Simon, yep a small hole in the axle accoreding to Rohloff, this was an area they update modded on my original return. Have you noticed trace hub oil on the Q/R spindle – that's where it's from. 🙂

There is a breather, it is in the axle of the hub.

I've used mine for four and a half years, I really like it, love the smooth changes regardless of conditions. You can gear it to compare with any 9speed system, so getting up Dales or any other hills, is purely down to you as in a mech system.

My Rohloff has been back to Germany twice, two year intervals. The first was an oil leak through the breather(small hole in the axle) – and some very minor play in the hub – Rohloff carried out a update mod, and replaced the driver bearings (not main axle bearings) free of charge even the postage – collect and deliver.
The second time was recently, I started to get mis-shift in certain gears, I posted it back after they called me, following my email. Postage was £60, they stripped it, and reset the gear shift points, replaced the driver bearings again and oil seals as before, didn't charge me anything or the return postage.

Overall, if I have to send it back and it costs £60 every two years, I am still very happy with it – it does get a hell of a lot of use! And, I would miss the silky smooth gear changes if I changed back.

I didn't really notice the dragg, after reading all the negative reviews, I thought it was in fact very minor, it hasn't held me back, I've raced with it too.

My advice, is test ride one, as every one has a different expectation – that way you won't be dissapointed if you expect it to be something it isn't.

rj – I think you're doing the right thing. You will know when/if it isn't right.

I was in a dilema of a situation with something similar although different, the cat passed away peacefully – I don't have a problem in retrospect because I know the animal was lively, enjoying food etc, right up untill that point.

I know it's only a bloody pet, but it is still difficult for the owners – respect.

It's a very delcicate situation, the more 'official' publicised trails that are put in, for the best of intentions – to reduce erosion, the more people will travel there, and the more folk like me, will try and find new natural stuff away from the area. It is a difficult one, I don't pretend to have the answer.

BTW – that was a a bit of a sweeping statement by me earlier regarding 'trail centre bikes' – apologies. 🙂

I haven't ridden the area this year yet, and I only live a 15 min drive away. I have mixed feelings about it really, whilst I rarely ride the boring (to me) 'popular trails' like Telegraph and BKB (sorry trailbuilders, just my opinion) they are useful as a means to getting to other trails and tucked away areas. Blocking them is an inconvenience to me, but I won't really miss those trails, and can sympathise with some of the local view. The place really has exploded with Mtb'ers in the last decade, especially the last few years, seems to be the same at Swinley/Brackenell reading the posts on here. I think it's down to magazines like MBR (I may be wrong) with features siting 'Telegragh' etc as trails worth travelling to – from London. On a Sunday the area around Peaslake is brimming with so called 'trail centre bikes' (sorry Spesh owners et al) yet, twenty minutes riding away, hardly see another soul, let alone biker.

If I'm fortunate enough to have time to ride the area during the week, Peaslake is a ghost town – or should I say village!

I don't have any leanings either way, the above is an observation, that I'm not totally shocked that the rangers are taking action to preserve what THEY value. We used to ride regularly with one of the NT rangers there, which helped with public relations, and seemed to relax their view a bit.

Don't be silly – it's 113 for a reason, that'll bugger the chainline right up.

Thanks anyway

I could write a book!

Timbur, certainly up for a ride sometime, I rarely ride from Lewes itself as I'm normally there visiting the gf but, would like to get to know the local stuf. Quite often ride form the Uni car park at Falmer on a Thurs eve, a couple of Lewes locals regularly attend. It's quite a relaxed group with no egos, who are responsible for some of the new evolving singletrack around Stanmer. You're very welcome to join us, 7pm every Thurs, there's a faster paced group on a Tues too (just starting).

Thanks for the info everybody.

Pete aka Woodsman

Whoa – man you need some happy/self esteem installation (self). I'll say it again, get a book on NLP – do it this week, there I told you so!! 🙂

Hey, who are you comparing yourself against, an unknown imaginary person no doubt……no matter how good you are at anything, there will always be someone who can do that seemingly better – be realistic!

All the best

You'll only do that once Timbur – what a bummer! I remember speaking to you in the Lewes Arms btw, I didn't introduce my forum name – I'll say hello next time in there. 🙂

I was thinking about a Royce, but it's not that straightforward; special tools, anti-shake and you may or may not need cups!? I just want a quality light BB!!

The Un54's work ok, last a year or there abouts, bloody heavy chunk though!

I used to ride with someone who would get this regularly. I seem to remember the post ride recovery drinks helped.

Why not make an appointment with your GP.

I went there once for a weekend sans bike. I walked up to the chair lift, didn't see a biker at all. I thought Benalmedena was a shite hole btw.

Are Parker fountain pens still made in this country. Didn't they have a big factory closure in Sussex?

Ok, if we're posting pics. here's my 5spot taken a year ago. apologies for the lycra content(it was cold)!

Just take it easy after, it sounds like there is a fair bit of disturbance going to take place on your knee. The more sensible you are the better the end result!

FWIW – I drove home after my arthroscopy, it was just an inspection, they couldn't find anything to repair/work on. When I pushed them on this, they then said that there was a small rough patch to the articular cartiledge (lining of the femur)and that 30% of the population, my age (35-6 then) that were into sport in a big way, would have the same, but not all would be showing symptoms! They originally suspected a torn meniscus btw.

8-9 years on and it's not any worse! I can manage it quite easily, with some bike set up changes and lifestyle tweaks etc.

tops5 – I only plan to change mine if it breaks, and then I would get it repaired and heat treated at any cost. After owning several other full sus bikes over a ten year period, I know I've finally found the one that suits me, great ride and it doesn't aggrevate my knee like the others that I owned.

I'm sure you can get them in Kemptown, Brighton. How about a matching pair! 😉

I'm not a veggie, but haven't eaten red meat for over 20 years. There is nothing I miss about it, quite the opposite I can't stand the smell of it cooking even.

I'm chilled on the whole, and I have little problems on switchbacks and hills Elaine! 😉

I've no reason the change my HL, it doesn't have any faults that I am aware of!

I see you've played with the rocker links heihei – I remember reading over on the Turner forum, that the consensus was, that changing for the aftermarket longer rockers, actually fecked up the ride, and people weren't getting any more travel than with the proper Turner rockers, as fitted to the 05 hl bikes?

Swobo long sleeved top is heavier wieght merino – superb quality item. I bought mine fron Stif the sole uk importer. I believe they are on offer at the moment too, still not cheap though, but they are excellent IMO.

As TJ says, NLP may help, obviously I am not qualified to say it will be the magic bullet but, it is positive and entertaining(I thought so) to read. A easy book to read and digest – I would recommend 'NLP the new art and science of getting what you want' by Harry Alder ISBN 0-7499-1489-0 available at Waterstones and other bookshops.

I remember his posts too. Tragic news.

air compressor(assuming you're running air tools), fume extraction, paint spray booth, air mask and the list goes on………

The thread seems to be degenerating a little, but getting back to the point/question.

Not having children is the only thing I truly regret(44).

I've often flirted with the idea of frame making. I can weld and have some transferable skills, which is a good starting point. Me = http://www.peterflynnclassiccars.com I'm not sure if the market is really there to create enough of a living. Only a few UK frame builders have survived, a lot IMO has to do with niche, and even if you are good, without that, you may not survive. Solitude produced some lovely frames but, somehow didn't ever have the status, or any where near, as Mather, Yates and Roberts to name a few. He did try off the peg frames too towards the end, can't remember the prices off top of my head. A lovely idea, if it could work without huge risk, personally I'd much prefer to buy a UK made steel frame than a Taiwain one. I will probably go custom myself, at some point.

Clunker, very nice, I was only looking at the Roberts flickr gallery yesterday, I'm sure your frame is on there? A couple of questions please; how do you find the 'horse shoe' rear end, for comfort and compliance/flex, over a traditional full height with two tubes seatstay? Also, did you spec the gemetry, the Dogsbolx even the newer ones, always look a bit old school/roadey around the top tube/head angle (from appearance anyway)?

thanks

steve – I think you're missing the point entirely.

Looking good – thanks. 🙂

hmm – may be something in it FME! 😉

Dez – cool, as long as you're not expecting us to bring a cake and candles! 😉

We could well be, or nearby, we haven't decided yet – keeping a watch on conditions nearer the weekend. You're welcome to come along, it'll be fairly local north or south downs vicinity – Brightonmtb.org.

They are lx about two or so years old. No special tool came with them!

Ok, a case of holding the pedal body somehow, undoing the nut, remove body, and it's a bit similar to adjusting a non-cartridge hub – in principle.

Thanks

PS: You wouldn't know the size of the axle nut, so I can sort out an old suitable spanner to grind down before taking it apart – no way I'm getting the grinder to my Snap-on! 🙂

How do you adjust the bearings please?

Ok, undo the nut, is there some adjustment from then to take up the play..

Next inline for dibs on the 170's (square taper)please. I would want them for a Rohloff, so need the arms and spider only, unless you have a 38T ring amongst that set up?

Email addy in profile if it comes my way.

ta

'woodsman for pm' – lol!

ok, I'm appointing nickhart as my minister for education. DezB as my public relations officer – sorry Dez!

I must dash, I've got someone coming round to break the ice on my moat!

😉

'get moved to another school' who moves them? why? is this necessary? do all teachers have children? nonsense – if people want things to work, a review is needed, rather than throwing it lame or 'political' excuses or nothing will change.

FWIW – I can't remember taking a day off school due to snow. But, I doubt if this culture of cummuting existed as much then.

That's quite common I'm sure, cetainly in the area I live. West Sussex.

No not what I'm saying you all sound like tabloid newspaper writers!

If the government wants to keep schools open. Which also would mean less parents having to take the day from work, to look after their children for one. A relocation package would have to be offered to teachers, it is being done in parts of London which is affluent or just expensive to live.

My neighbour is a teacher, with two kids, she is off owrk today, because her colleagues can't get in (commuters) – her children also school locally!

Think outside the box not within the daily mash parameters please – to those that jumped on my comments.

🙂

I did many years ago. The Electrical Research Association in Leatherhead.
The work was varried and interesting, relaxed atmosphere, pay low! Unless you had a degree which I didn't, you couldn't get anywhere and pay was kept low. I left!

Like their pupils, they should live within the area, then there would be no school closures due to snow.

Commuting is the problem, the slightest whif of snow and the country comes to a standstill. This is why schools and business carried on in the past, in such weather. If we didn't have a society that wants to live in a cheaper area than they work. It's about money – as usual!

Diane

Go find out then – from my experience most, if not all the bike holidays I've been on look after you 'from dusk till dawn'. I didn't find BV particularly great in that repsect, obviously they are doing something right, as they have many loyal customers, but I would put them not that high on my rating, compared to the other companies I've been with. It is of course subjective as proved by the comments above. Just don't go with Challenge Activ in Montriond (Sp) near Morzine, the women that runs that has an appalling attitude! Her husband (guide) didn't show for a ride he promised, we were searching for him all set up in the morning, his wife said he changed his mind as we were too fast! (we were not that fast, he was just shite btw) we had to try and find our own way, having not been to the place before, a wasted day really.

If you want to be looked after, Cycleactive – Spain, for something a bit narlier – Ciclomontana (Spain again) or Bike Verbier in Switzerland (Lucy runs women specific bike holidays – worth an email). They all feed you in the eve, so no going to restaurants on your own, lunch, breakfast and spend the day in the group is how it is, on all the trips I've been on.