Maybe a drilled out top tube so tent or tarp poles can be carried in the frame. It's not unusual for bike tourers to carry spare spokes in the seat tube, I'm sure a couple of tarp poles would slide in there on some frames :smile: Vegan Graham, I think you've just designed the carrier bag! :grin: (m...

Charlie, I guess you're talking about the self-extracting bolts? I had similar issues in the past so stopped using them and now use a crank puller (as Ian) on my square taper Middleburns, much more reliable. In answer to your question Dave, I too have been a sq taper Middleburn man for more years th...

Apparantly these are going to be available in UK in the new year: https://www.sierradesigns.com/product/b ... 0-3-season.
No idea how effective they may be but it's always good to see new ideas being developed; looks interesting to me.

Everyone is entitled to their beliefs, opinions and points of view. I imagine that when you refer to "we" and "us" you really mean "I" and "me"? Or have you assumed some sort of responsibility to represent everyone's beliefs, opinions and points of views? For ...

As others above, all I can really add is what I run. Used primarily for commute on road & fireroad plus touring on road I'm running 53 / 42 / 30 triple with 11-28 cassette. This gives a good range for hilly pootles and touring for my aging legs. When I used to ride a CX off road on singletrack a...

Oooh, a whodunit! Any clues on the packaging? Postmarks? Senders name & address...?!

I'm guessing that you don't have enough seatpost exposed to mount the bag. Is it possible to trim back the strap that wraps around the seatpost without compromising the integrity of the mount?

As TBD says, pics would help.

Qudos to Alpkit too for referencing Wildcat (who after all are a business competitor) in their blurb

I don't know the 'Gravel' routes so this may be bollox and miles from where you need to be (!) but I have ridden (albeit some years ago) from 756459 N/NW to 737516. It was boggy along the (SW) edge of the forest plantation but passable, the rest was all rideable. (I also tried to continue to 755532 ...

Yep, mine arrived at work today. Many thanks Dee and Stu, design looks great
Will get it smelly on the commute tomorrow, should be just the job in this Indian Summer we're having

A Wildcat Lioness to go with the Mountain Lion I bought at the WRT. Quality piece of kit. If I might make a (hopefully constructive) criticism - it's not quite big enough to take an OS Explorer map with the cover on and tight with the cover removed, for the sake of an extra 10mm of width. I know tha...

Niner YAWYD if you can find one. Bottle cap of your choice then

(YAWYD = "you are what you drink" I believe).

OK. Not sure how you run these type of rides. Do you all ride from a start point somewhere, head to the overnight spot then head back to cars next day? If so, I have acess to an open field shelter (3 sides, roof and hayloft, may smell of horses a bit!) with water, loo, and even a shower and plenty o...

Keeping an eye on this one; if you decide on FoD I'd be happy to help with routes and/or to guide a slower group. I know the area quite well

Mandicky, try rubbing your cotton wool balls in vaseline and you may be able to manage without burning rubber. Try it and see

Plenty of opportunity for double entendre there

It's all relative but a bargain is a bargain so... The Crikey, how much summer sale is on and I've just ordered a Transfer Gilet for £75 reduced from £150 Primaloft One in a DWR shell, hopefully it will prove an investment.

EDIT: now further reduced to £50

I have mine at 640mm on both my main MTBs. As well as what you're comfortable with I guess it's what you get used to; I've been riding since the days of ridiculously narrow bars so it's what I'm used to. I've also grown up riding in the woods where narrow has distinct advantages. Wider bars would se...

We're a weird bunch aren't we! Sounds like an absolute nightmare but I bet it was brilliant; when the effort is made the rewards are found. Great read

Great write up of what sounds like an enjoyable trip, thanks. Hope Matt's eye is OK? I remember back in the 70s when Welsh Nationalism was high and there was a campaign against invaders buying up cottages as holiday homes; there was a slogan at the time - "Come home to a real fire, buy a holida...

I wouldn't be too embarassed to wear one ; infact, I was quite envious of those who were wearing them at this year's WRT so, yes, I would quite like one

Is it a new build? How wide is your BB, is it wide enough/spaced enough to suit?

Between 12.5 to 18.5km each way depending on routes chosen, either all on rural roads or 75% off-road through forest and river valley. Work is roughly 250m lower than home; great riding in, an effort riding home after a hard day! Manage it on average twice a week - sometimes 3 or 4 times a week, som...

Makes me want to have kids again... :shock: Still, grandchildren are both in their second year now, so maybe in a couple of years. Wildgecko, that site is on my comute; the Saracens Head Inn is adjacent (owned by a mtber) and the site owners do canoeing. The Peregrine trail is level but a bit 'there...

Received a nice pair of Pole-a-Bears yesterday having looked at them at the WRT, thanks Stu/Dee
Should stop me cannibalising the tents for poles to go with the tarp now!

Also consider a sleeping bag liner which, depending on material, can add warmth with the added bonus of keeping the inside of your bag cleaner. I'm quite, ahem, chunky so putting on bulky extra layers inside the bag can be counter-productive as everything compresses so for me it's thermal base layer...