Another one here, and a work colleague was also done.

Look a few threads down – XTR BB from Rose bikes for £17 + postage. Other German bike shops are doing XT ones for £15.

runs off to check XC Pro 2 after hearing creaking from BB area yesterday….

If it’s only around the eyelets, it might be OK for a bit. If it’s the sidewall – replace! I’ve blown 2 rim sidewalls on my commuter in a year (V brakes are great!) and it’s pretty nasty – 60 PSI tube going flat instantly. Fortunately wasn’t in traffic either time!

Always having to change the lower shock bushing on my Blur XC. Got about 10 rides out of the last one. I have a TF heavy duty kit, and it’s still crap. Even worse, it’s an old XC, so I have to bash out the axle to get the shock out every time!

The spherical bearings in the 5th Element shock I used to have was much better at handling sideloading and poor alignment.

Top bushing never goes on the Blur though, just the lower one.

Do they still make the SP6 version of the Pro3 Hoops (std. 6-bolt rotors)? They used to (I have a pair). No experience of Pro2 like!

Whisky.

Spades/shovels to clear a spot for your tent if it’s not all thawed.

Some way to clean the bike(s) a bit is good, since the queue for the bike wash can be massive.

We had a gas space heater in a marquee last year, and that was excellent (til the fan broke and the gas ran out!).

Woolly travel rugs are good for your lap when you’re sitting about.

2nd TJ’s comment about a watch/alarm clock. Nothing worse than getting back from beasting a lap to find your pit area empty or in disarray!

With your username, I was expecting some black stealth machine with rockets on the side etc…

Maybe the road bike is Robin’s? ;-)

Seriously tho, is it a Butcher or a Nickel?

Had a pair of the green ones, and then got a pair of the Super Poobahs which didn’t last long before the sole was wrecked, but I got a warranty replacement and they’re still going. Stiffness is comparable to a wet noodle versus my M182s and Northwaves!

Super Poobahs:

I’ve a pair of Altura and they’ve been OK. Lost the water-beading after one wash (in soap flakes), but still waterproof enough. Great for keeping the windchill off in drier (spring/autumn) weather too. Worth a punt if you can get them cheap-ish.

Someone mentioned Next Day Tyres, but they’re nae the cheapest for Maxxis any more. Their prices jumped about a fiver a few weeks back (lucky I bought an ADvantage the week previous :). Merlin prices are pretty decent though.

There is 10% off at Next Day Tyres if you spend over £50 with the code NEXTDAY33 though…

Details here – you have to put something in the additional info box?

WD40/GT85 to get them off, 3M spray mount (from an art shop) to stick them on here.

I have one for sale if you are still keen, chrispuppet. Email in profile, pics if you want. Used ~10 times, with box and all the mounts, £50 (w. special delivery)?

It is a wee bit too heavy for helmet mounting, but not too bad. I mainly used it as a helmet light.

I believe you need to use a rock? Or have 8 arms ;-)

Awesome – thanks. Just bought a new Joystick. There is also a STW discount code on at the moment (sin-gle5) which is another fiver off if you spent over fifty quid.

Maxlight XC2 if you can find one in your size? A steal for £220-ish.

As others have said, the bike park isn’t just drops and air. I’d never ridden a DH bike (or much real DH stuff, after ~15 years of XC) until 2 weeks ago when I hired one on holiday. Awesome! Almost everything “big” is optional/rollable on the black trails.

And you get to ride past black bears, which is a novelty :-)

Sheepshagger and Cairngorm Gold are the same beer. They just relabel the sheepshagger for tourists and Aberdeen fans! The chap who runs the shop/tour said they'd doubled their sales of sheepshagger after they changed the label colour from green to red too ;-)

I normally prefer Wildcat over Tradewinds. I think they have a new wheat beer coming out soon too?

The Whacka forest by Rotorua is great fun. I did a heli drop trip organised by vertigo bikes in Queenstown[/url] which was also excellent.

Buy some knee warmers and normal waterproof shorts?

Altura Attack Extreme is £80 at Merlin.

I always find that the 3D adverts before the film starts make better use of the 3D than the film itself – things flying out of the screen etc.

You could do a bit "offroad" on the Buchan Way then head over to Banff from Maud?

high5 4:1 for energy
high5 zero tabs for cramp-prevention and nice taste :)
discount suppliments online for decent prices on both.

Ah, well, looks like I won't be going then. Xan, you can carry the seXfactor torch this year :D

I'm 6'2" and ride a 50cm XC2, if that helps? Probably not!

Man, I hope it is the 22/23 Jan. I have to go to a wedding on the 15/16, which is the weekend it was this year I think.

Definitely don't use it for commuting – higher tyre pressures could cause it to crack more and faster. I've had a sidewall go before (which started off as a wee crack) – instant blow-out on the front. Glad I wasn't on the main road!

It might be an imperial width. It is on my XC. Best to phone TFT and tell them what you're after. I think this was the size you have to pay more for because they make it up specially.

@joolsburger: I'll have the un54 for a fiver if you're still selling.

m540 – better bearings and axles than m520, and don't start wobbling so as soon.

Maxlight frame and just buy bits?

Tried another wheel in the fork? Does it also have movement? At least you know then if it's really the Pro3 or actually the fork's moving.

pop into square wheels or email them?

I can give you a shot of 10mm key if you're out tomorrow morning Mark? Drop me an email if you want.

Can't be polished out AFAIK. You could try cleaning the disc up by wiping gently from the inside out (radially) to clean it best you can. Never wipe round the disc.

Also, some CD players/drives have better error correction than others, so it might still play OK in your car. Obviously, if it'll play on the PC, you can rip it and burn a new CD :)

A friend of mine's selling a (2-bed, I think) flat very near the station in Livingston. Send me an email if you'd be interesting in buying rather than renting and I can put you in touch.

Mine seized (from new) after 2 rides. I blame the octopuses.

I use Farmers in Marchmont. I've no idea if they were careful with my wheels or not but the prices were OK, they had lots of tyres in stock, and the service was good (esp. the tall Polish chap).

You can see what they are doing in the workshop area too, so I guess you could nip out and shout if you thought they were about to put a scratch on them ;-)