Something Evil this way comes…..

[MingtheMerciless]

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[demographic]

Good story that, Ray Branbury isnt it.
When he was on form his storytelling was brilliant.

Oh yeah, and nice bike BTW.

[Count Steer]

Good story that, Ray Branbury isnt it.
When he was on form his storytelling was brilliant.

Oh yeah, and nice bike BTW.

I can tell, by the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.

The bike does look 'wicked ' too.

[weeksy]

Tell us more then!

[MingtheMerciless]

Well much as I liked the SC Heckler I just couldn’t get over the pedal strikes, the Evil is 10mm higher at the BB. Also SC’s are a bit like an Audi TT in my eyes so I went for something a bit left field.

No ride just yet as ride wrap need to come and measure up and create a kit. Also need to visit shop with my saddle so we can fit a suitable length dropper as the current one is 160 drop which will be far too long (I suspect 125 will be the max I can get away with).

And a few days off from work would be good. Can’t wait for Dartmoor at the end of the month.

Ohh and all hail the God of 0% and a very understanding Mrs M.

[weeksy]

Yeah but errrrm but, you're a real man?

[MingtheMerciless]

Yeah but errrrm but, you're a real man?

Lol the next 6-8 months is pretty much solid work due to a project and having to cover commissioning shifts as well as normal leave/sickness so my already shocking fitness will take a further hit (we’ve also moved to 12 hr shifts so the cheeky cycle home after an 8 hr early will stop).

Still be the Curtis for solo rides or beasting by Mrs M and Lady Payne the Levo.

[Mr Moofo]

Yeah but errrrm but, you're a real man?

I didn't realise he was slow without a motor!
Not sure why he needs one ...

[weeksy]

Yeah but errrrm but, you're a real man?

I didn't realise he was slow without a motor!
Not sure why he needs one ...

I'd assumed he's lost a leg in a train accident recently and not told us.

[MingtheMerciless]

Thank you for the compliments but with the “younger guns” I ride with (apart from one who’s my age and is a genetic superman and the other who is a singlespeed freak with natural carbotanium knees) I’m the very sad puppy at the back holding my group up on XC climby rides. Point me downhill though………

[millemille]

B203E6EF-1294-46CE-A78B-438D5047E5CB.jpeg

Holy complicated linkage, Batman!

Quick, to the "buying shares in a bearing wholesalers" phone, boy wonder....

[MingtheMerciless]

B203E6EF-1294-46CE-A78B-438D5047E5CB.jpeg

Holy complicated linkage, Batman!

Quick, to the "buying shares in a bearing wholesalers" phone, boy wonder....

LBS say Evil is now lifetime bearing warranty......yay

It has arrived, no pictures yet, it was wet when I picked it up.

I have decided the charging plug/port when on the bike is a bit meh, Shimano want £36 for the charger adaptor to charge the battery off the bike......double meh.

LBS nicely swapped the 160mm Bike Yoke dropper for a 150mm One Up dropper which has a shorter insertion depth and they then reduced the travel to 140mm as my ISM saddle has an overhang at the rear that has a habit of rubbing the tyre when the suspension is fully compressed and the dropper dropped. I can reduce the travel another 10mm (via shims) if its still a problem.

Rather boringly it is hammering down most of the weekend now!

[MingtheMerciless]

XC ride to test, coil shock is buttery smooth, ZEB fork will need a bit of fettling/bedding in. Magic carpet like ride, though it was hardly challenged on the Sarf Dahns. XT Brakes will need bedding in a bit as well. Back to backing with Mrs M's Levo of Death the Shimano motor in ECO is definitely lacking torque compared to the brose unit (though its all tuneable on the app should I want to fiddle).

No singletrack testing apart from one run on the Friston DH which confirmed the forest was slidey death.

oh and I still have the cold a work colleague thoughtfully gave me.

[Demannu]

Can I ask a possibly silly question, but why does a leccy leg bike need such a low gear?

[MingtheMerciless]

No such thing as a silly question @Demannu , its to get up some impossibly steep climbs. I'll try and get a picture of some of the preciptious stuff I'm hopefully riding on Dartmoor next week end.

[weeksy]

No such thing as a silly question @Demannu , its to get up some impossibly steep climbs. I'll try and get a picture of some of the preciptious stuff I'm hopefully riding on Dartmoor next week end.

Even if you think of that climb we did at Surrey Hills, you're not getting up it on much less than the gearing on the Evil... although with the assist you'd get up it quicker, it still needs the gears.

Admittedly i do get his point as it's quite rare and not exactly needed, but if you want the silly climbs and stressing the components a bit less... then i get it.

[MingtheMerciless]

Confession time, sitting on the train on the way home Ive spotted/realised the rear shock has an LSC adjuster………….

[MingtheMerciless]

oh dear, dropped rear wheel off for a new spoke and then on my insta feed this post from the LBS pops up..........

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380 miles old and it also needs a new bearing.........

I am become Death, the Destroyer of Bearings...........AGAIN

[weeksy]

Yukky!

[MingtheMerciless]

So its gone in for its first service, fork and shock off to SRAM for service, wheels to be checked, I imagine the free hub is poorly again, though I9 are muttering that their hubs can't cope with ebike loads. The chain is dead at 580 miles. I've asked that all frame bearings be replaced as I've "wintered and Dartmoor'ed" the originals. I could kill a set of speccy Enduro bearings in less than six months over summer.

Any guesses on the bill yet?

My mates Heckler destroyed its I9 freehub on Thursday meaning a long walk home after the second pub stop. The freehub died, killing the mech hanger and possibly cassette in the process so that's off to SC for warranty, he's not a happy bunny but as its got about 300 miles on it (though he's an ex rugby player with HUGE calves)........oh and chain is worn worse than mine!

Mrs M's Levo of Woe is in for a bearing service, new gear cable which is a horrible motor dropping job and brake bleed, thoughtfully it decided to not power up so it maybe off to Brightons Grumpiest Bike shop after its service for a plug in and diagnostic at a Specialized dealer as it just gone out of warranty. Eastbourne's Specialized dealer went spectacularly bust last month with the bailiffs marching in seizing everything, including customers bikes! Lots of money owed to various manufacturers according to the LBS scuttlebutt.