No, it’s not losing it’s popularity in our house.
It’s never been popular.

Get thee to a good osteopath. Where are you ? I know of an excellent osteo in Marlow if you’re intrested.
He sorted out my running induced hip pains good and proper.
Cheers

Sorry, that should have been North to South …..

There’s a couple of footpaths that lead you from Tring station up to a village called Wigginton that are a pain because of kissing gates etc, but if you have a quick look at an OS map you can avoid these easily by taking the canal towpath along to a place called Cow Roast (yes, really) and then up the hill via Bridleways or singletrack road, or alternatively ride into Tring via Marshcroft Lane and go up to Wigginton through Tring Park. Both are preferable to the footpath bits, but they’re not very long.
From Wigginton it’s good all the way.
This is assuming you’re going Soyth to North of course ….
Midweek there will be very few people about, so enjoy !
TWT

Hi. I live near Ivinghoe and ride around there all the time. My advice is just ride the footpaths, there’s some great routes at that end of the Ridgeway.
I’ll happily point you in the right direction if you need any help.
Cheers
TWT

Go with the Chris King. I’ve had mine three years and no sign of grinding or slack. The tool is the same as the one you need for your XT so no issues there. Prior to the CK I was replacing my BB at least once a year. It’s worth the extra cost.