Probably too late for my 2p worth. I am not a SS afficinado (hills too steep where I live) but I have had innumerable drive chain issues. I had some serious crunching noises and slipping on my front chainring. The bike shop saw no appreciable wear and the chain was pretty new too. Swapped the ring for a (new) cheap and cheerful Deore ring and problem solved. Can’t explain it, but it worked. Must get “rogue” dodgy chainrings from time to time.

I dug out my old XC hardtail – much of the terrain on my doorstep doesn’t warrant my full susser – and decided to chop and change the cockpit on a whim. Wider bars and shorter stem and it is a transformed (and better!) ride. Now I’ve started looking at all manner of unaffordable ways I can make it even better (£17.99 just for a seat post clamp!?) whilst my full susser looks on forlornly at my tinkering

I confess I have not read every thread here but I did notice you were looking at double sided pedals i.e. clips on one side, flats on the other.

DON’T BOTHER

You will spend half your time looking at your feet trying to either clip in or find the flat side. Waste of time. I tried them for a while. They’re good if your SPD bike happens to be your shopping bike as well, but otherwise I would avoid like the plague.

mastiles_fanylion says Nirvana?
Bleach was good but better than Nevermind or In Utero??!! Not in my book. I actually think In Utero stands up (nearly) as well as Nevermind.

Five Star

I’ve been quoted £20 for a “lunchtime” powder coat. I was going to remove everything (BB, headset etc) but I must admit it had not occured to me it would need refacing. Headtube or just BB shell?

Anyone know where I can get some bespoke decals printed? No, I’m not going into production!

Following a tip on this forum, I explored the local woods – in the daylight this time. New(ish) to the area so had no idea the trails existed. Scared myself silly just looking off the end of one of the gap jumps. I think I’ll leave that to the kids.

Thanks for the trail tip Collie. Despite a broken chain at the furthest point from home (and no tool kit) I got a good look at both Cheddleton Heath and St Edwards. Definitely given me something to play on in the evenings.

It seems the Roaches is an "accepted" trail then…

Fab! Thanks Collie. Off there right now…

Can you give me some clues as to accessing this singletrack please? I can see Cheddleton Heath on my map but not sure exactly where you’re referring to. Is it obvious when I get there…in the dark!

Thanks for the guidance…

Coming down the bridleway into Fould past Red Earth farm, just before you get into the hedgerows. Just north of Abbey Green. Whoever it was had strung bailer twine right across the bridleway and by the time I saw it, it was too late. Fortunately I was pulled off the bike by the arms and not the neck.

The other incident was a farmer at Cheddleton Heath who told me I couldn’t ride past his farm, despite it being marked as a BOAT and then a bridleway on the map. If this is what it’s light riding legally around Leek I dread to think what riding a bit of cheeky footpath would bring…

Been meaning to try St Edwards tho’. May get my lights on and try tonight.

ha ha

No probs riding up there, but footpaths were my last resort. I have strolled along the top of the Roaches many-a-time wishing it were a bridleway. Unfortunately I have had landowner "incidents" riding on bridleways around Leek, never mind footpaths (two bailing twine scars on my forearms will testify to that…)

When I changed to Gore Ride Ons they were easy to fit and perform well, but I did have to drill out the cable stops to make them big enough to fit the outer cable through. Worth bearing in mind when fitting any full outer cable through "tradtional" cable stops.

I have tried both Nokon and Gore Ride On. Nokon are a bit fiddly to fit and not actually fully sealed. Also, the "bling" finish starts to wear off very quickly. Performance has been good so far tho’, but according to Nokon they do still need lubing.

Gore are fully sealed (provided you get the sealed version!) and pretty easy to fit, although I did have to drill out the cable stops to run a full length of outer. They don’t need any lubing at all though, so get my "fit and forget" vote. I shopped around and got the long fully sealed version for £30.