I met the guy from Sydney street cycles last night on a ride, what a coincendence. He had some great action shots of the 'dog, the best I've seen so far. I wasn't in any of those either… 😕

Seems a lot, I would say his starting bid is a bit more realistic.

That's fine, email details in profile – cheers!

Pete

trail_rat – I guess I'm trying to say I just may, just may at the moment be interested in the frame if you have no use for it.

Email me when you get back with the size stamped on the BB, and an offer I can't refuse and who know's…… 😉 🙂

Research!

Lifetime warranty on workmanship, 5 years on materials, don't quite understand that but it's attractive.

trail_rat shame I didn't know earlier may have made you an offer on the frame as it's too small for you. My Raven Enduro has just gone back to Thorn for new down tube and head tube replacement!

The size is stamped on the BB shell, mine is 559M. What do you have on yours?

Pete

Thurs late morning bump

🙂

I'm such a slacker there's no way I'm going be up and about at 9.15. Thanks though and have a good ride y'all.

What time are you meeting and where? Just in case I decide to amble over 🙂 will post on here if I am.

I've got that link working now, some updated software needed on my laptop – done!

Simonofthepiemans – exactly, I saw a big flash followed by whooping on my last lap, if it was a marshall I probably know them, I'll ask around.

Rupert, the second gallery I hadn't seen, I am in that one (304.jpg) but that must have been about an hour into the event, our second (my first) pairs lap.

Morvelo – I can't seem to get anything Big Dog on that link, is it mac specific or something techy like that? Hey, thanks for putting it on, it was a tough day, but the top ten (only just!) pairs place made it worth it! Dark Star at the end was nice too 🙂

Alex, yeah we were too busy talking when I saw you, to take pics, that must be it. 😉 A sterling job of both marshall and sign writer – thanks.

+1 for the Fortune of War after tyre party.

See you out there Si

Mud tyres fitted here, I crashed scarily fast (twice) on some of the level singletrack sections last Sat after, rain Fri – on Rampages. It did dry out early afternoon though, not sure if God has that on the agenda this Sat though……

I am taking the Rampages, don't think they'll make it out of the car unless metcheck have been just playing with us! 😉

Each to their own..

me – probably too much as I appear to be going backwards!

Ok, last night, a bit waxy on some of the roots when hammering it, the lesser used stuff like Coldean surprisingly grippy, the dodgy bits I found are the compacted 'classic' trails at the top. If it rains the night before as forecast I'm keeping the winter tyres on – bit slower on the firetrails but a little more reassuring on the singletrack – and that's what it's about – isn't it………..singletrack.

Folk have put a lot of hard work into cutting new sections, and getting it right, my part has been minimal in comparison. You know who you are – thankyou!

It's one of those events that I only really appreciate how much I did ACTUALLY ENJOY, at the post ride beer in town! Fantastic last year memories, I've been a bit ratty with everyone after busting my frame two weeks ago, but here's to a great day, and what the hell if I've got canti brakes this year – it was too easy last year….. wasn't it! – cough!

🙂

The rain has probably got into the website 😉

I didn't get on with the prs, thought it was like sitting on a wooden saddle. I've another, perhaps the Enduro, can't remember,it's on the road bike which I haven't used for a couple of years – comfy IRM but too wide for mtb imo>

I think/hope so, rumour has it that they may revert to the old (last year) course if it's raining on the day.

It's going to be so different with this weather – forget dust until next year!

I won't be like muc0ff 8, more compacted and slippey – grip over speed any day when it comes to rubber choice!

There is a new descent Malc, although it does contain roots, a bit longer on singletrack than last year I would say, most of it up. It was riding superbly until the rain – it's going to be waxy up on the top classic sections no matter what now – assuming the daily rain forecast is correct – hope it's not!

I crashed on your 'favourite section' mdb at the weekend – slipsville on the retro bike!

I'm taking a selection of tyres…

I've used the mail order apsect of stif over the last couple of years and found them very good indeed. Ian, is the mail order person, email to his attention – he's helpful.

rigid

tick

I'll see you there some point Simon – good luck!

I'm doing it on my retro bike now, busted the modern hardtail last week – gulp!

I've plumbed for the repair – I'll put up a pic when I get it back.

Custom or self buid custom another day..

Interesting experiences there. I did call them and had a fairly decent chat about the "db". I emphasised that the bike would be ridden rigorously and we discussed, building up a slightly beefy version at my request. They seemed helpful and open to my wants. Perhaps, they aren't so busy and that has refocused there approach – is all I can think..

I've been waiting for Mather to get back to me, for most of this year. A cracked frame has moved this up on my priorities, although I may have to plumb for a repair on the old at this rate.

Has anyone had one made recently, disc brake and suspension corrected?

Thanks Macavity,

yes I have since discovered that bronze welding and fillet brazing is the same technique. My concerns over the heat, was re-heating a previously TIG 853 joint – the top tube. I should have made that clear.

I probably won't actually do the work, if I have it repaired – other than perhaps paint. Although, it wouldn't be inconcievable as I do have some oxy/acetelene kit, no bottles anymore – yearly rental was too much for the use I got from it.

Cheers

Interesting cheers! That fleebay frame is an acquired taste is it not!!

Just looking at all potential future options, as I've cracked my frame a week or two before an event, and it's buggered things right up. Like the idea of scooting off to somewhere localish and having it repaired should some thing like that happen again.

A bit concerned whether it would take the more rigorous riding we all put our bikes through now days…………..

I'd certainly be interested in his input – I've emailed you. Thanks

Dez – cheers

There is a possibilty that it can be repaired, by 'bronze welding' (not brazing) new head and down tubes in. Anyone any experience of this technique?

Dave Yates has got back to me, and advised not to repair it, especially as there is another similar crack appearing on the other side.

I do remember tightening up my headset/stem before the ride as I recalled some creaking, the last time – now I know the answer to that one!

SJS are still out on this one.

Paul, yep spoken to Thorn, all their frames have a lifetime warranty, one of the reasons I bought it. But, they no longer make that model, the Sterling replacement they offered me is horrible, more of a touring bike with v bosses as well as disc, gone is the Reynolds tubing and it has ride limitations placed on it. No dropp offs etc. Their frame shop is gone too, so we're at stalemate on the situation at the moment. I'm sure it'll resolve itself in the end.

BTW, the pic is of the downtube joining the headtube wwaswas..

Yep it is Paul! It's worse than I thought, just riding it round the garden and Waxoyl is seeping through the cracks both sides of the headtube, wipe it clean a minute or two later and bobbles of the stuff appear again – oh the irony!

Yeah, of course I would need to strip the area of paint to weld it anyway. I have all the facilities for that http://www.peterflynnclassiccars.com but, don't want to wreck it by MIG, if that's going to be do irreversable damage.

I'm awaiting reply from frame builders. That's the sort of info I'm looking for cynic-al. I've worked with steel for over 25 years, so the actual welding would be a piece of pi$$.

I wish that was the case Peter – I'm 99.9% sure it's a crack.

Jim, I've had lower back pain all my adult life, in 07 it culminated in a prolapsed disc – I'm ok now! I haven't found any difference from riding my hardtail or fs, but they both fit me fine – long top tubes, and that took a few years to discover. When I do get problems is when I'm pushing a little harder than I have the real fitness to do so. The impacts aren't a noticeable issue for me.

I previously has a couple of frames which were too compact for me, and they did antagonise my knee problems, so fit could play a part.

That's all I can say really, other than the Stiffee does have a reputation for a harsh ride.

Haven't seen you on the trails for a while….

Pete

The Switchers are a little bit fly looking too….

Jim Walker hasn't imported Briko since 05 apparently!

Any other leads…

That was them – cheers.

Just emailed via their new i-ride site, Briko aren't listed as one of their brands anymore, can't say I feel hopeful in getting a response though.

Any dealers reading this, if you have some old stock email in profile – thanks.

Pete

It is slightly down north to south. Me and a mate used to ride from Southwater to Shoreham and back on a week day eve, when we first started riding ATB's! Definately a slight gradient on the return.

It is boring, and I've not ridden it for many many years – still, best to have it there than not.

You could come off it at Steyning/Bramber and loop round on the downs, but you're almost at Shoreham by then….

Yes, but buy the oil change kit and READ the appropriate section in the manual.