Got them on my hardtail, [fully enclosed cables], and my tourer.
Think they work quite well.

I did, and do most days. Might have been maybe two more cyclists out than normal, but there was no more than usual on the train/s

2 helmets.
Nowt worse than a damp helmet.

Clothes at work.

Keep your saddle contact area clean and healthy.

Sleep well.

Definately – usually ride to and from work most days during week and at least one ride on a weekend.

If I don’t my hips and my back can get really stiff and quite painful,due to previous injuries.

But I think more noticable and more important are the mental effects – cycling/excerise is great for reducing stress,can help combat control anxiety,depression etc.

My grandson has been riding an Early Rider for the past few years (getting his first pedal bike off grandad for his birthday next week) – looks good and has stood up tolots of abuse well local woods,skate park etc.
He loved it and says he’s keeping it forever !!!

If you’restuck for time because of the wifes hours of work and the little’un ,have you considered a turbo trainer ?
30 mins a night/morning keeps the legs spinning at least

Compromise and tweaking are words that will forever be linked to mountain biking I reckon.

Really ? I’m quite happy that my mtb is set up exactly how I want it for the type of riding I do.I don’t tweak it,and it doesn’t feel compromised in any situation.

I ride it, clean it, maintain it – repeat.

Orange 1993 Clockwork
Sanderson Life
– both bought as frames only and built up by myself

Kona Sutra – felt right straight from the box – improved with a Brookes saddle

Careful with those kind of comments roverpig,you’ll end up facing the inquisitors on a charge for heresey.

It’s either orange with white forks or white with black forks.

My old Clockwork is an Orange,thats white with black forks and orange bits

Redneck solution.
Get your own dog – one bigger than your neighbours.
Let it sleep with the kiddie.They’ll bond really well and the dog will become really protective of them.

21 years ago (almost to the day) I went head first through the back of a VW camper on a very quiet road on my way home from work.
I was paralysed for three days and the doctors at first suspected I had broken my neck- I hadn’t but I’d done quite a bit of damage.
A few days before I’d just found out I was going to be a father for the second time.
Been told I may never walk again was a bit harrowing and the prospect of not been able to run around with my kids was very upsetting.

One thing I’ll never forget is the neuro-surgeon telling me that the helmet I was wearing at the time probably saved my life,or at least saved me from serious head trauma.

I’ve been riding bikes ever since.
This last week I waved my youngest son off to Thailand and yesterday started fettling a second hand bike for my grandsons 4th birthday.

I’m quite happy to have seen my boys grow into men and can’t wait to go for my first ride with my grandson in a week or so. I was wearing my helmet,who knows what mine and my families life would have been if I hadn’t.

Wearing a helmets up to you.But I’m glad I had mine on.

….and ,did the compulsory helmet law for motorcycles really affect anything ?

apparently its incompatable with my device – 👿

I type in Singletrack Magazine into play store search but it doesn’t show up- I’m using an android phone

If you are carrying luggage,get a bike designed for the job.Touring bikes will have a lower centre of gravity to make them more stable under load,and the chainstays will be longer to keep a rack and panniers out of the way.

I got my Kona Sutra for £1000 – love it.Use it daily for commuting and have done numerous long distance rides and the odd tour.
Addmitedly its not the fastest/lightest bike around, but like Ton says,comfort is the main concern,and its definately an all day in the saddle ,especially with a Brooks.

As for bags I’ve used it with both panniers and Carradice saddle bag. Depends how much gear you want to carry. The Sutra has had some pretty heavy loads but the handling never seems to be too compromised.

Maltings and/or Brigantes -good beer and decent food.Both proper pubs.

The York Tap on station is good for real ale and grabbing a pie.

^ The Punchbowl is a Weatherspoons – alright if you like that sort of thing,but imo cannot compete with Brigantes/Maltings and many more of the pubs further into town (but not the Artful Dodger).

Sanderson Life with a 100-110mm fork.

lezyne micro drive – excellent light and some good deals on it at the mo’

Got the Catlike Leaf last week – worn it on 4 rides now from very hot to very wet . Very comfortable,light,and airy.
The visor does a good job of keeping the sun and rain out of your eyes.And it looks good – opposed to thePOC helmets that make me look like a bell##d
All in all I’m very pleased with it.

I cant offer asolution until I know what the problem is

How many cups and glasses have you got ?

You only really need one cup,plate fork knife spoon etc. but I bet you have more.

Case closed.

FFS, mountain biking is an inherently silly activity.

Yeah! So lets all wear cartoon ties and really bright clothes and fasten novelty tatt toour handlebars so we can look like dickheads.

If you dont want a grey bike don’t buy one !!!

Just for the record Orange have 12 colour options available other than grey

Hardly worth the hassle when you can get a replacement cheap on Ebay

Totally unrideable on anything remotely technical though

Really ? – I do wonder how we managed all them years ago without, suspension,and dropper posts – Oh yeah ! we just rode our bikes and got bumped about a bit more.

You’ve had alittle cry about it then ?

Good luck

Topeak aeropack-
1 x tube
2 x tyre levers
1 x lezyne puncture patch kit
1 x blackburn air stick
1 x topeak alien
1 x tin containing –
pair of replacement disc pads, powerlink, brake cable, couple of bolts
and a cafe lock.

Canwe safely presume you are undoing themthe right way ?
The drive side pedal is a normal thread and will losen in the non-pedalling direction , whereas the non-drive side is a reverse thread and will also losen in the non-pedalling direction.
But you knew that already.

# Boil a kettel and pour the boiling water over the pedal/crank

# soak in penetrating oil

# Try tightening slightly then undoing

# put 8mm allen key in pedal and (seriously) whack it with a hammer, then try undo it.

# cry

# lie to your missus about how much the new cranks cost.

CAUTIONARY TALE:

A few years ago I built a bike up from spare parts for Mrs stAn to use on the odd occasion.
At the same time I had just about finished building one of my own bikes. I had decided I wanted some black Raceface bars. Coincidently her bike also needed some bars.
I popped off to my lbs and purchased some black Raceface Diabolous bars for myself and a cheap as chips,silver,Trans-X bar.

when I got home she took intrest in both sets of bars and said she wouldlike the blackones on her bike -I replied,’..no,they’re for my bike.’ She then asked what the difference was – nothing except ones silver and ones black. This went on for some time with her persistently asking for the black bars to be fitted to her bike.

Eventually I had to fess up and tell her mine were actually a lot better and a lot more expensive. To which she replied ‘Yes I know. I can tell the difference between a piece of crap etc. etc. I just wanted to see how you would justify it all’

So,be careful. Ask yourself do they not know what you are up to,or is it that they do know but don’t really give a sh#t ?

I think they have got smaller -my humvees used to be very comfortable and a bit baggy but now seem to be just comfortable 😳

Lezyne micro drive
Bright to see with.
Not quite as bright to see with.
Bright to be seen with.
Flashing fast to be seen with.
Flashing slow to be seen with.
Charges up via USB port.
Looks good too.

I’ve been using Altura Aran panniers to carry stuff including laptop/shirts/kecks etc for the past 2 and half years with no issues.
Never had any issues with water getting in.

I also used them a few times for touring including a very wet 3 days in Scotland -again no issues with water.

Apparently there are better ones -Ortlieb come very highly recommended.

Chilli – half a gallon at Ruddy Duck – Trinity vs Whino’s- Erdinger at Fernandes .Provided I don’t get arrested for murdering the neighbour that will not turn down their radio – ****!

and if you can get some, use marine grease to repack the bearing – don’t put too much in.

seconded

The Lezyne Micro Drive is a pretty good front light for commuting.
– The highest beam setting is goodenough for off-road riding (it’s not as good as an Exposure Joystick but it’s a lot better than the Cateye lights we used to think were the dogs a few years back ) and it chrges up via a USB port.

Full mudguards are a definate for all the reasons above (SKS for the win)

Get used to going commando.

Keep your ‘saddle contact area ‘ in good order,clean and fresh 24/7.You’ll be greatful and it’ll impress your lover how well groomed you are.

Vary your route -it breaks up the monotomy and you never know who might be following you.

Say good morning as you nod to all other cyclists- and smile.

Everything above about clothes + keep a sweater at work. You may need to get warmed up quick on occasion.Cooling down is fine but getting warm again can sometimes be a b#ll ache.

Rack and panniers or rack top bag are definately the way to go.I’ve been using Altura ones for almost 3 years and they have been fine (even in this mornings epic storm.)If you want an alternative go for a courier style bag as opposed to a rucsack.

You don’t need a yellow hi-viz jacket or vest!!!!

Tell people it’s 10 miles not 5. Kudos,and it will impress the ladies.

Buff’s are your friend for most of the year.

Thin socks + sandwich bags + thin socks = improvised wet and/or cold weather socks.

Having two waterproof jackets and another helmet is not essential but can be difference between a cold damp start.

Wool doesn’t smell

Synthetic cycling kit smells like dead pidgeons if worn more than one day.

Don’t wear a skinsuit to work 😳

+1 for Schwalbe marathon tyres.

Peanut butter, rice cakes and bananas – nom nom nom.

And finally – I always find shaving at work after the ride in most enjoyable. A quick splash of Old Spice and I’m set for the day.

ps remember – no matter what the weather’s like,it could be worse. You could be in a car!!!

I can remember making a few of these when I worked in’t factory, and crud claws with aluminium combs and them plates to stop chain suck – must confess that the sheet metal crud catcher was not as succesful as once envisioned,made an awfuldin when stuff hit it.
*skulks off to the bike lair to see if they’re still hanging around*

remember bottom brackets and pedals tighten in the direction of travel…oh sorry I thought this was the spotify forum

sell the clown bike – keep the hardtail and the roadie

Just got back from 1000+ mile holiday (Wakefield- Bude) with two bikes on an old boot mounted rack on a Focus with no problems.
Took wheels off to save on drag and secured frames with a rope and Kryptonite cable lock (plus a ‘D’ lock when parked up).

Whats this weeks theme ?