Yeah fine, Hans Dampfs and Rocket Rons are no problem. Ditch the tubes though, I was sceptical but have not regretted it.

No idea, but I wish I were making that choice tomorrow :mrgreen:

I wish there was a 2.3 for the back of hardtails, the 2.4 is huge and won’t fit most, but the 2.2 isn’t as voluminous as I’ve come to like.

the next batch really will be mint…

I have one of these and it’s very good.

Hydrapak

Big plus being able to turn it inside out to clean.

Only negative is the bite valve which is difficult to open with one hand.

Not sure what the costume change was all about?

SingleTractorWorld anyone?

+1 mattbee! From another guy that’s 6’2″, 32″ waist and 13 1/2 stone.

How do you feel when a tractor pulls out in front of you on a nice bit of road?

Like an opportunity for the next masterful overtaking manoeuvre has just presented itself. :-)

How do you feel when the tractor has just parked itself sideways in the middle of the A14 whilst the driver has a refreshing glass of cider?

^Me three MD!^^

If you read the info about the vid on youtube the attitude problem is more evident. Strange given that the quickest of the riders that had stopped was faster than mr camera man.

It is annoying when people stop on a berm rather than somewhere out of the way. It’s doubly annoying when they the pull out in front of you.

Not so annoying that you need to post it on youtube with comments like that though.

Ohh how’d you manage that composite?

Loved it but I have since bought waterproof socks. Bits of loop 2 are quite exposed so take an extra layer if it’s windy.

Big deadline coming up on Friday so I won’t be able to make this week :(

Without the tube you are pressurising a slightly greater volume. The tubeless setup should therefore feel slightly softer at a given pressure, but you must have had your thumb recently calibrated to pick up on this.

Having gone from Arch Ex’s to Flow Ex’s, I much prefer the Flow’s for the added support and volume they give to big tyres. The weight difference is not great, but it is noticeable.

The two rims seem virtually identical in design except for the width. I do have trouble believing that the extra few mm of width lends a noticeable amount of stiffness to the wheel itself. I’d be interested to hear anyones opinion on that though.

I’d be surprised if the difference in stiffness between the 3 rims themselves is noticeable. Much more down to the wheel build I’d have thought. Unless it is the tyre that you are feeling flex that is…

Had a look at getting one of the trespass soft shells for £13.99…

Doesn’t seem to matter which size or colour I select, the price when you go to the basket jumps to £39.99 :x

The second loop was where the real flow began when I was there.

I thoroughly enjoyed all but the last few km of Penmachno just before xmas, large sections of which were underwater. Frozen feet took some of the fun away for the last few km but it just gave the ride more of an epic feel.

Wow, good prices, not my size though and the seatclamp is too small

Where can you get the kili at that price?

I take it when you said text book bleed, you ment you removed pads and replaced them with the bleed block fitted thick end in. Just checking, it sounds like too much fluid in system.

+1

Well pleased with my 2 orders, fingers crossed!

First time in the US so made quite a change from Birmingham. Took a 29er over the bridge and overtook a few roadies coming up the road pictured. From here I then road all over the Marin headlands, all the trails that Marin name there bikes after. A Beautiful, never to forget day.

Me and a mate have decided to get away to wales for a few days riding before xmas and I’m afraid that trumps bunny hopping around Broadstreet :lol: Have a good ride people and see you in the new year!

I tried FS for a bit. It was a 120mm xc bike, it climbed amazingly well which was it’s main positive attribute. It felt to me like it didn’t tame the trail enough on the descents to make the extra maintenance worthwhile. Sold it and went back to a hardtail which just felt so much more playful.

It also gives me a sense of accomplishment to keep up with guys on carbon FS bikes. Not all of you obviously but a good many of you!

Me + 1 I should think. Last day of autumn I believe. Gluhwein anyone?

I have a good 200mm showing when climbing, my mate reckons he can see the post flexing. I think it’s very comfy. I’ve never put any carbon paste of anything on it and I am constantly putting it up and down using a quick release. I have broken the chainstays but so far the post is fine.

Keen on doing a build myself otherwise I’d seriously look at the 456

You do realise the vast majority of 456’s are built by their owners from a frame up?

Most of our woes really are motoring based it seems.

People who treat mini roundabouts as though they were T junctions, my car is cheap and I will risk collision to make my point.

This has inspired me to ride some more mountains before the year is out. Nice one.

Bournes are dead cheap and do a decent enough job, check the pics of my frame (thread in profile) It is coming away a bit around the dropouts but I think thats to be expected the amount I’ve had the wheel in and out.

@I_Ache – Yeah sure mate.

Yeah, I’m bailing too. See you next week guys!

If more people are interested I’m up for leaving it till the 20th?

THe 13th of December is fast approaching, who’s looking forward to it?

Short stem, yep. Wide bars, yep. Single ring, currently no, I like spinning on long climbs too much. Chain device, yep. Flow Ex rims with big tyres.

Bargain if it only had hydraulic brakes.

^^ I like the sentiment of your post buzz^^
I don’t think I’ll let my doubts get in the way of my first Alps trips on a bicycle :)