I was meant to be going up to ride solo but last minute change of plans mean I’m now not. So I’ve got a free entry if anyone wants it? I’ll email the ticket over. You will have to race as my name but you will be able to race
If you want it send a mail to andywoodmtb@gmail.com

I’ve just tried this. Mavic don’t make one yet. Halo do one fr their hubs, it could be a case of measuring and seeing if they are interchangeable. I gave up!

Where are you OP..
It a getting into demo season now so you should get your self off to a couple of demos

I was running the trailblazers but binned them after they kept ripping when down to 14-15 psi. I’ve now got a 2.8 ninny nic in there and they are a genuine 2.8 wide from side to side nob. The transmitter looks ace now

Hi kwack

I thought I would chip in and spread some spitfire love around too. I’ve had mine for around a year now and I ride local trails, 30mile lakes and scots epics on it, trail centres and race enduro on it as well. It pedals very well and changes direction brilliantly. In short it lives up to its name perfectly. As mentioned before the ks suspension takes out a lot of Bob and gives a bottomless lprogressive suspension feel. It does have on,y one downside though and that’s its weight. It’s strong, bloody strong but it has a lot of alloy holding it together. My 1x 11 xt/xtr, likes, crossmaxes comes in at around 31lb and you can’t feasibly get it much lower without going carbon wheel, bar, mag pedals etc.

I’m 5ft 8″ and the medium fits perfectly. They do size up small though I was going to get a small until I sat on a medium.

I’m in leeds if you want a play on one.

Loco summed what it is like to work in your own shop to a tee there! For a real life real time example I’m sat in the shop, worked up, waiting for something to do looking wistfully out at the sunshine!

I could be riding but I have to be here. You also need to think of the working hours with at least one late opening a week. If you don’t open both days at the weekend there is no point in even being there.
As a workshop based bike shop which looks like it’s to be the only model which might survive this dip we are in, I’m still at the mercy of the weather, the internet, saturation of new bike sales. Etc,etc…..

It’s very tricky trying to maintain a work life balance. If your a single man with a lot of energy, drive and passion then I would say go for it but with only the money you can afford to lose if it doesn’t take off. If you are in a secure relationship have a long talk with your partner about the demands opening up a new business will take. If you have kids I would say forget it as you will just not have the time to see them. Opening up and establishing a successful shop is more than a full time job. Premises (without which you can’t get a trade account) initial shop kit out and stock loading, a second set of bills (c tax, utilities, insurances) advertising or promotion to get your self out there. Web maintainence..

A solid well researched business plan is essential.
Well, enough of this doom and gloom I’m going to close for an hour and take the dog for a walk.

You need a shop dog too.

I’m one of those that took the plunge a and opened up up on my own 4 years ago. I started very small working from home working one mobile service and repair basis only. Fast forward to now and I’m established, regarded and have a good clients base who trust me and recommend me. I have a unit in a mills which is way lower rent than a shop. This winter has been the worst I can remember for the bike trade since I can remember ( Iv worked in then trade In one way or another for 20 years ) a combination of another “once in a hundred years” weather system, saturation of the market. Especially where I live with a profileration of bike shops opening up inn he last couple of years and the way the markets changing now.

I keep going solely because I’m small, I have my own thankfully loyal customers and when I set out I didn’t want to stock lots off bikes.

Sancho, il be in touch. andy

@slackalice thanks for the heads up for the adaptor. Iv decided to sell everything tonight and get a new thrust master t150. So il be flogging the wheel, PS3 and all the games. Il put an ad on here later. ( when I can be bothered to take pretty pictures)

Iv got a Logitech gt with pedals that used to complete GT6 and I love it. The force feedback is fantastic it’s got a separate push gear knob but to be honest when your really flying you won’t use it and use the paddles instead. The pedals are even weighted differently for brake and throttle. GT, that, surround sound and sit 4ft away from your big TV and its a great way to while away the evenings. Unfortunately it’s not bloody compatible with ps4 so it looks like I’m saving up all over again if I want to play project cars.

3 mins until I’m on the fast,rocky,loose descent into the woods. 3 really good trails in there. And you have ride past a pub no matter which way you exit.

Hi ahsat

Thanks for the great advice about the spitfire Iv got one now and it’s ace! I’m a leeds boy born and bred. I grew up in East leeds and have lived, worked and experienced every corner of it. It’s bed time here but send me an email to my profile and il send you the whole lowdown. We have lived in headingley, Horsforth, chapel a, and now Pudsey. Iv got friends who live in Farsley, Rodley, calverley and thackley too.

RIP to the master of wheel building. Built my first wheel 20 yrs ago with his book. Iv used the same book to teach loads of kids that passed through over time. Legend.

I’m afraid they are destined for the bin. I’ve never seen them snap under load only under impact. I’ve got an old set of deores you can have if you send me your address (unless your in leeds in which case your more than happy to pop into the shop and raid the second hand “karma” spare parts bin.

The TORRIDON Classic is the best trail Iv ridden on this fair isle. Ilkley moor is my most favourite place in England. I have been riding there my whole life and it’s still got everything you want from a bike ride. Last nights ride was amazing.

Rode there this spring. Did the classic clockwise loop from the nature centre (park there) and the lollipop too. The bowl is very, very loose and just hike a bike at the mo. The classic is actually worthy of the word. The only natural 45min downhill in the UK. It’s well worth it. Believe the hype.

Thanks for the responses guys. If cycle works in York does them then I’m on to a winner. I can try gravitate too as I can combine that with a hamsters trip next time the weather is grotty. It’s to replace a five which the forks have gone on. It’s the last of the straight steerers so I can t find any decent big stanchion forks left. I want something that’s a little longer but still flickable. I’ve got a c456 for all days out. It just needs to do winch and plummet, lakes and scotland big mountain stuff and a week in the Alps. Heard that they are good at winching with no Bob and excel down the other side. How do you lot get on with them?

I’ve bitten the bullet and I have ordered and fitted the split charge relay. The instructions are very easy to follow. It helps if you mark all the cables up to their corresponding letters on the diagram. I ordered the 3 metre kit then discovered the main battery is in the passenger footwell and the leisure is going under the passenger seat. Total length of cable needed …… 65cm! Used the rest to go through the bulkhead and onto the the fuse board in the back. Finally fitted it all last night. Il get some pics up later. I actually really enjoyed the process and it has got me over my fear of electrickery. Must say I feel very proud that Iv done it all myself. Iv just got one question left for sazter, how much draw does the ceramic heater take on your battery? I’ve got a 85amp battery. Iv reserved a place for it on the board.

Iv had this a few times only with 105 10s bikes. TiRed is on the right thread with this. What is happening is there is too much compression on the initial shift of the shifter. Set it up so the first click shifts up and then when you get to the top it’s under too much tension to go back down, try getting hold of some full length of cable and running an unbroken length to the mech. Use metal ferrules. If you have now have better shifting then look at every cable stop, ferrule and join to make sure nothing is catching.

We never openly ridicule you lot. Just snigger about you once you have gone 😉

If I had lived a life ordered by convention I would have never met my better half. I grew up on a council estate in east leeds and like everyone there I grew up into the box ticking lifestyle. After a series of failed relationships over 8 years I had enough sold my flat and left everything behind to run away to the mountains. After spending a year out there I came home to find all my “mates” didn’t want to know me now as I didn’t have a house, dead end job, married, kids. So I went to live where I thought I would fit in. A move to Headingley to live with my riding buddies who were 8-9 years younger and started again. On a night out in a pub with my new workmates I spotted this cute girl in a white t shirt. I know its corny but she stood out so much it was if there were no one else in there. We started seeing each other and I had to lie about the sizeable age gap (9 years ) to keep seeing her. She was everything I wanted and nothing like I knew back where I grew up. Things eventually came to head when I decided I was going back the mountains to do another season again. She couldn’t come as she was still studying. We kept in touch very week but I wasn’t sure if it was going to last. ( I do realise I was being very selfish going back out but after trying to please everyone earlier on I just wanted to do what I wanted to do ) she came out to visit and see why I love it so much there. When I came home we moved in. That was 10 years ago. I finally popped the question 18 months ago. I genuinely love being married to her, I truly feel like karma has played its part and we were destined to meet. We have been through everything together in the last decade and could not bear to be without her. I would die for her. She still lights up every time I see her!

I had one of these for a couple of years when I couldn’t afford a bouncer. 3 things will come to mind when you first ride it.
1. It’s quite heavy and hugely stiff
2. Its a load of fun
3. Why do you need a full sus?
It did every thing I wanted it to and I took it places where I wouldn’t normally venture on a HT. Stick some big forks on it and hide behind them. Lots of fun, no pivots, bushings or shocks to worry about. It can get a bit labourious on big days out and it climbs like a dog (as you would expect) but stick it at something rough and it scampers off like a border collie

I only stopped riding it cos I’m getting too old and it was knackering my back on long days out.

Get one you won’t regret it

For twang here are the pics of my hidden holes…

I used foam insulation with contact adhesive to fill in the voids on the panels first. second once you have your piece of 8mm ply all sized up draw up where you want your doors to be. take the ply out and cut out the doors. fit a couple of simple door hinges so you have doors. finally contact all the ply and stick your carpet over. make sure you have one section in between the 2 doors which you can screw into a baton to give the ply more rigidity and a secure place to put the little slide bolts onto . once its all back in the van spend a pleasant hour or so threading elastic through all the machined out pressings in the shell to make a sprung net to put your stuff behind. it keeps it safe and stops it rattling around. iv constantly got 2 chairs, 2 fold out camp beds, a fold up table, thermarests and sleeping bag in there. just add the fridge or heater, food and bikes and off you go.

Il take some when I’m out and about today. Il dig out the conversion pics too. One word of advice though. If you are carpeting the ply don’t go overboard on contact adhesive. Iv still got 4 cans of megavanmats carpet adhesive. However do use megavanmats as they are top guys and are based in leeds.

Sky users, search Dakar on the planner and select both showings of the Dakar on Eurosport. If it overruns one it automatically reschedules to not overrun the 2nd. I had one recording that was just snooker and another that was 48 mins long which recorded the snooker and all the Dakar.

It’s being a cracking race this year and I’m loving every minute of it. Carlton Kirby is an excellent, poignant, passionate commentator. Just seeing the scenery is staggering it makes me want to get another touring bike.

So then we are enough into it for some bets to be called. Who wins what?

I’m going for
borreda
Sonik
De villeins
Any kamaz

I bought a swb trafic last year and slowly are converting it over. I still need it to shift bikes around during the week for work so It needs to be modular. I’ve insulated, panelled and carpeted the van out, fitted a strong Lino floor and In the process of getting power into the back.

One thing I did do which has worked out quite well is to fit some hidden cupboards into the recess between the skin wall, insulation and the ply. That way I can carry all the cooking equipment stored in the recesses all the time. Saves loads of time when wanting to get out on the weekend.

Can I have please have a spaceship that can travel both through time and space. Oh and Scarlett to look after my collection of lightsabers.

Iv done this a few times now and I can tell you a few tips.
It’s around 60/40 off road/road
There will be a few sections through farmers fields. Keep your mouth shut!
There are 3 really good trail sections if your handy make up time here.
The feed stations are ace. Homemade cakes and flap jacks, mars bars, bananas, squash.
The final climb back to the school is really, exhaustingly steep
Its a great event full of great normal people from every level of life.
If I weren’t ill id be there myself.

All great sage advice by 3 fish. Nothing more to add. Oh, just one thing. Wine open fires go great with red wine.

I have a normal ccdb air. The new inline one is a little lighter. I’d go for a 50mm hope am stem. The gun smoke colour would look good next to the green!

Gold digger I have a ccdb air on my five. Had it for a year now and it’s the best upgrade Iv done. I bought it for the feel of a coil but without the weight. It does take a long time to set up and its easy to cock it up but now its set its amazing. It also has a party trick of giving unbelievable levels of traction. It can winch its way up nearly anything now.

If you do go for it let me know and il send you over a starter setup. The lounge on ccdb’s site is pretty good for info too.

Once again the stw massive have delivered their usual useful mix of sarcasm.
So after 23 responses my choices are

Take a map
Take an enormous ball of string
Fill every pocket and crevice with crumbs
Use my phone.

And one really useful post of “read the large road signs ”

Thanks guys. I may not be an wiser on bar mounted gps devices but on my next ride but I will take all your valuable wisdom with me.

I snapped my ankle and had to have 2 screws in the ankle ball and a plate and 8 screws in my leg holding it all together. Physio is the key to living a normal life again. They lived in there for 3 years until same as defender they started backing out and on a road ride over bad roads you could feel the screws vibrating. A very odd feeling. Made the decision to get the lot out and its the best thing I did. A load more Physio later and it doesn’t stop me doing anything. Ski, ride, run etc. Does ache in the winter though.

On a positive note there is a load of fantastic riding around Bradford. On a minus note you will have to live near Bradford. I second a lot of people on here and say shelf, northaworam, Shipley.

Scoops is right I unfortunately have to drive around Bradford and there are no rules on the road. Not that many licenses either…..

I met a chap at gisburn last week who was on a 650b wicked. He let me have a quick go and it was great but small. I normally ride a small and the medium fitted perfectly. Guy Kesteven has just done a good review of one. On bike magic have a look on that

Xc you need to replace your shock bushings. Any decent shop should them for under £15 or you can get the bushings and tool from eBay for under£20.
Easy job to do your self

I felt the need to stand up for my sideways standing brethren and agree with Jmoid, Ed Leigh is a great pundit to have on the beeb for boarding. He knows the tricks , the riders and he gets genuinely and enthusiastically excited at a good run. Anything, anyone as long as it’s not bloody balding.

I have been looking forward to this for the last year! Iv even worked my schedule around it.

We run an older shape 06 panda and we managed to get two orange fives in and ourselves when the van broke.
Missus stumpy loves it. If I could still find the panda 100hp I would buy it as second car straight away. She has already decided next year she is getting a 4wd version. She had a Suzuki jimny before this and it was sturdy, crashy and slow on any road over 50. Off road though it was amazing. We lost count the amount of huge electronic 4×4 we got past when it snowed 2-3 yrs ago.

Spitfire, bolly, port, glengoyne. Sleep

It sounds like one of your headset components is binding under tightening. Take everything apart again. Make sure you have the crown race on and the right way round. ( I see a lot of these missing or wrongly fitted) check both sets of headset cups are freely moving and not too graunchy. Refit everything with a little dollop of grease and see if it happens again. If your unsure how the headset parts are refitted go to hopes tech drawing page.

Good luck

+1 for the physio. I have a really good relationship with mine and they have healed, fixed and out me back to together whenever I have injured myself. I just use the gp as a route to being referred to higher nhs services if I need them now.
Physio all the way.