Search results for:

Ta, will stick with black hubs and for the other bits I'm torn between black and orange. Will have a few drinks then decide, I always make brilliant decisions when half cut.

Thoughts on colour of Hope bits (hubs, clamp, headset) to go with the deep grey frame?

Black is the safe option, silver and orange both match bits of the graphics which I like the idea of but not sure if colourful hubs are just going to look shit?

Judging by the pics its hard to believe that the bike was packed well enough for transit. Axles in such close proximity to the frame should have been thoroughly covered and everything padded out to eliminate/reduce movement within the box. If box arrives beaten to shit and contents damaged then that's a different story. But if box arrives in OK condition and contents are damaged then that's bad packing and on the seller IMO.

Got my deposit in for a Strael today, so pumped for 9am tomorrow! Bring on the pdf!

I like it, bit different. Hope your mate enjoys it and that you get to have a blast on it sooner rather than later. Show no mercy when riding with him though, drop him like a sack of shit every chance you get!

my mate (not a cyclist, zero off-road experience) managed fine on a Decathlon Triban with pretty much slick 38c tyres. There's a couple of sections to take care on but for the most part it's as fredtc said, not that rocky. I'm just a wuss and need to HTFU if I'm being honest.

100%. I would much rather have had something with a bit of travel as opposed to a rigid 26er, you'll have a blast on that.

Very strong showing today, so I'll lower the tone right down...

Ta, the Hunts' are standard on the builds I'm looking at with the Hopes being a £100 upgrade, which as you say is a bit of a no brainer to match headset and seat clamp!

I know nothing about wheels, would the Hope 20Five-Rs4 be a sensible upgrade on the Hunt 4 Seasons or is it much of a muchness?

I kind of was. I think the Secan is a whole load more flexible, being able to throw on some fairly chunky 650s on opens up tracks and byways that you probably wouldn't want to/couldn't tackle on a Strael. Having given it some thought what I'm really after is something that will allow me to eat up miles on shitty UK lanes in relative comfort and the Secan seems a bit overkill for that, so likely going to go for the Strael... haven't pulled the trigger yet though!

Best colour Vigorelli! New to you?

On another note, did anyone hear Webber's reaction to Hamilton locking up? Absolute gold

Echoes of Gary Neville's goalgasm, which never gets old!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXUdemBWEB8

Ta, what I thought but always helpful to have it confirmed. Guess popping my tubeless cherry will have to wait a bit...

Picked up a pair of 38c G-One Speed MicroSkins, probably old stock as I think they're discontinued. Noticed when mounting them that the sidewall on one has a bit of a tear... Is this cosmetic or should I ask for refund/replacement?

Not entirely. I saw the video and thought the same :)

MTB gets my vote. Comfier and you can have more fun on the rutted descents.

Too many clothes, not enough snacks! First time doing a multi-day adventure, quickly realised I didn't need half the crap I packed. Still, made for pretty quick descents!

Few from weekend just gone along King Alfred's Way.

Any recommendations for travel insurance providers that cover for covid-related eventualities? Heading to Portugal at the end of next week.

Woah, that is a bit special.

Market Lavington, The Green Dragon - Comfy rooms, lady that runs it is unfortunately retiring in a couple of weeks but she was grand. Nice garden at the back, great pub food and breakfast was superb as well... baked duck eggs with mushrooms and spinach! Highly recommend. Great descent off the route to get there, if you don't fancy the climb back to the route you can follow the B3098 towards Chirton and you'll be back on route in no time.

Letcombe Regis, The Greyhound Inn - Cosy rooms, best food of the trip but on the pricier end, definitely more at the restaurant end of things but couldn't fault the quality. Breakfast as I mentioned was great, perfect for fuelling up ahead of a long day. Word of caution, you have to come off the Ridgeway and there's no dodging the climb back up... We came down Gramps Hill and then back up Court Hill Road which seemed marginally easier.

Frensham, Frensham Pond Hotel - Room fine but a bit shit, really. Wouldn't recommend. My mate called it 'a bit Groupon' and I think that nails the description. Breakfast was a bit wank as well. Couple of good things close by though, The Barley Mow in Tilford is next to a wonderful green and has a pizza oven, there's also the CraftBrews taproom nearby which I highly recommend making a stop at.

South Harting, The White Hart - Nice rooms, great food but also on the pricier side of things. Lovely beer garden which catches the setting sun. Continental breakfast included was pretty decent as well.

We'd booked most of this about 7-8 weeks ago, I haven't looked but I imagine as restrictions have eased prices may have increased a fair bit. Any other questions just shout/drop me a PM.

Yep, I'd never done a multi-day bike trip and my mate had never ridden more than 50kms (on the road) in a single day before so we tried to make it as easy as possible for ourselves! Best breakfast award goes to The Greyhound Inn in Letcombe Regis, just outside Wantage.

More pics...

Pics in no particular order...