Keeping an eye on this thread, mid-August I was diagnosed with torn calf muscle but following a blood test and ultrasound scan last week, it turned out to be a DVT (which was a bit of a shock..) so I’ve just started a 3 month course of Apixaban. Hoping to get back on the bike as soon as possible so I’m also interested in people’s experiences and advice on this.

Peregrine[/url]?

I contacted TLI earlier and received a response stating that disc brakes are on the agenda for discussion at TLI Cycling’s National Management Committee this Sunday (19th Nov).

Can’t see anything smaller than 42t for Apex 1 on Zyro-Fisher.

Disappointing that SRAM didn’t stay with the same 5-bolt pattern as Rival 1 / Force 1.

Wolftooth also do 4 bolt / 110BCD 1x asymetric chainrings but for Shimano cranks, not sure if the pattern is the same as SRAM asymetric?

Lots of trees down thanks to ‘Ophelia’ and ‘Brian’…

The odd thing is that it gets better with riding. As soon as you get some heat into them they stop squealing and start working. But then leave the bike on the rack for a week or two and they’re squealing again.

..that’s exactly what was happening with my R785 caliper, drag the brake down the first big hill to cook it and it was fine for the rest of the ride but it was squealing again if I didn’t ride it for a week or so.

Never had an issue with increased lever travel but the back of the pads always looked like this..

Had the same calipers front and rear but it was only the the front that was the problem.

After I’d replaced the pads a few times and decided it was nothing I was doing wrong, I went to my LBS who sorted a new caliper under warranty without question.

SRAM do a 44t ring for their Apex 1 cranks but like mboy says, that’s a big gear for cx/gravel.

I’ve got SRAM Apex 1 GXP cranks with a 44t chainring on my Whyte Wessex One and it’s good for nearly 40mph if you spin it up with the 42/10t at the back.

Wolftooth also do 110bcd N/W single rings if there’s still life left in your current cranks.

I am a landlord and I couldn’t care less what my tenants keep in the house as long as there is no damage. While they rent it it’s their home!

This.

Head to the north-west of the island where you can ride along the beach from Kirk Michael up to the Point of Ayre.

There are some dunes up at the Point of Ayre but careful where you ride as there are protected areas for birdlife!

Hope you’re enjoying the island :-)

Whyte Glencoe?

Red Rock Canyon is under an hour away from the Las Vegas strip and it’s spectacular.

I’ve used these guys twice for bike hire and they were really good, tell them you want to run it ‘moto’ when you’re booking and they’ll swap the brakes over to UK spec for you.

Orbea Avant[/url] – Great bikes, comfortable and rock solid on descents – even under heavy braking with a 100kg rider!

This is well worth a read if you’re gearbox curious.

So far, Parcel Force have offered me the best deal in terms of price and reliability for everything I’ve sent (hardtail frame and two sets of 29er wheels). Everything arrived undamaged, on time or early!

I’d say it was a good event for a first-timer as there’s a bit of everything but nothing too extreme.

I’ve done it a few times and used a 29er hardtail (Whyte 29-C) which works well as the first 10(ish) miles (Point of Ayre to Ballaugh) are on the road and there’s a fair bit of fast open trails and plenty of climbing.

The course changes a bit each year (depending on the cooperation of land owners) but it’s usually just over 40 miles in total and you’ll be cheered on all the way to the beach-front finish in Port Erin by enthusiastic spectators :-)

I’ve got a 2016 Jeep Cherokee and have two 598 racks both facing forwards. I could probably squeeze one more on in the middle facing backwards but it would be really tight.

Fair enough, I stand corrected!

You still need a foot pack – or perhaps more accurately, a clamp pack.

I didn’t need a foot pack or clamp pack.

The WingBar has the clamps built in to either end and it mounts directly on to the vehicle roof rail…

Does that not depend on the car?

Yes it does, sorry! If your vehicle has pre-installed roof bars, the WingBar will go straight on to them.

I’d happily recommend the 598, easy to use and it does the job very well. I went for the WingBar roof rack as it saves you having to buy a roof rack foot kit (and it looks good!).

Orbea Carpe 30 is worth a look, it’s not Alfine but ticks the rest of the boxes…

A customer wanted to upgrade the wheels on their Whyte Stowe Ultegra, went for a pair of DT Swiss Spline R32 but couldn’t use them as the rear disc was rubbing on the caliper mount.

We double checked that the adapters were in the right way round, tried some different disc sizes and mount options but nothing solved the problem.

We also tried a couple of different rear wheels (to make sure it wasn’t a problem with the frame) and they both went straight in and spun freely.

Orbea Alma M50[/url]

A good endurance road / gravel bike (for stable geometry) running 28mm-32mm tyres and disc brakes. Down on the drops, knees and elbows in, slide to the back of the seat and brake as late as you dare :-)

Enjoying the Manx sunshine yesterday :-)

To echo the comments by smogmonster, I’ve not had any problems with the QRs on my Croix de Fer or Orbea Avant Disc and I’m 95kg and not adverse to smashing it out of the saddle on climbs and sprints etc.

I’m not arguing against thru-axles, just saying that (based on my experience) there’s no disadvantage with QR for road disc bikes.

Orbea Alma worth a look.

Whyte 629 in XL (£999)?

Whyte 29-CS – from the very first ride it was instantly familiar and felt ‘right’ straight away, like I’d been riding it for years.

Orbea Occam TR[/url]?

Distance: 1,479.9 mi
Elev Gain: 91,765 ft

Not had a great year, last time out on the bike was 1st Nov due to a variety of factors including moving house / wife’s illness / rubbish weather. Fingers crossed that 2016’s going to be a good ‘un :-)

For the money, I’ve been very happy with Funkier Active Thermal Bib Tights, got three pairs now!

Whyte Suffolk 105 looks good with BR-785 hydraulic disc brakes for £1299

Mavic 15-9mm Axle Reducer Kit so I can use a set of CrossOne’s in my Croix de Fer as part of a 29er / CX / Road Disc bike wheel reshuffle…

One from this afternoon at the top of ‘Cronk ny Arrey Laa’ (Isle of Man)…

Mountain bike hire available from Erin Bike Hut[/url], nice fleet of 2015 Orbea hardtails for you to make the most of the local trails :-)

Thanks everyone, will pass on the info – much appreciated :-)

Also got the Shimano R785 Hydraulic calipers on my Orbea Avant and they are indeed excellent!

Had TRP HyRd and Spyre SLC brakes on my Croix de Fer in the past 18 months and preferred the Spyre SLC out of the two.

From my most recent ride on the Croix…