This is a great resource for this stuff; http://blog.artscyclery.com/science-behind-the-magic/science-behind-the-magic-drivetrain-compatibility/ Short version; older shimano mechs (6-9) will work fine because the pull ratio is the same. It just does what it's told by the shifter with regards to numb...

I reckon we'll see how we fare doing the bridleways south of Birch Vale, then loop back and give the trails over middle moor, northeast of Hayfield, a bash, then finish up on Lantern Pike. I can't remember the bridleway on middle moor being particular tech, but still pretty fun I think.

Howdo, My girlfriend is trying to get into the mountain biking but my preferred Dark Peak trails have proved a fairly challenging learning ground. If anyone has any suggestions for reasonable length day rides in the peaks or other places surrounding Manchester. Marginally rocky trails would be good ...

Assuming they're bar mount shifters, I'll take the XT Shifters. I'll PM you.

I'll take the SLX cassette if it's still available.

On a related tack, here's a wonderfully shitty 'article' from singletrackworld about cyclocross specific jockey wheels for a bargainous £69.

http://singletrackworld.com/2016/06/mud ... gevenalle/

'Mud-friendly' jockey wheels. FINALLY.

Specialized do the roll cage, so you can position to release from either side or any angle you want.

https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized ... e-EV252485

No clue about them in practice, though.

I'm confused - does this include the F+R shifters or is it just the mounts? If it's shifter and mounts, hell yes.

You mean the brace to stop the frame getting damaged in transport? Are you friendly with any bike shops that regularly does builds from boxed bikes? They throw away loads of these things. Just give them a bell in morning and get them to put one to one side so nobody has to route through a bin for one.

Oh yes, please.

Hi, are they ispec only or do they come with a bar mount adaptor? I'm guessing not, but if they've got the adaptor, I'll take 'em.

You can get an OS map layer on bing maps. There's also aerial photographs from different angles which can be useful for scouting trails.

Bike shops will go through a lot of that kit, but they'll chuck them away rapidly. If you're friendly with the workshop, you might be able to get them to save a week of so's supply up and put it to one side for you.

I'm not heading to Bach, but I'll pay for postage (or pickup if you're Manchester/peaks ways) unless that's too much of a pain. Cheers.

Yup. Still the best option. Pm'd you.

The mavic/deore combo sound perfect - tell me how much postage is going to be and I'll paypal you the monies.

Due to an impromptu stick wedging in my workhorse commuter/do-everything bike and wrenching a spoke through the rim (spoke is fine), I'm in need of a new rear wheel. Hub spacing doesn't matter, but I'd prefer shimano MTB hubs with QR. 32-ish spokes, rim brakes. I'm looking for something cheap and st...

Are those the tyre levers you get with the Evans puncture kit? Turns out they're good for something, then.

I called hotlines to find out about the WTB nano's - the race or tubeless variants are expected to come into stock in mid/late November.

Howdy, bit of long-shot on this forum, but you never know. I need a thru-axle and the thread insert for a 142x12 axle - the syntace X12 would be ideal, but DT Swiss make one with a lever that would also be fine. The Shimano ones don't fit due to the recessed housing. Any suggestions or offers would ...

If you don't/can't/haven't booked you bike I've learned one important thing: the conductors are much happier not allowing you on the train, than they are kicking you off the train. Basically, if you can shove the bike into the carriage before they can tell you not to, they're extremely unlikely (in ...

No GPXs, but I can certainly recommend a few areas. You trying to go more efficient or scenic?

Polarcherry, I thought the idea is that it about fun rather than stats. If taking more stuff, racked or rackless, makes it more fun for whatever reason - then why not?

I spent about a week or so camping in France, but I never wild-camped. i just knocked on door and asked permission to camp on their land. Small farms and stuff it doesn't even feel too intrusive, although as I got closer to Paris the farms disappeared and I had to ask at people's house. that said, I...

If you're not a fan of the army camo, you can get RAF ones in a rather fetching blue. Like these: http://www.britishmilitarysurplus.co.uk/shop/trousers/raf-wet-weather-goretex-trousers-686938.html Mine weigh about 400g, if that's of interest. There's no closure at the bottom so it mgiht be worth bus...