Some really useful info in these posts, thanks a lot people

Small print for that MBR subscription thing, says they only have 180 pairs, after that its tough titty, but you are tied into the subscription.

bejeesus they aren’t cheap are they?! Cheers, I’ll hAVE TO ponder whether my knees are worth £70……..

I’D BE INTERESTED IN SWAPPING MY CRESTS ON HOPE SP PRO EVO 2 HUBS (RED) FOR YOUR FLOWS.

I do this
1. inflate the tyre with a tube in up to 40psi. This sits the bead. If its a baggy tyre I might leave it for an hour.
2. remove the tube (1 bead stays seated)
3. insert tubeless valve with core removed
4. pour in stans fluid
5. attach track pump
6. pump like mad

If this doesn’t work, I get neat washing up liquid and squirt it liberally around the tyre wall. It never fails to inflate then.

I also recommend a good slow yoga class. Some yoga classes are westernised and more like aerobics which isn’t so good imo. Its better to go slow and relax into poses. I developed a weak lower back but I fixed it with yoga after seeing my mum do the same. Its relatively cheap and a good workout and keeps the whole body in good shape. I found once a week was enough and I also felt my stamina had increased.

Ive hit 50+ on a rigid mtb in the pyrennes with panniers on

I think its worth it, it took me a while to get the most out of it, initially I would forget I had it, but once it became second nature it is now an essential item on the bike. I got a reverb from hibike May 2011 and no issues so far. If it broke I’d have to get a new one despite the cost.

interesting bigjim, I wonder what there depreciation rate is? Did you ask?

where did you see the size 7? Thats what I’m looking for.

john lewis only insure up to a grand per bike

coconut oil, I swear by it before a ride, so much slow release energy.

I think its worth it, unless you change tyres every ride, then its probably a ball ache. For me, riding through bramble bushes with no puncture anxiety makes it worth it.

I also like the braking bumps (I’ve loads of suspension travel) but its a shame the berms have been destroyed.

I have the Reverb and like it a lot. No trouble so far in 12months use.

Hibike.de seem the cheapest, about £190

I’ve been riding flats for a few weeks now after 13 years clipped in. The reason, lately I’ve been riding really rocky terrain and its much easier being able to dab your foot down without the hassle of clipping back in. Its taking a while to get used to flats, but I think the process will improve my riding. I got cheap wellgo copies and I’m using existing skate shoes. I’m considering getting five tens now as I’m told this improves grip. Once I get good at flats I’m going to pick and choose dependant on the type of ride.

druidh

I’ve just ordered some M4s today. What kind of things help set up?

I’ve got a 2012 marzocchi 55 CR 130-170mm fitted to my Rocket and I think its great. I keep it set at 170mm as I don’t find it much help lowering it for climbing. The rocket climbs so well, what a bike.
The fork was £400 on Winstanleys. so relatively good value.

After much thought, I decided to go for the new SLX over Hope M4. I initially wanted Hope because they are blingy and I generally like Hope as a company, but after reading numerous over heating scare stories, I decided to plaY safe with SLX. Which were far cheaper. Saying that, the people I know who use hope have had no issues with over heating. And one of them is a right fat ****.

I remember wearing one luminous orange and one luminous green sock to school in the eighties. I thought they looked great.

I’ve been pondering the exact same thing for my black Cotic Rocket.
I have come to the conclusion that white rims look their best on white bikes. I’m getting black…..I think.
The white flow rims are 40g heavier than the black due to powder coat rather than anodizing. I’m getting black. Function before form, unless you’re Gok Wan.

why not indeed

looking at the bikeradar test the Shimano SLX M666 is only slightly under the Hope and only £60 from bikediscount de.

Anyone used the Shimano SLX M666?

The Race Evo M4 are really great but if you’re running 183+ rotors then I’d be tempted by the V2s.

Why is that chief?

Fitted for 18 months no issues. Last set of M4’s (original) are still going at 6+ years old.

This is good to read.

cheers, the brakes are in top working order, just not up to the job of dh

Yes it will be effective piston diameter, the V2 has a huge piston it seems.

I had assumed the V2 was less powerful due to it being a single piston, they look cheaper on first glance too. Might give the vented disc a miss though, I like the complete overkill, would look good cycling down the canal, just a bit pricey!

I saw a post on here last week, linked to a review, that suggested the new saint brakes aren’t very good if you need to adjust the levers for short fingers. I have short fingers, so that put me off.

When I ride downhill, I use cheap superstar foam grips. I find they give far less arm pump. Although be warned, if it gets really muddy they are useless, sliding up and down the bars.

They are only a few quid, maybe get a pair to try.

I’d be tempted to try the gorilla tape. The Stans kit is just tape and it doesn’t appear to have any magical qualities.

It takes a while to get used to inflating tyres, but it is actually easy when you get the hang of it, even on non tubless tyres using a track pump. (Although I found it a right faff at first)
Curing puncture anxiety makes it worth it imo.

I’m running one as a front tyre on a Stan’s Crest rim. No problems, but not the easiest to inflate as they have baggy lightweight walls. I use sealant so no significant issues with leakage.

I bought mine from hibike.de about a year ago, I’ve never had to bleed it, no problems at all.

how do you find the cane creek db? I’m considering one myself.

went to llandegla this weekend, its been redone and its truly excellent. So much fun.

Llandegla
Cwm Carn
CYB

I have used sticky slug things when out on the trail. They seem like a decent fix to me. Ridden many times on them since without a problem.

just ordered a new Cane Creek S3 from CRC, at £23 it seemed less hassle. Cheers anyway.

how much use has it had?

can’t find any anywhere, looks like I’ll have to replace the whole headset 🙁

‘willy-waving’

mega lolz

I did mine this afternoon, and I used these videos for guidance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VstQX3ICbJg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU3r3tGbn2I&feature=related

These guys are cowboys but that suits my style to be honest. They don’t change the seals/foam rings/crush washers, they just clean them up and refit. Thats what I did this time as my seals were still perfect. The last time I did it I replaced the seals etc.

Its not difficult to do, easier with a bike stand I imagine, but I don’t have one.

Good luck.

I ordered one from hibike.de earlier today.
Paid using Paypal and it came in at £192. Now I wait. I have read that they aren’t uber quick, so I won’t hold my breath. On the bright side, if they do take a while it will give me an excuse to shout ‘SCHNELL! SCHNELL!’ down the phone.

I thank you all for your input, very helpful. 🙂