I use a Freeload Rack and panniers (bought after reading Stu's review on the Blog). It fits on my full suspension (Giant Anthem) pretty well, although removed on of the cable stops to get it exactly where I wanted it. Done a couple of trip with it and really like it, although I'm coming round to a s...

Ta, maybe need to change my technique. Definitely interested in a pole anyway, particularly if I can add a section to change the height. When I looked into this before I was slightly worried about it being a 4 section pole as it meant the stress point in the centre was going to be a at a join. That'...

Stu, how tight a fit are the poles? Putting the trailstar up is easy with a walking pole as I stick it in the ground and throw the fly over the top. If it's separate poles I think they'd need to be reasonably snug to not fall apart during my hamfisted tent putting up (I'm trying to avoid saying erec...

Hmmm, I'll have a think about an extra extension pole. Thanks for the inner suggestion but I've already got an Oookworks inner for it!

Stu.

What about an adjustable one? I've been looking for something to hold up my trailstar and the adjustable bottom on a walking pole was great when the wind whipped up overnight and I needed to drop the height.

Had mine reconstructed about 12 years ago now. As good or better than it was before I snapped the ACL. I'd echo the comments about making sure you do the exercises though. My recovery wasn't going great, until I started religiously following the exercises I'd been set. Worth building the muscles up ...

Hi, I use a Rab Generator rather than down when it's likely to be wet as it's still warm when damp. Made of Primaloft. I take an Alpkit down body warmer when it's really cold and have worn it ok under my jacket made of Neoshell. It's meant to be more breathable than eVent but still waterproof. It's ...

Like the look of that "tarp" s8tannorm, think you mentioned you were going to do a review of it?

I'm sticking with the Trailstar, mainly because I'm trying not to buy much more kit!

Stu.

I use a Mountain Laurel Designs Trailstar - which is probably blurring the lines between tent and tarp. It's about 550g for the tarp and guys then need a pole inside (current one is an Alpkit carbon walking pole ~220g) and pegs which I haven't weighed. I've got an inner on order for it from Oookwork...

Aidan's write up is on his blog:

http://www.aidanharding.com/2012/05/the ... orms-loop/

Well done guys, I did some of that route with a fully loaded bike the weekend before and some of it was pretty challenging.

Stu.

Cool! What did you use for the windshield?

Interested in making one of the flissure caldera cones if you could send me a copy of the postscript file please Ian. I've got an Alpkit myti mug and an MSR kettle so making seems better than buying!

stuartbrock (at) hotmail (dot) com

Ta,
Stu.

Thanks royAB, good to hear just a normal level of care required. I figure helitape and not being too precious about the paint finish is probably in order.

Ta, I've also got a Scandal and I've had an Inbred so I know what I'm getting into :). Take it the one with tight tolerances was the Whippet. I've heard it's a bit tight and don't really fancy the BB30 bottom bracket anyway. Other problem I've heard is the c456 headtube with a Rockshox tapered steer...

Hi, Planning on adding a hardtail to the garage and thinking about a Carbon 456. I've been using my Giant Anthem (full sus) for bikepacking which has been great but I'm thinking of a backup option with less to go wrong! Anyone got any experience with framebags etc on a Carbon frame? I figure the 456...