I was out riding around Kentmere last night and you'll be pleased to know that the trails are drying out nicel … oh, who am I kidding: Don't forget your mudguards! Any BAMers, or anyone else, want to join for a Friday night bivvy near Staveley after sampling the brewery's wares? i shall bivvy in the...

jobro wrote: ↑Thu Feb 15, 2024 10:09 am … do you really need to spend a fortune … 

Most definitely not! But then that's true of most of our kit.

What are these 5degs RapidEngage hubs? Happy to be told I'm wrong nowadays but wasn't common consensus that Hunt wheels were just rebranded Bitex hubs and Kinlin rims? As far as I know, Kinlin don't do carbon, but the hubs could still be a rebranded reliable name like Bitex. I've never had any prob...

For what must be going on 18 months I've become more and more frustrated by the official iOS OSMaps app and it taking up to a minute to initially render even offline content. In chatting to friends, and indeed Mrs Hyppy, I know this isn't only affecting my usage. While OSM (via Organic Maps, or Talk...

I've had a Selle Anatomica in the past which felt real long. Their specs tell me they're 290mm long so 7mm longer than a C17 if that means anything https://selleanatomica.com

I actually like Jo's writing and coincidentally we were talking about him, or more specifically Mint Sauce, on a ride the other day with some of 'the kids' that had joined us who hadn't a clue what we were on about. There's often a slightly cynical undertone to his pieces and maybe a related 'I rode...

I think the general point is, if you're thinking about this stuff then that's good. Hear, hear. Whenever this kinda thing comes up I'm reminded of Jonathon Pie's 'hypocrite or arsehole ' XR piece. No one can enter this years BB200 unless they arrive in something sporting a supercharged V8 of at lea...

I see your leaky sidewalls and raise you …  IMG_0962.jpeg This one—just one of a pair, the other was fine—bled like I've never known, and I only sorted by leaving it lying on its side overnight, then flipping and doing the other side the next day. No issues at all since then, save for the lack of ic...

At that price point and in 4130 it's perhaps more a longer, slacker Big Bro rather than Holt or Raw isn't it?

Maybe not quite like-for-like given its rigidity, but the Salsa EXP Cradle has a limit of 3.6 kg. I can't imagine that does much for a bikes handling, but your 2.5kg doesn't seem excessive. I think I'm perhaps 2kg ish when I load it up for an overnighter.

rudedog wrote: ↑Thu Feb 08, 2024 9:53 am Unless I want a break from pedaling I'm quite happy to sit and spin in a gear even if it's no quicker than walking.

Likewise. On group rides I often notice that we'll climb techy steep climbs at the near same pace when half the group is off and walking and the other still spinning.

I have used plenty of tubeless tyres without issue. sealant will eventually make them tubeless Bargain bike though, would have had one but the sizes were all too big for me Yeah, I'll perhaps stick with them. At least until I don't. The carcass sidewalls actually seem less permeable than many tubel...

Set up the tubeless tyres on my new bargain Bombtrack which all went well until noticing ~20km into a shakedown ride that the tyres aren't in fact tubeless! They're holding ok-ish (the rear is losing a little pressure) so while the temptation is there to pretend I'm still unaware of my cockup, repla...

Beyond my facetious first response, I'm a SMD Gatewood Cape user too. I've only ever used it with the Serenity Ultralight NetTent, but other than for keeping midges at bay am not sure that's necessary or even has a high enough denier to act as a true inner double-wall. Does anyone know the science r...

Thanks Everyone, it's always good to get real-world recommendations for this stuff.

I've sometimes wondered if you could just coat boots in liquid rubber or the like, essentially turning them into cycling wellies. I mean it's surely an athlete's foot outbreak waiting to happen, but … https://www.gorillatough.com/product/go ... ray-clear/

thenorthwind wrote: ↑Wed Jan 31, 2024 9:39 am Also, what do you wear to sleep in?

That's a very valid point: I'm guilty of going au naturel too often, and really ought to remember to make use of my old-school Helly Henson LIFA long johns and top.

I'm feeling the cold more than I used to and need to rethink my sleeping setup. My goto for a few years has been a Snugpak Softie Merlin 3, and Klymit Inertia Ozone mat. Nice and compact, with the bag a 'comfort' rating of 5º, and next to bugger all insulation from the mat. I reckon I don't get a go...

Lyon have further reduced the price of their few remaining Bombtrack bikes. I just picked up a Hook EXT for £765. https://www.lyonequipment.com/facetresu ... acet=bikes

Big savings on a 'wheel on' Elite one at Sigma Sports at the mo: https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Elite/ ... ainer/NNQ0 Not sure I believe the 73% saving on RRP, but £130 is a bargain regardless.

I'm not sure I see the point of aero bars being quick release and as Phil says, they're bloody expensive for the same core functionality as cheaper options. How often are you gonna need to fit or remove 'em in a hurry? I use 'Deda Parabolica Due', S-bend shaped ones, which I picked up for the prince...

Richpips wrote: ↑Mon Jan 15, 2024 7:36 pm Tom won the U23 solo national jersey which was a bonus.

I saw that. What a star!

By way on an update, I didn't die, but took an absolute battering: I spent way too long recovering rather than riding. Was ultimately really pleased with how it went given that, but would not recommend drops. Rich, hope you and Tom had a good one.

I was in a similar situation a few years ago and ended up with a Nissan Elgrand imported from Japan. … My new one actually replaces a similar vintage and km to yours Mazda Bongo imported via Jap Autos which never skipped a beat, and held its value ridiculously well. I only sold it as I wanted somet...