Now just to wait for my Ocelot to arrive

he's given up waiting for his courier and making his own way.

Got a shiny set of Krampus Anything forks today, then realised I'd left the crown race on the plain set I'd already sold...

Now looking at tent/tarp options and mulling over cooking stoves....it appears I've got a new obsession, and given my MTB background this has taken me by surprise...

Pete just delivered the final piece of the puzzle for the TD bike. Whisky no.9 thru axle fork.

Fitted. Just need better cable guides, as I'm not using the internal routing (hydraulics brakes and switching forks make this a PITA).

And the Brand Ambassador bags one as well.
The Travers all new Bat Fastard









And a new frame bag from Wildcat

Cumulus quilt 150. Have been tempted since Stu's review.

Can't get over the pack size! It's tiny...

...and dropped off a Shimano M980 right hand shifter. Gave it a workout yesterday and today and found the multi-shift to be quite useful but I'm not quite sold on the chunky click between gear changes. Compared to my 8 year old M770 shifter, I feel it's not as smooth. Fingers crossed it is just a bedding in thing and it'll smooth out in time.

Greetz

S.

Radon slide 8.0. Need to spend a bit of time setting it up (and trying to ride flat pedals). So looking forward to taking it to the alps this summer...

Dan, if you're used to riding clipped in and are happy doing so, why the change to flats?

That's the thing Stu, I don't think I'm that great riding spds. Generally, I'm fine on most xc stuff but on more technical trails or where I have a drop on one side, I panic about being clipped in.

I've always ridden spd and never given flats a go. Bought a set of cheap plastic flats from superstar just to see how I get on...

I think some proper tuition would help too.

Foot placement is a key factor to riding flats Dan.

If you're used to clips, you might find that even on a flat pedal you'll place your foot so the ball (of your foot) is over the pedal axle. This gives you a 'weak ankle' and can lead to feet leaving pedal. Instead, place your foot 1" to 1.5" further forward on the pedal, now any force coming through the bike from the ground or by you 'pressing down' will push your foot onto/into the pedal rather than off the back of it.

Aim to keep your weight on your feet, your hands are just there to stabilise you, not control the bike ... but that's the same regardless of pedals.

Thanks for the advice. I'll give it a go and see how I get on

Nice bike! Good luck with the flats. My tip would be to practise with them *lots* before going to the Alps. I definitely learnt stuff when I switched over and I'm glad I didn't learn it on a super-steep techy DH run miles from the NHS.

Expensive, but first go has been impressive. I also spotted a massive slash in the tyre I deflated and popped off the bead to test. Max charging pressure popped on a 29 x 2.25 at 35psi. The real test will be trying the Fatty with it, that rim/tyre combo is a shocker.

The postman's been (well she's still here actually and has been for years ) - A shiny new Gopro 4 and a set of various mounts and harnesses for same.

Transparent page markers, for marking up trails on OS maps

Plus a pair of 700x32 Schalbe marathon plus tyres for my arkose. Fitted them last night, should be good for the commute. Front went on fine, rear was more tricky. Will be fun taking them off when I want to switch tyres!

A couple of Pole-a-bear poles for my Siltarp... look great - thanks Stu

This arrived the other day:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-Expert-5 ... B007L1I9TU



Actually powerful enough to run air tools. Charges the tank quite quickly too, but it's blinkin' noisy. Shall be making an intake muffler for it and maybe a little partial box for it as I have some sound absorbing foam kicking about. Also gonna mount the motor on some AV mounts.

Also need to get some whitworth spanners for airline fixings, can't keep using the adjustable (that's metric )

@ zippy & johnnystorm

I should get my fire extinguisher tyre inflator sorted this week - will be interesting to see if it works or whether it just becomes a £20 white elephant for the corner of the garage...

Ian wrote:@ zippy & johnnystorm

I should get my fire extinguisher tyre inflator sorted this week - will be interesting to see if it works or whether it just becomes a £20 white elephant for the corner of the garage...

Ooh yes, that will be quite interesting. I have something like that in mind to use as a sort of pressure washer at events etc.

Just had a right rush on here, in the space of 5 minutes I've just taken delivery of;

More carbon than I've seen in a very long time ... busy times ahead.

This years WRT T shirts.

The new Bear Bones stickers.

New PH Design bag and quilt arrived today.

totally gorgeous!

I hope you have more luck than I did with your Radon Dan; my Carbon frame was a piece of poo!

23 different deliveries due... I think I've spent a bit much on all this bikepacking stuff. :D

ZeroDarkBivi wrote:I hope you have more luck than I did with your Radon Dan; my Carbon frame was a piece of poo!

Way to piss on my chips!

I'm not looking to set the world alight. Just wanted something bouncy that offered good value.

s8tannorm wrote:Just had a right rush on here, in the space of 5 minutes I've just taken delivery of;

More carbon than I've seen in a very long time ... busy times ahead.

This years WRT t shirts

I can deduce one of two things from this.

1) You need to make bigger bonfires

2) WRT t shirts be super legera yo

3) i can't spell legera

I got a mortgage for a flat in peebles only the email version but postie will bring the real deal soon enough.