Just about everything on Sidi shoes are replaceable, but I’ve had no problems so far, so I’ve yet to need replacements.

Focus Mares, 2010 models can be found cheaper now
Cotic X, when its released

Ritchey made a ti cross bike that the rear triangle came off of I seem to remember, very cool!

Yeah wiggle have one!

For the same reason people by wine before it’s been bottled, or comission art before its been created. They believe in the person producing it and have faith in what is being produced.

Gosh its all getting to sound rather like HiFi “journalism”

Fuji cross comp, 09 model, 105 gearing. Size 56. Will race it this season then most likely get a Cotic X once the market for STI and disk brakes begins to get interesting.

Went for an hours blat today and simply loved it, would most likely get rid of the mountain bike before the CX if the push came.

Cy, noticed the trial frame pictures have the lovely Reynolds tubing but the production one do not. As simple as cost or something else?

Been running crossrides this year as a cheap do it all rim, (slightly outclassed by the rest of the bike to be honest), and they’ve been great.

The only issue I have is that they are a real pain in the arse to change tyre on. They are very tight and require two tyres levers as opposed to just rolling the tyre on with my had.

Fixie inc is nice, but the Pure Blood frame is 300 quid more than the Cotic

Tis a valid point Dyffers, anybody know what weight the boutique US frames come in at?

Emailed Ibis enquiring about a disk brake version of their Hakkalugi and was told they'd like to do one, but it wasn't their top priority at the moment.

Well that's me sorted then, lovely

Why do I want to aid recovery, I can put up with a few aches, whats the benefit of that?

Recovery it vital, this is after all the time where you get fitter/stronger. Training optimally will mean consecutive days, or even multiple times a day, you shouldn't have to train through with aches and pains. If you are then you're not fully recovered and injury risk is higher.

Whether protein helps is another question altogether.

I consume a protein drink directly after long and/or intensive sessions as I feel it helps me recover quicker.

However there is no concrete evidence that increased protein aids recovery.

Holy crap, that's just about the definitive answer then! Nice link

Rip, have you done the Merida Marathon in DK? Curious to know what kinda time you'd do for that with expert coaching behind you.

I did it last year as my first race since my teens and got blown away by the shear pace of the mid pack, let alone the guys that won it!

Right, I'll try some super duper brakes combined with a low low straddle cable before ordering a new CX bike with disks on it. Thanks for valuable input guys.

Interesting Simon, many thanks. I will investigate the Fibrax pads.

What are the Avid straddle bridges?

Can kinda agree with the racing element, but then that argument was also spouted when the move to disks from canti's was made in the MTB world cup.

Trouble is I enjoy riding my CX bike on the singletrack but wet roots and rocks are scary enough on thin rubber with no suspension, let alone with bad brakes to boot.

Evans has been a breath of fresh air this year. When was the last time the rainbow jersey was mixing it up at the classics, the giro and the tour?

just 1 thing TSC does this drag your travel down having 10psi higher in the bottom

After a lot of plating around with pressures I believe that having a slightly higher number on the neg leg gives better small bump compliance/tracking, which works best for the racing/riding that I do.

72kg

115 top
125 bottom

That rocks, my three and half year old has a Trek trike as there are no pavements here and he loves cycling on the smoother trails. Not up to 4 miles yet, but around 3. I'm also a proud father.

Just the mountain bike:
29 rides, totalling 2744 minutes, for a distance of 712,46 km

Peugot Alpina 15 speed, got through two frames as they both went at the chainstay. Sold the third once the insurance paid up and bought a Gary Fisher A1.

Lusted after the Raleigh that was deep red/mauve/purple in colour, not the Mustang though, as well as the Muddy Fox Explorer with the plastic disk on the rear wheel, so so cool.

recorded at 34 when at uni, now 15 years later 38, however my max has plummeted in that time!

How very very sad. RIP

Knickers if its gonna be cold for the entire ride, knee warmers if it might warm up.

Please note The Rules:
How to Dress for Weather. If the temperature is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, you must wear knees or better yet, full leg warmers. If you go out of the house in 50 degree weather with bare legs, it doesn’t mean you’re tough, it just means you’re an idiot. In the summer, no matter how hot it gets, you must never wear a sleeveless jersey. Tan lines are the proud mark of a real cyclist. If you must get some additional ventilation, cut a vertical line along the inside seam of your sleeve with a pair of scissors. Not only will this help you stay cool, but it says, “my sponsors give me so many jerseys, I don’t mind wrecking one.”

To look cool, if you need to keep the sweat out of your eyes, wear a cycling cap, not a sweat band or a bandana. To look Euro-cool, just don’t sweat. And please, no arm warmers with a sleeveless jersey!

Excellent guidelines here

examples:
Anodized Hubs – FAIL. A cycling aficionado has a great appreciation for fine hubs. Fine hubs come only in silver and black.

Anodized Seatpost – FAIL

Anodized Brakes – If they're the only anodized component on the bike, then PASS.

Anodized Skewers – PASS

Anodized Chain, Cassette or Chainrings – MASSIVE FAIL

Sorry I meant the gap between the brake pads on cantis is wider then between the rotar and pads on a disk brake.

Is the one light on the bars one on the helmet approach the generally accepted "best" way to kit up for night riding?

Cantis offer more space/tolerance around the rim, therefore making better/easier wheel changing possibilities, something that happens a lot in cross.

/\ thanks, thought it looked too CX specfic to be a converted MTB. Still V cool though

Liking that On-One up there. Is that a normal 26" Inbred frame with 700cc wheels and drops on? V cool!

Marge – Member

So what brakes are being used for CX disk combination?

That's what I mean, there are no valid options for pro racers as yet. The big manufacturers will need to develop light weight units and compatible brake leaver/shifters. As I can't see them using cable disk brakes with DiaCompa leavers.

That is a nice CX bike!

Think it'll take a season or two before we see the pro's on disk brakes due to the weight difference.

Nice build!

Surprisingly light. What size frame is that, as it looks dwarfed by those forks?

Definitely go for a Bodium French press and a coffee grinder, easiest the best results for your money.

Helicopter blade grinders are OK, but burr ones do produce more consistently ground coffee.

Great shoes, fantastic price, however be warned that Sidi shoes come up small so if you've never worn a pair before and do not know your Sidi size then do not buy online!

re-posted as its size related:

I've got the pocket t's in large. I'm 6 2", 73kg, they're fitting but not tight on me.

I'm also large in their cyclo cross gear, both fit well, however if you have a very large ape index then the sleeves maybe a bit on the short side

Hope that helps.

I've got the pocket t's in large. I'm 6 2", 73kg, and single figure body fat, and they're fitting but not tight on me. Very nice they are too, although the grey is slightly nicer IMO.

Hope that helps.