Reader’s Ride: Matt B’s Clandestine Combe

Check out Matt B’s best friend of a bike made by his actual best friend.

Your name

Matt Bailey

Bike

Clandestine Combe. Bike isn’t cleaned because I have just finished a very dusty ride in Tremp!

Fork

Cane Creek Helm Air MK2 160mm

Shock

RockShoX Deluxe

Suspension setup

Fork has 2 clicks for progression. 55psi, can’t remember the LSC/HSC. Rear shock has 140psi and 1 gnardog token. Super progressive.

Wheels

Hope Pro 4 hubs with some DT Swiss rims

Tyres

Not matching! Schwalbe Radial Albert Gravity Soft and Conti Kryptotal front.

Brakes

Hope Tech 3 E4

Drivetrain

Hope 155mm cranks – so good. Mix of Shimano Deore and XT.

Cockpit components

Matching Clandestine stem, Hope headset, OneUp bars, wired-on Renthal ultra tacky grips

Seatpost

OneUp

Saddle

Ergon Enduro

Accessories

Custom Wizard Works frame bags means on big rides it’s only a bumbag. Local rides is no bag.

Size and weight

Custom and no idea!

Why this bike?

Pi of Clandestine has been my best friend and riding partner since we were at school aged 14. Once he started building bikes we would discuss what we wanted from a full sus: easy replaced bearings (they have a pinch bolt rather than needing a press), short travel in the rear to keep it fun on UK trails, good for tech, less bothered about all out speed and huge jumps. Must climb well and be good for riding all day. Frame bag for snacks.

He delivered. I love this bike.

I have had it since 2021 and still no plans to upgrade (although Pi and I often discuss MK2). It is fantastic in my local woods near Bodmin. It’s been to the Alps 3 times, Ainsa, NZ North and South island. On a big long rough fast alpine descent I get a bit beaten up, but that’s fine.

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Show us yours!

We’ve rejigged the Reader’s Ride online form and pic uploader to make it clearer, quicker and simpler

We’ll be rewarding any submission published with a piece of STW merch. NB: they don’t have to be new bikes. Or expensive bikes. Or even clean bikes. We want to see real bikes from real riders

Check out all the previous Reader’s Rides