As mentioned above – shimano stuff seems much more expensive than SRAM can be had for just now – exchange rate stuff I think.

I've recently switched to a new Rival group after years on shimano 105 of varying models.

In terms of quality/market… Rival=105, Force=Ultegra, Red=Dura-Ace. Though actually quality and performance is a matter of opinion.

Shimano tends to be much lighter shifting. The levers feel bigger and they've got that nice bulbs bit to wrap your fingers around at the front/top of the levers… I always liked that.

The new Ultegra and DuraAce finally get the cables inside and have a flatter top section on the hoods… they feel comfier. SRAM allready had this.

I prefer the double tap functionality to Shimano's two levers approach. I miss the light action of shimano, but growing to love the SRAM positive shifting. You really know when you've changed.

Braking is better with SRAM, IMHO.

Once big comparison is weight. SRAM is lighter than equivalent Shimano groupo. in fact, Rival is over 100g lighter than Ultegra from memory.

I spent a long time mulling over SRAM vs Shimano when choosing my new groupset and in the the end, couldn't ignore the value for money you get with SRAM, so went with Rival.

I'm 5'8" and ride the medium with the 23.3" TT – I think it's the 17.5" model. Got an inline post and 90mm stem on there, feels spot on, but I do like a bit of a stretch.

Not sure of anything for definite, but my wife works for borders council and hasn't been to work this week as advised by her boss… apparently police are suggesting anyone in the borders should stay put unless absolutely necessary.

Here's a classic christmassy riding pic I took when we met this friendly robin in Glen Tress last winter.

I'd say there's a noticeable difference – I'm now running 140mm revs with 20mm maxle lite. I wouldn't go back to AR unless I had to (dropping to 100mm forks and no bolt through option?).

The other thing worth pointing out is that 15mm axle isn't officially a bolt through system as once the axle is screwed in, it doesn't get clamped into the fork legs on both sides the way a 20mm maxle or traditional bolt through does… which makes the whole axle, lowers, crown a complete stiff almost one piece unit. That's the point of the bolt through. The maxle system just made it quicker to get a wheel in and out, but it still clamps the axle in the fork lowers on both sides.

Hope that made sense.

Based on your likes/dislikes, I'd head to Mabie, or perhaps Dalbeattie… but avoide Ae.

I really like Ae, but it's very fast and jumpy feeling place. no much in the way of natural rooty stuff. There certainly are some rocks… but I'd say it stays too much to the jumpy side of things for you.

Dalbeattie is much more flowey single track – though it's very pedally – not much in the way of freewheeling descending. Definitely a good work out. There is some nice natural rooty sort of sections, but may be a bit much work for your boy, dunno

Mabie – highly under-rated in my book… think it's great. flows well. Couple of nice climbs, nice fast flowy singletrack descents, lots of rooty stuff, bit of rocky stuff, nothing too technical. Talking about it is making me want to go there.

oh – and if you like natural technical rooty trails – you should definitely check out Drunlanrig castle, if you haven't all ready – though I doubt it'll be open boxing day.

Enjoy your ride, wherever you choose.

All interesting points…

Speedplay do have a lot of rotational float, though I've never had an issue with SPDs not have enough of that. It's the lateral float of Times that interests me. But they're no good without the extra stability that a platform offers.

I recently gave classic none-platform SPDs a go again after years of M647s… didn't like it at all. Kept unclipping accidentally from my foot rocking to the side. Also got really sore ankle the following day. So I'm back on the (fairly knackered) M647s till I decide what new ones to buy.

Live in Prestonpans… have spent a bit of time playing about the Garlton hills next to Haddington. There's no big routes around there, but some cracking little bits of trail. Worth exploring the Radio mast hill and the Monument hill.

Take the road bike around Garvald way and up into the lammies… but never thought of taking the MTB that way.

I'll second the smart 1/2 watt as mentioned above. Astounding value… really bright. Not great battery life though.

Definitely worth getting for road biking if you're the guy who ends up doing all the work on the front all the time… your pals won't hog your rear wheel with one of these on the back!

Think there might be a change of plan on the uplift though… just speaking to Tally and sounds like the uplift is cancelled.

Also looks that way on the website.
UpliftScotland website

From what I've heard (from Tim Flooks) the new 2010 ones use the same boost valve tech as the old 5th element shocks… which was never that great… instead of a classic shim stack.

Time reckoned the 2009 version was a better and more reliable shock… so you might be better off looking for an offer on old stock of a 2009 model.

YMMV

What plans you got for the geared kit you're taking off the bike ? Might be interested in those simplex shifters… are they the tear drop shape friction ones ?

Just got a Gore Phantom and it's fantastic. It's more of a wind proof jersey than a jacket really. It's a pretty snug fit, so there's not much space underneath for anything other than a think base layer. It's designed to be worn next to the skin, which is how I've worn it so far.

The sleeves come off at the shoulders but leave some short lycra sleeves behind so it's more like a short sleeve jersey with wind protection for your core rather than a gilet.

Still one of the best bits of biking clothing I've bought. Highly recommended,

With a steel frame, you should be fine…. I'm doing it right now.

Nice one…

If anyone's thinking of heading Skye-ward. The little loop up the north end of the island, around the Quiraing, is well worth the bit extra driving. It's only a 12km ish route, with half of that on road, but some of the best scenery I've encountered on a mountain bike.

More pics like this and a wee report on My Blog

Makore, any chance I could get a copy of that too ? Sadly, I had a nasty off at 30km so couldn't GPS the whole route myself.

Cheers
Stu

Superb event… even though I've fresh flesh wounds in knee and elbow…

I did the 90mile road sportive on the saturday. Which, despite the shocking rain and headwind for the first half, was a lovely route with lots of friendly folk.

I'd gone down with my buddy phil who wanted me to ride the 70km Merida route on the Sunday. He had a lovely rack of lamb prepared in the camper van ready for my return on the road bike (I love camping with a chef). My legs felt pretty tired, but all in all a good day… though I was getting a little worried about how my legs would cope on the Sunday.

Having never done one of these events before, I didn't quite know what to expect. It's a pretty long route and it's for a wide audience, it's bound to be fairly tech free and the climbs shouldn't be too bad. Boy was I wrong.

All that said, by the time we hit the first climb, after about 4km of road to start, my legs were nicely warmed up again and I was feeling pretty good. I settled into a nice stead pace in the granny and wound my way up and up and up.

Skip to the end, past some fantastic trails, another relentless climb up to the southern upland way, then a nice bit of descending heading toward the second feed station…. yes the end to my ride, not the route.

I hit a nasty loose gravely bit on a particularly fast bit of fire road (just before a massive patch of deep mud on the fire road… remember?) and the bike went sideways and I went straight on, tumbled down the track a wee bit and stopped in a bit of a heap with some nasty gravel rash to my side, knee and elbow. I was patched up by some super helpful riders who stopped to help – Huge thanks to them, didn't get their names, then I tried my best to make it to the second feed stop in another 7 or 8 km.

I couldn't pedal so had to walk the ups and flats and freewheel the downs as best I could. This meant lots of wincing and cries of OUCH Ya ***** along the particularly bumpy, rooty and tech steep bits of lovely looking singletrack to follow before the second feed stop. All the time thinking how much I'd enjoy this section if I wasn't hurting so much.

Got some more first aid from a very kind blonde girl (Annwin?) at the feed stop. A medical student apparently, and clearly going to be good at it. I waited for Phil who'd then decided to cut it short and head back on the 45km route as he'd (also) completely underestimated the severity of the climbing involved, then I got a lift back in the organisers van with their son, Thomas, but not their daughter who'd have to wait a bit longer for a lift coz I'd stolen her seat…. sorry about that.

Still got my free T shirt, was super impressed with the whole event, was very pleased with the new light marathon setup on my MSC zion, am pretty impressed how well my legs coped, enjoyed camping stove rack of lamb, had an all together lovely weekend and will definitely be back next year.

Any one of those climbs was a brutal climb on it's own and should be commended. Well done to all who finished… whatever distance.

Me plus 1 will be there. I'll be in a minty green VW t4 camper… and riding an MSC Zion with a very shiny new chain and cassette….

Well, they are just now, but that may not last.

I've fitted some nobby nics all around for fairly varied conditions and fast rolling. Sure they'll be fine.

Very nice… i’m looking to do the same just now for a wee local training bike. Good for winter too when I don’t want to take out the nice carbon giant TCR.

Trying to find an old frame to use, like Thisisnotaspoon says, they’re getting pricey on the bay.

Wish I’d never sold all my old steel frames. I used to have a lovely raleigh race frame with chrome forks and rear end.

I like the use of the classic levers with exposed cables.. might go that way myself.

Orange do a tiny size for he ladies… my pal has one and she’s only 5’4″ and she loves it.

Not exactly in Edinburgh but Steve Deas at iCycles in Innerleithen built my last set. Did a beautiful job… took real care over them and built me up a lovely tight set with burgtec hubs and sapim lazer spokes. 8 months in and I’ve never had to touch a spoke. Still running true as.

I’ve been using easton EA70s at 685 for the last few years. This year, I fancied some fancy carbon ones, so go the 660mm EC70 CNT bars. Lovely bars and I tried my best to like them for 6 months, but really missed the old width. So, just swapped them out for good old EA70s. I’ll never ride anything else.

I’ve tried a buddy’s DH bike with 700s on it and they felt ridiculous… and only approaching anything like nice with a teeny tiny stem.

Flippin ek… lightning killing those cows in East Lothian. I was out on the road bike around that area on Sunday… glad I got home before that weather hit!

Glad you lot had a good pentlands ride.

Hey Househusband… I work in Eskbank and have usually got the van with me. Easy to stick the bike in the back for a cheeky evening ride. Nice easy access to the pentlands or tweed valley from there.

My Pal Mark can get up that climb Tandem… makes it look easy too, but he is super human (I think… never seen him fly though)

I usually come down that one.

GW – I’m at the cockenzie end of Prestonpans… right by the powerstation.

Cool Tandem – have replied to other thread re Sunday

Possibly up for a pootle around the pentlands on Sunday… looks like rain though, might not be a great place to be. Don’t wait for me, but I may be along… the company would be nice.

I’m based in East Lothian and get out pretty regularly.. or at least I try. I’ve recently been having trouble nailing down my usual riding buddies to any commitment to ride, so super keen on meeting some new folk to get out with.

I’ve not been up the pentlands for ages, but I’ve nothing against it. Spend a lot of time around the tweed valley or down Dumfries trail centre way and occasionally head north for some more adventurous stuff. My van will take 3 or 4 bikes and people no bother (inc me) and has post ride tea making facilities. Happy to provide lifts if needed.

Aiming to head out this Sunday somewhere, not sure where. There’s rain forecast so it may be a day for man-made trails.

I’ll keep an eye on this thread, but you can get me on: stuart.potter AT mac.com

Personally, I’d be using paid-for AV to ensure you’re fully protected. On that front, my vote goes to Eset NOD32. I don’t trust free AV. plenty of folk I’ve seen using free stuff have had problems with the odd sec threat, trojan etc.

For the record, I’m a freelance IT consultant and so see a lot of machines in different situations, with varying av on them.

Like the frame… always fancied one of those… like the colour too!

Build looks pretty good spec whys. Brake hoses could be tidier, but looks like they’ve got a routing issue coz they run front brake on the left (the correct way!!!).

Never been convinced by those wheels though.

Clearly an expensive build, sure it rides lovely too.

iphoto will do it… you just use the export option and tell it what size you want the new images and where to save them

South to north would def be the best option.

I’ve done the top half with my pal, who was checking it out before doing the whole lot in a day. He did that a few months later… in 17.5 hours! I’d not recommend that though unless you’re a total lunatic. The top half is on my list of favourite ever rides with some great scenery and some lovely riding terrain too. Yeah, it was tiring, but a good day.

From what my pal said, the bottom half is less interesting and more draining due to a bit more walking… especially along lomand side as mentioned. but you’d be over that on the first day and enjoy the second more knowing you’d be riding the whole thing. Nice sense of achievement.

There’s info on my pal’s blog but his server seems to be down just now.