I've had innards dropped on me by a bird of prey, or I suppose it might have been a flying cat. I was also hit from above, while stopped in the woods on a night ride, by something warm and splattery that seemed about the size and consistency of a cowpat but composed of a mixture of digested fruit an...

I've used the type with no spring and rollers rather than jockey wheels. The first one was a Gusset and the other was a Superstar one, I think. Both worked perfectly. I always used them in push down mode because I couldn't get the chain short enough to work in push up mode. Cheap, cheerful and effec...

Obvious question: what does it weigh?

Agree about the Spoon? Anyone tried a Scoop? How do they compare?

I've had two sets of wheels from Superstar and they've both been excellent.

I like Shimano front hubs but not the rears because they need regular greasing and, more importantly, the free hubs aren't serviceable and tend to die quite quickly IME.

Thanks all. I'll take a look at those WTB rims. I've had Crests and Flows and they are nice but budget is tight on this build. I'm also considering Superstar Sentinel or Halo Vapours. Anyone got experience of those? The hubs will be old Hope XCs. I'd love to try some Jones bars but that will have to...

Thanks Ben, Marys are on the list of possible bars, as are Fleegles and Salsa Bends. I've never used swept bars so I don't know what I'll like but Marys seem narrow and very swept to me.

The Swift will be geared but undecided about double/triple at the front.

Trek seem to be on a mission to build bikes with no personality. I don't mean the ride (I've no idea about that) but the styling and naming of them. Every one is a Mondeo in my eyes. Crank Bros seem often to put form before function. Those wheels??? But I have been using one of their multi tools for...

I've just acquire a second-hand Singular Swift frame and rigid steel fork which I'm planning to build up with gears for bikepacking duties. To be honest, the build will probably end up being determined by what I have lying around or can get hold of fairly cheaply but what kit would you recommend for...

Neat! Any pics of that fitted? I can't quite picture what goes where and how it attaches to the bars.

Never mind the physical damage, I'd need counselling and a new pair of shorts if one of those chaps landed on my arm without warning.

From today's Times:

"A golden eagle with a 7ft wingspan startled a party of mountain bikers in Carmarthenshire when it swooped down to join them. The bird appeared to be tame and perched on the arm of one of the cyclists on Llanllwni Mountain."

No overnighter for me, unfortunately - need to restock the brownie point jar. But I'll definitely be out there enjoying the relative absence of mud

Interesting. Good point about clag-ability - it's clearly been designed in a non-UK environment.

It really is. Fabulous.

I've just bought a Solarstorm X2 from a UK seller on ebay for £22. It's like this one (but I can't remember if it's the same seller) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hot-SolarStorm-X2-Mountain-Bike-Light-Bicycle-Black-2-Cree-U2-5000LM-T6-LED-/181340035277?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item2a38b558...

Just booked the sleeper train to Achnashellach for four days of riding and camping around Torridon and Loch Maree in May. Praying for that sweet spot between rain and midges. I am properly excited.

St Martha's, near Guildford. Not very wild

That Boardman looks a great deal. I have a carbon road bike that I use once or twice a year that I should probably sell to get one of those...

Great little trip last night. Amazing sky, surprisingly good trails and a gourmet supper next to a hilltop graveyyard . That's March ticked off.

Local N Downs bivy tonight and my usual morning ride on Sunday. Nothing big.

Heading out for another local one tonight. We've had some beautiful starry skies for the past couple of nights, so fingers crossed it'll be a good one.

I run 44/16 on a 26in commute bike. It's fine apart from really steep hills where it's a bit of a grunt. Off-road I use 32/16 for 26in and 32/18 for 29in. Your numbers sound a bit spinny to me but may be OK if you're going up and down steepish hills most of the time.

Ebay bargain SolarStorm X2 light arrived this morning to replace my broken MagicShine MJ872.

I doubt the beam will be as good (the MagicShine is a superb light for the money IMO) but at least the old battery fits so I now have a spare.

I use Alpkit 13l and 20l bags. They are very good. The 20l is bulky when full and it's a challenge to keep it from rubbing on the front wheel of my 29er. 13l is much better really.