Search found 231 matches

by ChrisS
Fri Oct 28, 2022 5:15 pm
Forum: Anyone playing out?
Topic: Lomond Trossachs Loop group start
Replies: 12
Views: 1577

Re: Lomond Trossachs Loop group start

Thanks for the interest everyone, will let you know the date when I have one.
by ChrisS
Mon Oct 24, 2022 10:58 am
Forum: Anyone playing out?
Topic: Lomond Trossachs Loop group start
Replies: 12
Views: 1577

Lomond Trossachs Loop group start

Would anyone be interested in a group start on the Lomond Trossachs Loop next spring? Would be late April or early May. Perhaps 29 April? The route is a 300km loop through the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, starting and finishing in Aberfoyle. The start would be a Saturday morning, 8am...
by ChrisS
Sun May 29, 2022 11:48 am
Forum: General banter
Topic: Best way to pack down a sleeping bag?
Replies: 10
Views: 903

Re: Best way to pack down a sleeping bag?

The best way to pack down a sleeping bag is to pack a down sleeping bag :wink: sorry
by ChrisS
Mon Sep 27, 2021 12:13 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: GRRR. Cracked rim again
Replies: 14
Views: 1578

Re: GRRR. Cracked rim again

Ok so I’ve got a cracked rim again (Both Stans Arch M3s, always on Rear wheel drive side spokes) First time was on my hard tail, second time now on my bouncy bike. I’m not usually that hard on my components, but the same rim failing in the same way twice Not sure its up for the extra weight/hammeri...
by ChrisS
Mon Sep 13, 2021 9:33 am
Forum: General banter
Topic: Hydration vest for bikepacking
Replies: 21
Views: 1714

Re: Hydration vest for bikepacking

I’m thinking about a backpack with bladder for the Tour Divide next year. I need to be able to carry 4-6 litres at times and can’t fit it all on the bike. So far the Ultimate Direction ones look best, they’re light and have pockets etc, but I need to find some local suppliers so I can try them out ...
by ChrisS
Wed Aug 25, 2021 7:00 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Hydration vest for bikepacking
Replies: 21
Views: 1714

Re: Hydration vest for bikepacking

I used one on the Highland Trail this year, mainly for extra liquid and food and really liked it. I've tried mine with the two soft flasks it came with and a bladder. They both have their pros and cons but on balance I probably prefer it with the bladder - you basically have to take your eye off the...
by ChrisS
Tue Aug 17, 2021 7:12 am
Forum: General banter
Topic: Best 29er bikepacking tyres?
Replies: 32
Views: 2953

Re: Best 29er bikepacking tyres?

I've been pleased with the XR2 rear /XR3 front combo on my bike so far since fitting them in July. Not big miles, but cush aplenty and decent grip/rolling resistance. Really easy to set up tubeless too... Still looking at going bigger at the front given my 2.4 XR3 seems so undersized compared with ...
by ChrisS
Thu Aug 12, 2021 2:09 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...
Replies: 26
Views: 2293

Re: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...

htrider wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 1:28 pm Possibly started on the Highland Trail Chris?
Quite likely, though my hands felt in really good shape at the end of the HT, unlike my feet!
by ChrisS
Thu Aug 12, 2021 12:25 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...
Replies: 26
Views: 2293

Re: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...

a collegue at work might of had this.. his tendon was starting to permanently shorten, is this the same? I'm now growing slight nodules on the palms of hands below the ring finger.. the joys of passing the later forties.. my mum. got this as well so that doesn't bode well.... I should seek advice f...
by ChrisS
Thu Aug 12, 2021 11:20 am
Forum: General banter
Topic: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...
Replies: 26
Views: 2293

Re: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...

As an update on this... after a couple of weeks the little finger on my right hand still wouldn't bend straight. It's amazing all the things that suddenly become difficult when you can't control your little finger, like forming a scoop with your hand to drink, holding cutlery or opening jars. I coul...
by ChrisS
Thu Jul 29, 2021 1:34 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...
Replies: 26
Views: 2293

Re: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...

https://i.ibb.co/BqCrqry/20210717-173416.jpg This is how I get a drop bar bike comfy for distance - flats 1" higher than the seat. On it for 10 hours on Sunday without too much problems although my neck was a bit achy. Annoyingly I ended up your way but it was all a bit impromptu so didn't thi...
by ChrisS
Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:42 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...
Replies: 26
Views: 2293

Re: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...

I think moving the saddle back takes the weight off your hands not forward. This is it, in basic terms, for seated riding - assuming you're not changing the bar/stem and general fit yet. It's more about balancing your weight over the BB rather than shortening the saddle to bar reach. If you sit in ...
by ChrisS
Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:40 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...
Replies: 26
Views: 2293

Re: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...

What about a Redshift stem , or a Lauf fork ...? Or if you're riding 700c, can you switch to higher volume tyres on 650B's...? I've got a SPANK Wing 12 Vibrocore™ bar, with gel pads under Lizard Skin DSP Bar Tape V2 2.5mm and I wear Castelli Arenberg Gel 2 mitts. I still suffer from numb fingers oc...
by ChrisS
Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:38 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...
Replies: 26
Views: 2293

Re: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...

anagallis_arvensis wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 11:46 am
Seems about normal to me if you do 200km over two days not having ridden drop bars for 20 years!!
Fair point!
by ChrisS
Wed Jul 28, 2021 1:09 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...
Replies: 26
Views: 2293

Re: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...

sean_iow wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 12:21 pm Just been on Strava and I see the problem.... orange bar tape on a blue bike :lol:
As someone relatively new to cycling, I'm ignorant of all these colour rules and happy about that :grin:
by ChrisS
Wed Jul 28, 2021 11:47 am
Forum: General banter
Topic: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...
Replies: 26
Views: 2293

Re: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...

Is it normal? Not for me. Are you riding on the hoods all the time? In addition to flipping the stem you might try rotating the bars. Without seeing a photo of your setup it's hard to give any other advice. Not in the hoods all the time, but yesterday's ride was very flat so there was hardly any ti...
by ChrisS
Wed Jul 28, 2021 11:19 am
Forum: General banter
Topic: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...
Replies: 26
Views: 2293

Re: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...

I think moving the saddle back takes the weight off your hands not forward. Your feet are in a fixed position so when you move the saddle forward your not moving your whole body forward, just your torso. To demonstrate, sit on a chair with your legs out in front and off the ground and reach forward...
by ChrisS
Wed Jul 28, 2021 11:17 am
Forum: General banter
Topic: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...
Replies: 26
Views: 2293

Re: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...

Is it normal? Not for me. Are you riding on the hoods all the time? In addition to flipping the stem you might try rotating the bars. Without seeing a photo of your setup it's hard to give any other advice. Not in the hoods all the time, but yesterday's ride was very flat so there was hardly any ti...
by ChrisS
Wed Jul 28, 2021 10:52 am
Forum: General banter
Topic: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...
Replies: 26
Views: 2293

Re: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...

Riser stem will help if you can put one on, the higher the better. Maybe move your saddle forwards slightly too. Both things will take weight off your hands. Thicker tape on your bars/double wrap/both for extra padding and soaking up the small vibrations. Thanks, I think I can flip the stem I have ...
by ChrisS
Wed Jul 28, 2021 10:43 am
Forum: General banter
Topic: First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...
Replies: 26
Views: 2293

First long ride on drops and my hands are screwed...

I have bruised palms, really bad trigger finger in my right little finger (had this condition a few years ago but not from cycling) and it feels like I have no power in my thumbs. I'm struggling to do things like undoing buttons and can't form my left hand into a scoop because of the trigger finger....
by ChrisS
Wed Jun 23, 2021 11:44 am
Forum: Your Trips & Adventures
Topic: Highland Trail 2021
Replies: 25
Views: 4002

Re: Highland Trail 2021

Nice writeups everyone, bring me right back out there. It was nice to meet a few of you out on the trail. Lars you had such a great attitude when we were riding together on the second day, it really made those miles fly by. Likewise, great riding with you on Day 2 Mike. I was inspired by your SS an...
by ChrisS
Tue Jun 22, 2021 4:22 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Best 29er bikepacking tyres?
Replies: 32
Views: 2953

Re: Best 29er bikepacking tyres?

I'm also a fan of the XR series. They're great tyres for a reasonable price and a refreshingly simple range. I go with 2.4" front and back and swap between an XR2/XR3 and XR3/XR4 combo depending on the season and what I'm doing. Just went round the Highland Trail with the XR3/XR4 combo and they...
by ChrisS
Mon Jun 14, 2021 8:51 am
Forum: General banter
Topic: Pillow recommendation please
Replies: 36
Views: 3619

Re: Pillow recommendation please

Another Kush user here. I go with two folds inside a buff because I like quite a low pillow. Also about 80% inflated, don’t find it that comfortable when it’s fully inflated. I like it but it’s the only one i’ve ever used.
by ChrisS
Sat Jun 12, 2021 2:34 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Recommend me a new hardtail
Replies: 42
Views: 5109

Re: Recommend me a new hardtail

Al wrote: Sat Jun 12, 2021 7:22 am Seen this?

Just round the corner from me!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184810489152
I had thanks! I’m still working out exactly what I want though so not going to go for it. Lots of love on this thread for the Solaris though.
by ChrisS
Sat Jun 12, 2021 2:33 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Recommend me a new hardtail
Replies: 42
Views: 5109

Re: Recommend me a new hardtail

I've the Mk1 Solaris, possibly my favourite bike. With a modern suspension fork it's an absolute hoot. For the last few years it's had a rigid carbon fork fitted meaning that unladen it comes out at around 11kg even without going down the weight-weenie rabbit hole. That’s actually not that far off ...