Stunning video. Best I've seen for months.

peoplegrapher. In the Woods with Amir Kabbani on Vimeo

Shimano Saint M820 – In Depth - BikeRadar

Shimano Saint M820 – In Depth - BikeRadar:

'via Blog this'

Life. A process of Deterioration.

Everything we own, everything we create and everything we build, in fact everything that is from the moment it is completed will of already started the slow process of deterioration. One way or another everything we take from the earth gets reclaimed. over a long enough cycle everything returns to nothing.
This process with my bike is not a slow one mind, with around 100 miles a week going through my components this process of deterioration is accelerated and I seem to be at my twice yearly uber expensive few weeks with the bike. After it got obliterated at MSG Codham Park some major work was required. It started with the usual chain and cassette needing replacing. With a quick trip to my LBS an XT chain and Deore cassette were purchased. Whilst there, the frame was disassembled so I could replace all the bearings, which was well over due. Leighton had recently got his eager little hands on a bearing press and was keen to try it out with me. However things did not go to plan as the bearing replacement opened a real can of worms A rather severe crack has been unearthed on my frame. This is bad times for sure. Upon leaving the shop casually riding home it became apparent that something was amiss with the chain set too, on inspection one of the teeth was mangled beyond repair. No saving that sucker so a perusal of the internet turned up a Raceface Turbine chain ring. The order was placed along with some lube and frame protection patches (although this is probably not going to fix my frame). Along with that I'm also awaiting new brake pads, Big Bite valve and Hydro flow piece for my CamelBak as I broke it in frustration at Codham. Actually ate through it. Still once all the parts are in place that should get me through the summer. If we actually get one!

Clue yourself up for that inevitable wheel discussion

What’s Driving the 650B Explosion? Interviews, Tech Breakdown & More! - Bike Rumor

Torque Bikes. Sudbury.

On the outskirts of Sudbury something is brewing, the start of a new venture for Leighton Taylor and Ebru Sami. They are the Proud owners of Sudbury’s much needed new independent cycle shop, Torque Bikes. Leighton and Ebs are both keen cyclists with a passion for customer service and a simple aim of offering great service at reasonable prices. Leighton is the man you'll see wielding a spanner, he has years of experience in  cycle repairs, customer service and an  insatiable knowledge of all things bicycle related, he is also a Cytech qualified technician with a fetish for quality tools. This shows as I glance round his workshop which is loaded with shiny tools for just about every job imaginable including. Cartridge bearing servicing for frames, hubs and headsets, brake bleeding, wheel building and everything in between. 


Located on Brundon Lane Industrial Estate it's ideally situated for the Sudbury cyclist, there is a Cafe next door which makes it a convenient place for a pit stop, weather your riding Valley walk on your tourer, hammering Ballingdon hill on your roadie or exploring some of Sudbury’s hidden gems on your mtb and need some spares or a repair whilst out. 

Leightons knowledge of all things bike related shows by all the quality brands he's filled the shop with, from the likes of Shimano, Sram, Schwalbe and Dmr. He even has some 29er tyres for all you wagon wheelers out there. Not to mention the rather Blingin' range of freestyle scooters and accessories from Grit,  For  the Yoof!

So whether you own a high end Mountain, Road or Hybrid bike that requires some  TLC, have an old bike in the shed you want sprucing up for the summer or your kids keep trashing their bikes, Why not pop along to Sudbury's newest bike shop and support an independent business.

                                  I'm sure Leighton and Ebs will make you feel very welcome.

Oh and Barney.

Thetford Black

A little edit from my jaunt to Thetford on Monday

Mud, Sweat and Gears Codham Park 2012

Mud, Sweat and Gears Codham Park 2012

On the Outskirts of Braintree on a miserable grey wet Sunday, a crack troop of Mountain bikers from all over the Eastern Region had assembled. Only some made it back.

Last year I referred to this round of MSG as the tough Codham Park, if that was the case last year then what we had this year was the bike destroyer. The course this year was being run backwards, which meant plenty of climbing, climbing, climbing from the start before ducking into the first wooded section, the surface in there due to the change in weather was so slippery with very little traction, people were tail sliding everywhere, carrying to much speed into any corner was only ever going to end in disaster, but with some tight twisty bits and a nice little switch back climb it was enjoyable enough.  The middle section of the course was fairly open and grassy which gave you some respite if you needed it, or places to overtake if you didn’t, before heading into the second wooded section. This section must have been so much fun in the dry (should have gone over on the Thursday) with berms aplenty and even a rock garden to contend with, it was as slippery in there as the first section, but the dirt was far more clay like in substance, sticking and clogging up everything. After lap one my choice of gears had become very limited indeed and on lap 2 I was left stuck in the granny with only a few gears on the rear cassette available, everything else was giving me massive chain suck, my rear chain stay has definitely seen better days. After much frustrated gear shifting  I found it possible to run the large chain ring and nearly all the cogs on the back without too much trouble and suddenly spirits were lifted, I could gain some serious  speed and momentum and get back into this race. The climbs were much tougher in this gear but it didn’t matter I had the legs for it, it was on. Puncture!! That’s right, two exclamation marks. That is how frustrated I was. I pulled off the track feeling defeated and deflated, looking around I was far from the only one.