Muddymoles

Kyle Strait 661 knee pads review

Originally posted by Matt on June 30, 2008

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Just before our trip to Afan I started thinking that perhaps the time had come to consider some protective clothing. Picking up the odd scrape here and there made me realise how glad I had been at not injuring myself more painfully and the thought of spending any extended time off the bike spurred me to action.

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KCNC Jockey wheels

Originally posted by Matt on June 26, 2008

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Anyone following my sorry drivetrain replacement saga of the past week knows that it was all really with one aim in mind. To find an excuse to fit some blingle blingle anodised red KCNC jockey wheels to my SRAM X0 derailleur.

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4 trails, 2 falls and tired, tired legs

Originally posted by Mark on May 22, 2008

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When the idea of going to Afan this year was first mentioned, I thought “OK, that sounds like a laugh”. It was when Dave C emailed us a copy of the trail map that I realised I had probably just agreed to some of the most strenuous cycling I was ever likely to do.

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Afan - 4 Trails, 9 Riders

Originally posted by Colin on May 21, 2008

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After months of planning with military precision (well actually a few emails in which I forgot to consider the need to take our own toilet rolls), the MM’s Wales weekender was finally upon us (Matt, Dave C, Mark, Jem, Jez, Dave P, Simon, Rob and me).

See our MTB photos of Afan on Flickr.

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Rapid Racer Products NeoGuard Review

Originally posted by Colin on April 24, 2008

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I love simple things, me. That's not because they mirror my own level of intelligence. Such things that get the job done in an uncomplicated and unobtrusive manner generate a lot of pleasure, especially if you haven't had to shell out loads of cash or invest loads of time in getting them to work. If they look good too then you're onto a winner.

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2008 Orange Prestige Review

Originally posted by Matt on April 23, 2008

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Introduction

If you think of Orange, chances are you'll find yourself thinking of their headline grabbing bikes - the Patriot and Five for anyone with some aggressive comfort in mind, and the P7 or Sub-Zero for those who just want to be aggressive. But if you look at their range of bikes there's a whole spread of machines to cater for most tastes, including entry level aluminium hardtails, fast riding race bikes and a brace of new-for-2008 hardtail models, the Vit-T and the Prestige.

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How to: repair a tubeless (UST) tyre

Originally posted by Matt on April 15, 2008

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Sunday's ride saw one puncture. Me. Odd you might think given I'm running tubeless tyres but there is a simple reason for it. Originally my Orange Five came equipped with Panaracer Fire XC Pro's in their tubeless incarnation, to go on the Mavic 819 UST wheelset.

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Specialized Enduro and Intense 6.6 review

Originally posted by Dave on March 13, 2008

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I ended up riding 5 bikes on the Cycleworks demo day, spread over most of the day. Energy was maintained by a selection of goodies but see the cake review for more details about that.

This report simply gives a few impressions of the two bikes that stuck out in my mind. Other bikes I rode were the Marin Wolf Ridge, Specialized Stumpjumper and Marin Rocky Ridge. All of these were competent bikes and handled the test track with ease.

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Cycleworks Demo Day - Colin's review

Originally posted by Colin on March 12, 2008

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This was my first Cycleworks demo day and what a blast. The day started by signing-in and enjoying the buzz of riders arriving, pedals in hand and getting the first ride of the day set up.

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Light & Motion (L&M) Stella 180-L review

Originally posted by Jez on March 02, 2008

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Due to the time of year there have been a few reviews of lights from mole HQ. You may recall that Dave in a mad scientist kind of way went to his shed armed with various bits of electronic gubbins and probably a helper named Igor.

After the national grid flickered somewhat he emerged with his own custom set of HID's that kicks out a colossal 1850 lumens.

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How to: Check your sag

Originally posted by Colin on December 17, 2007

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When was the last time you measured your sag?

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DIY LED Exposure Joystick Maxx killer

Originally posted by Colin on December 09, 2007

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I've been tinkering in my shed and come up with an Exposure Joystick Maxx killer for a third of the price. It's a great compliment to my Nightlightning iBlaast LED lights. Here's a summary (with more photos on Flickr)...

If like me you enjoy a bit of tinkering then have a stab at this and save yourself a small fortune. This light uses the most powerful small LED currently in production (240 lumens) and is quite easy and cheap to make at approx £45 plus batteries (less if you nick them out of you child's favourite toy!).

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NightLightning iBlaast LED lights review

Originally posted by Colin on November 28, 2007

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I recently bagged myself a bargain with the NightLightning iBlaast LED light from New Zealand. Here's what I found...

Despite not getting out for night rides for some time (until a baptism of fire with the Moles just recently), night lighting seems to have become a bit of an obsession for me and for some time I have toyed with various ideas and built several prototypes.

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Cycle Show 2007

Originally posted by Matt on November 27, 2007

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Every year for the past oooh, two years now the Moles make a pilgrimage to the London Cycle Show.

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SRAM X-0 review

Originally posted by Matt on November 21, 2007

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For the past six hundred miles I've been lucky enough to run a full SRAM X-0 groupset on my Orange Five (notwithstanding the lack of a suitable front derailleur). Having given it plenty of time to disgrace itself I thought it was time to comment on the experience.

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Trailtech SCMR16 HID review

Originally posted by Dave on October 01, 2007

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There are so many ways I could start this review but it's probably best to keep it short, sweet and to the point. I purchased a Trailtech HID lamp based around an MR16 sized lamp via their UK distributor, picking it up for £140 inc. P&P (see Trailtech's Single HID SCMR16 page for more details).

Now, I concede that is a lot of money for a 'budget' HID lamp, but boy does it output some light!

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Garmin Edge 205 review

Originally posted by Dave on September 19, 2007

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Now I'm a bit of gadget animal and I've had a Garmin GPS for some years but recently spurred on by improvements in the sensitivity of the units I updated my Garmin from a Etrex Venture to an Edge 205.

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Mavic 819 UST Tubeless (and proud of it)

Originally posted by Matt on August 15, 2007

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For the last three hundred miles I've been running a tubeless set up on my Orange Five. Not some cobbled together adaptation either but the Real McCoy, a Mavic 819 UST Tubeless wheelset with Panaracer Fire XC tubeless tyres.

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Gore Bike Wear Phantom Plus II jacket review

Originally posted by Matt on July 30, 2007

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We're always on the lookout for decent cycling jackets.

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Raceface Crossfade Jersey review

Originally posted by Matt on July 18, 2007

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Reviews of cycle clothing are few and far between, not counting some bike retailers and 'magazine' sites that have reader submitted summaries, usually of the 'UR Bik is SARACIN' variety.

In short, not particularly informative. Bike clothing is subject to at least as many fashion whims as any other clothing type. OK, so we don't worry about whether this season's baggy look is long or short or if glitter metallic is in or not. But by the time someone has got round to writing a review of a product the fashion has moved on or stock has sold out.

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Shimano SD-60 (now SD-65) sandals review

Originally posted by Dave on June 11, 2007

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Or; Jesus he knows me, and he knows my name

Jesus creepers, vandals sandals or any of the other countless names that open toes sandals have there is only one rule for my generation. No Socks!

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I go faster on a 29er

Originally posted by Dave on June 11, 2007

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It's the curry from the night before and a strategic lighter. The effect is illuminating if somewhat dangerous and short lived. Well, I thought I better get the gag in before Matt got there.

What I'm really talking about is the bike with one gear...

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Bedgebury Forest singletrack review

Originally posted by Matt on June 07, 2007

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Last Saturday we managed an extra special effort that saw us leave our local Surrey Hills behind and venture over to Bedgebury Forest in Kent.

It's only around 14 months since the Bedgebury singletrack was officially open to the public and fewer than six months since it came on our radar but on the basis of our first visit it looks like somewhere we're likely to return to fairly regularly.

Despite suffering from a reasonably nasty cold that in retrospect saved me from a miserable time in Wales as originally planned, I managed to have a blast on what turned out to be a pretty hot day for Mountain Biking.

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9. Consider (briefly) the benefits of singlespeeding

Originally posted by Dave on June 06, 2007

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So the best way for me to consider singlespeeding is to buy a brand new On-One Inbred Slot Dropout complete bike and while I'm about it, lets have some funny 29er sized wheels!

Oh hang on, he said "(briefly)"...bugger.

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Specialized Hardrock Sport D4W (Designs for Women) 2007 review

Originally posted by Matt on June 05, 2007

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It is a truth universally acknowledged that a grown man, owning too many Mountain Bikes himself, eventually attempts to interest his wife in the sport.

Okay, so that's a grotesque mangling of the opening of Jane Austen's most famous story but no doubt she would have some pretty sharp observations to make on the phenomenon which is 'trying to persuade your wife or partner to try Mountain Biking'.

In my case I can make the case that actually my wife and I were trying to find a means of getting both our children onto child seats so we could take them out locally without the car. In order to do so, my wife needed a bike and it seemed counter productive to saddle her with something second hand and not up to the job.

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How to: Make a tyre boot

Originally posted by Matt on May 15, 2007

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Yesterday I phoned Cycleworks and it seems that my new Orange Five is on its way. Well, its due to be painted this week anyway so I hope that's the case. A combination of a custom colour and unprecedented demand for the Five after MBR's 10 out of 10 review (PDF file) has left Orange struggling to keep up with demand.

Since I've specced the new bike with Mavic 819 UST (tubeless) rims I've realised that the biggest risk I face is cuts to the tyre sidewalls, especially with our flinty Surrey singletrack. Taking the unusual step of planning ahead, I've made myself a tyre boot that I can press into service in an emergency. Cycleworks recommend that you carry a spare inner tube anyway so this really is a contingency for extreme tyre damage.

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Camelbak Bottle review

Originally posted by Matt on May 08, 2007

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For 2007, Camelbak have finally done what most people doubted they ever would. Produced a traditional water bottle.

Of course, Camelbak being Camelbak they couldn't just produce a simple water bottle. So, from the pioneers of hydration comes their take on the humble bottle.

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Guest review - Orange Five SE, Whyte E5 XT, Intense 5.5 EVP and Marin Mount Vision

Originally posted by Matt on April 26, 2007

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Our latest review features a guest appearance from Nigel at Bowerwood.com who's recently bought himself a new bike and has been good enough to write up his experiences and thought process in choosing his new steed.

Many thanks to Nigel for doing this. If anyone else would like to contribute a product review, please contact us.

Over to Nigel.

**********************

First off, a bit of background. I'm riding a 7 year old Marin Mount Vision at the moment, so that's my baseline. All the bikes in this review were ridden on the same trails and in dry conditions.

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On-one Inbred review - a humpin’ an a bumpin’ an a rollin’ an a rattlin’

Originally posted by Matt on April 18, 2007

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I've had my On-one Inbred frame sitting around my garage for about a year now. It's the old style, pre - 456 geared frame in classic white and I've built it up into a nice utilitarian bike that I intended to use over the winter months in preference to my Marin Rift Zone.

However, for a number of reasons, chief among them cost, it hasn't really seen too much use so far. This is because I like to have a bike computer to see how far I've been and at what speed and I just haven't been able to find funds to buy one so far. Added to which the brakes I'm running need bleeding, the forks need a good service and I'd like to get a new saddle too.

I've also been concentrating on hitting the 3500 mile mark on the Rift Zone. Now that has been achieved, and prior to my 2007 Orange Five arriving I've pressed the Inbred into service regardless.

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Intense 5.5 EVP 2007 review

Originally posted by Matt on March 25, 2007

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Continuing my series of write ups on the demo bikes I am trying out, today was the turn of the Intense 5.5 EVP. Previous rides have included the 2007 Whyte E5 XT and three test bikes at the Cycleworks demo day (Orange Five, Intense 5.5 EVP and the Marin Attack Trail, all 2007 bikes).

After my less than positive experience of the Intense 5.5 at the Cycleworks demo day I thought it would be worth giving it a second chance to see if it could win a place on my shopping list.

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2007 Cycleworks Demo Day: Matt's review

Originally posted by Matt on March 17, 2007

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Well, as has been documented, on March 11 the Muddymoles made their way over to Holmbury St. Mary for the annual Cycleworks Demo Day which, through careful planning did not fall on Mothering Sunday for a change. As a result, Mark and myself were able to attend almost guilt free.

This particular mole has a particular interest this year as I’m looking for a new bike and really don’t have any fixed ideas of what to go for. Three years ago I bought the Marin Rift Zone, the first of the Quad linkage designs and while it has seen me through many miles I’ve now reached a point where it’s apparent that it lacks in comparison to the latest breed of trail bikes. And to think when I bought it I said it was me and not the bike that needed to improve!

Finding the simplest way round a problem is to throw money at it, I’m now looking for a comfortable but fun loving 5 inch travel trail bike that will happily cover the miles as well as turn all impish when I want it to. With that in mind, on the day I rode the Orange Five, the Intense 5.5 and the Marin Attack Trail. All these bikes come with strong reviews from the cycling press and I was interested to see how they stood up to scrutiny.

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2007 Cycleworks Demo Day: Mark's review

Originally posted by Mark on March 14, 2007

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My plan for the Cycleworks Demo Day was simple. Try 3 full suss bikes and just enjoy riding them. The contrast between them and my trusty Nail Trail was what I was looking to test.

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2007 Cycleworks Demo Day: Dave's review

Originally posted by Dave on March 13, 2007

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Poor start to the year health wise and hence fitness almost totally absent but with an eye on a new full susser I headed for the hills.

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Magura Menja review

Originally posted by Matt on March 08, 2007

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It's not often that people take the trouble to review Magura products, being seen as a general 'workhorse' brand rather than part of the bling brigade.

Bikemagic though have just posted a review of the 2007 Magura Menja forks and very good they seem too.

Considering they're available in a wide range of colours and travel options, maybe it's time to re-assess what's on offer?

Whyte E5 XT review

Originally posted by Matt on March 05, 2007

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Well, as you know I'm in the market for a new bike. So, as promised, here's the first in the series of write ups about my experiences. First up, a review of the 2007 Whyte E5 XT.

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SDG Bel Air Ti review

Originally posted by Dave on September 14, 2006

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Republished from March 2004, here's Dave's review of the SDG Bel Air Ti saddle.

If you've ever wondered what it's like to ride a Friesian cow, this is closest you can get without gaining some notoriety in the mass media. This one also comes with the added bonus of Ti rods, a fate which would never has occurred to the original owner of this bespoke item!

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Endura Humvee review

Originally posted by Matt on July 24, 2006

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In accordance with the First Law of Cycling, which states that if you even think of getting on a mountain bike be prepared to hand over random and unplanned sums of money to the nice man at your local bike shop (LBS), I recently managed to rip the gusset of my favourite (and only) pair of Altura Altitude baggy shorts.

In deference to the First Law, I therefore went out at the weekend and bought myself a new pair of Endura Humvee shorts as replacement from Cycleworks in Leatherhead.

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Missed Opportunity

Originally posted by Dave on May 14, 2006

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Most of you will think I am nuts but I bought some Rock Shox Recon 351 to go on the Mount Vision instead of the Floats.

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2006 Cycleworks Demo Day review - Whyte E5, Marin AL7

Originally posted by Dave on April 06, 2006

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Better late than never, here is my impressions of the bikes I rode at the Cycleworks Demo Day, 26/3/06. I took 3 bikes out, the Whyte E5, Marin Quake AL7 and finally the Whyte 19.

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Kellogg's Elevenses review

Originally posted by Matt on March 12, 2006

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Hunger pangs and sugar dips are the inevitable result of extended periods of hard exercise, something we've found out the hard way on numerous occassions. It has to be said that there are some muddymoles who also manage to experience these effects without the need for any kind of exercise but that's just called gluttony.

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Whyte 46 review

Originally posted by Matt on January 19, 2006

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Originally published in November 2003, here's Matt's review of the first Whyte 46. Thomas subsequently went on to own one for a couple of years until he broke the forks and decided his riding style needed something a bit more robust.

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On-one Mary bars review

Originally posted by Dave on January 05, 2006

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I reported some time ago that I'd equipped my SO's bike with On-One Mary bars in an attempt to make the bike more comfortable for her. As far as she is concerned the bars work but I wanted to get my own view of them so I took to the trails last Sunday on the Shoreline Trail.

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There's something about Mary

Originally posted by Dave on October 11, 2005

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Mary has a funny sort fo sweep about her.

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Downs Link Ride

Originally posted by Dave on October 06, 2005

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I've done the London to Brighton a couple of times and I will do it again but the Downs Link ride looked interesting as it was mainly off road and a less plum numbing 33 miles (the blurb says 31 but my speedo said 33 and the GPS was nearer 33 than 31!!).

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