ta. I'm very pleased. Still waiting on the rear rotor to show up so its only getting a ride up and down the road today. which is annoying. normally I'd go for a ride anyway but snow means slippy so best not.

I'm a bit poorer, but no where near as you might think. Frame and rohloff and spokes are the only new parts. My pal's shop did me a killer just more than cost deal on the frame too so its not too bad a financial layout.

Chain device, dunno. I couldnt decide weather to leave it off, and see what happens or fit it and then check if the chain has been touching it after a few rides. I was think that the ti frame might flex a little at the bb so maybe it would be needed?

johnnystorm wrote: Does it really need the front chain device though? :?:

Actually just been googleing images of this frame and theres a few singlespeeded with no device so its off now :D

Have you got any idea what the complete bike weighs?

I just weighed the English now that I took the bags, aerobars, cages, and front rack off, and it comes in at 26.4lbs...which I think is very respectable for an all steel twenty niner with two rear wheels, 2.4" tyres, Alfine hub gear, fat front compatible fork, jones bars etc. I was quite happy with that. :D
It was never meant to be a xc whippet after all. :)

Yup. its 26.5 which I'm also very happy with.

That steel english is really nice. It impresses me how light a proper custom steel bike can be.

The fork and the Rohloff are big lumps to be honest. The fork is 1720g and the hub is err, lots. I wrote down the weights somewhere. I'll do a post on it.
I'm still thinking of a carbon rigid fork for various reasons (consistent handling when loaded mainly) which will knock 2+ lbs off it.

The good thing though is that it should pretty well balanced with the extra weight on both ends?
I was worried that would be a problem with the English, but it actually feels really balanced. The fat fork, jones bars, and slightly heavier front[rear] wheel help balance it out.

You know something is gonna be nice when it's in a tin! :D
I gave you every chance to prove yourself frogs...but you let me down!
After almost twenty years on atacs,I should never have strayed.
Time atac xc 12 titan carbon...lighter than my frogs, and at least I know for definite when I'm clipped into them!

Mind you...some of that red is gonna have to go! :D

I swear by Time Atacs. Although you appear to very much have the nice blingy model that I'm very jealous of

Apart from a couple of years on the original spd's I've always used atacs on everything...I think my curiosity got the better of me with the frogs...and I was seduced by the weight....but they're definitely not for me.
These new atacs are actually a few grams lighter than the frogs, and the cleats are a lot lighter.
I wouldn't have paid full price for them though...perks of living above a bike shop! :D

I've already hidden the red seals under a couple of layers of black insulation tape, and taken a black marker pen to the end logos! :]

Oh yes BRP, very nice!

I just got some XC6's which whilst feel as good at times always do, are beige...

I just had to google them to see if you were fibbing!
I get itchy fever if i have too much colour in my life! :]

BRP wrote:I just had to google them to see if you were fibbing!
I get itchy fever if i have too much colour in my life! :]

Its the black rainbow thing, the stealth is getting under your skin :D

and, yes, the really are beige.

You can get away with Beige on your bike though! :D

It's all part of my mission to remove as much unnecessary weight from the English as possible, without affecting strength or performance...This bike is an ongoing project!
I needed another pair of atacs and they weren't too bad at trade price.
I've got a Thomson masterpiece on the way too which will be getting tuned! Then all the bolts on the bike will be getting switched to black titanium ones. There are 28 bottle bosses alone so I should be able to lose a bit of weight. :D

BRP wrote:all the bolts on the bike will be getting switched to black titanium ones

All with the same head / tool fitment?

Well obviously there will be some M5 and some M6...but all allen heads.
I have some black shadow conspiracy aluminium 3/8" bmx axle nuts on the way too...they're about half the weight of the stock steel alfine nuts, and are a good length too so plenty of thread engagement still.

FLV wrote:and, yes, the really are beige.

I read somewhere recently that some shades of beige are OK. The acceptable ones are apparently "hearing aid" and "Baileys"...

Just got home to find one of the first Mytimug cooksets to escape from Wales

16g stove
15g windshield
32g cozeeeeeeeee

It's all really well made. I just managed to make a cup of tea with it in the lounge because it didn't come with any sticker telling me not to

Huh?? Are the cool sets released?? WHERE.....!?

new forks arrived. and a new tyre. had to get out for a ride to celebrate

InspiredRamblings wrote:Huh?? Are the cool sets released?? WHERE.....!?

I think Stu got fed up with me pestering him

The flame spread really is pretty spot on for the mug

Rab Storm bivi. Goes sweet with the new Rab Ascent 700 bag and Alpkit Airo (inside the bivi). Trial run on my shift from tent to bivi this weekend. Yar

Huh?? Are the cool sets released?? WHERE.....!?

If you'd like one either send me an email or PM.

jamiep wrote:Rab Storm bivi. Goes sweet with the new Rab Ascent 700 bag and Alpkit Airo (inside the bivi). Trial run on my shift from tent to bivi this weekend. Yar

Is the Storm the pertex one? I saw them cheap somewhere but then read a couple of bad reviews. Admittedly they were from about 2006 and the product is probably totally different now. Be interested to see how you find it. Seem nice and light, and pretty cheap. If its good as well, that'll hit the sweet spot!

s8tannorm wrote:

Huh?? Are the cool sets released?? WHERE.....!?

If you'd like one either send me an email or PM.

Done

InspiredRamblings wrote:[
Is the Storm the pertex one? I saw them cheap somewhere but then read a couple of bad reviews. Admittedly they were from about 2006 and the product is probably totally different now. Be interested to see how you find it. Seem nice and light, and pretty cheap. If its good as well, that'll hit the sweet spot!

Dunno what fabric - Rab call it Hyperlite Storm which is their own name. Bought it because
- cheap (£48 from Go Outdoors with their mailshot 20% off voucher)
- bathtub bottom
- fits a mat inside
- fully closeable

Not the most exciting of packages, but all part of my plan to trim every ounce of unnecessary fat from the English without affecting performance or real world strength. :D
These will be going on my Thomson masterpiece post when it arrives.
Which means I'll have another Thomson elite up for sale soon if anyone needs one in 27.2?