I could do it with the small ring, just want the big ring for going that bit faster when I can…. just thinking of other options rather than fitting my road bike with a 11×36 cassette and MTB rear mech.

Yea been having a bit better read, Jtek bar end shifters look like my only other option for a shifter. Inboard Alfine shifter will be fugly.

Cheers, Steve

Looking at doing this on my commuter thank for the OP and posters for the info.
Well looking Sram GX 2×10 with a PG1050 11-36T cassette to replace my SRAM Apex set up atm 12-28T as it’s cheaper than the “climber kit” and got a bigger ring.
Cheers, Steve

Thought I had Trailblazers fitted but have WTB Bridger on my 650+ was thinking of picking up some Vee Rubber Trax Fatty tyres while Charlie has them at a cheap price…

Cheers, Steve

I don’t think the i35 rims will be helping matters with a 3.0in tyre.

Yea I was thinking that.

Though still new to it I’ve loving my B+, widest I got on my 29er was 2.4 and was ok but this B+ (i45 WTB Scraper) climbs the loose gravel/slate/granite/sand near me like nothing I’ve ridden, comes down it well to.
I’m yet to try it at a local trail centre but around home it seems promising

Cheers, Steve

My boy who is 5 has a Carrera Cosmos from Halfrauds…. but it’s a great wee bike, he jumped straight on it and was peddling off within seconds. I just wish my daughter was as keen!
It was a bit dear for a bike that will only last him a few years but how well he’s done and how much he enjoys it has been worth it.

Carrera Cosmos

14258317_10153907508743225_3432521764798993613_o by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

Cheers, Steve

I always had Shimano, recent road and mtb came with SRAM and really like it.
You would need an XD drive body which is another expense to think about…
I would say GX or X1 would be where to look, I’ve got a mix of both on my MTB.

Cheers, Steve

If you can cope with not going so wide on the tires the Kaffenback is grand for the price.

Cheers, Steve

I use a Remington Quick Cut, does the job for me.

http://en.remington-europe.com/men/grooming/hair-clippers/quickcut-hair-clipper-hc4250.html

Cheers, Steve

I try to remember to at least wipe the stanchion off and then run oil around the seal and depress the fork after every ride, I hope that covers it….

Cheers, Steve

I wonder at what point hubgears will get light enough to become attractive to derailleur users.

Or will it be centrally mounted gearboxes (more logical)?

I switched from 3×9 to an Alfine 8 and loved it and didn’t really notice the shift in weight until I had to pick it up, a lower climbing gear would have been nice though.
I’ve recently bought a bike which came with a 1×11 which I do kind of like, but find I have too many gears well too many in-between gears for me, the climb back into where I park my car was a hell of a lot easier!
If only they did an Alfine 8 with a wider range and one that takes a Maxle…. the ability to shift at standstill without rotating the wheel is great!

Cheers, Steve

nedrapier

been tempted to do something similar if my swift doesn’t sell…. Alfine being used as a commuter might be a bit hard work for me but wouldn’t need much maintenance.

Cheers, Steve

Only ever needed one bike…. Steel 29er HT (was rigid for 5) for the last 6 years and just changed to a 650B+ as my only bike, when you only have room for one you kind of make do with what you have, never felt held back at or limited at all.

Cheers, Steve

60p on a 7mm combi spanner instead of faffing about with a adjustable to bleed brakes…
That or a torque wrench…. only so many things you can do up FT or RFT.

Cheers, Steve

The Kaffenback seems to suit your needs.

http://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/road-bikes/kaffenback

Get on well with mine. I see they are also on 11speed now…. hmmm could use the extra gears on my 10speed Kaff.

Cheers, Steve

Just out of interest checked whats on my rig (mix of SRAM GX/X1 )
The GX XG-1150 FULL PIN™ Cassette is 394g for a 11-42t
The Shimano XT CS-M8000 for the same range is 434g.
There is about £20-40 price difference towards the SRAM. Quite a jump to go to an X1! But at a near 80g loss 8O lol… getting as bad as the roadies….

Cheers, Steve

Hi crazymac my rear brake has always been pants, when I say pants my lever almost reaches the handlebars but if I press the brake in quick succession the amount the lever will pull is reduced. I have been to a bike shop and they bled the brake but hasn’t really changed and gave me some story of the fluid has to travel further I know this is useless info because I have a dh bike that is super responsive so I’m guessing there may be a very small leak somewhere possibly. Is it worth getting a xt set up or just upgrade the rear to a bigger rotor and hope it will increase braking quality

My XT rear (M785) is the same, brake bleed and pad replace still shite…pretty much to the handle but they do work…..

Cheers, Steve

Licences issued from 1 January 1997
If you passed your car driving test on or after 1 January 1997 you can:

drive a car or van up to 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM
tow a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg

Licences issued before 1 January 1997
If you passed your car test before 1 January 1997 you’re usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg MAM. View your driving licence information to check.

You’re also allowed to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.

Cheers, Steve

Grandfather used to tow a caravan with a Rover 213 (Skoda Rapid before that)…..think we had something like an Elddis Tornado or that sort of size, only time we struggled pulling was in a wet field trying to pull it up hill (we used to show stationary engines at vintage rallies), my uncle in recent years towed with a Renualt Clio diesel but he did have a lightweight caravan. So the whole 4×4 thing always mystifies me, more want over need IMHO unless you need a 3ton towing limit.

What licence you have will also limit your choices, I’m not 100% on the weights but Mondo with that sort of caravan might need a B+E licence, me being a pup didn’t get the granddad rights so I’m stuck with tents….

Cheers, Steve

Don’t know if you have heard about your recall date but I’ve been told the 4th of November for the 2spring recall, LBS wants it in the 1st so they can strip it and send it off.

Cheers, Setve

The old Beast does look cool…. maybe I need an old and new….

Cheers, Steve

I’m a recent convert, won me over so far….

14570228_10153961266818225_2894961327039827279_n by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

Cheers, Steve

Just had word that I’ve been booking in for the suspension recall/upgrade to 2spring on the 4th.

http://www.cannondale.com/en/USA/Mandatory-Service-Bulletin

EB16: Cannondale Bad Habit Carbon 27.5+ hits the trails, Lefty upgrade kit & monstrous Moterra e-MTB hits USA

Cheers, Steve

I’m too you for the “original beast” my 1st proper bike was the 1999 Orange Clockwork in the green powder coat (anniversary one) . Looks an interesting thing though, a tad like a 69er, nice example of one as well!

Trailwagger thanks will try some lower pressure.

Not sure, I like the Teal, not a fan of the 2 colour, but we are all different.

Cheers, Steve

trailwagger – Member
I have a cujo and love it. In regards to tyre pressures I am going as low as 14F 16R.

Is that running tubeless? I have to take my tyre off as apparently these are already to go tubeless with the rim tape already in place.

Cheers, Steve

I have a beast 1 and love it. The bike feels different again going tubeless and lighter tyres.

Had mine a couple of months and not ridden my other bikes since. Make sure you get the tyre pressures right though, rides like a dog when they get a little low.

Ok thanks, been looking at tubeless, both my LBS stock Stan’s so no excuse really….
Been looking at a set of Vee’s CTBM has on sale for a possible tyre change.
Running 18-20 atm with the tubes.

Found it hard to find sold info on the Beast 1, reviews etc was a bit of a blind judgement for me.

Cheers, Steve

Not been up that long… only built it about March this year.

Cheers, Steve

Well POC tend to be a bit mushroom like…. can’t afford to change it now! Plus it looks better than floor does on the forehead.

@LMT seen, looks great love the colour, I didn’t research it that well, just always fancied a Lefty, and the plus craze has peaked my interest, plus the fact it was £100 cheaper than the Beast 2 helped (depending where you shop…) Was tempted to do a 29+ build but after riding this I think I made the right decision. Good riding with the new stead!

edit:- is it because it’s head on and the peak is sort of blended into the rest? Was also taken by my wife who is 6-7″ shorter then me…

Cheers, Steve

@

Clink

not sure, my 29×2.1 I have on my other bike atm looks like they would fit, gets a bit close in the rear.

@

davidtaylforth & Kryton57

thanks, it’s also my commuter helmet… be safe be seen and all that…. sensible Steve init. Also useful for people to pick you out when leading a group.

Cheers, Steve

@superstu well wth new bike enthusiasm it felt good on the recently rained on tram way, kind of floated over the mud rather than cut through it, handled rooty gorse tracks well, I felt more confident thats for sure.

Will hopefully be able to report back in the future, will see how long the wrist op knocks me back…. hoping to get it out across Gwithian Towans before the weather closes in….

Cheers, Steve

Ha yea I did get some funny looks…. been around for years and still surprises me that some people have never heard/seen them before.

Chers, Steve

Great looking bike!

Cheers, Steve

29er wheels in (old Reet’ards)

IMG_20161006_165857 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

Though 29er tires wont fit I’ve got 2.1s on a wheel set and they were a no go.

IMG_20161006_170321 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

As above pretty sure they are limited to 32C (with mudguard?) worth a go while I had it out….

Cheers, Steve

I might be able to try…. though not sure I have the energy to pull 4 bikes out of the shed…. trying to convince my wife to let me go out and ride….

Cheers, Steve

Hard tail, cannondale with lefty always fancied one… Got one now… 8O

Cheers, Steve

Will be on my Kaffenback when I get a chance.

IMG_20160411_192706 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

Cheers, Steve

So I’ve had the bike back a couple of weeks now, the LBS fitted the proper part all free of charge and finally got out to give it a run!
Have to say it’s like night and day with it all working as it should, I was beginning to think I made a mistake going Alfine but am pretty confident with my decision now…. just need to build my legs up again.. maybe a singlespeed wheel for those days I wan’t a harder ride….

14188134_10153872872863225_1069897283868561573_o by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

Also enjoying the Carbon Alt bars in the form of the On-One OG bars provided by Jossie on here! so much so I’ve decided not to change my frame atm while it’s still so nice to ride, next time I damage my rims I might try 27.5+ in it but atm happy as is, a tad newer XT brakes has helped…. M765 to M785.

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

We bought some Diamondback Heist 1.0 for work at just under £400 for a LBS.
120mm forks, Deore groupset and race face finishing kit.

Cheers, Steve

I don’t suppose you’re working on a new school are you? I ask as I may be out there again for a week or so in the next couple of months…

No but if you land at Balivanich you will see us in the middle of the airfield.

Cheers, Steve

Managed to get a hire bike for the 6 weeks from the place we are working at, Merida Big Nine, not done too much as of yet, couple of runs on some Croft tracks on Benbecula, trip over to Skye as well as Harris and Lewis.

13902819_10153808915608225_116212558966069573_n by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

13925415_10153808915758225_415357623567142915_n by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

13900373_10153808916998225_7201524114824750333_n by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

Cheers, Steve

That Rich kid is a right smug ****