Despite what you might think, it turns out I’m not actually an infallible riding god with an omniscient well of knowledge to draw upon. Sometimes, only sometimes though, I get things wrong. So here is a complete list of everything I have ever been wrong about. Ever.
I’ve seen too many fail on the trailside. Bloody wheel spunk everywhere and you’ll have to then pull out all the thorns that it sealed around…
Then, I tried them. Tubeless tyres. Punctures be gone. Rolling quality is superb. Now, granted, all that above is still true in certain circumstances but I let a few bad experiences colour my opinions. Now I’m using them on my bikes I genuinely do love them.
Beard growing (*ahem*), sandal wearing, holier than thou, wrecked knee freaks. Seriously 200 years of development thrown out and replaced with the phrase “One f*cking gear”…
Then, I built one. After building Sarah’s new bike that is. Now the always excellent Mrs Fat Lad and I are riding loads together but she will be the first to admit that her fitness and mine are a way apart. So I built myself a Kinesis Decade Virsa
And very nice it is too. So I got it as a two wheeled tool to retain a little fitness whilst riding with my dear wifey. It’s simply a joy to ride. So much so that I ride it even when I’m on my tod.
What? A seat post that goes up and down without you having to get off. You’ve got to be kidding right? Either get off and drop it or ride it XC up in yer arse/lower spine high…
Then I got one. A Rock Shox Reverb (available from Morley’s Best Bike Shop* Garage Bikes) it was eye wateringly expensive but it is actually rather ace. Not so much in the dropping it all the way to the frame, which can be dead useful, but in a drop it an inch or two on the fast flowy stuff and really give it some beans. So much so I’m sourcing a 27.2 one for the singlespeed.
140mm rear wheel of travel? For the UK. Nope nobody *needs* more than 100mm or even a hardtail.
Then I got a 140mm trail bike. My beloved plastic mistress. My Ibis Mojo Sl. Boy, my love for that bike borders on the unhealthy. True there is very little in the UK that can’t be ridden and enjoyed in the UK on a hardtail but my Mojo is just so much fun. So was the Trek Fuel EX I tried. And so is Sarah’s Kona Dawg Supreme. And so is Si’s Felt. And so is…
Hang on, riders are actually paying other people to teach them how to ride a bike. Seriously…?
Then I went on one. Here: Ukbikeskills And well, wow, just wow. But that’s a story for another time.
How can they charge so much for parts? I can save at least 40 pence buying it from a place in Ireland that doesn’t pay VAT. It’s daylight robbery I tell thee…
Then I opened my own. And believe me it’s tough. Hard work. Very rewarding. But bloody hard work. Don’t begrudge the bloke behind the counter of your local bike shop trying to make a living. There’s a reason you don’t meet any rich bike shop owners.
Fat Lad
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