Village Idiot

Thanks, So basically you can just join it as a normal chain - there's no real need for this split link?

Is it okay to use a normal chain tool to split and fit a KMC Kool 8spd chain? Do I have to use the quick/split link (or whatever it's called) or can I just use any existing one? Can the pin that you push out to split the chain be pushed back in? It's not like the Shimano ones where you have to buy a special pin to rejoin? Cheers.

Assuming that you get taxed on your total combined income and not 50% on your second job your tax is calculated like this (I think): Oh aye, these are last years figures so it will be slightly different this tax year but not a lot. Based on what you said you’ll have a total income of £202 + £111.50 = £317.50 per week = £16510 per year. The first £4895 you earn in a year is tax free (this is your personal allowance). The next £2090 you earn (on top of £4895) is taxed at 10% and the next £30309 (on top of (£4895+£2090) is taxed at 22%. Here goes... Total salary = £16510 £4895 is tax free. This leaves £11615 (£16510 - £4895) which is taxable. Of this, £2090 is taxable at 10% (£2090 x 0.10 = £209). £9525 (£11615 - £2090) is taxable at 22% (£9525 x 0.22 = £2095.50). So I reckon your total tax will be roughly £2304.50 (£209 + £2095.50). If you get taxed 50% on your second job then just ignore my post

I use Zoo green pads. I'm running a smooth Onza Ronnie rim and using an Echo Control booster on my Revell. I've only had the pads about 2 months and performance has been really good so far. The wear rate is good also - they've hardly worn at all. They have worn slightly unevenly on the edges - so the edges are more round rather than square if you see what I mean. I'd recommend them though, much better than Kool Stops and RimJam blues which I've used previously.

Regarding the gripshift, if you're worried about changing gear accidentally you could cut the shifter down a bit so the bit that you twist to change gear is shorter or do as DAB said and move it down the bar so it's out the way. I think gripshift is cheaper as well, about £8 whereas the cheapest I've seen a rapid fire shifter was about £15. When I first started out I was a bit worried about having gripshift for similar reasons as you said but it hasn't been a problem so I've no reason to change. Hope that helps.

I do a few stretches before going out, and once I'm out just start off on smaller stuff and work my way up.

Hi, I'm also from the Newcastle area. I could probably make it down there as well.

I won't be able to make Thursday. Haven't been able to get the day off work. Sorry bout that.

I'll find out tomorrow whether I can get Wed off work. Where abouts in Newcastle are you planning on riding?

Yep - I'm interested. I will have to try and get the day of work though (if its during the day). Let me know when a date is sorted and I'll see whether I can get holiday from work.

It happens loads with people selling cars (or so I've heard). Keep well away!!

Yeah the postage seems a bit weird on the Supercycles site. Went to order 2 mech hangers, added them to basket and it displayed postage £3. I took 1 out and went back to the basket. Now it said postage £1. It was cheaper to order them seperately which I found very odd considering there'd be two lots of postage and packaging to pay for. I don't know what would have happened if I'd order over the phone - whether it would be the same or not.

I had the same dilema - smooth rim and Zoo vs CRMs. In the end I went for the Zoo pads as I'd heard of more people using them on a smooth rim. I haven't had them long but so far they seem really good. Lots of hold which gives you more confidence in your brake. I can't really comment on the wear rate yet but perfomance so far is brilliant.

I started out on a Trek 4500 (18" XC) and learnt the basics (backhop, sidehop, lurch) on there before moving to an Onza T-Raptor then finally a Revell Stock. I would say that I learned the most on my Trek, when I got the Onza it was pretty much just building on what I'd already learned. However I reckon I improved more when I got the Onza as it was easier to ride. In terms of modifications for XC frames, I didn't make an awful lot as I was only really learning the basics there. What I did do was remove/put seat all the way down so it's out of the way and got some fatter tyres which I ran at a lower pressure than normal. I didn't bother with a bashring as I wasn't really doing anything which would damage my chainrings if it went badly wrong.

I thinks there's details in the 1st post. Its the centre for life which is right next to Newcastle central station.

What chaintugs does everyone recommend? Basically, I'm after some chain tugs with a mech hanger for horizontal dropouts on a Revell. I've got the standard Revell chain tugs at the minute but there pretty much knackered. The only other ones I've seen with a mech hanger are the DMR ones. Are these stronger? or are there any others which I haven't thought about? Cheers.

Yeah guess you could try that. Basically if they see you with a bike trying to get on the Metro they'll tell you that your not allowed on. I'm sure there's no rule against big bags.

You can't take your bikes on the Metro - well at least not if they spot you. You might be able to sneak it on if you diguise it a bit, not too sure how though.

Thats a good place - especially if a lot of people are coming by train.

Thanks for the replies. I've been out and tried something higher (about 22"). I found it harder to stick to backwheel on this, but as soon as I moved back to the smaller object I was able to get it and keep the front up. Another thing... I've noticed that most people tend to have their bad foot closest to the wall so they can get closer to the wall. At the minute I'm wheelswapping with my good foot closest to the wall - I can't even make the smaller wheel swaps when I try it bad foot next to wall. Should I keep going the way that feels comfortable or force myself to change? Would it have anything to do with the way you (try to) sidehop. i.e. if you sidehop to the side of your good foot are you more likely to wheelswap with your good foot facing the wall? Cheers.