Interesting that the Lev has never been a problem Northwind. My previous one was not either until it broke and a new one came under warranty. Gets anywhere near zero and it just gets stuck in open and the seat goes down when seated and up when standing.

My Reverb slows below zero and pretty much stops around -5.

Cheers guys. Went for another spin on the medium today just to cement my thinking. Large now ordered.thanks again especially for the offers of a look at the large.

That is very helpful guys. My instinct was that I needed the large so thanks for the verification

I have a couple of Ti springs for my Vivid. Before I consider changing to a Van (had one on loan whilst Vivid was serviced and I liked it but it may be my Vivid really needed serviced!!) I wanted to know if my springs could re used and now I know the can’t I will likely not change.

Thanks HC – Yep I was wondering if there could be some fouling issues.

Some interesting posts here. Not sure I agree with anyone that says (or implies) nothing needs to change. If your priority is not your kids then I am very different to you.

That said I was very lucky to have 2 easy kids (having watched a good mate have 2 really easy kids and then go into melt down with a horrifically difficult 3rd – trust me the kid does make a huge difference)

I think most of this has been covered but:

– Drive as little as possible and ride as much from the house as you can. That is easier in some locations than others but the principles apply regardless. I did a lot of road miles.
-Adjust your ride schedule to minimize impact on family. For me it was 5am rides. Getting up was hard but it became easier and I ALWAYS was glad afterwards. Frequently was home to a sleeping house.
– If you have one then take the dog biking – takes care of dog walking chore. Can be sold as making it tired so easier for her to manage the next day as well.
– Commute by bike
– Run or do bike intervals near the house. Short and sharp and can be done with little time away from the house
– Try to do a few big days but plan them in advance to tie in with things like the wife’s family visiting (or in my case my mum visiting)so help is at hand.
– Make sure your other half gets out to do what she wants
– Try to get time to do couple stuff as well. Easier as the kids get older but whilst you are parents first and foremost you are still a couple.
– Finally when home – Pull your weight 🙂

I think the QF’s are looking great with 3 of them pretty tough to call. Cannot see Scotland beating Australia (but hey I live in hope). NZ may hump France but not ridiculous to say France may also win. I do fear Ireland may end up being the only NH survivors but hope Wales prove me wrong and Scotland deliver on my wildest dreams 🙂

I am not sure if it is because I am Scottish or if it is because I am a rugby fan (probably both) but the Ford, Gray ban is a total nonsense on many levels.

The incident was clearly not malicious and frankly there were dozens of more dangerous acts committed in pretty much every game played. Australia will beat us regardless (false optimism 10 mins before the start will still of course be present) but rugby has lost out here.

I have little doubt that the Australian official deliberately looked for something. Australia are fierce competitors at every sport. Gaining an edge in any way possible is what makes them successful. In no way shape or form should an Aussie been in the chain here but…… Ultimately common sense should have applied. Maybe it is time to move to full blown touch rugby?

The Morrison letter is pretty close to reality IMO. The comments on Woodward are bang on. England won the RWC 2003 because they had a awesome set of players. Woodward has been exposed for what he is since then.

Looking forward to the quarters. Being Scottish I will optimistic that we may pull off an upset until about 10 minutes in, when I shall become upset about our inability to play rugby for the first 40 minutes, briefly excited about a second half comeback then depressed about how it all falls apart again.

Wow – Scarily accurate view on most of my experiences watching Scotland

Enjoyed yesterday despite really not having my ‘race mojo’ on. A calf injury prevented me running across the traverse section of stage 4 after I span out which cost me a chunk of time. Riding like a numb nut on stage 3 cost me more though 🙂

Bit of a shame they had to drop a stage but safety has to come first

As always for Tweed love organization was exceptional

Thanks Julzm I will play it by ear tomorrow. See how much I can juggle work around

Julzm – I think a Magic Mary or a Han Dampf (not Pace Star compound) will be fine up front based on other nearby venues. Good all rounder’s with a nod towards the wetter end of the spectrum will probably be better than full on mud tyres

I may bump into you tomorrow if I can juggle some work stuff after that I may offer different advice 🙂

I run 1 x 11. May look out that 30T as well!!

Thanks guys

Guess this weekend is out then 🙂

Sounds like the race will be at least partially blind for me then.

Done that climb to the 3B a few times (in Merida Marathons as they were then). Was tough enough in a granny ring on an XC bike. Maybe Saturday as a rest day will be no bad thing :-).

Is it? better check that out then. Thought that was early March

Regardless I can probably go Thursday or Friday if required

Thanks all. MD – I may just do that.

Caberston was perfect on Weds. The rain dampened down the dust no more 🙂

I had an issue where the tension jockey wheel was a bit stiff and it keep getting the narrow / wide out of sync. A bit of lube and repositioning had it sorted for me.

Other than that wear on the chain ring is the only other thing I can think of

Any more word or random speculation on the trails 🙂

Hoping to do a ride this week and was thinking

Spooky – BB – BT ( Any thought on full spooky or down the off piste to ~ 3rd down)

EWS Lang Whang (stage 4 day 2)

Cademuir (stage 4 & 5 from last years event)

Perfect – Thanks Guys. That is what I figured. Will probably be doing it later today so appreciate the timely inputs 🙂

Thanks Alastair

I thought only one side was different 24mm narrowing to 22mm?

Bumping for the evening crowd

Thanks Guys

Try again today

Very timely thread guys

Test driving one tomorrow. Decided a VW transporter was not the best 2nd car option.

How easy is it to get bikes in / out of the boot? Can a MTB with wheels off fit in boot with the 5 seats up? Not a deal breaker but would be cool if they did.

Great and very helpful reviews 🙂

Entry in

Looking forward to it 🙂

Cheers Guys

Will get the entry in. There is not much I won’t tackle on the HT and if the FS is mended in time then all the better

Will get the entry in tonight then 🙂

Thinking about doing this

What kind of riding will it be as I may have to bring the HT. Have ridden Enduro’s that are little more than pumped up XC through to some pretty nuts stuff that a DH bike would have been more appropriate

What are ground conditions like in the area?

Cheers

My thoughts are with you and anyone who knew him

Tragic 🙁

Should have added I posted for some advice when I first knew I was moving but search is not pulling it up for me 😕

Fair point Rusty Mac.

I have completely lucked out and the key was in the first box we looked in at the front of the lorry. Was a major relief

Thanks for the responses anyway

HI Njee.

No air valve at the bottom of my Pikes. I removed the bolt and nothing there (unless I am being really dim?)

Got to say I am really liking the way the feel despite this slight suck down. I have added more air pressure so they sit up even better than before and they seem to be supple as hell over the smaller stuff as well. Which would make sense if the -ve chamber is ‘over charged’

If the problem gets no worse I may just stick with them as is

Cheers guys

Will send them back then after my ride tomorrow

Sorry to throw a spanner in the works guys

2 Chris King BB’s, both well looked after, both disappointingly bad

Headsets & Hubs – Best in class

BB – Shimano every time

Mine were bought right at the initial launch so maybe newer models are better. Will not be buying another though

I run this on 26 and no problems except on really muddy days then it can get tight. Only once did it jam up totally in a total mud fest at Blandford Enduro 1

Bump to try again

Should have added I am awaiting a response from Zyro

I never knew him but did enjoy his advice and posts

Thoughts are with all his friends and family

Some solace in the fact he was doing what he loved – RIP Messiah!

Great effort

I am so close to ordering a Carbine. Been pro-crastinating on Carbine vs Nicolai Ion 15. (I know tough 🙂 )

I will decide in the next few days

Cheers Guys. Very helpful will follow up with a few of teh recommendations

b r – will be posting on here, when settled, looking for some ‘local knowledge’ and some new drinking buddies 🙂

Thanks that is very helpful. Any off-road is good but my preference is towards technical if at all possible. Any tips on that side of the riding spectrum?

Thoughts are with you mate.

Fight it as hard as you can.