I take it you’re not aware that your current digital signal is at something like 5% of the strength of the analogue, so that it doesn’t interfere with the analogue signal. When the analogue is turned off the digital signal will be switched to full power. So I’d hang fire breaking out the plastic and see how your digital reception is after the switch over.

You’re probably best getting something with air sprung shocks. Because anything in your size will probably be undersprung. Or factor in the cost of replacement, more suitable coils.

Kenesis Decade Virsa Prestige frame with a Raceface Dues carbon post. Very comfy ta’. Never run it with an alu post. But I did run my Giant XTC alu frame with an alu post, before swapping for an FSA SL-K carbon post, which was a big improvement.

Judge Lionel Nutmeg says “If you had killed him, you’d be prosecuted for undue leniency. As death is too good for bike thieves and the sellers of stolen bikes.”

The new version of the Kenesis Decade Virsa Prestige will take a tapered steerer. I’ve got the old version, it’s lush.

Why change gear when braking? That would mean you’re pedalling which seems odd!

Say, you’re riding a downhill trail which has a sharp corner at the bottom followed by a climb.

If I were riding it, I’d be braking for the corner while slowly spinning the cranks a couple of times to get into gear for the climb.

If you’re braking you’re slowing down, which either means the gear you’re in is too high, or the gear you in was too low.

I had Gripshift back on my 1st Mountainbike in 1995. Thought they were ok. Then when that bike was stolen the insurance replacement had RFs, which were head and shoulders over the Gripshift, so I’ve never gone back.

To be fair, I wasn’t comparing like with like model wise, but only marginally. The Gripshifts were 400 series (STX equivalent), the RFs were LX.

New, you could get Rockshox Recon Silver TK for £112.50 (includes 10% vip discount) from Merlin Cycles.

Hypocrisy sucks too.

I’m currently running Geax Argo 2.0 (more like 1.8s), light and tenaciously grippy. I’ll stick with them until the height of summer, when I’ll be putting some Conti Race Kings on.

Try and blag a go on a racy Alu hardtail. It’ll feel like it wants take off from between your legs when you start to pedal (compared to steel) but will have a go at rattling your fillings out on the rough stuff.

The difference is not as pronounced as it used to be, but it’s still there.

Yup, Decade Virsa, same angles, lighter tubing, great frame.

Another vote for Kenesis Decade Virsa Prestige. Big in name, big in goodness. Skips along singletrack like a cyber-gazelle, even with a biffa like me onboard.

I’ve just put some Geax Argo 2.0″ on my bike, first ride on them yesterday and by jingo, they grip like limpits. Can’t find any for sale now though, but Wiggle do have the 1.9″ Gato for £9 (wire bead), or £15 (folding).

96er?

Big smooth rolling front wheel where it matters.
Small easy to spin up back wheel where it matters.

To me that looks like the wrong way round.

Big smooth rolling back wheel, where the riders weight is, gaining more from the reduction in rolling resistance.
Small easy to turn and maneuver front wheel, where you need the handling.

Of course, I’m thinking hardtail. Rigid I’d be thinking full 29er. But what do I know, I can see the advantages, but haven’t tried one yet.

I take it that “Under 17s.” refers to IQ.

Hasn’t the Virsa got the same geo as a DMR Switchback?
But it’s a bit lighter due to being Tange Prestige. Champion frame anyway, mine’s a beaut.

If I wanted to be a roadie, I’d buy a road bike and be one.
I don’t care how they look, why would I?
I don’t think they make me faster, or a better rider. They don’t snag on the saddle, give me freedom of movement, are comfortable and stay up keeping my lower back warm and not exposing my a**e.

If you’ve already got it going spare and aren’t bothered about it being overbuild (weight) for the job it’ll be doing, then go ahead and use it.

If you’re buying specifically for a build, either save money by going for Deore, or weight by going for XT.

I recently went from a 3.5lbs(ish) Giant XTC frame to a 4.5lbs(ish) Decade Virsa Prestige frame. So weight’s not that much of an issue for me. Then again, I am 15st, but 3.5st lighter than I was.

I would though like to point out that the bikes we ride today are as good as they are due to trickle down of technological advancements, much of which will have been bought/financed by people who probably didn’t really need it. If you’ve earned the money, spend it how you like. Especially in the current economic climate.

^ but doesn’t fairy liquid have salt in it? That can’t be good.

f) I do the basic stuff, my mate does the more complex stuff, due to LBS hack jobs in the past.

Battered, knackered, sweating like a r**ist, nettle stings buzzing away on shins and forearms, front wheel with minor pretzeling.

Unless cornering, while freewheeling, cranks should be level.

Or is this too much like practical, good technique?

I went to HT2 from a ISIS splined bb and cranks and the increase in stiffness was very noticeable (I was unaware they were meant to be stiffer btw, I was just stripping some weight off a cheap bike). It’s almost like the difference between a middling steel and alu frame, just that extra bit of eagerness, but you will get used to it and stop noticing.

I’m better than I used to be and hopefully, not as good as I will be. Can anyone ask for more?

Another Grifter. But I used the flashy light control sticker from my Star Wars Imperial Troop Transporter on the recessed bits in the foam handlebar cover, for that space age look XD.

@racefaceec90

Rumour I’ve heard for Soni next year. Soundgarden-RHCP-Rush.

@racefaceec90

Sonisphere in 2 weeks has Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth & Anthrax on the same stage for the first time in the UK. As well as Slipknot, Motorhead, Mastodon, In Flames, The Cavalera Conspiracy, Killing Joke & Sisters of Mercy to name a few.

I’d like to try Glasto one year for a chilled fest. But there’s never going to be enough on the line-up for me. I normally go to Download and Sonisphere, with the occasional trip to Bloodstock too.

Download used to be great, really friendly and chilled. But now the atmosphere tends to be ruined by metal elitist twunts shouting “Machine-f**king-head.” even when they aren’t playing and trying to intimidate emo kids. Which is ironic as the line-ups have softened significantly.

Sonishpere is a little dull for atmosphere, but picked up last year over the first year. Hopefully be even better this year, with many people disappointed with Download this year and Soni become the main metal fest for this year. Excellent line-up for me too, can’t wait.

Even with ISAs you’re losing money as the interest rates are lower than the rate of inflation.

While this is true, if the money is earmarked for a house, and house prices are still falling (depending on which statistics you believe) you could argue you’ll see more for your money in 1 years time*

*thats how im viewing it anyway, I’m no economist however.

Spot on, if he’s not spending it on food or fuel then the current rate of inflation is meaningless in this case. House prices certainly won’t be going up in the short term (silly bits of London and the South aside). If the European or American sovereign debt train wreck comes to a head anytime soon they could take a significant hit. I think that’s more a 1-2 year timescale than 6 months-1 year.

Me, a couple of laps of my local loop, nice. Shins are humming with nettle stings though, bit of rain and everything’s overgrown like a jungle.

Prudence.

At 5’5″ with long legs (i.e. short torso), won’t a 16″ Inbred be a bit of a stretch on the toptube side? Even with an inline seatpost, she’d need a pretty short stem.

Cliff Burton & Hillel Slovak (although all of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers are now dead to me).

@seven, Sid wasn’t the original bass player with the Pistols.

they look a bit nerdy though

You’re posting this on an internet forum for mountain bikers. Taking a catapult into the greenhouse a bit.

1995 Univega Alpina 502, this one isn’t mine.

Decade Virsa though a bit more expensive, I like the swapouts.

Tell me how it feels. The finish seems nice. What color you get?

I’m waiting on On-one to release of their swapout Inbred before I decide what frame I’m gonna get.

A little late, as I see you’ve gone for the Inbred, but I’ll answer anyway. The Virsa feels very nice, it’s very much what I was looking for. It has more give at the back end than the Rock Lobster. The loss of power from the additional flex is noticeable (plus it’s a little heavier than the Giant XTC I’ve been riding), but I was expecting that. On the downs, it’s made me perhaps a little too enthusiastic. That and the more upright riding position, compared to the Giant, have meant the front end getting a little wayward (it spat me off like a bitch this afternoon :D). What really impresses me is on the flat, it just bowls along. Wind up a bit of speed and it just flows and maintains momentum really well.

As soon as I can get the front end a little more planted, I’ll be a very happy camper. I got the Black (£308 from Wiggle with platinum discount, they didn’t have Green). The finish is nice and shiny at the mo’ and no chips so far. Not so sure about some of the Castle Greyskull decals though.