretty much the same function as is a bit cheaper afaik.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/product-comparison-calculator?type=watch&ids=51128%2C56799#results

Go Outdoors has 15% off with code DEC80 atm.

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/garmin-vivoactive-hr-gps-smartwatch-p400044?utm_source=Criteo&utm_medium=Retargeting&utm_campaign=Criteo

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/garmin-forerunner-235-p385320

Cheers, Steve

tjagain – Member
Andyl

I have an 11/34 cassette.
My bottom gear is 22/34 my top gear 36/11
You can’t get that range on 1x ( maybe near with a 50th sprocket?)

Nearly if you wouldn’t miss the 36/11

http://www.gear-calculator.com/?GR=DERS&KB=22,36&RZ=11,13,15,17,19,21,23,26,30,34&UF=2240&TF=90&SL=2.6&UN=KMH&GR2=DERS&KB2=30&RZ2=11,13,15,17,19,21,24,28,32,37,46&UF2=2240

with a 11-50 you could get even closer running a 32T

http://www.gear-calculator.com/?GR=DERS&KB=22,36&RZ=11,13,15,17,19,21,23,26,30,34&UF=2240&TF=94&SL=2.6&UN=MPH&GR2=DERS&KB2=32&RZ2=11,13,15,18,21,24,28,32,37,42,50&UF2=2240

Northwind – Member

Yeah, but need has nothing to do with it, you should use what you want- all the options are good enough to use so it’s purely about personal taste.

Yes indeed, not trying to convert anyone here, I would go as far to say it’s not worth the money unless your current kit is shagged out and you’re going to change it any way.

Cheers, Steve

This thread is making me laugh a little bit inside. We are talking quite small variation in rations, yes some loss in the in-betweens going from 2/3x to 1x but it’s still quite laughable.
Myself and may other have been quite happy running single speed, I used to run 32-16 when I lived in Wiltshire and down here in Cornwall got around 90% of places pretty well and was the fittest I have been doing it. Only had gears again as I bought a new bike after a car accident and it had gears.
My newest is 1×11 and I hardly use the 46T well apart from that 20degree last hill.

I think we’re a bit spoilt with so many ratios but once you don’t have them you realise you don’t need so many and just get on with it, it’s not all about spinning your legs where comfortable.

I bought the Mavic versions (Crossride SL) the other month when my wife wanted to start using cleats so gave her my old platform Times.

Seem ok about £60.

https://www.evanscycles.com/mavic-crossride-sl-pedal-2016-EV254185?esvt=44588-GOUKE1148502&esvq=&esvadt=999999-0-521628-1&esvcrea=85157037056&esvplace=&esvd=c&esvo=EV254185-NA-BLK&esvaid=50080&gclid=Cj0KEQiA4JnCBRDQ5be3nKCPhpwBEiQAjwN1bkYpp2K41W5WcLw2y2Z17ChLmlHMQtXaHGlQ3V4IjNwaAgoE8P8HAQ

We have 4 of these in work, they can be picked up for less than £500, I’ve taken one accross Dartmoor and Cardinham fine.

http://www.diamondback.co.uk/MTB/Product/?pc=1&pt=10&pg=14287

Cheers, Steve

Useful site if you want to compare what you got to what you want.

http://www.gear-calculator.com/

Cheers, Steve

Been nice down here in Cornwall and I’m in cast for at least another 4 weeks…

Cheers, Steve