I use what you use and this year it’s only just tickling (ooops) it. I haven’t suffered like this (mostly really itchy throat) for years.

I agree, massive respect damitamit. I pedaled back to Ipswich and that was more than enough for me.

It was my second time. A brilliant ride. Managed a couple of pub stops, bacon roll stops in people’s gardens and got to the beach for a swim at sunrise. Couldn’t have asked for more….although a full breakfast in the pub at 5am was another bonus. Brilliant.

I’m in. 2nd time for me…I think we’ll be blown there, which is nice. Turning round and cycling back to Ipswich could be interesting though. I was going to go singlespeed but I’ve been ill all week so gears for me (that’s my excuse and I am sticking to it). Now about to put my puncture proof tyres on.

SE Racing Lager – love mine.

Or finding an old frame and doing it yourself, it is rewarding but never seems to work out cheap.

brilliant, thank you. That should set me off on the right track.

I’m trying…not clever enough though

EDIT – that was to Bigjim. Thanks Alan

….Rodney

bump for lunch…

my Van Nic has a slight bend in it also. It is the lay back version, it is slightly more lay back now.

😆

Put your willy away Druid…

I am not sure I have anything else to add other than yesterday’s Val di Sole viewing was ace. Watching a rider you want to do well is very exciting, Sam Hill, Gee, Rachel and Danny Hart yesterday for example. And then to see them blown out the water by the final rider. Really enjoyed it.

I can get sucked in to darts or curling though

It can work the other way. I think I have a KOM because of a dodgy signal.

tried this at the weekend – worked a treat.

not sure what you are riding and how you are riding so can’t comment on that but…

when I test rode the Tallboy on the initial ‘pick it up in the shop’ test I was disappointed by it’s weight. When I rode it all that was forgotten – it is one of the fastest bikes I have ridden, and a hell of a lot of fun too.

did the short sportive on saturday in a group of three. One quite big mechanical brought us in down the field but a great course.

Full marathon yesterday. Again near the back of the field but a brilliant day. Slippy slidey fun on the downs, spent most of the day descending sideways loved it.

Hope the lady on the Mojo we found on the final descent is ok. I saw her ride over the line at the end which I think is good news.

i am about to start packing to do both, I’ll do the shorter sportive as I am unfit and have never done one before – a little taster. Looking forward to the full marathon, I’ve only heard good things about it.

a bit of delayed response….

yeah but, even though they can’t turn corners and the wheels explode are there any numbers (price and geometry) yet? And when is it due?

mine came with one of these

you’ll need the non-drive side too

yup…a turd in a bird bath!

😀

I hope not, it reminds the other half of me!

I have just been pricing up what it costs to build a complete bike (Tallboy LT, XT spec) as frames only by all accounts are going to be a while off yet. Pricing up all components at RRP I am still coming in under what is being priced for the bike…and my pricing allows for spokes too which aren’t listed. Is this normal? I would have thought you’d get some sort of discount but it appears not. What am I missing?

…is that Flashy, I imagine it to be Flashy. Those A&A threads always did cause trouble!

i’d be tempted if I won the lottery…on paper I can’t see a reason for ever needing another bike (until the next big thing of course)

I am considering the alu version though. I wanted a Bandit 29 but they have all gone in my size.

easy McBoo, that’s where I live. It’s quite nice I’ll have you know.

I thought she’d be fine until TJ mentioned blood….

Bandit 29….

Ampthill, would you have a gpx of the xc stuff at all. I am looking on the web for one

i quite enjoy it myself (most days anyway). Must remember to keep calm though otherwise it’s a recipe for disaster.

i’m waiting on the Bandit test ride….it is imminent apparently. Can’t wait…I actually can’t, just as well the Tallboy LT has been released.

…my last snowboarding lines on a map were quite fun, especially in 3D

Columbo.

Although currently Inspector Montalbano for some good ol’ Italian fun.

what seat post are you using?

Are you both using standard stems or are they riser?

the post is a Van Nicholas ti post (I have a ti 456 so went the whole hog), it’s 400 or 420mm long (not sure how much is showing, quite a lot, I do know it is bent now).

It’s a kona stem, not sure of model, not sure of rise to be honest but I do know I have probably over a cm’s worth of spacers. The bars have an inch rise. So, I’d recommend before cutting your steerer down experiment and see what feels right for you.

I’m a tad taller than ton at 196cm but I ride the same geometry as him, 20″ with a 60mm stem. I have a 15mm layback post too, sticks out quite a bit. I like it, I like it a lot.

i know exactly how you feel…precious, precious indeed

I wish Giro made this for bikes tho.

…the Giro Surface is almost that, doesn’t seem to come in olive green though. The Fox Transition is the right colour and almost the same but bigger vents.

The first one looks like a moped hat.

yep…tried openmtbmap and talkytoaster.

Good stuff and free, and has stuff on not found on ‘proper’ maps. I have GB, France and Italy for openmtbmap which I use by default now.

Are the direct sellers any better: Canyon & YT?

problem is their bikes are on the small side, or the ones of interest to me anyway. The Strive and the Wicked looked great on paper except for the geometry, they are just too small for me at 196cm.

sounds tasty…similar to the build i priced up yesterday. Enjoy 😀

what colour did you for? I can’t decide between the green or pewter. Oh, and what forks you going for?

(sorry for slight hi jack)

Ringo – got any pics of your Bandit? How’d you like it, I think I am about to take the plunge with one.

The Tallboy LT looks ace – I tested a Tallboy and really quite liked it, it was a rocket, I just wanted a little more travel and slackness – the LT could be that, I just can’t wait that long.