Alien

Avoid 661 like the plague. They are expensive for what they are, they aren't comfy and they go 'crusty' after a few washes. I've been using some Troy Lee Airs through the winter and they have been brilliant. Thin enough to give a good feel on the bars, but not too thing that they are going to give you blisters. Only payed 14.99 for mine from chainreactioncycles too.

I'm almost tempted to try some skinny fit MENS jeans now, they do look comfy

London literally has as many varied spots as you'd need for a days riding. If you ride there though its best to ride with someone who knows where the best riding spots are, as some of them are really tucked away.

Depending on what mood I'm in, I usually listen to some DnB (C&S, Pendulum, Sub Focus etc). But also like to dab into the occasional rock (Slipknot, KoRn, etc) if I want to ride abit faster.

I work part time in a bike shop, although its depressing at the mo 'because we're taking hardly any money Oh and I'm also a full time slacker student.

My mate always gets asked why he has 'balls' in his rim. Also, does anyone know the law about riding on the pavement? Because I always get crap off people for riding on the pavement, usually "GET ON THE ROAD YOU F****** W*****"

I'll give it a try.

I don't understand what you mean by extra engagments? I have the standard Pro II, not the singlespeed version, and I'm using it on my street/jump bike, not for trials.

Cheers Adam, I'll give that a try soon. Although surely if that caused a real problem, then springs breaking would be alot more common with Pro II's?

Not as a trials bike no, sorry :$ The first time they broke, I used fairly thick grease (I can't remember the name, its blue though) around the ratchet and the freehub. Second time I used some wet chain lube on the ratchet, and a small bit of greast smeared around the pawl carrier. I'm going to see if it happens again, if it does, I will send the hub back to Hope.

Well I thought the same the first time it happend, completly degreased the pawl carrier and the ratchet, made sure there was no loose material. The weird thing is, the first 3 springs snapped after two months of use, and in that time I didn't touch the hub once, which makes me think manufacturing fault somewhere? Definetly the right springs, first lot taken out of a spare Pro II and other two sent directly from Hope. I've also just checked the reviews of the pro II spring and pawl spares on CRC, and there are two reviews from owners of the hub saying they have broken springs in their hubs.

I guess its possible, but neither myself or my work collegues could see any problems. And nah I'm not bending them, just popping them into the pawl carrier from the top.

Now in the last month I have broken 5 springs in my rear Hope Pro II. I broke 3, replaced all the springs and pawls, then two weeks later, broke 2 more. When I have opened the freehub body up, everything appears to be fine, no signs of wear, everything was fitted correctly and the pawls were in a fine condition. I've only had the hub 2 maybe 3 months now, and I don't do a massive amount of miles and I don't put huge stresses through the hub. I have spoken to Hope and they don't really know why this could be happening, so I was wondering if anyone has had a similair problem with another hub or if anyone has any idea why this could be happening? Cheers guys.

I'd say you have no reason to spend a load of money on a front, theoretically, all it has to do is hold bearings, so something like a Hope Pro II (which I personally use, its been flawless), or a Pro II XC if your worried about weight. For the brake I've heard good things about the Hope Mono Trials, allthough can't comment on it personally. Any reason you specifically want a front disc?

I ride mostly 4x and downhill, but I do enjoy riding street and park aswell. Here's the bike I do it on