I've got a severe case of cabin envy :cool: Wish I had the time, skills, and space to do something similar! Thankfully I didn't make a list of plans because I think I was in a fairly bad mental place at the time of the thread, but all-in i'm not unhappy with the riding i've done this year. I've not ...

Thanks for the thoughts so far, all useful! I think i've been sticking to 2.6 front and rear partly out of laziness, but also because it suits the heft and feel of the unit - it's not a light frameset! I think i've been missing the speed and agility of narrower tyres, I have good memories of using 2...

Just curious. This is mainly aimed at those who have rigid MTBs that are not +plus tires (2.8 upward?). I use my Unit X as a general purpose XC bike and run it 29x2.6 with mostly XC treads all year round, like Mezcal/Bonty XR2. As I ride mostly from my Berkshire door, then the riding isn't technical...

Oooh, that looks good, and very skinny seatstays, like it! I also like it that Cotic are doing integrated seat binders too, nice and neat, simple, and work well. Had one on my old Rock Lobster and loved it!

Looks good to me, bit less burly and as they say, more back to it's roots. Be interested to see if it is lighter as claimed, and be good to see photos rather than a graphic rendition, when it comes. Personally, i'd rather spend the extra on a Fairlight Holt, for the extra level of attention to detai...

SOLD

Fitted a couple of times but not used, so as new. For various reasons not for me and my bikes, but a solid bit of kit. £25 posted This: https://restrap.com/products/bumper-bar?variant=40171333419123&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&ut...

Yep. Not ever planning to use one myself, seems like extra fiddling and something else covered in gunk. Guess it makes sense if you ride chunky terrain, and riding hard. As ever, the marketing/branding has turned what is essentially a swimming pool noodle into a £90 thing....

Just like woodsmith; I use orange endurance the past few years, and I just suck up and re-use anything sloshing around left in the tyre, and top up with some fresh stuff. So far the residue seems pretty light and thin, and I feel that it acts as a mild layer of puncture resistance in itself so just ...

Look out for a large on one Parkwood maybe, they always go for peanuts, QR dropout. Frame weighs about 1900g and they actually ride really nicely, although short reach by modern standards. I still have my frame but not quite ready to let go of it yet, sorry! Voodoo Bizango frames worth a look and al...

Not a bargain as the price has gone up since the kickstarter run, but Jack the Rack are now in stock, 90 Euro and whatever the current exchange rate is into £s. Did fancy it and they do look useful, but don't really need one myself now... https://wholegraincycles.com/products/jack-the-bike-rack-1?sy...

I've got the same vulpine meriono boxers too, and very happy with them and used plenty. Worked for me on a recent longer ride and stayed very comfortable. I tend to make sure the overshorts are pretty lightweight and flexible though. I was getting bored of tightness and clammyness of bibs, even thou...

A whole different league of impressive, completely different skills too. But surely he needed a special bike for it, Upcountry anyone ?

As above, the little a do get out, involves boiling water in a ti mug and kraku stove. Sachet of porridge/coffee in the morning. Did buy a tin of lavazza coffee at a garage last time I was out, and despite expecting it to be sh!te, it was really nice in the morning and I didn't bother with a brew. S...

I'd high hopes those Treks would catch on, ensuring continued supplies of Bonty XR2 29+ tyres but they only ran for a couple of years.... Dunno about what is 'A' bike packing bike but a rigid 29+ is a brilliant bikepacking bike. Or even a brilliant bike. *sigh* It looks like there's a 2023 model on...

Front view for Reg, looks plenty clearance, and think that's with 29x3.0s on it so won't be getting any taller or much wider.... https://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/Images/ExtraLarge/150492_4.jpg The rear bags are a stiffened holster with one buckle and two tightening straps - I think the 1120 looks ...

Been pondering ways to make the strapdeck/G-funk either stand off more or act as an adjustable decaleur instead of the restrap bumper I have, which is kind of the wrong length for both my bikes. I realise this does much the same as a cheap handlebar extender thing, but I already have the strapdeck a...

Drop or flat bar will be customer preference and to a degree terrain driven (though not mutually exclusive). Agree that ATB manifesto covers a great deal anyone could want. Versatility - mix of geometry compromises that cater for decent handling but also comfort, mounting choices: racks, 3 pack moun...

Good shout for the Spoked UK bags, look good!

As a recent convert I do the following, which has worked with gravel and mtb tyres, but I do find it better with removable cores and injecting sealant. Probably not the quickest way, but ensures good seating and no mess with sealant! - make sure rim tape is tight, secure, correct width! - seat tyre ...

I bought a 2nd hand Exposure Toro that's about 9 years old for a really good price. Apart from a slightly sticky switch, it's brilliant and overcomes some of the compromises of cheaper lights i've had (poor mounts, crap charging ports etc.). Battery is still very good too and build quality is clear ...

Every shimano wheel or hub i've had has been reliable, strong, but not that light - which is fine. Otherwise try second hand, or superstar still do custom individual wheels i think. I've always found their wheels to be OK. Also just look at non-boost 29er front wheels (often on sale) and put a cheap...

Would second the use of Man in Seat 61, really useful for negotiating the logistics. My brother and I went to the Alps with our road bikes in 2013 using the train to Grenoble. It was definitely a faff making connections and it adds a bit of stress, but the journey itself was very pleasant and surpri...

Simon, I've kind of come to the conclusion that most stuff is simply bollox. :wink: The last lot of felling in the forest here netted (as I recall) thousands of tonnes of wood, most if not all of which was sent for burning to produce electricity. That is enough to make me believe my first statement...

This debate reminded me of things I read for my thesis quite a while ago on various approaches to environmentalism. It very much strikes me that CO2 accounting and trading, and more broadly some approaches to 'greening' the economy are from the 'Cornucopia' way of thinking. Broadly that capitalism a...