I have a few bits from Crikey, how much, the touring shorts are brilliant in my opinion as they fit me really well and are really hard wearing. I've also got one of their hooded mid winter base layers, for cold rides I don't think it can be beaten and it makes you look like you are in the SAS. As ot...

Slight thread hijack, but do any of you Stoogists also have or ridden a Jones too? I'm finding myself very tempted by a Stooge but don't really want 2 bikes that are the same or very similar in the way they ride, if that makes sense?

If you want to ride from you could head along the coastal path to the yha at Conwy? It's best to book in advance with that one as it's pretty popular and I wouldn't recommend a dorm room unless you like being surrounded by people snoring/farting all night. Also the headwind can be a right bugger on ...

We can offer you tea and refuel stop in Chester if it helps? It's probably around an hour or so from johnclimber and I can guide you to the meet up point too.

Mine would be my Jones Spaceframe with 29er+ front at the minute, but fat front does push it very close in terms of fun factor just a little bit more hard work on the ups.

Just going out for a ride so this might change in a few hours.

Are we limited to one set of wheels? It doesn't change my choice of bike but would be hard pressed to choose just one.

My wife has one of those lamp thingies and they do work, but I would recommend start using it when the clocks go back and don't shine it directly into your eyes as they are really feckin bright. I love this time of year, not too hot, all the overgrown trails start clearing and as others have said th...

I get the occasional bit, usually on longer rides. I found having the bars higher than usual took some of weight out of my hands which helped, also using Ergon type grips as they spread the weight better. But everyone is different, whereas that works for me other people I know have tried similar and...

Singular Swift or Rooster are another couple of options. Or at the other end of the spectrum you could go Jones+ or Spaceframe with 27.5+ in the back, with a fat front I can see that being lots of fun.

Wouldn't a lighter bike be more prone to breaking? I know the Surly bikes are heavy but they are made of steel and I would guess that there is more chance of that being fixable than aluminium/titanium/carbon etc? If you are set on a plus bike have you thought about a El Mariachi? I have mine set up ...

You could try the Vee 29+ tyre as that comes up a bit smaller than a Knard? - just can't quite remember what it's called.

Try to avoid peak times too as the trains can be rammed and the bike space usually ends up being used for buggies/prams/suitcases etc.

I ride around there fairly frequently, some of the climbs are very steep without you realising it. Plus the off roady ones tend to get used by farmers and chewed up by tractors to make it a little harder. If you turn off the A541 at Nannerech and take the first left that road has some really steep b...

Picture 357 by Justin Gilbert, on Flickr

Never been able to do and couldn't find a bike related pic, so here's a flying ape.

A pair of Jones swoopy bars for my El Mariachi and flat pedals for my fat bike thanks to Ian of this parish. Have already given myself an experimental whack on the shin to remind myself what I have been missing out on for these past few years.

Hi Ian,

I'll take the Jones bars and the Atom Lab pedals if they are still available?

Are the carbon 29 or 26 flavour?

I've just put a Vee Trax Fatty in the back of my El Mariachi on a Pacenti dl31 rim. I had to move the alternator plates all the way back and there isn't a great deal of clearance to the seat stays, but it fits. I thought chain line might be an issue but there is loads of room, so I would guess a 27....

I'll second the Gryphon with Jones bars, goes anywhere, does anything. As its a frame only option you can build it to suit yourself without the inevitable cost saving used by manfacturers.

First ride of the year (I think), 23 mile loop of local gravel and back country roads. Must have looked close to death as I had a Eagle or Vulture following me round.

As other have said knards are good as long as you get the pressure right, otherwise get used to slippy, self steering near death experiences. One thing I did find when I used it in the front of my Gryphon was that it raised the bars by what felt like a foot, so you may need to lose some spacers or a...

I'll take it please as I've had a bit of disaster whilst cleaning out the loft and thrown the wrong bags out :oops: I may be in the dog house for a while, but at least it wasn't just her stuff? Let me know if you want Paypal, bank transfer etc and I'll get the payment over to you today, email addres...

Wingnut for me too, the majority of the weight sits on your hips like a bum bag and the shoulder straps stop it from bouncing around. I tried an old Camelbak a while ago and it was awful, weight too high up, uncomfortable and more bouncy than a bouncy thing.

I'm a similar height with short legs and monkey arms but would only consider the 16". I tried a Knard on a Rabbithole rim in the front of my Gryphon and it felt like it raised the front end by a good few inches, so I would imagine that with similar front and rear the standover would be quite hi...

A pair of carbon OG bars, although they may be a little too wide so look out for a what saw for chopping carbon bars thread soon.

Also, finally had the stitches out from my hip and been given the all clear to ride again, that will be a novelty.

DPD man delivered a new small Pugsley frame today as my old one was a bit too big.

Nothing to do with my wife having just got a shiny new one, pure coincidence.