Dammit’s adventures in mountain biking

I think that’s inevitable really- I’m a medium horizontally and an extra-large vertically. So I’ve compromised with a Large, and then cinched the waist in as far as it will go.

Clearly I need a technical clothing tailor.

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that'll be it

Cap with brim and helmet with brim plus dungarees is pleasantly weird vibes...

technical clothing tailor.

Let me know if you'd like the details for my tailor.

I have that covered thanks.

Not hugely impressed by Cane Creeks QC

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Looks more like somebody dropped it than a factory defect

Talk to them and let them know, if you end up returning it, they can claim it is damaged by that chip alone and not "showroom condition".

It’ll go rusty as-is, so I’ve emailed TF Tuned about it, will see what they say.

My almost-OTB incident involved, I think over-extending my left ankle. It was certainly extremely painful later that day, and took until a few hours ago to feel close to normal again.

Therefore no mountain biking today - went for a walk around Leith Hill instead with the camera, and found that the whole place is criss-crossed with trails.

When I next go there with the bike I'll spend some time taking every turn and seeing where it goes, really interesting that there's so much to explore.

The bike shop building up my new rear wheel asked what tyre I wanted on it and, after some consideration, I have decided that I'll go for the 2.6 I think because I'd like to try it on the hardtail as well as the trail bike.

that the whole place is criss-crossed with trails.

a bit steeper and less muddy/puddle prone than Peaslake too in general

Still think some of the nicest trails are on Ranmore. Also some nice/scary stuff on Mickleham Down too. These are the closest hills for me if I park on the road through Mickleham near the turning for the zig zag road. Can take 30 mins off the travel time of getting to Peaslake. Can get a bit boggy though - not as sandy as Leith.

interested in why your spring rate is comparatively high versus mine. I'm 6' 2" & 13 stone or 1.89m & 82kg and yet TF Tuned have given me a much lower spring @ 400lb on my YT Capra.

Ok length of stroke etc would probably make a difference but surely not that much

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also I recognised a now familiar looking face and set of dungarees on Andy M's insta page. How do you know Andy? I wouldn't claim to be best buddies but we know each other from riding together many times on group rides back in the noughties.

I was at university with him- we both studied Architecture.

Ranmore is great but this time of year the chalky trails can be like glass. Some great steep roll-ins like Blind Terror 1 & 2 as well as other trails with drops & jumps plus Abba Zabba which is always good fun

I would guess that it's got to be about the leverage ratio through the stroke - yours must be very progressive (or you are bottoming it out all the time and not noticing).

My leverage ratio doesn't change, hence going to a 670lbs spring rate at the end of the stroke, in order to introduce the progression that on your bike is an inherent part of the suspension design.

Ok length of stroke etc would probably make a difference but surely not that much

It really does make quite a difference. Your Capra will be 170 or 180mm travel versus 130mm on the pace. Different leverage ratios of each too.

Blind Terror 1 & 2

Are these the ones near the pill box?

Agree on the chalky slip and slide.

Leith Hill is awesome and you can spend a whole day just riding on that hill and never hit the other two. Here's a few highlights of me and my eldest on Leith from January 10th this year when it was even colder than this morning

https://youtu.be/e5cQLK4DsiU

no i would say they are on the other side near White Down Lane. It's a few years since I rode them but I think BT 2 brings you out towards the road and you then cross it to find other trails.

fairy muff. Mine was spec'd by TF Tuned too so I'm assuming they know much more than me about it. Nope, not bottoming out.

ah cool.

Ah - part of the Abba Zabba mulitple options down Whitedown area. Makes sense. Some blind terror has been experienced when exploring those.

The trails that drop off near the pill box are pretty mental too though. Too steep with chunky drops for me. Just shitting myself for 1 minute followed by that climb again.