I believe the real benefit lies in rim design.

But it will need to be a good brake not to rub, plus my rim brakes are pretty good already.

How do I remove the planet x logo on my cages?

Assos are worth the money imho

All my pins came out with mole grips, replacement pins are mega cheap too

Rotors were brand new 3 rides ago, and I get loads of brake cleaner from work so always give them a good soaking

I would have knocked the Audi nob out

I’m in Leicester I’m afraid, basically being an engineer I’m pretty confident in bleeding them.

I put on kevlar hoses as I got them 90% off at Wiggle recently, all the improvements I have made should make them mega brakes! Used them last weekend at Degla, and gave them some good work.

Maybe its the fact that Hayes have bigger levers, but the difference was pretty large.

Yes I’m open to pad suggestions

Got a pair for £130 @ Tweeks, think they are OOS now, worth a try at that price

Thanks for the responses.

Basically some of the black runs at Degla are pretty rough, and I had a go on my mates full susser and it felt nice. I’m not an amzing rider, but I pedalled everything at Degla, which wil be important with a full susser. Can’t say the same for some other folk there, too many Bronsons and Orange 5s being pushed!

I am happy on my HT round Cannock, with 140 Revs, yes there are a lot of braking bumps, but I hit everything as fast as I can. At degla I found myself scrubbing speed off, but I’ve never been before so didn’t know what was the other side of jumps etc.

Why Santa? Well I just love them, but I am happy to hear of any other frames people would like to recommend.

Anyone used an Endura Fusion? Borrowed a mates and it fits really well

Lezyne

I’m not really the go out when its raining rider, but I don’t stop if it starts raining when out.

So maybe a Windchill will be fine for my needs

I’m pretty sure all top level XC riders are well aware of the dropper post, and I’m also sure if any rider wanted one they would be using one.

This however is a moot point as people should never compare themselves to pros

Cannock is great and I always enjoy it. Yes there are braking bumps and too much stones, but if you want an all weather trail, thats the price you pay.

Automotive brake cleaner is the best and cheaper than cycling specific

I spent some time on the pump track yesterday, pretty good for honing your technique. Going fast is really about carrying more speed and being smooth. Some of the guys are really impressive on the pump.

Someone was selling a Giro one on here for £17.50 which seems a good deal.

I had agreed to buy it and the tool sold it someone else after exchanging payment details!

I might try the Endura one as its a good price

Waste of £25, although my Planet X one wasn’t much better. My advice is go to a specialist

http://www.srsuntour-cycling.com/index.php?screen=sh.detail&tnid=2651

Magic shine lights are very good value

Mad Men and The Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles

Cheers STW, I’m feeling better now. Had a bad day yesterday riding with two strong riders who dropped me on every climb. But I did pull away from them both on the flat, and out braked them downhill.

I do t race or anything, but enjoy sportives and we all compete on bloody strava!

I enjoy lifting weights, I do compound and Olympic exercises. It’s not purely for aesthetics, I used to play rugby.

I am going to think about training as I guess if I stopped weights I might end up just as heavy but not as powerful! I have had my peak power measured at about 1700 watts.

I just need to keep riding and smiling, can’t change my genetics, maybe I’m built for the velodrome?

At the moment most of my riding is on the road, I can ride at 18mph for 70 miles with a decent amount of climbing involved.

I’m not particulary fat, more muscle really, I can lift decent weight.

Maybe its a case of working on my weakness – hill climbing.

Off road I would smoke all of the road gang, except for the 15 stone lad, he is mustard!

Of course I enjoy it, however today I got outgunned by taller lads who weigh some 15kg less than me!

Should I tailor my training to lose weight? In the last 28 days I have ridden 600 miles, but no lighter!

No chance, ever ridden at 29 mph for even a few miles?

Assos

SLX is enough for any man

Assos are the best shorts, often under £100 worth every penny to me

I forgot the two most important tools

Angle grinder
Lump hammer

I have a Halfords professional socket set, Facom allen keys, knipex pliers, Park workstand and various other tools I have acquired over the years.

Cycling specific brands such as Park can be over priced in my opinion, however certain tools are only made by cycle specific brands so you have no choice.

I would also suggest a torque wrench.

Buy the best you can afford

Says expired for me?

Magura are the best brake I ever used

XT you tight arse

I had a bike fit at Planet X and it was really poor, would not go there again. Didn’t make a single adjustment to the bike.

Go to somewhere more specialist

So they deemed your bike to be perfect already? What’s the problem? Should they have made it worse?

Just find it hard to believe I had everything perfect already buy guesswork?

I had a bike fit at Planet X and it was really poor, would not go there again. Didn’t make a single adjustment to the bike.

Go to somewhere more specialist

Well that’s if then, will probably grab a universal epic as I have some tektro brakes on another bike

Probably just get a genuine one, only £20

A nice Santa Cruz Chameleon frame with horizontal drop outs, within your budget.

Strangely I have one for sale…

Just stick some rubber queens on and convert your existing 26″