I'd pay to see that...

Anyway, if you have n+1 fever the just go and buy something. Don't look for daft justification.

I find that when I have a long time off the bike I wonder about buying all sorts of things to compensate... but when I'm on the bike I'm thinking about riding more and just loving the feeling of being out riding. The key to both dampening the n+1 fever and getting faster is to ride more :D

The fact that I took 15 places - 2 DNF- back should be encouraging In fact the strava segment of the lap someone created shows my fastest lap time as 10th overall.

Hmm. 44th in total 25th in class. Not helped by a balls up at the start on my part.

*wonders if a 29er would have placed me top 20*

Mind you I had to ride with a tube in the front tyre, so with the resulting lack of grip, and increased rolling resistance it's probably worth a couple of places next round now that the tyre has sealed.

MAybe, but it's still not enough of an edge to move up any more than that. In simple terms, you're not good enough. Come to terms with it or improve dramtically.

Spending money on a bike is completely pointless for the goals you have.

*wonders if a 29er would have placed me top 20*

Mind you I had to ride with a tube in the front tyre, so with the resulting lack of grip, and increased rolling resistance it's probably worth a couple of places next round now that the tyre has sealed.

But I do crave FS comfort. If I carry on racing I'll be looking at short travel FS most likely although that said I've never ridden a 29er ht and people tell me that they can be less stiff vertically than 26ers.