Bikepacker.com have an article on bits of kit you might ask for Xmas - http://bikepacker.com/2016-bikepacker-gift-guide/ there's even some Wildcat kit in there.

However - look at the last item: $160 for a 15mm through-axle (there's a little more to it than that though)

Because a front wheel skewer is by far the most convenient place to keep your toolkit...

the AeroPress is a fantastic lightweight option for bikepackers.

No it's not. Do these people even ride brah

I see they also mention Togs, you still using yours Stu or are they just a "seemed like a good idea at the time" item?

you still using yours Stu

I do Ray. They're inbetween bikes at present but I'm always surprised by how comfortable they are whenever I fit them. I believe the newer versions are hinged, so swapping between bikes should be less faff.

Bearbonesnorm wrote:

you still using yours Stu

I do Ray. They're inbetween bikes at present but I'm always surprised by how comfortable they are whenever I fit them. I believe the newer versions are hinged, so swapping between bikes should be less faff.

Interesting, I just poo pooed them when I first saw them.

DoctorRad wrote:Because a front wheel skewer is by far the most convenient place to keep your toolkit...

But how am I meant to get that in there as well as the electric motor?

Trail-rat wrote:No it's not. Do these people even ride brah

"We seriously can’t get over our regular Giro DND gloves, we have used them for years,..."

If they're talking about the same pair of gloves then the answer is no. A merino wool version sounds a terrible idea!

(Context: wore my DND gloves out in under a year...replaced them with a set of DND gloves! They are very comfy... )

Also it's November...f'off with 'Christmas'.
(not that I celebrate it.)

Ray Young wrote:

Bearbonesnorm wrote:

you still using yours Stu

I do Ray. They're inbetween bikes at present but I'm always surprised by how comfortable they are whenever I fit them. I believe the newer versions are hinged, so swapping between bikes should be less faff.

Interesting, I just poo pooed them when I first saw them.

Me too.. I thought "who rides with their hands there?" The next time I was on a long ride I realised that I do

I have two pairs now (I was having to pay postage anyway, so what the hell).. The plastic (nylon?) ones required grip removal. The carbon ones are hinged.

A side-benefit I've found is that not having to grip the bars in the conventional way seems to keep my fingers warmer.

Is there a U.K. Importer for Togs? I'd like to try them, but the rotten exchange rate and substantial postage is putting me off.

Is there a U.K. Importer for Togs?

Not as far as I'm aware.

Is there a U.K. Importer for Togs?

Best I can find is http://www.fgacycling.com/ in Spain.
Cant follow their website but I notice that Togs do supply in bulk as it were so if enough people were up for it ................... or even if there was somebody in Spain who ..........................
Just thinking.

Anybody call?
I've had a look at the fga site, it looks like it's trade only. They're based in Elche down near Alicante which is about 4hrs south of me. If there is genuine interest, I could talk to my LBS and see whether they could order from them and I can bring them to Sheffield when we're back for Christmas. Need to be quick to make all that work.

From the US, regular Togs are $20+24 for std shipping = £36 + whatever your bank charges on top for an international purchase. I'd be prepared to pay up to £30, in black only if you can negotiate a deal? Possibly not worth it after you factor in UK postage...

Anybody had a go at making one of these down-tube bags?

http://www.roguepanda.com/shop/oracle-downtube-bag/

Doesn't look too hard, especially if you replace the (vulnerable) zip with a roll closure. Or just use a small dry bag plus strap!

Zero, I'll see what they say, just remembered we're travelling up the M5 from MIL's in Cornwall on Boxing Day so postage could be avoided. I thought of getting some to try as I get hand numbness but they wouldn't play nice with my Rohloff grip shift. Give me a few days.

I'd definitely be interested in a set of Togs if someone's organising...

Same.

I'd be interested at the right price too

Im after a set of these as well (hinged ones)

Well, if they ain't gonna be niche then I might as well sell mine.

Bagsie first dibs

I'd be interested in a couple of sets of togs too thanks

Id get togged up too if there was a uk distributor

Pity there's no one on the forum with a Web shop or similar.