Cycling UK Forum

2014 FS Pro alloy framed full suspension xc/trail bike. What Mountain Bike 'trail bike of the year'. Original spec apart from upgrade to 1 x 10 gearing with 30t narrow-wide chairing and 11-42 Deore cassette. Sram X9 gears, Avid Trail brakes. Mavic wheels with Maxxis Ardent tyres. Rockshox Revelation...

A Bafang BBSO2 or smaller BBSO1 will be ideal for your bike, or try a Tongsheng TSDZ2 mid drive; these are just as easy to fit, a bit lighter and the bike is a bit easier to pedal with power switched off. If using a downtime battery, you have to use rivnuts to fit the holder onto your frame. I just ...

I would like to thank the original poster for opening this very interesting and important discussion. I managed without a car throughout the 1990's whilst living in the city (and running a bike shop); I did hire a van occasionally. I now live in rural, hilly Cornwall and still cycle most days, but I...

Dave, I think you can fit them to most normal looking hardtails with threaded 68mm bottom brackets. I haven't done one with a pushfit, but I think it might work. As you mention, the only issue can be the chain stay flaring out too close to the bb and fouling the Bafang casing; a careful tap with a h...

Hi UpWrong, I've fitted Works Components 40t and Superstar 40t expander rings both worked very well. I haven't done any recently as quality 11-42 cassettes have dropped in price, the Deore are good and the better Sunrace one I've had on my mtb for over a year, it's excellent. I agree with Brucey abo...

If it's 1 x 10 then you should be fine without the goat link. Just screw the 'B' screw all the way in. I've done several conversions, using that mech with 40t expanders and with new 11-42 cassettes. I haven't tried it with a double chainset, but I don't see a problem.

Can I recommend a crank drive motor, such as this Bafang BBSO2 which I've fitted to my 27.5 hardtail. Easy to fit, low centre of gravity and the bike pedals fine with it turned off. I put a big 15ah battery on, which lasts 4-5 hours off road, but a 9ah would be ok and much lighter. I used to ride hu...

I've converted a couple of Bromptons to electric for friends. Both using Nano motor kits. The radial spoking works fine, the rims look very strong. The battery on the newer kit was a 4aH Bosch, like that from a large Sds drill. It fits in an adapter in the front bag. Carrying the the folded bike in ...

I fitted Marathon Plus 29er tyres to my wife's ebike...they've been excellent and much better than std Marathons. After getting a flat from blackthorn following the hedge cutter, I put about 50ml 'Stans' fluid in the schraeder tubes; to date, no punctures after daily use on poor Cornish lanes. I've ...

Hi Phil, I've ridden many of the bridleways on Dartmoor; it's been very good this year due to the lack of rain. Look on the Dartmoor National Park website for info. on campsites, wild camping and mtb routes etc. Along with the OS 1:25000, there is also a very useful on/off road cycle map (Hartley?) ...

I've used Puma ones from Specsavers for the last 4 years; clear, orange and dark lenses. Really good and about £90.

Hi Si, If you are really only using the little chainring on your compact double, why not give 1 x 10 a try on the gravel bike. I have done just done it on my trail mtb. Sunrace MX5 11-40 cassette, 32 tooth narrow wide chainring, 104 bcd, bolted to inside of Deore chainset, has good chainline. The na...

I recommend trying a 'range extender' rear cog, 40 tooth for your cassette. I've done a few of these for people, albeit on 10 speeds. There's no reason it shouldn't work with ( speed and your LX mech. It's a very neat solution, and you don't change your front set up.

Back to HMB's original post about upgrading to a carbon road bike; I did just that a few years ago, from an alloy Giant Defy to a Planet X Pro Carbon with 105 groupset. I love it. It is lighter, but the real gain is more comfort, which is often ignored is these carbon discussions. I also ride a (sec...

Hi Rotavator the fork was a steel Surly Instigator I think, with disc mounts; unfortunately it sold yesterday on another mtb forum. I have another one, quite similar on an mtb/hybrid hub gear bike currently for sale on this forum, if no one goes for the bike soon I will split it and give you first d...