Has there ever been a world war? Probably not, but because there were a couple that involved us, our conceit made us believe everybody else was either for us or against us.

\

Eh? Where did you learn history? Much of the fighting in World War 1 was admittedly largely focussed on Europe but it killed at least 10 million folk and was precipitated by events on a global scale – the Ottoman empire alone covered three continents!

As for WWII, it touched pretty much every part of the planet in one form or the other and saw off about 60 odd million- how much more global can you get?

Or do neither of those count?

Thank you all. This thread has restored my faith in STW…

See – it really does stunt your growth too…

Even by the standards of STW there is a lot of BS on this thread.

<lecture>Pipe tobacco may not have the added chemicals you get in fags but tobacco is inherently carcinogenic so it’s still a risk…. and the fact that you don’t inhale still means you’re at risk of oral cancer. Same with chewing tobacco incidentally – remember the furore over Skoal Bandits a few years back?

As for the suggestion of smoking pure weed, well that’s also a risk factor for lung cancer – ironic that Bob Marley is a bit of a poster boy for the benefits of ganja considering what he died of.

I’m all for personal choice and all that but there is also the passive smoking factor to consider.

Sorry if all this is a bit self righteous but I saw my Dad die (horribly) from lung cancer – I can’t believe anyone would seriously consider taking on any form of tobacco smoking as a “hobby”.</lecture>

What tensioner are you using? I had the same problem with an On One Doofer like this I had a while back.

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FSOOSSD/on-one-doofer

I found that the little U shaped bit which goes over the chain was fouling the chain in some cases. It was just a case, of loosening the bolt and rotating it slightly so that it was pointing straight down.

The reason it was OK with other sprockets may be because the teeth weren’t so tall.

I used to get two bikes (wheels and bars off), a (very) large tent and biking and surfing gear for a week in the back of our Mark IV Golf with both seats down, but it was a squeeze and up to the roof line.

Without the camping gear I could also get both bikes in with only the wide part of the split back seat down (ie still room for a rear seat passenger.

Mark V is not too different size wise so reckon you’d be OK.

We also used a Saris Bones rack for short day trips when it was OK to carry the bikes outside – worked great.

The days of squeezing stuff into every nook and cranny are however, over since we bought this :-):

Bad points – heavy and possibly the ugliest road bike ever to be created.

Obviously subjective but I reckon they look ace in a functional / purposeful way. And they’re clearly not a road bike, and don’t claim to be. I’ve taken mine places where I’d never consider riding a road bike and it’s coped brilliantly.

Giant Defy is a completely different type of bike so it’s an absurd comparison… apples and pears.

Oh and I bought mine way before they were “revered” on here.

I was lucky to make 7mph in the mud last weekend!

May be that they were just showing off? – don’t get intimidated by it, ride at your own pace.

For what it’s worth your speed sounds about right for an average speed off road in mixed conditions. Relax and enjoy yourself!

Depends what you want it for.

Not the lightest compared to a dedicated road bike, but I find mine pretty quick compared to my MTBs. Probably not best thing for pure road riding, but a great do it all bike. I love ragging mine offroad to be honest, just for a bit of extra challenge!

In it’s current guise…. planning to add gears prior to move to Dartmoor.

Ridden on this a couple of times – the kit on board is unbelievable…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:43062_at_Kings_Cross_1.jpg

There was an article in ST mag a couple of issues back about this. Admittedly in the US rather than here, but some good tips, although admittedly the bit about avoiding bears may not be relevant.

Would be interested in how you get on, I’ve got vague ideas about doing something similar with our little one this summer – out and back ride on Dartmoor with an overnight camp somewhere nice.

That’d be brilliant. Not bothered about the writing being different. I’ve just dropped you an email.

Still, at least you can take it on the train now…

Er… isn’t getting a bit wet and bashing a few components all part of the fun?

Hi Iain – it’s these ones, but I actually need to replace both sides due to a careless trailside puncture fix :oops:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-lx-m585-hydraulic-disc-brake-levers/

Thanks – will check that out.

Have never had any problems with chain slippage on either of my bikes and they’re both horizontal drop out. 1×1 is running a Surly Tugnut. Standard Cotic tensioner / gear hanger jobbie on the roadrat.

I’d say that if the chainline and tension is correct, and there’s plenty of wear in the chainring and cog then there is no way you should be dropping so much.

Is there a chance that chainline may be an issue if you’ve recently fitted a new chainring?

If tension is a problem, are you running standard QRs? If so, consider swapping to a nutted axle or ones with an allen key bolt.

Interesting to see recent comments on this and other threads about the SRAM PC-1 stretching – Has the design changed recently or something?

I’ve swore by them for years – the same one has been on my 1×1 for donkeys and been really punished but it’s been fine barring an initial few adjustments during the first “bedding in”.

Thanks all for the advice folks but am having second thoughts having been out on the bike today. I reckon I’m using the drops more than I thought so reckon I may miss them.

Am going to see if I can source some cheap bar end shifters so that I can keep the drops – if I can’t then it’s back to the flat bar option.

I started racing BMX when I was your son’s age but that was about 30 years ago…. I would love to give it another go. How veteran is the vet’s class exactly?

Thanks all – will give it a go. I’ve got a zero rise 120mm stem knocking around somewhere I think.

Wondering whether something like an On One Mary bar would do the trick to get over having to have too long a stem.

Yes – singlespeed currently. I guess I just need to try it out, but wanted to see if anyone had done anything similar before I get the bigboxofbikeydelights ™ and my allen keys out

It will handle fine, but it will not fit you.

I’m struggling to work that why that would be the case. Surely it’s going to be a similar riding position to if I have my hands on the flat part of the drops currently, which works fine for me. Or am I missing something?

To be honest I’m generally on the hoods or the flat anyway, and only rarely use the drops.

I like the flexibility of it in that it can take pretty much any gear / brake combo you can think of and has rack mounts etc. They are a bit pricey but if the build quality is anything like my 1×1 then I reckon it’s a reasonable investment for a frame / fork combo.

As above. Completely indestructible – suffered every type of indignity, massive offs on the bike, several spin cycles (washing machine and several hold-downs surfing) and still going strong unlike the pricey titanium Eco-Drive I got as a “dress watch” and got scratched to bits and started letting in water after a couple of months light wear (5 atm my bottom).

I actually fancy a more up to date G shock but can’t justify it as the old one just won’t die!

Here’s mine. Drops, mini Vs and Smart Sams. Love it!

I suspect he’s selling them to fund a very bad jumper habit

Will have to dig out some photos of mine. Large drop bar version with cross tyres and mini Vs. For a while it was my weapon of choice for pretty much anything. Surprisingly good fun offroad.

May be getting 1×9’ed with discs in the near future as going to be using it for a commute over Dartmoor.

If I do, it’s going to have to be with bits I’ve got in the shed as I’m on a budget. How much shorter is the short version, and will I feel like a Dutchman if I run it with flat bars?

My wife is going to be at West Exe for her college based bit rather than at the Uni, so just off the A30 rather than centre of Exeter – about 30 mins from Moretonhampstead according to AA. We’re not sure what schools she will be doing her teaching practice at but apparently as we’ve got a little one they will try to place her reasonably close to home.

The snow is a concern, but from my point of view I’m going to be more likely to get to work living in the immediate area.

Thanks for all the advice folks, keep it coming.

Pic of my 1×1… not that I want to confuse you more.

Definitely – will be in touch once we’re down. Cheers

PS. What’s your new job on Dartmoor?

IT Manager for small travel company.

Thanks for that.

I was only joking about selling my singlespeeds… (out of my cold, dead hands etc…) am gonna try and MTFU, although I may need to up the cogs on the roadrat otherwise you’ll hear my knees pop in Cornwall.

I love my 1×1, retro looks aren’t to everyone’s taste but it’s hugely capable and handles brilliantly – that said, I do think sticking an Alfine on it may be a bit of a faff due to the lack of cable guides.

Do you really need Alfine for off road if it’s pretty flat?

What about just putting a bigger cog on the back for offroad? I ragged the 1×1 over Exmoor over Christmas in the ice and snow at 32:16 and it was fine with just a few carries, although I’d probably go up to a 17T or 18T if I was riding anywhere really hilly regularly.

Thanks – will check out the specs for that.

I went surfing there in January a few years back and regretted not taking a bike as well for the flat days. Some great looking trails around the West Coast (Famara / La Santa area) and I reckon there is probably a lot of potential in the Timanfaya national park itself.

This may give you some ideas:

http://www.lanzaroteinformation.com/content/mountain-bike-routes-lanzarote

Gram Parsons+1

Also try Lucinda Williams
Steve Earle has done some really good stuff too

Cheers – will get an order in.

A sociable walk may be more like it given that i’ve hardly been out on the bike over the last few weeks but I’d be up for that (depending on when). Am down for two weeks over Christmas / New Year but it’s likely to be a case of quick morning blasts around family commitments.

I will be popping backwards and forwards until we move down permanently over the summer.

bump