I replied at the weekend to a similar post on STW, from someone who wanted to buy some but PX are out of stock. Seems appropriate to make the same offer here: I have a pair I fitted and rode for a couple of hours, then took off again to try something else. I was thinking I'd like to give them anothe...

The route will have a couple more flatter sections this year. As much as I love the mountains I think a bit of respite is a good thing, so between Little Peru and the Tende will have 1200m of 2 'minor cols' taken out and there's an easier route between Col de Turini and Nice (more roads, less eleva...

Just to grab attention away from (admittedly interesting) gearing geekery :grin: There's a possibility of a spot in the hills within striking distance of Nice where we can have a beer, food and shower - in that order of priority probably. Maybe fire too. If it goes ahead it'll be supported (funded)...

Agreed, I just wondered how long people were taking and accordingly whether I could snag the time off work. :grin: If it helps I think I took a week over it last year, missing out the Strada Cannelloni (sp) and going straight from Col de Braus to Nice. The first year was a couple of days longer, bu...

FWIW I get on fine with the bar end shifter on my Arkose 2. When I upgraded to SRAM 11-sp the new one I bought was indexed and just like the OE but with an extra stop. I actually like it that it doesn't return to centre. When I'm coming up to stop I know the position it needs to be in to get going a...

I'm a maybe. What's the overall trip length, i.e. how many days are people generally overseas for? I'd say ignore the distance completely, it's not the constraint to progress on this kind of ride, and look instead only at the 20,000m total climbing. If from past experience you know how many loaded ...

BigdummySteve wrote:6 bolt

Shame, I'd have had it for a spare if I wasn't tied in to CL. I've mentioned it to some non-boning friends though, in case any of them would be interested.

Assume the SP is a disc hub. Centrelock or 6-bolt?

The full length 2017 bag, not the earlier half length one. Left zip, standard size. Was meant to be hydrophobic down, but Alpkit sent me a letter after I'd had it a couple of months saying that batch might not have been (and giving me the option of returning it or having a £20 voucher). I've never h...

I've got the PD 200 and it's very thin. Like others have said it's really a summer bag only. I pair it with one of their 200 fill weight Cloud Cover quilts when it's colder. I imagine that gives me about the same warmth as the 400 weight bag, but that the two are bulkier to carry. If I were buying a...

Safety string

sold

I managed to get one of these earlier this year whilst they were in stock. Sadly it didn't suit my set up though. http://www.alpamayodesigns.com/index.php/products/up-front/front-pocket.html I got the version with the white panel on the front. I've used it for about an hour. I also got the extra str...

Maybe it's me getting old but I don't consider a 10 year-old bike to be old. Just not new. I bought my aluminium MTB in 2002 and that still feels like yesterday, and despite the brand's nickname it hasn't Crack'n'failed yet.

johnb wrote: I have no idea why the address is so ridiculously long.

Usually referer info and display options. When copying links to share, anything form the first question mark on can usually safely be deleted. So you could trim it to just https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222745729774 when posting.

Most grippy gravel tyres are 120TPI and do seem to wear fast. 1500km seems to be the life of a Microskin G-One on the rear of my bike, for example. You could look at 60TPI versions, though there aren't many of those that are tubeless. If you just want longevity and aren't bothered about weight, or a...

voodoo_simon wrote:Eurosport for a year for £1.99!

Enter code BFRIDAYUK199 at checkout

Montane Fireball jacket for £89 at Wiggle

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/montane-fireball-jacket/

(use code save15-1 to get it down to that from the £104 displayed)

Mariner wrote:Thanks.
Was confused because bike spec listed CSMS8 and Sunrace list CSMX8.
I assume its the same thing?

One is all steel, the other is part ally (I think the big sprocket)

edit - "A7075 Largest Sprocket, and Alloy Spiders, Lockring & Spacers" on the MX8

Fibre Fix spoke goes on with the rotor in place :) My wheels have different spoke lengths left and right, and front and rear, so I'd have to carry 4 spokes if I was going to carry spares (I presume). Besides, with 32 in each wheel I'd still have 31 left to limp on to habitation with even without a F...

I'm a mere padawan in these matters, but for what it's worth I'll also take things that are very small and very light. Brake pads, for example, and a mech hanger. A cleat bolt and a valve core. Those sort of things. I know it's a small thing but you don't need to take cleat bolts if you run a disc ...

I'm a mere padawan in these matters, but for what it's worth I'll also take things that are very small and very light. Brake pads, for example, and a mech hanger. A cleat bolt and a valve core. Those sort of things.

That's really helpful, thanks Gairy :-bd It's encouraging that you've at least considered a gravel bike, as that's what I have, but I do have hankerings over a rigid 29er for this and similar sorts of ride. Maybe on yours you could start with some soft, high TPI-count knobblies and by halfway they'l...

For those that have done both this and TNR, how do the routes compare? Both in terms of climbing and the surfaces?

I picture less climbing but more off-road. Still maybe rideable on a gravel bike but more suited to an MTB. Would that be about right?