Search found 1267 matches

by AlasdairMc
Mon Dec 28, 2020 2:53 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: What are your feelings about next year?
Replies: 40
Views: 3896

Re: What are your feelings about next year?

This pretty much echoes my thoughts and plans as well. I'm hoping the Costas/Balearics/Canaries will be open for the masses though so that Scotland isn't quite as busy as it was last summer. Wasn’t it said that those who went abroad and basically ignored all social distancing were responsible for a...
by AlasdairMc
Mon Dec 28, 2020 1:27 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: What are your feelings about next year?
Replies: 40
Views: 3896

Re: What are your feelings about next year?

I doubt I’ll leave Scotland in 2021. I had aimed to do TD for my 40th but it’ll have to wait. I’m getting a van so will likely do a road trip up North when conditions permit, although I’m well aware that a lot of places have been swamped - I’ll be paying for campsites and travelling midweek. My main...
by AlasdairMc
Sat Dec 26, 2020 3:14 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: I had a good look Reg, but I couldn't see you...
Replies: 15
Views: 1592

Re: I had a good look Reg, but I couldn't see you...

Cycle Touring without a map is like new potatoes without the smell of mint.
I love this. So of its time.
by AlasdairMc
Sat Dec 26, 2020 3:04 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: ever wish you were strong enough to ride single speed ?
Replies: 96
Views: 9972

Re: ever wish you were strong enough to ride single speed ?

One day I'll have to have a go on a Jones. They get a whole lot of positivity. You’re welcome to a shot if you’re ever in the area. If I’m honest, I thought it was the best bike for everything until I got a full bouncer (Orbea Occam TR) from here and realised other bikes can be better for other thi...
by AlasdairMc
Fri Dec 25, 2020 8:38 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: ever wish you were strong enough to ride single speed ?
Replies: 96
Views: 9972

Re: ever wish you were strong enough to ride single speed ?

In December I’ve ridden only my singlespeed, an hour a day, and it’s working wonders for my fitness - which had dropped a lot due to lockdown. My legs feel stronger, as does my chest. I seem to recover better, and can get through each session even if I don’t feel the love for the first part. I have ...
by AlasdairMc
Sun Dec 20, 2020 7:13 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: "official" UK Bikepacking Routes
Replies: 28
Views: 2307

Re: "official" UK Bikepacking Routes

Oh dear. In the Scottish section they list the Southern Upland Way. Oh dear oh dear oh dear....... Seems like it’s one of those lists where the routes themselves haven’t actually been ridden by the contributors? There’s no mention of the HT550 - I wonder if that’s deliberate on their part, or Alan ...
by AlasdairMc
Sun Dec 20, 2020 7:03 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: How often do you rebuild/change?
Replies: 17
Views: 1279

Re: How often do you rebuild/change?

I generally do lots of maintenance in one go, mainly when something breaks. Or I’ll be doing something minor and realise that loads more needs done. Example was changing my fatbike 10 to 11 speed (drivetrain came off another bike). Chainring needed sourced, then I realised the BB bearings were shot ...
by AlasdairMc
Mon Dec 14, 2020 1:04 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Is Anyone Using Tideace Forks?
Replies: 21
Views: 1702

Re: Is Anyone Using Tideace Forks?

The dropout looks far lighter than any other carbon fork I’ve ever seen or used. On all others it’s moulded into the fork instead of being a blob at the end of the leg. Hopefully that isn’t relevant or critical to its success. I had a set of eBay fatbike forks - no problems at all. Can’t remember wh...
by AlasdairMc
Mon Dec 07, 2020 6:15 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: West Highland Way record
Replies: 43
Views: 4481

Re: West Highland Way record

A WHW in a day has long been on my ticklist. My plan has been to set off in darkness (possibly midnight) in order to get some of the busier, southern, bits done without encountering lots of walkers. For me, logistics also now favour a Northbound ride whereas when living in Edinburgh it would have b...
by AlasdairMc
Mon Dec 07, 2020 3:28 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Alpkit Edinburgh
Replies: 16
Views: 2087

Re: Alpkit Edinburgh

Odd location if correct, must be pitching for the student market. Won’t be handy for me to get to from longstone anyway. Probably cheap rent and close enough to the Crags and Pollock for student climbers. Like you it’s miles away for me (Balerno). Unless they’ve got decent bike parking I doubt I’d ...
by AlasdairMc
Sun Dec 06, 2020 12:08 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Where is everyone?
Replies: 71
Views: 5275

Re: Where is everyone?

I think there may be a cookie thing as well. Not just eating them, as they’re delicious, but I have noticed I seem to be logged out a lot more often than normal.
by AlasdairMc
Sun Nov 29, 2020 8:56 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Cutthroat - worth the hype?
Replies: 18
Views: 1508

Re: Cutthroat - worth the hype?

Pretty much what jameso said. You need to be exceptionally comfortable on whatever you take - the rest is secondary. I think I'd logged close to 5,000km on my Cutty before the TDR to make sure it was as comfortable, if not more, than the Ti Fargo it replaced. FWIW, the setup I used for the TDR was ...
by AlasdairMc
Sun Nov 29, 2020 8:33 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Cutthroat - worth the hype?
Replies: 18
Views: 1508

Re: Cutthroat - worth the hype?

Would your Jones not be the tool for the job for the TD? I suffered badly with numb fingers on the HT550 on it, and I now have a fear of cracking it again while I’m somewhere properly remote. It’s already had two repairs, and I don’t want to risk it going while in the middle of a race. I do love ri...
by AlasdairMc
Sun Nov 29, 2020 7:29 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Cutthroat - worth the hype?
Replies: 18
Views: 1508

Cutthroat - worth the hype?

I’m considering a Salsa Cutthroat as a potential 2022 Tour Divide basher, and for general non-technical gravel type thing. I know there are several owners on here - what do you reckon? For info, I ride a Jones and a Warbird, and I reckon the Cutthroat would sit nicely between the two of them. What i...
by AlasdairMc
Wed Nov 25, 2020 12:03 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Reccomend a 650b Plus Steel Frame?
Replies: 26
Views: 2530

Re: Reccomend a 650b Plus Steel Frame?

If the frame is designed right, you can get away with a 135mm rear hub on a fat bike. Just need to build it asymmetric and dish it to hell.

There was a Shand in the classifieds which is now on eBay - sadly it’s a 170mm rear
by AlasdairMc
Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:04 am
Forum: Classifieds
Topic: Shand plus bike frame and forks sold
Replies: 1
Views: 585

Re: Shand plus bike frame medium

Any photos? Where is it located? Do you have a geometry sheet given it’s custom made?
by AlasdairMc
Sun Nov 15, 2020 11:40 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Rear hanger help
Replies: 7
Views: 984

Re: Rear hanger help

Option 4: bend it back. If it’s getting binned you can’t really ruin it much more, so ensuring the mech hole has a bolt in it, try and straighten it back up with a big adjustable wrench.
by AlasdairMc
Fri Nov 13, 2020 8:35 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Just when you thought the bandwagon was full!
Replies: 13
Views: 1679

Re: Just when you thought the bandwagon was full!

Brooks are missing a trick. A bikepacking saddle bag that uses the saddle bag mounts on a Brooks saddle would be great. I always find that saddle rail mounted bags swing a lot, whereas the shape and position of the mounts on a Cambium improve stability a lot more.
by AlasdairMc
Thu Nov 12, 2020 1:18 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Highland Trail 550 -2021
Replies: 19
Views: 2311

Re: Highland Trail 550 -2021

GregMay wrote: Thu Nov 12, 2020 9:37 am
Dave Barter wrote: Wed Nov 11, 2020 8:58 pm Email in, was that or another Tour Divide
TDR calling again, I too know the feeling.
I was considering the TD next year but was so unsure about their Covid situation that I figured 2022 would be more appropriate
by AlasdairMc
Thu Nov 12, 2020 12:14 am
Forum: General banter
Topic: Bargain Alert Thread
Replies: 4901
Views: 1192240

Re: Bargain Alert Thread

benp1 wrote: Wed Nov 11, 2020 5:36 pm It's 'singles day' in China - 11/11 - so there are discounts on Aliexpress, in case you were after anything
Good shout. I’ve gone back to organic brake pads as they feel great and don’t squeal. £3.78 for four pairs of XTs on Ali Express
by AlasdairMc
Sun Nov 08, 2020 2:47 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Waterproof glove to try
Replies: 27
Views: 3008

Re: Waterproof glove to try

I’ve heard Goretex overmitts being recommended before. I find that dedicated winter gloves aren’t good at just above freezing, because none ever stay properly dry in rain or sleet. I took two pairs of winter gloves with me on an overnight and because they both got so soaked I couldn’t retain any war...
by AlasdairMc
Sun Nov 08, 2020 10:51 am
Forum: General banter
Topic: Bargain Alert Thread
Replies: 4901
Views: 1192240

Re: Bargain Alert Thread

If you spend £100 on other stuff, you can get a NeoAir xLite for £65 at Rock and Run. Valid until tomorrow

https://rockrun.com/products/thermarest ... gular-2019
by AlasdairMc
Sun Nov 01, 2020 9:19 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Films to watch while isolating
Replies: 291
Views: 60939

Re: Films to watch while isolating

It’s probably been covered earlier, but I’m working my way through Ride to Extraordinary, which covers the Trans North Georgia race (the state, not the country). Good to watch, it’s an interesting race over some really good trails.

Amazon Prime
by AlasdairMc
Thu Oct 22, 2020 12:09 am
Forum: General banter
Topic: Micro USB cable suggestions
Replies: 11
Views: 1320

Re: Micro USB cable suggestions

You could look at a Spooly. It’s a magnetic cable that rolls up - I carry one in my pocket.

Www.spoolycable.com
by AlasdairMc
Wed Oct 14, 2020 4:46 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Quick-link tools
Replies: 24
Views: 1594

Re: Quick-link tools

I paid £1.75 for a pair of quick link pliers (for home use) but they’re tiny enough to take with me if I needed to. However the Leatherman Squirt is on my key ring so I don’t need the dedicated set too.

AliExpress for the pliers.