Got bb7’s on my cx. They’re fab and way better than cantis. I swapped out the Magura MT2’s on my ss/rigid/adventure/gravel/bikepacking/touring machine for bb7’s (mtn version) and have run them with both flat bar levers and v-brake compatible sti levers. Always reliable and better than low quality hydros. Much easier to fix at a campsite.

I won’t however be swapping my slx or deore hydros from my proper mtb bikes. I just get the impression with the hydros that there is more power on tap and they’re less prone to gunk in the gubbins.

A bit of googling shows that people have had a lot of success using chainsaw oil and white spirit mix. Might have a go at mixing up a few potions.

I gave up on Finish Line wet lube a while ago because it picks up so much gunk. I usually use the Finish Lime dry lube but I need a better solution for winter.

These chaps know what they’re doing:

four4th

Sponsor a few local events and riders too. Mine have been flawless over last winter. Apart from the first set I broke going otb. Despite being totally my fault they swapped with a new set foc. I was quite prepared to pay for a repair!

Nice guys too.

Yeh wanna live in Pembrokeshire now. Back to Surrey on Monday. Wife steadfastly refuses to leave her job and take the kids out of school just so I can set up my small holding and coasteering business. I really can’t understand her concerns…

Fingers crossed. If she’s anything like my lab she’ll feel sorry for herself and then be back munching anything in a couple of days. Here’s hoping.

P.S. Last thing he ate, half a pack of chocolates left in my teenager’s school bag after term end. She forgot they were in there. Grrrrr…..

Cheers Crikey, I’ve taken a couple of ceterezine. Still feel pretty rubbish but not getting any worse. Stopped wheezing too.

Bongohoohaa – smelt fine but the flesh seemed a litle soft. I thought it was because they’d roasted it instead of fried or grilled.

Update: pulled all the gubbins out and fitted a new bearing in the cup but out of the frame. All good. Then fitted in the frame and the bearing felt dreadful. So the frame is the most likely culprit.

I’ve ordered the extenal cups version. On hols next weeek so fingers crossed it’ll fix the problem when i get back as I’ve got a 2 day Welsh ride planned early sept…

On one carbon monoque. Ugly as sin. Given it hell though and it refuses to snap.

Reason – it was cheapish, lightish and the colour matched my bike.

Cheers golo. I lay the blame with Specialized before Barnoldswick!

Righto… New bearing ordered. I’ll fit and see how it feels. If its still crap I’ll remove the hope cups and examine the frame with a dremmel.

If it still don’t work I’ll buy the external cup version and try not to think about the 80 quid wasted on the original.

If that doesn’t work I’ll sell the bikes and take up windsurfing or bog snorkelling or something with less bearings.

I got one of these about 6 months back. Great for the money. Colour takes a bit of getting used to.

Stan the Stanton. Naturally.
Atomic Vomit is the bright yellow full susser.
Fugly the Felt singlespeed conversion with drop bars.
My ‘ex’ is the Planet X cx bike.

Totally normal me. Although as the father of two girls i do sometimes refer to Stan as ‘the son I never had’.

It also makes me chuckle when i explain i keep my ex in the garage and take her out for a ride from time to time.

Yay! Good news. I’ll have to ride again now!

Done it a few times on cx and mtb. Nice enough route although the last section is crappy now the Hayling Island ferry doesn’t run. You might want to divert at Rowlands Castle and head for the Witterings and the Salterns Way for the last stretch. It’s a much nicer place to end up.

Or alternatively keep on the Portsmouth and jump across to the IoW for some lovely xc riding.

Definitely take a map or a gps with the route on it. Large stretches seem to have no signage! And don’t be tempted by the shortcut bridal way in Greatham, its a flippin bog.

Ride with gps app works well with a phone.

I go steady. Got a Moon LX70 which is plenty bright enough.

Try to wear hi-viz or bright jersey if I’m on road for any length of time.

I have a pair of Singletrack 2’s in large and they’re almost too small for my 34″ waist. Have a pair of Singletrack trousers in large and they’re almost too big.

I actually sent the shorts to Endura to get them checked and they assured me they were correct. They fobbed me off with a whole load of bull about the trousers being for downhill mtb and larger to accommodate pads.

I also have a pair of Zymes in medium that fit perfectly!

If i buy Endura nowadays i always buy m & l and send back what doesn’t fit! Whuch is a pain for the retailer.

Does it smell garlicky? Could be:

Alliaria petiolata

Very common in hedgerows and pops up in gardens.

Top tips. Thanks all. Still undecided. The problem bike now has one tubeless and one tubed. I suspect I’ll be spending the cash because I just don’t like being beaten.

It makes me want to recreate that Fawlty Towers scene and give it a ‘damn good thrashing’. So if you see me beating the crap out of a Stanton Somewhere in Surrey then call the nurse.

Cool. Vulpine purchased plus 10% discount for signing up for newsletter!

Cheers

Never ask why Daddy has so many bikes.

Treyarnon Bay is about 30 mins away and brilliant for kids.

A program on the telly covered this a few months back. The doctor presenting was looking at fitness and offerred this recipe:

500ml water
6-8 teaspoons sugar
? teaspoon salt
Squash to taste

Keep meaning to try it but i keep getting given electrolyte tabs at events!

Really love my Sherpa.

Not ridden the others, mentioned above but have two other 29ers (fs an ss rigid) and the Sherpa gets the, most use.

I run 34(oval) x 18 in the winter and flip to a 16 in the summer. Although I’m regretting it this year!

I also use the 16 when I’m touring with slicks on. Works fine and give me a good 14mph average with panniers etc.

I went up 2T. I’ll only go back if Absolute Black stop making them! I love mine.

Charlie’s Bum Butter!

Yep. Got three. Full sus mostly gets used on the big stuff. Hardtail gets used on the xc stuff and winter rides. Singlespeed rigid gets used on the bikepacking and loooong rides and when i need to go to the pub.

My biggest problem is i feel guilty for the one I’ve not used in a while (normally the full sus).

Just got one of these as my just-in-case. Google Mountain Warwhouse codes and you’ll get it for about £30 which is probably aboit what it’s worth.

Kept me dry a few times now:

Gravita jacket

What it doesn’t say on the page is that itnfolds into a pocket built into the back.

I quite like the look of the middle one:

Campimg tarp

I like my Sherpa but I’d like a go on a Stooge…

I’ve suffered ITBS for 20 years. This is the only treatment/info that made the blind bit off difference. Worth every penny of the £15 (or similar) i spent to download it:

ITBS Tutorial – Pain Science

Alpkit Gourdon?

review[/url]

Gillette Mach 3 and a bar of Simple soap. Or just water if I’m out of soap. I shave in the shower so just water works pretty well with the Mach 3 lube strip.

Thankfully i don’t need to he clean shaven for work and tend to shave only about twice a week.

Size large in black back in at £30….

Just ordered myself.

Alpkit Ordos 2

Nice one chaps. That’s given me something to work on. Thanks.

Once again for all the comments. I’m a consultant in a land based industry so work tends to involve driving to sites and days in the office finalising reports and plans. There’s a fair degree of variety in the job and it can be handy if i have a site near a trail centre!

In fact part of what I love about it is getting to travel. Audio books are brilliant to pass the time in the car.

It sounds like I’ve convinced myself. I’m lucky to have a choice I suppose.

Thanks everyone. I think the benefits outweigh the potential downsides. This company are established and have great staff retention. The last time someone left was in 2008 so I’m lucky to get an offer!

Fingers crossed the contract arrives as promised!

I suppose I’d better start a new car thread now…. Fast,comfortable, enough room for a bike, must do 100mpg.

Ditto. Been riding the hills for years and don’t think they’ve 3ver been better. Thanks!