Well, it's the end of an era here at RC: Avid brakes, for us at least are no more! Shimano is our new king. This might come as a surprise to a lot as we've been considered the Avid brake shop for years, but times and brands (and suppliers) change, so we have to as well. First off i guess then is our explantation of why we are dropping Avid. Two words: Quality and supply.    more »

Its been another manic few days in the workshop for me this week. I've got gear cables coming out my nose, and my first two fingers are practically dissolved with hydraulic fluid - I still can't bring myself to wear those latex gloves that are sitting in the back cupboard.... And while I've been preoccupied with getting our custumers riding in time for the weekend, the Winter Series had been sneaking up. In fact, we're due to go racing this Sunday. The debut appearance of the Real Cycles/Commencal DH team. That's the Real Cycles Commencal DH team, at the first round of the ChainReaction/Epic MTB Winter league. This Sunday, at Moneyscalp forest, Co. Down. We friendly enough, so make yourself known at our gazebo (if it hasn't blown away by already). This afternoon I filled up our spares box with everything I could find...   more »

Normality has almost resumed this week at Real Cycles.  Whatever normality is at Real Cycles....

We've had a long Christmas break, which was blissful and much needed after a mental Autumn.  I saw my hot American fiance for a couple of weeks, and did, well, not a lot, really.  But the days of lying in til 12 are over and its time to embrace the early mornings with soft (runny) boiled eggs and coffee.

We're already getting geared up for the debut race of the Real Cycles/Commencal DH team in the ChainReactionCycles/EPIC MTB Winter League which starts in 10 days.  Its really snuck up quickly and I've heard stories of sneaky training going in over the past few (very dark) months.  Watch for Stevie D, Stevo Beattie, and Karl O'Sullivan making their mark.  Unfortunately I'll be sitting this series out as I continue to recover from a long standing back injury, holding the NPS which begins in early April as my goal.

Hopefully as normality resumes we'll get a bit better at regular postings.  The aforementioned bios, how-to's and other ramblings are still in the pipeline.  Its just a very long pipe you understand. 

There is other news.  But I'll think of it tomorrow.