Category Archives: gear

On One 456 carbon

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First impression after getting the frame out of the box was how light it was; compared with the steel 456 it replaced it’s incredible. Lacquer finish etc was ‘ok’ but for the price you can’t complain. I bought 2 sets of bolt on dropouts – one for gears and one for singlespeed – I’ve used some thread lock on the bolts attaching these and had no problems. The various inserts seem to be aligned well – I quite like the idea of the BB being inside a threaded aluminium sleeve – any water that does find it’s way into the frame isn’t able to get to the BB bearings.

Originally I had planned to be running it with gears but, following a frame failure and a complex parts swap across three bikes it turned out to be a singlespeed in the end. I built it with some 130mm Pace RC41’s but have subsequently fitted some 140mm Marzocchi 44 Micro Ti forks with a QR15 axle. Other parts are Easton low rise carbon bars, 90mm stem and carbon seatpost, Magura Louise brakes, XTR cranks, Salsa cog/ring and Hope Pro2/DtSwiss wheelset. Complete with the 44’s it weighs about 22lbs. Continue reading →

Nicolai Helius AC Review

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'Radical Amusment'

I bought a Nicolai Helius AC in July 2010. I rode it for a couple of months until the winter mud set in, now that the local trails are drying out it is fast becoming my favourite bike.

This is the second Nicolai that I have owned so I knew what to expect in terms of industrial looking tubes and lovely big welds!

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Review: Fizik Gobi Xm Wingflex

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Fizik Gobi Xm

Fizik Gobi Xm Wingflex

To change or not to change: that is the question. Whether t’is easier on the behind to suffer the dings and harrows of outrageous log and dune or to catch limbs amongst a sea of timber and by avoiding, miss them ? Choosing a saddle is difficult.

Some are loyal to the one seat moving it from from post to post, others may discount it as completely unimportant but a good saddle makes a difference.

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Waterproof bag

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Aquapac

Ronnie in non-orange bag shocker

If your bike lives in the garage all winter then summer gear will probably suffice for spring and autumn too. If you venture further out into the cold and the rain then a waterproof shell, long trousers and a base layer may need to be added to your wardrobe. Eventually when you have added lights, hats, full finger gloves, winter jerseys, mudguards, winter tyres and supermarket bags to waterproof your feet you might think the list was complete however even your favourite backpack may need a little help.

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Love gold?

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KMC x9L gold

Suffering rain and mud and stones and dust and logs and then have to jump happily at the touch of a button; it’s a hard life being a chain. Expected to bounce faultlessly over the rocks and then withstand huge tension from my third of a horsepower, well maybe a quarter, we only complain about chains when they let us down. Continue reading →

USE Expose TORO light

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USE TORO light

Recently I forgot to charge my lights for our weekly night ride, a call to Ben and Alan at Freedom Bikes sorted me out with a fully charged  USE Exposure Toro light. My regular lights are the separate battery light unit types while the Toro is the usual USE cable-less design. The Toro attaches to the handlebar with a very secure bolt-around bracket that has a shim for 24.5 bars like mine, the light unit slides into the bracket with a hefty clunk. Continue reading →

A year with an On-One 456 Ti

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Satin 456Ti

I’ve been riding an On-One 456 Ti for the last 14 months, here are my thoughts. 

My previous hardtails have been aluminium and although I’d heard that steel and titanium give a different ride feel I was dubious until a test ride (previously written up on this site). The test ride blew me away, I bought one and I’ve been riding it ever since. Continue reading →