Some absolute genius fails here.

After slicing through the cable on a hedge trimmer I purchased one of those two pronged garden cable connector things and wired them on. Sadly I wired them on the wrong way round so that the male end was connected to the mains. Not being aware of this fail and to reduce my chances of cutting the cable a second time I passed the live cable through a hole in my pocket intending to pass it back out the top of my shorts. It rested momentarily on my bell-end.

Another time whilst using a sledgehammer I glanced a post whilst on a full swing, the sledge continued to swing down and round straight into my lower shins throwing both feet backward and my upper body forward so that I smashed my face into the same post

Finally my number 1 fail. Climbing on some industrial racking I lost my balance and had no choice but to step off and try to make best the landing about 15ft below. No great issue only the was a set of pump trucks beneath me and I landed upon the upright lever handel with leg either side. I had testicles the size and colour of a pair of auborgines for weeks

SLX brakes with 180mm rotors will blow your mind!
Really it depends on your budget but you will see/feel a massive difference

I’ve had two pairs now that have dropped their pads. The corrosion on my backplates wasn’t nearly as bad as those pictured however there was rust forming from under the pads which I’d think would be moisture being present when the pads were bonded. A bit disconcerting but really that’s 2 pairs in 3-4 years. My cars fail more often.

Just taken a very worn pair of Wotans off mine, replaced by some Lyrik coils and tbh I prefer the Wotans at the mo. Such a shame they’ve discontinued them

I find the mud teaches you to trust the bike, builds confidence and fitness. That said a peaty bog is just going to be pointless. Choose ones soil types wisely. Chalk ground can dry out quick if exposed. Clay is evil when wet. Local pine forests dry out quick except where there is regular traffic over puddles. Quantocks yesterday was tremendous fun with a good mix of trails, plenty of slop about with unseen rocks beneath, trusting the bike to do its job is key.
And what’s all this post-ride-tea business? A good pint of best is lip smackingly good when you’ve earnt it. (disclaimer, obviously not if you’re t-total, on a detox or don’t like beer)

Really really liking that. As for stickers, so long as it has the head stock badge on leave the rest covert

the steerer tube looks awfully long….

1 Inners – fantastic decent from start to finish only been 3 times and it’s always sunny
2 Afan – got me hooked on the sport
3 Kirroughtree – some amazing sections and nice natural feel
4 Cannock – the best thing about Birmingham
5 FoD- the red has no ‘flow’ and is IMO a waste of effort but the Blue is fast swoops and great fun plus the off piste stuff is endless

Hope
Shimano
Maxxis
Magura Forks (swapped a set of Wotans for some Lyriks. Can’t wait to break them/sell them on to get another set of Woos)
Odi
DHB

Lots of changes. Pressure is on to keep Gwin off the top spot. Should be a good year.
What is Warner, Pagey and the freecaster lot up to? I lost track..

Jailhouse Baby Davis

I brought a 2nd hand Gravity Dropper Turbo off the STW classifieds and think its chuffing brilliant. It goes up, it goes down and it doesn’t wobble. I like its simple mechanical design, it’s easy to service/clean and is fits into the 27.2 seatpost of my Dialled Alpine. Heavy? Dunno, the the bike isn’t built lite but I don’t notice it

Any top end bicycle. £8500 for a Scot Spark and you still have to pedal

I thought North Korea was a bigger target in the eyes of
the US

Yep proper chainring.
Mr Tall I may well be in touch thanks

Thank you all. I do like that Bike Monger site, makes me want to buy a pipe and some cherry tobacco to smoke whilst listening to jazz. I’ll check the chain again when it’s light and will try a half link. It sounds more than likely it is lack off chain rap

Ive watched the chain ride up over the teeth whist pedalling so I’m confident it’s not the freehub

The chain is a lot wider than usual mtb chains.

Tried taking a link out today and I’m about 2mm short. Free hub, I’m fairly sure is sound. I guess chain rap is the obvious culprit. To use a push-up tensioner I’d need to shorten the chain I I guess a half link chain is in order?

That could make sense. I’m also having issues with the LBS regarding high levels of BS. Re the pics is it the image quality or my camera skills? First time linking pics on here etc

Always a good experience, no different from buying and selling between mates over a cuppa

We’ll all be redundant soon……. The end is nigh

Early saturday ride

Strangely I’ve found my work books to have the most incredible grip. £20 no-name Stealers from the factory shop. You’d look a bit special on the trail but I can ride like Danny Hart on the way home from the yard. Almost
Although I tend to use old pairs approach shoes like Merrells or Keens

Crumbs, maybe I’ve just been torturing myself. I wonder if it’s all down to one’s arse?

Just rebuilt an old GT Avalance frame of mine into a winter hack using a tight budget and have been out a couple of times at night with it. I’d forgotten how much fun it is to ride. Sure it hasn’t got the 160mm forks or the stiffness of my big bike, the xt gearing or any of the nice bits and indeed i doubt I get more than 50mm of reluctant travel, the brakes are shot and the tyres are summer ones but it reminded just how great riding can be.

I’ve just brought another through stw classifieds so I have one on each of my bikes. I’d tried a Syncross AM saddle which was certainly comfy but began wearing through very quickly. I’ve had one of my spoons for maybe 2.5 years and still it looks as fresh as a daisy (albeit a brown leather one). Maybe some new padded shorts?

Can you still use Birdshot? How about a moat?

Of course, stgeorge Dog turd! Whether left on the path looking like a stick or in a little sandwich bag tied to a branch. WTF??

People’s complete incomprehension of what the cars indicators are for, thieves and Range Rover Sports.

I’ve had a 34t Renthal ring up front with a 9spd 12-36 out back and a Superstar chain device for the last 2 years. With it I’ve dragged my Dialled Alpine though the UK from Kinlochleven to Thetford to the Quantocks with out any issue. If its quicker to walk I push. I’m not a climber by any stretch but I’ve never felt any need for any more gears

I’m more than happy with my Renthal FatBar. Tis like power steering

Thanks all. Trail-rat is right too its to be used all day everyday and I also rely heavily on the Google maps app when finding a field on the west York moors or a shed in Norfolk so need the phone free really. The amount of people that suggest I turn right at the big green tree…..
Anyone use the TT XL or a Garmin Nuvi?

Hmm, I’ve got the iPhone 4. Any experience with the various apps?

50p, a penknife and a woggle

Hi, bit late on this thread.
I’m 6,2 and have had a large Alpine for nearly 3 years. 1×9, Wotans (set to max) with a 350mm (could do with 360mm) seatpost, a 50mm stem and some nice tree catching Renthal bars it fits like a glove. I’ve ridden it everywhere from Dartmoor to Thetford to Kinlochleven and every time I ride it I love it a little but more. It’s a steady climber but it’s a total knucklehead going down. Friends try and temp me with their Fives and Stumpys but I’ve never felt like they offer anything like the fun.

Might be a bit late but Crawford ‘Hungry Trucker’ Truckstop is just off J14 and offers pretty ace food though the showers are maybe a little bit ming but certainly serviceable. Just take flip flops. Every motorway service area will have showers again just remember flip flops. You’ve got both Abington and Annandale near Moffet

While I sit here contending with this cheese on toast. I personally feel Roots Manuva is an inspirational encapsulation of where we are today. Capleton does some fantastic soulful rootsie stuff. Try his I Testiment album