Alouette3

DIY Chain whip with a couple holes drilled in some flat steel section, and rounded a little for the cassette. Also a syringe, some aquarium pipe and slightly modified irrigation fittings (make sure its only threaded on the one side) and this works a charm for bleeding my Avids.

So with the SLX using a single carriers for multiple cogs, this should prevent the damage to my freewheel body. Thus saving money on a Deore will cost me in the long run with a new freewheel. .. What's that going to set me back?

Removed my chain, redid my derailleur limit setup, replaced the inner gear cable and the rear 2 sections of housing and all is shifting perfectly on the bench. Shifting is also much lighter now Also removed a link from the chain as it was a little slack, looks like its length was big cog to big cog + 3 links and not + 2. Might be why I was having problems with dropping the chain till I put on the clutch unit. Thanks for the input guys. Interesting point made on the Deore steel cassettes biting into the aluminium freewheel hub. Anyone else experienced this?

When I shift up to an easier gear it doesn't always drop onto the cog it just continues on the same gear, so I need to shift up 2 positions at times and then shift on down.On the extreme high and low couple gears it was fine. I tried doing the setup again from the start but now its worse. I picked up some new cable and casing today so will try that. As for the cassette it will be the last resort, posted this thread just as a matter or interest for future reference. I checked the chain for stretch and its out by maybe 1mm over 12inchs, so within limits (3mm?? 1/8 inch). The derailleur is only 2 months old or so, SLX 10 Shadow +. My shifting has always been a bit stiff, even on my previous XT non + version, not sure why this is and the privious owner did say this when I bought the bike in November last year. 2012 Giant Trance X2

Currently got SLX all round except for a SRAM chain. Having problems with my rear shifting, so need to narrow down the problem... shifters, cable, housing, cassette, chain

When replacing my 10 speed cassette, how much difference is there in performance and shifting between the Deore and SLX. I know there is a weight saving but for the rest? I know some people go for lower range products as they sometimes last longer, this is at least true with the XTR vs XT

Ya heard a fair bit from the guys on the trail on on the forum, and understand there is a whole lot of politics involved when it comes to accessibility, machinery and helping hands. I've been to a couple builds (missed the last two with work and weather), as I realize if you want it done you need to get your hand dirty, but the last one I went to was as you mentioned, dominated by downhillers. Though the trail was a DH trail, some of the features I've been trying to build the confidence and skill to ride, some drops etc, where "repaired" but in the process made even bigger or have nasty lips and now I'll never take them as there is nothing in between to build skill with! Features are either small or just to damn big. Its not the chicken run I'm looking for. As has been mentioned in the "Vasbyt" thread with the accident last weekend, we need to ride within our skills level. Thus I looking forward to the new style trails to build on my bank of skils so to bridge the gap toward the bigger stuff. And I'll be there on the trail with my shovel ready to help out where I can!

Mayhem makes it sound like riders heaven! I'm dying to build my skill levels, but a lot of the features in Tokai are either basic or look like a death trap... we need some table tops and medium jumps/ drops without big ditches or thorn trees in the gaps!

Also remember to keep your eyes up ahead on the trail and not on your front wheel. Sounds silly at times... but it will changing your riding. I often struggle with a root section or something, then say to my self look up and I make it no problem. Called Target Fixation.

Practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice... Learn all my basics there, each ride you will find yourself walking a little less until one day it all falls together, and as has been said, do it up and down, you will learn a lot about handling and tech stuff on the way up. But most important make sure you keep enjoying yourself

Any news for us Deon... I'm itching

http://www.mbaction.com/Main/News/Bike-Test-The-Cannondale-F4-3605.aspx

Hard tail is a good thing to learn your basic mtb'ing skills, so you don't end up lazy and making the suspension do the work for you! Eventually you will want a dual sus though. Never discount a 26er, bought a second hand 26 dual sus end of last year to replace my Merida hard tail 26 and it was the best money I've spent in a long time, and there a lot of good second hand deals. 29er is brilliant for XC and distance, while 26 tends to be a bit more snappy for better single track and AM riding. Maybe give both a try. But to start out with you will be perfectly fine with that Cannondale.

Go with the clutch... you won't regret it. Shifting is a bit more stiff but not that hard that it will impair your shifting

I when from SPD's to flats 6 months ago, not because SPD's gave issues but because I felt I was developing a poor technique i.e pulling my bike over a small jump with the pedals rather then learning to load the shocks properly. I hated the first couple rides on flats as my feet tended to float of the pedals but after 3-4 rides that went away. My riding has only improved and so has my confidence on sum stuff. Give flats a go and make up your own mind. I'm not even using 5-10's as they just too expensive, my NB skate type shoes work fine for now. Oh and those "bear traps" don't count a flats!

Take the sim out, turn it on and call the last dialled number... or look for mom or dad in the contact list. Found one a couple weeks ago and returned to the owner this way.

Rode with MirageF1 the other day, Mamba hadn't been touched yet, but going up Boomslang was a mess, couldn't even walk most of it! On the other hand that bit of rain really helped putting some grip back into Vasbyt, as the summer has really turned it into a dusty trail. Give us all a good heads up with the rebuilds, I've noted the build day on 2 Feb, going to try my best to pull through!

Saw the 2 Ibis riding Tokai yesterday, the curves on those things are amazing!

Thanks to all who organised a safe mass ride in CT this evening

Use a screw driver to tighten the thumb nuts, does a much better job, just a but of an irritation.

...it just jumped in front of me...

Definitively going to be there next time. Next date set for 27 Jan I see... so where is the Hubbers corner going to be this time?

Silver Merida with Neon yellow flames, probably next to the Bart Simpson t-shirt ;p

Not today, but this week. My new ride took me up Vlakkenberg then down Tokai Bridal path below!