I’m sure it’s great fun to ride, but that’s not what springs to mind when “single track” is mentioned. No trees or corners ? I watched up to 1.51 btw.

Not dissing it, I’m sure I would enjoy charging down it on a full suss or big wheel bike would come into it’s own. 🙂

Panicking yourself out of 26 and into the latest “standard” is just what the marketing folk want – I bet they’re having a good chuckle/pat on the back if they read this forum. All the best whatever you decide 🙂

I always use the rear pockets, even if I’m wearing a pack. Can still access the left and right with a Camleback Mule. I keep my phone in the right pocket and a snack in the left – always!

It’s lovely not riding with a back pack though, and when I do the pockets are invaluable. I wouldn’t buy a jersey without them – incase manufacturers are listing in!

🙂

did it turn up in plain brown wrapping…

Pah – got plenty Koms and I only ride 26, imagine how awesome I’d be if I had big wheels! 😉

The key is the preparation, a fine coat of etch primer (Acid 8 aerosol) followed by build primer, a mist coat of black. Next day rub down the black until it’s all gone with 1000 wet or dry and water. Clean off any residue with light solvent (pre-paint wipe). Apply colour starting with a mist coat, wait ten minutes then another slightly heavier coat and so on with ten minutes between each coat until satisfied/covered.

I think the industry would like it to be that way. Personally, I hope all will be available but I fear that will not be the case. We’ll have to just carry on riding our favourite bikes and find out…

Royce Venus Disc is what I use, very nice indeed. Only available is polished silver colour though.

I’ve done loads, treat it the same as any other aluminium to be painted.

Downs Link again!

You can choose where to drive to start. I would recommend Partridge Green, then cycle to Shoreham – there’s a lovely pub at the end as the estuary widens and you can smell the sea. Ride back, stop off at Henfield for a coffee – amble back to Partridge Green where there is a Dark Star pub if you’re eating or perhaps drinking.

No idea if this floats your boat (no pun intended) but there is something calming and visceral about being near the sea…..

All the best to you and your lady, and do let us know how it went whatever you choose 🙂

needles going into my body – don’t mind other peoples! and deep water as I swim like a Russian tank in er,,deep water!

Pierced a mate’s ear once when I was about 11. Two ice cubes clamped either side of his ear straight from the freezer – when they dropped off, proceeded to push through pre boiled stud with a pair of pliers – other mate holding a piece of wood other side of ear to push against. I remember the force required and the popping sensation as it went through the layers of skin. He was well happy with the result and didn’t get an infection or any issues with it!

very nice bike! (cables look very long for some reason) and you’ve chosen your favourite colour – red walls, red picture frame etc 🙂

Bibshorts, is it just me but I find they split my ball sack in two – very off putting!

Sadexpunk – 6 eggs per day! for real?

I can’t imagine how you would be able to eat six eggs per day without putting some serious effort into it…..

You will save on loo roll as a result though

legend, you’re missing the point. 819 are designed to work with UST tyres. The bead hooks are so, that they seal up on the UST tyres perfectly. When I’ve tried them with conventional tyres it takes an age to get the bead to sit right, as the rims are designed to grab the tyre bead aggressively hence – tubeless or UST to be precise.

I use Panaracer UST tyres and the 819’s hook up nice and square every time. Basically, you’re using a rim which is designed for a different set up than you are using. I don’t think it will work to your satisfaction. 🙂

yay – gay

I had a bad experience with Indy Fab, when things went wrong they were utter shits to be quite frank about it. I lost $500 in the process.

I’ve got a Soulcraft if you’re considering steel, I’ve not built it up yet but apart from looking great and the service being seamless ( a longish seam) I’d recommend them. Much cheaper than TI too.

Also, have a steel Enigma which is the actual one tested by Singletrackworld in the mag a few years back – I’m sure a search will reveal the article. What I would say though is that the guy who made my frame no longer works for them, so can’t really vouch for the new master frame builder there – but no reason to think otherwise. Another thing, they said to me when I was there (I did some work for them) was when they gave out frames to sponsored riders, the riders were happy to give back the Ti frames, but managed to hang on to the steel in some cases – good steel rides nice.

If you can afford it, Steve Potts or Eriksen for US Ti

Has anyone bought one of their 953 seat posts? Want to know if they creak or any other issues before I decide if i should buy one……

Bumpton Crammer

My cynical view is, the manufacturers found that 29 didn’t work as a standard for everybody, and rather than admit defeat and return to 26 they come up with something which is pretty damn close to a 26 but not a 26. Just like they won’t go back to square taper BB – because it works and it’s cheap.

I guess with the 650 there was already a fair amount of R & D, although mtber’s including myself had hardly or at all heard of it.

The Emperor’s new clothes is one way to sum it up

I only wear hats for riding. Can’t stand wearing hats, watches, or jewellery of any description for that matter.

Each to their own though 🙂

[calls out] Alex……

Patella Chrondomacia (sp) perhaps, wear to the underneath surface of the knee cap, is quite common in cyclists.?

Rest it up, I think you’re body is providing enough warning

Cauldron

Swobo if you can find them.

I had similar problems using Endura, absolutely drove me nuts – no pun intended 😉

busydog – you are a winner in many ways – respect!

Sounds like you’re giving up already rocketdog. I’m older than you (just) and I’ve got my first custom frame made, waiting to be built up.

When you’re ready to give up is the answer 🙂

I ordered a pair of forks from the states recently. I received an email asking if I wanted two forks or one, please confirm!

It’s just a bit of fun to those who are getting serious, I am quite sure we provide equal amusement to them.

Seriously, no farting, nose blowing etc. I’m sure I would ride hard and try and drop him, unless he asked for a tow or wave him in front to do a turn or, as above tell him how I thought if none of those worked.

just been shopping today need nothing. A wish list now that’s a different thing..

All of them please.

Disk and not Disc

Enduro

All Mountain

I probably would’ve dropped the hammer or farted, or both.

CK headset on all my bikes 14 years is the oldest

sorry I couldn’t resist – very childish of me I know 😀

4kg in a week – that’s a lot of poo

Yes, better than good in my experience! I use them for Lake shoes/boots mainly

njee20 – the 819 rims are different now, they’re certainly not the same as 2001 (surprised they had UST then anyway). I bought some last year and they are asymmetrical for a start, and a bit lighter! We’re not all fascinated with weight, sure if you’re running a sub 20 pound xc race bike as you are I’m sure there are more suitable available. For all round durability (they are the only wheel rim I’ve not shagged – yet) they are light enough for a quick climber yet take a lot of shit without going out of true. Best wheel rims I’ve used anyway.

Oh, and of course they seal up fantastically, only had two burps that needed attention with a pump in five or so years of running them across my bikes. I do use UST tyres only though.

3M from automotive body supplies shop

I’d go vintage, doesn’t matter how accurate it is – who needs a watch for time telling these days…