Decathlon do some 2mm neoprene socks (look in their diving section) which are a bit less bulky. I haven't used them for cycling (although I might give them a go after reading this thread) but I've used them in a pair of non-membrane hiking boots while packrafting (I wanted warm feet but decent grip ...

Stiff link or new chain not getting on with the rest of the transmission?

I bought a pair of Endura Singletrack pants last winter and they're pretty good. Not waterproof but dry very quickly, keep the crap off your legs for trouble free transition to bivvying and have vents on the thighs which do actually help when it's warmer. They have useful pockets and look okay off t...

I've given up trying to find a weather proof glove that also allows reasonable dexterity (I hate bulky gloves while riding). My solution is to wear Hotpogs with my usual summer gloves underneath. The Hotpogs don't keep my gloves dry but my hands are always warm even when wet (and I've used them in d...

I think it’s got something to do with our caveman genes, when the dark cave or woods were somewhere to avoid. I reckon this is about right, if you think about it death and danger must have come from the woods and during darkness for thousands of years for our ancestors (either from wild animals or ...

It doesn't really bother me much. I'm used to animal noises as I work night shifts outdoors on my own (and have done for years) so most things like deer barking or roaring (depending on breed) or vixens screaming are familiar noises. During the red deer rutting season I either wear ear plugs or list...

My XT brakes came with finned sintered pads and I use them on Icetech rotors. I was so impressed with this set up I replaced like for like when the time came however the next time new pads were due my inner Yorkshireman got the better of me and I tried some cheapo Brand X non finned (but still sinte...

I have an Alpacka Explorer 42 that I bought from packraftingstore.de before they lost the Alpacka franchise. At that time they were a bit cheaper than Andy Toop and held more stock as well. They were fine to deal with, helpful and efficient. It's handy to have a source of Alpacka rafts here in the U...

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4479/37099362180_fc70f54669_c.jpg IMG_20170926_151725 by Jurassic690 , on Flickr This was my bike yesterday. It's a Pinnacle Ramin 1 with some upgrades. I love it for bikepacking, it works a treat. :cool: XT mechs and shifters, Easton carbon bars with Ergon GS3s (yay ...

Yup, I got my gilet today as well and it's very nice. Thanks Stu.

I got some ankle gaiters from Decathlon a while ago, they were very cheap (around £7 IIRC). They're pretty decent for snow riding and keeping stones out of your boots/shoes but obviously have their limits. It looks like they're not available at the moment though. https://www.decathlon.co.uk/forclaz-...

Regarding flipping the ring around the other way, some AB rings aren't a symmetrical oval so flipping them 180 degrees would alter the timing. Mine has timing marks on both sides in different places to allow it to be used either way round (it's a direct mount boost ring which works with a wide fat b...

claimed there where over 100 studies endorsing this lol... no. I doubt there's 100 studies on chainrings, oval or not... let alone 100 on oval chainrings and tractions. Total bollock. As long as it's pimpy anodised bollox who cares?! :lol: Even if the science is a little suspect the seat of the pan...

Late to the party but I have an AB ring (1x11) on one bike and I really like it. If the other bikes ever go 1x (which is probably unlikely I have to say) I'd have no hesitation using AB oval rings on them as well. Big thumbs up from me.

They did a great job assembling my Boardman CX Team (well apart from the BB with the seal in the wrong place, oh and the front mech that wasn't tightened up meaning it was pulled down the seat tube when I tried to change gear). Yeah on second thoughts you're right, they're crap!

Glad they're working out for you. :cool: I think the angle varies from person to person (depending on body shape and bike set up) but it's worth experimenting to find the sweet spot for you as an individual. You're looking to have the bulge angled up enough to actively support your palm in a normal ...

I have genuine Ergons on one bike and wanted something similar but cheaper for another project. I bought a pair of cheap ergo grips from Decathlon (I think they were about seven quid). They're not as nice as Ergons but do the job well enough with similar comfort. They do have lock on type collars.

Can't offer any advice on sizing but I have a Ramin 1 (large) and it's great. Mine's already evolved quite a bit (only bought it earlier this year) with the addition of bits I had lying around. It's now 3x9 XT/Deore mix which allows me the low gears that my lack of fitness demands. The tyres are run...

I have Rival on my CX bike (a few seasons old now though and 10 speed not 11). My impressions are that it works fine but the lever action is more positive, heavy and clunky than Shimano (reminds me of the Campag Chorus I had on my old road bike back in the day). Not really better or worse just diffe...

Ooh, just thought of something else, my one's are RDM brake spacing as well (not sure if the straight steerer version is the same).

Yes spookily enough I just noticed yesterday (while browsing for 29er carbon forks) that they are selling a version with a straight steerer (mine are tapered). Hope you get sorted out anyway.

You probably know this but just in case, remember that the hub spacing is 135mm on the Fatty fork so a front wheel rebuild may be needed. The fork itself is pretty nice though (I ran one on my Fatty for a couple of years), very light, flat(ish) surfaces on the fork legs for mounting Gorilla Clips if...

The Postie brought me a beautiful 137cm x 14mm carbon pole for my Luxe Hexpeak V4a courtesy of Stuart. It's a thing of great beauty that I'm delighted with, thanks Stuart.It packs down into lengths just over 20cm and weighs next to nothing and will allow me to use the Hex without carrying my walking...

For me there would be quite a bit of overlap between ride to go camping and camp to ride further, they're both true for me. I love camping and bivvying and have done since I was a kid so incorporating that with mountain biking which I also love is a natural progression. Sometimes I'm quite happy jus...