Category: Gear

My Ultimate MTB Tool Kit – Initial Contents List Plan

I’m in the process of putting together my “ultimate MTB tool kit” and I thought it might help folks if I share my thoughts along the way. In this post you will find the list of tools and parts I’m putting together.

https://www.parktool.com/assets/img/product/_productDetail/EK-3_001.jpg
Park Tool’s EK-3 Tool Kit will provide the base

The immediate motivation for this process is that last week my vehicle was broken into and a bag with all my favourite, my daily use bike tools was stolen.

I’ve always had a desire to create a race mechanics travel style kit so as the tools need to be replaced anyway this seems like a good opportunity to do so, a silver lining to the theft.

So ok, lets have a look at my plan and what I’ve ordered so far

Continue reading “My Ultimate MTB Tool Kit – Initial Contents List Plan” →
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Tips & Tricks -Upright Canister Stoves in Cold Conditions

Its winter here in Australia and that means sub zero conditions in the Southern Highlands and Snowy Mountains. Cold is the enemy of my Jetboil because as low temperature makes it more difficult for the gas in the canister to evaporate and the pressure is reduced.

So off to the internet to look for solutions. I was initially looking to see if there was an adaptor available to make the canister ‘remote’ in the way my old epigas alpine stove used to be. Instead I sumbled across a much cheaper DIY option that is genius in its simplicity – the Heat Exchange or HX Strip

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Continue reading “Tips & Tricks -Upright Canister Stoves in Cold Conditions” →

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Forces in White Water Rescue

I participated in an Aquatic Rescue course last week and it had me wondering what the various forces involved are. After a bit of internet research here is a collection of bits of information that I found interesting. I can now apply some of this to optimising the equipment I carry and how I use it on the river.

Warning this is a pretty nerdy and long post. Grab a brew and settle in for while. Continue reading “Forces in White Water Rescue” →

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First ride at Showka on the BMC Trail Fox (inc Video)

On Thursday I received a BMC Trail Fox TR02 from Adventure HQ in Times Square, Dubai. I’ve set up a page under “My Bikes” to post detailed information about it. You can find the page at https://ianganderton.wordpress.com/my-bikes/bmc-trail-fox-tr02/

Here is a youtube video I’ve put together using footage from a chest mounted Gopro camera I was wearing on the bikes inaugral / shakedown ride at Showka on Friday morning.

The first outing and shake down ride for the BMC Trail Fox. Out from the roundabout Weaved our way up to and through Lisa’s Gash to the top of the bridge descent. The descent from the bridge is feeling great ATM! Then through and up to Wadi Racer. From the top of the steep gully across the ‘plain’ and then down the wadi to the resting tree by the farm took about 9:51. This should be clocked on Strava as the short Wadi Racer time trial. There needs to be a longer one that includes the ascent. From there it was over and round Gregors Mount (pause for face plant incident) before heading home. Just over 30km I believe. Top ride. New bike was tested on some of the best and toughest that Showka has to offer and I’ve got to say I’m pretty damn impressed! Great ride folks, shukkran

Music Rolling in the Deep by Adele. Taken From The Brand New Album 21. No Copywright Intended. Always Support the Artist. Order/Download from Amazon- http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004AB2JVI Hmv- http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?sku=262343 or iTunes- http://itunes.apple.com/gb/preorder/21/id405295714

For more information on mountain biking in the UAE check out the UAE Mountain Biking page on my blog at https://ianganderton.wordpress.com/uae-mountain-biking/

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Gear Review in May’s Outdoor UAE Magazine – Columbia Powerdrain Shoe

In this months Outdoor UAE we had a pair of Columbia Powerdrain shoes on test.

click the image for larger version

My conclusion was

If the idea of a good all round shoe that performs just as well when wet as dry, is nice and grippy on both wet and dry surfaces, looks subtly neat and drys pretty damn quickly to boot appeals then these are the best I’ve seen. I’d recommend these to anyone with a boat, anyone who spends time in and around the water’s edge and particularly to anyone participating in activities like rafting where foot protection is important both in the craft and out on rough watersides where toenails have a tendency to get torn off in the rocks or the soles of feet get cut. Get the right size and these will do most things well wet or dry.

If you want to find out the details get yourself a copy of the magazine

Columbia is available through both Columbia and Sun and Sand Sports stores. You can contact them through their facebook page at www.facebook.com/sunandsandsports

Enjoy

Ian

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Canon 550D and Sigma 30mm f1.4 combination front focus problem

It was pointed out by Gregory.Rotter on cameralabs.com that this camera/lens combination was front focusing. Now because I’m a newbie with an untrained eye I hadn’t noticed this. After a bit of google action I came across a test sheet, downloaded it and ran the test

Here’s the result

Click image for larger pic

Model: Canon EOS 550D
ISO: 100
Exposure: 1/250 sec
Aperture: 1.4
Focal Length: 30mm

Clearly front focusing Crying or Very sad

And I’m loving this lens

So after another bit of google action I found there was a Sigma Service Centre in Dubai HERE. I gave them a bell and made the journey there to drop the lens off. It will be with them for 14 days Sad

I have taken another test with my Canon 50mm f1.8 to check its not the camera. I’ll upload it and post it shortly

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New surf board design thoughts

I’m taking the plunge and ordering a long board. Because its going to be custom made I get to have a custom design on the deck.

Long boards are retro and so a retro design is in order. I’ve trawled google images for inspiration and Carl of Surf Shop Dubai has sent through a pdf full of designs to help.

Here’s what I’ve narrowed it down to

decisions decisions

The pad wont be there, its just on the image I’ve used.

So what do you think? Red and Blue or Blue and Red?

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