There are mystic forces around the front hub of the bigger wheels that hubs made by mere mortals will just FAIL.

If you have to ask, you have a long journey ahead of you. :(

Always worth moving the bike fore and aft as much as possible in the rack to get the best clamp position on the down tube. I've seen so many of those racks where the clamp is nowhere near the 90 degree position. All it would take to get it right is a bit of thought and 10 min play. The Trance sounds more tricky.

Oh – never use bungees on racks. If you have ever seen what they do to a fibreglass canoe when they loosen at speed, you'll never use one again.

genesis – I was very happy with some spannering they did for me last year. I'm still not really cool enough to be one of their regular customers.

On the other side of the coin……..

There are a frightening number of people who appear to have absolutely no life experiences at all posting around here.

Second Si in Warmley. Top bloke even if he does ride on roads a bit too much.

Halo rims for the long-lasting win.

I really don't care what your view is on them – other than perhaps you agree that they are examples of leisure activities that might not be seen as inherently self indulgent.

Support crew for a 24 hr race?
Secretary for a club of any sort?
Running a monthly bike jumble?
Promoting cycling for others?

All fairly altruistic and all unpaid roles therefore perhaps leisure?

I put some Conti Sport Contacts on my commute bike – they roll well and take a beating without any problems. I'd recommend them in 700 x 28.

Only managed to listen in stits and farts so far. It might need a proper listening-to.

simonfbarnes – Member

what does that even mean ?

For the love of god – I DON'T MEAN YOU. You are in a club and organise things. You are special different.

It means many people won't do something if there isn't something directly in it for them.

Please get your local Specialized dealer to call them and ask. They don't think there is a market over here for them and won't even put an XXL in a shipment with a guaranteed sale. If enough people tell them there is a market, it might get through to them.

simonfbarnes – Member

what are you on about ??

I'm on about the vast majority of cyclists. You know stw isn't a reflection of all mountain bikers – if it were nobody would shop at Halfords and we'd all have Ti bikes.

Mountain biking has followed the 'xtreem' sport world more than the extant cyclist ideals. It is far more about the individual (for most) than the collective. Just look at the way road clubs are structured and their relationship to each other and national bodies. Then compare that to mountain biking. I'm sorry to say that most people don't want to get involved for what may be called the greater good.

Turner? Ewwww – how crass. I'd put 29ers in that bracket too.

If you had a 29er you'd not need the Micra :D

Hugs for you up there in the frozen North.

Ah – a snob trolling for sport. Fair enough.

Mellow Birds chap then.

Perhaps my height-related humour is too subtle for you Mr headfirst?

I take it you are a Nescafe and Fosters sort of man then? Small and angry as well? Bless you.

No – really – you shouldn't. I mean – most everyone looks up to me. There is one bloke on here who doesn't look up to me, but he really is in the minority.

Yes – yes I do. I look down on most people most all of the time. That is the way of the world.

If you can make it to Bristol you can try my XXL Turner Sultan. It is quite lovely.

If it hasn't been advertised then no – you don't. Conveyancing could just be done between 2 solicitors. Make sure your solicitors know you don't need one if it hasn't been advertised – mine didn't – until I showed their 'expert' the legal detail.

Burr grinder is superior. I was a doubter but the difference is there.

Those who can't tell the difference probably drink Fosters or John Smiths Smoothflow in the pub :roll:

You do have a head torch don't you? Just checking.

How about properly sorting your kit out so you could find it in the dark? Just a mindset to help when it gets tough and you are properly knackered. Something like a couple of plastic boxes or a colour coding system of bags or kit. I try and think like that so everything is easier to find whatever happens.

Too many people seeing themselves as 'rebels' or too 'rad' for such a thing. Too many people wanting to just turn up and find a perfectly-maintained trail centre for them to hoon around. Too many jack b******s who only look out for number one and not do something for the greater good. It is a reflection of who we are as a nation so we shouldn't be surprised.

Some people live their lives in virtual soap operas. I'm so glad my life isn't so exciting :roll:

If you are middle class enough, then Phil & Teds might be for you. Bugaboo are up there if you have a Ti bike and want to spunk daft money on a pram. We've got the Mothercare 4 one you mentioned – seems good so far. I got the seat base for the car on E-Bay for not much money.

its not im a 'look at me im hard' type of person its the fact that he just didnt give a crap… i personally would think a little before laughing at jonah lomu!

For a big bloke, you certainly have a lot of Small Man Syndrome. Get over yourself you great wet jessie. I do my job – I don't care how short anyone is – it doesn't change the price of fish.

Bells are for winners. You can sate that urge and be a better person all in one.

As doomed as the KIDS at work who had never dialled a number on a 'proper' telephone. Someone else has a bliddy 'app' that replicates an olde worlde phone on their Herophone or whatever. They showed them – the KIDS didn't really understand. Pfft.

Current company are pants (IMHO). Got no Uvex helmets in this country, got no customer service to reply to me when I went to them direct. I've spoken to several shops who won't touch them as service is so poor.

Several sets of allen keys – so when you misplace the one you want, you have a 2nd or 3rd chance!

Your plot will be the hardest part of that in this country. A mate spend 11 months finding a suitable plot for his build.

Here

http://www.homebuildingshow.co.uk/%5B/url%5D

Go there – best place and only a month away.

They are kids.

The footwear will be used for everything, therefore get scuffed up.

Your efforts will be pointless.

Just teach them to get their footwear to 'well polished' and they will be better for it. If you have a polishing fetish, polish a bike frame or something. Normal Kiwi polish, brush for hte welts, cloth for the rest, finish with a buff from an old pair of tights. Anything else is just silly.

A few of the Army lads use them and like them – but mostly around making brews and heating up ration pack food.

For a day ride, I'd be hard pushed to beat the modern technology of a 'flask'.

That needs to be shoved where the seller has no sunshine. If it is a Reba 29er then there is nothing fancy about the fork – no taper or anything. Butchered for what reason? Baffled here.

I agree with the ambulance chasers and have also helped out along the years. However, the discipline that goes with a qualification is no bad thing (if decent of course). However, the insurance I get for my annual membership renewal is the comfort.

Why don't the outraged do something useful like get a qualification? It isn't hard, it doesn't take long and it doesn't cost very much. You'll all rather spend money on bits etc and 'lead' a ride – but if asked to actually taking some responsibility for your actions and you all run mile.

Ride the ragged edge of the law and risk that legal action, or get a qualification – put up or shut up.

just wait until the hairdresser decides to give you an ear hair and eyebrow trim

Then, my son, you'll be a man.

That's funny it was my exact words, I'm sure there's one or 2 good things but honestly battered chain rings, cassettes and saddles that look like they've come off a grifter.

I suppose you only build bikes with the newest parts delivered to your workbench beautifully presented on sateen cushions.

A_S has created, in the Bristol Bike Jumble, something lovely. To get some 50 people pitch up in the freezing cold for a couple of hours every month is one thing. To have them from every niche of the cycling world buying, selling and just chatting isn't anything I've ever seen before. I've seen brand new frames, battered parts, NOS, still-boxed 80s Campag parts, carbon bars – everything – for sale there. Not at daft prices either. Everyone does deals between mates for the bits they need that they have in the garage / spares box – this is like that, only 50 times better.

Reluctant – make it happen.

It really is a great couple of hours for any cyclist.