My lowest gear is 30/50 so 1.66 ratio. I could go lower but I find I need a bit of resistance especially if the ground is rough and sometimes will actually be in a higher gear to give me momentum through rougher sections. Everyone is different though and a lot depends on what you are used to. And 3...

And I know everyone is different... and I ride singlespeed so I'm used to 32x18 on a 29er as being a reasonable compromise.
But I'm 57, not getting any fitter or lighter.
If the gear is too low, balance becomes a factor.

Out of interest, what would (normal) folks ( I appreciate that may not account for many on here) consider the lowest useable gear, before it's just better to get off and walk. On the Rooster I have a 2x setup with 26x42 with 29+ Chronicles, so a BIG rolling circumference. But I consider it a low gea...

The new (to me ) Jones came with Loop bars. I bought a Rockgeist Dr Jones bag to utilise the space in the loop as I wont be needing to use a bar harness as I have Jones fork bags... However the width of the hole in the loop is just too narrow to accept a waterbottle in the new bag... So I've swapped...

I've done a rework inland , skirting the conurbation. Flippin shame though When I rode it early morning there was a 50mph headwind blasting sand into my face! Just ride round with your brakes on and tip some fine sand into your jersey to recreate the affect :lol: :grin: :-bd Are you local ... is th...

As I'm hoping to do this first week of July, I'm going to have to avoid the seafront
I've done a rework inland , skirting the conurbation. Flippin shame though

...and delivered some Five Ten boots from House of Fraser ... not dissimilar to these... https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/brand/five-ten/trailcross-mid-pro-mountain-bike-shoes-140194#colcode=14019415 They're initially very snug , and that's having gone up half a size but they seem comfortable. Will ...

Not weighing this week as I had a disastrous ( tbh it was excellent :-bd ) birthday week as I drove from Ludlow to Glasgow to collect a bike, then to Coventry for a family b'day meal, then home, then had 3 nights in the Old Cheshire Cheese in Castleton so ended up eating out & cooked breakfasts ...

...and delivered some Five Ten boots from House of Fraser ... not dissimilar to these... https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/brand/five-ten/trailcross-mid-pro-mountain-bike-shoes-140194#colcode=14019415 They're initially very snug , and that's having gone up half a size but they seem comfortable. Will w...

And I'm in :)

I've got the Sea to Summit thermal liner and it's done the job for me. I can use it with my summer bag and base layer/long johns and be warm enough in winter. Half price at the minute if you buy direct https://seatosummit.co.uk/products/thermolite-reactor-liner They do 2 warmer versions than that i...

.. and brought me some Bontrager flat pedals and a Wildcat Tomcat bag for the Jones Loop bars...

Fitted new flat pedals to the new Jones... just to give them a try after 30 years on SPD's. Been riding the CDF & Rooster with XT half flat /half spd's so when I get the odd burn in the ball of the foot I can flip over to the flat side.. The new ones are just flats... and went with the Bontrager...

Finished book 5 of the Wess'har series ... just one to go.

This morning I consumed the gorgeous Foster - Claire Keegan ... a short story and easily doable in a sitting. Loved it.

And I'm now trying my first Graham Greene ... thought I'd start with The End of The Affair

Better mat defo.
I use a liner as it's certainly more comfortable than the bag on it's own, and has to be a bit warmer.
In the end I bought a down sleeping bag and not looked back.

I've considered it but came to the undeniable conclusion I like the protection from midges, slugs & frankly, werewolves a tent offers. Stick with a tent and as well as being drier, I know I'm safe from all 3. And they don't seem particularly lighter weight once you've added all the shizz to put ...

Orwell's Roses by Rebecca Solnit. Been on my list for a while and finally found it in my local shop. I love Solnit's clarity and wisdom. Very enjoyable book. I've just bought 'Coming up for Air' to continue my Orwell journey, as well as receiving Wifedom by Anna Funder about Orwell's wife Eileen, w...

Well, for all the talk of pinion, electric shifting and Ti… I’ve resolved my magic roundabout….. I’ve bought another Jones 👍 I can leave my original SWB as SS … I now have 1x11 LWB Plus Spaceframe with Truss fork. I’ve always loved the original one, so this addition should fill a gaping hole left by...

thenorthwind wrote: ↑Sun Jan 21, 2024 10:07 am

godivatrailrider wrote: ↑Sat Jan 20, 2024 10:29 am I can’t see how water can ingress a sealed unit.

No, obviously it's not perfectly sealed. I'm interested to know how water has got in. They haven't suggested any cause.

So therefore if the product is sold as waterproof and yet there’s ingress, it’s not fit for purpose …

UPDATE! I’ve been out and tested the socks … ok it’s not quite as cold as last weekend but it’s still cool. Put them on the middle of the three heat settings initially. Omfg 😳👍❤️ warm feet! After 6 miles/ 40 mins I stopped and dropped to the lowest setting as my feet were a bit too warm🤯 For the res...

Exposure currently have my Six pack which had taken to turning itself off if I went over a speed bump etc.. I’ve asked them to check battery capacity too as it’s a few years old ( at £66 for a battery replacement I’d be ok to pay it) They’ve found and repaired the issue ( dry joint at a guess) &...

Did this over 2 days in September. Mostly a good route but would avoid the Bournemouth prom if I was doing it again. It was a rainy September day bit was still a nightmare with so many people. I think I'd default to just riding the roads through Bournemouth Unless I can find a more interesting opti...

The SON 150 mm hub, suitable for Jones' Truss has a wider flange than the 135 mm option. No funky spacing needed for the rotor, unless the Truss is even more funky. Mine's the older 135 spec truss so the SON is a spaced standard body (not sure whether it's F or R disc spacing). It'd work but I'm fu...

Mine's arrived ... never seen a battery with a built in USB-C port ... whatever next !

Great replies folks … looking into moderate new stuff for the Jones… it came with a gear hanger…. I’ve moved 3 times since then… but I think I still have it somewhere in a Thomson seat post bag