*So what was the last bit of kit you bought or have you got your eye on something at the moment? I always seem to have a big list of possible 'next buys' floating around in my head, really must stop it ... I'm sure it can't be good for you.

*I'm just being nosey really

Have been toying with replacing my old battered red plastic camping mug with a titinium one. Either that or a Hunka XL bivvy bag.

expecting delivery of a jungle hammock tomorrow, going to try the comfiest sleep according to flatfish

Got the Ti Blaze stove the other day, next on the list would be a decent tarp - have a decent bivvy bag (old Pheonix Phoxhole) but not tarped up yet.

Expecting delivery on Tuesday of the Viscacha seat bag from Revelate . . . can get rid of my pannier rack now.

As I seem to have my mates Topeak beam rack on permanent loan it would be a seat bag for me.

A comfy saddle and a new front wheel are on the cards

SaddleBig1 by valley daddy, on Flickr

here you go Matt :D

New wheels and cassette for my road bike, so i can have a setup for the turbo and another for road. Not directly bikepacking related, but road and turbo sessions will build a foundation for more silliness.

My last was a DD tarp and hammock Tuesday night and if this is counted then next will be some self heating Wayfayrer food rations for a nights bivi this or the following weekend
If not I just put a deposit down on a trek x caliber to try for size assuming if it fits and I like (I don't see why I wouldn't like it) that is the next buy :D

my lbs has let me down on a trek x caliber 17" I had on order with them claiming they sold it by mistake and cant get any more in but the have a smaller size available if i would like to try it (15")!
15" wont do.
so iv looked at theses instead Trek Cobia, On One 29 scandal and the On One inbred 29er
I am drawn to all of them but can't decide I have tried the Trek Cobia out and I find it OK (looks stunning in actual hands) but will need different bars and a set back seat post.

I never tried a 29er On One before but there are tons of good reviews and testimonies to its quality.
Any feed back will help and if there is any one local( I am based in Romford Essex) with a 29er On One who would and don't mind letting me test it out that would also be brill too.

Trek Cobia link http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/mo ... obia_2011/#

On One link 1 http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO29SCST/ ... l-29er-slx

On One link 2 http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOOIN29SLX ... ap-out-slx

thanks guys :D

I have to say I do like my On One 29er. At 5'7" the mountain bike police would have me believe that I'm too small for 29" wheels ... oddly (well not really) the TT of my 29er is shorter than my 26" wheeled version, so suits me much better.

I suppose only you can decide if the price hike for the MK11 version is worth it but IMO they're still good value.

I can go to the £1000 Mark on the right bike, did you mean link 2 the inbred xt 29er because the missus likes that one for me in the chicken tika orange, also what size frame did you get I'm just 5.8 and when I come pair sizes against the trek I tried it would seem the 18" matches up but I have a genesis 26er in 16.5 which suit perfect... Buy on one blind of trying for size is a bit scary .

No real idea about full builds ... can't remember the last time I bought anything other than a frame.

I reckon you might fall between sizes a little ... I'd go for whatever TT length is nearest to something else you know fits. On Ones do tend to be long in the TT.

well not a purchase but swopping a thomson layback for an in-line one with a STW member for the Swift as a bit stretched out on it.

After that I'll be trying a shorter stem and maybe some flat bars.

basically just playing about with the set up

Pete ... Salsa Pro Moto flats with 17 degree backsweep might suit you. Not stupidly expensive and might just stop you requiring a stem swap.

A new tyre for a road bike and Assos tights, getting ready for winter! :(

cheers Stu I'll take a look at those, like the stem a bit longer to tuck the drybag under if that makes sense?

what size clamp is it I have a Mary bar you could try?

The stem/clamp I have is 31.8mm

Sorry, Mary is the old standard.

ok no worries fella thanks for the offer though, very kind of you indeed :)

I was wrong, it was a Pacific Outdoors Ether Compact mat. My psychic powers must be fading....



(or I'm just a sucker for half-price gear...)

seat post swop done and shorter stem on the way

won't be riding the bike for a while but still can fettle them in the garage

I went with the trek Cobia lastnight and its now sitting in my kitchen with a upgrade seatpole (thomson setback) and waiting on funn bars that should arrive tommrow.
That is now the last purchase the next will be decent pedals.
I must say-as it is out of the shop it is a very easy ride and very comfy and wierdly smaller in overall length then my genesis!?!