TommyWilkinson

When the annals of time are eventually compiled, by a bearded dude drinking a macchiato, sat upon a pile of Ebike motors, I’m sure this article will be remembered as prophetic Henry. To keep this philosophically legit, I should really put forth my own opinion, because in this age of easier, faster, more often, it’s one’s own desires that are the most important factor in life! I fear I am the paradox you speak of Henry! I paralysed my arm to make things harder, which has won me great applause, yet I have a bike with electric gears. I have those tyre pressure things in my wheels, but infuriate my peers by stubbornly running no batteries in them to save weight, yet being comfortable with the squidge pressure test. I philosophically hate Ebikes, in that they represent all that I think is wrong with the world (more, more, more consumption of everything) yet I bought my Dad one so that his 69 year old (what a number for an age!) self doesn’t simply fall asleep all day in his poly tunnel after tending to his tomatoes. It’s been great for him. In short, I think if we were in a pub we might be the pair that have long, meandering conversations all night while everyone else has an awesome time getting shit faced on vodka trebles. That presents a dilemma as I love a good “set the world to rights” conversation but I equally enjoy hardness of trying to recover the next day. It’s all so confusing.

@sci-biker: I had not seen the X2 uno. I like the look of that. 1 in 12 is quite a hit rate. I suspect the percentage of people who meet living, or unliving, experiments is less than 1 in 12. When people ask "I'm alright" I usually reply that I'm 2/3rds left these days. Never gets much of a response. When I tell people that I might get it amputated, pickled and framed that does usually get a response, but not quite as I imagine it in my head. Oh well! As for the arthritis.....probably best to enjoy first and consider second.

Cheers dude! Time can wait until I go for the 0.5 chop. I feel it should be reflective of my body, which has got me thinking. Now, where's my chainsaw?

Deffo! I was in S Wales last week but sans bike. Fancy some Risca / Cwmcarn hits!

I'll try and get something lined up for you.

Beginning to be thankful I didn’t call my little boy Tommy! (Excuse the dark humour if it’s not your bag…). Maybe we need a T to the power 4 article! I have an outerbraker, but I was extremely to be offered this Sram custom before I got a chance to use it. Sram custom made the splitter but I assume Outerbraker would work in a similar way. I stacked Codes for 6 years or so, and it was fine, but the single lever has been an eye opener. I also think really hard about the long term implications of an altered grip position and strain on the hand that a stacked set up causes. The single lever, I hope, will protect the long term health of my only hand. Biking is important, but I can’t work if I end up with a very arthritic hand.

@kathwill: that’s what I used to do for a few years but found on the really steep stuff I just couldn’t hold on. I struggled on Danimal due to this but would like to head back and try it now with the single lever. I found It makes such a difference to the levels of arm pump having just one finger removed from the bars. But, before I my current set up, I did just crack on with the stacked levers. As you say, not so bad really.

Huhhhhhheeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrreeeerrrrrrrrr . I shall be blowing the Huck Wizard shell as soon as I’m able….,

@norbert-sendtressangle: I think I remember him on an Ancilotti too. He had a couple of photos in Dirt mag as well....What a guy!

Tried it, but it doesn't have the same levels of damping sadly.