Went to Istanbul in Feb. We got around by tram/taxi. Taxi’s aren’t too expensive. There is a lot of traffic and horn beeping, so as said above, it will take longer than expected, though obviously that depends on the time of day.

I can’t remember which airport we arrived at, but our hotel was the other side of the Bosphorous, we got a Taxi to save time as they were just piled up outside waiting for customers. It took about 40 mins (maybe more) and cost just under £15. (40lira)
If you do your research and know there is a tram, they will generally be cheaper, but relatively speaking, taxis aren’t bad.

normally they use don’t any runs in full, bits of one DH track to another, some fresh bits etc… There is no reason not to use bits of S2A unless Aston hill have asked them not to.

Oh right, thanks, I need to get up there and practice on some of the trails then. Certainly the fact that the sport class has been omitted from the race would suggest a lot of DH.

I had the same problem, check my thread out. http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/what-waterproof-jacket-3

In the end I went for a DHB signal jacket – excellent reviews, practical and cheap.

I would imagine that they will use most of the downhills, as they are only a minute or two long, and then work out a way of looping back to the top that doesn’t use the hell-climb every time.

He says…

Do you think they could chuck surface to air in? Or would that surpass the DH ability of some of the guys racing – I have no idea what to expect 🙂

Are you doing FoD round this year?

Yeah, they did the second half of corkscrew, which really isn’t that long.
No, so annoying! it’s 4 days before my last A2, so a no go. I’m doing the Aston Hill one hopefully, which will be my first race, and on my birthday 😕 slightly apprehensive seeing as it’s competitive only, and I have no idea how good the average racer is.
Still should be good fun.

Last year at tidworth there were 3 stages down the DH trails. So i don’t see why not.

Oh good, I was hoping that might be the case 😉 It’s just from what I’ve seen of last year’s FoD one, they hardly used the DH at all.

Surely there must be a few other trails nearby the main DH ones?
Its just they’re holding an Enduro1 enduro at Aston Hill, and I can’t imagine they’d use much of the DH, I also doubt they’d be able to run it based on just one XC loop.
Just curious…..

That alutra looks perfect, but definitely too expensive :(.
In the end I went with a DHB Signal jacket, it looked pretty much perfect, just lacked the warm lining.

@Whathaveisaidnow : check this out – http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/clothing/jackets?searchTerm=&searchType=productSearch&productBrand=&sortBy=rating&dateFromYear=2011&_brc=0&productPriceFrom=0&productPriceTo=100&submit=Search

I found it really useful anyway :). DHB do some other really nice jackets too.

Thanks a lot – I’ll have a look 🙂

BUMP!

Nukeproof Electron’s here! I love them, at first the convex shape felt a little weird, but don’t notice it now.
Grub screws are a good length, though it is difficult to know whether you are screwing them up tight, or actually screwing them into the plastic pedal body :/.
Very lightweight.
Easy to disassemble and grease.
Very durable, and a very wide platform!
Can’t go wrong at around £30 (or however much they are now!).
I’d recommend loctiting the screws, as they are just held in by a nut underneath.

Erm do you mean the top tube?

Potentially ;).
How embarrassing – been a long day 😳

Pleased they went for the straight downtube. Keeps the weight down.

The only reason they kinked the downtube on the five was to satisfy consumer demand for unnecessary (in my opinion) standover height, which seems to be driven by huge American bike manufacturers, that love putting curves on their bikes wherever possible (and because it looks better- to be fair it does) – but this actually made the frame weaker, hence having to use more metal, pushing the weight up.

I know Orange use a monocoque design, not sure if this also applies to hydroformed frames?

I’ve got those exact forks (Kashima FIT, 150mm). I love them. I used to ride 40mm coil Totems on my old bike , so I was a bit worried when people said 32s flex loads, when I was deciding on what fork for my new bike.

To be honest, I’m still not entirely sure what they mean by that? I ride DH on them a fair bit, and they seem fine – even on reasonably large drop offs and tables. Then again, I’m not super heavy at 75 lbs.
The only difference, is that they don’t seem to track as well – they seem much less happy plowing though rough stuff.

It’s not as if I can actually feel them flexing though – not sure if it just me 🙂
If you want to plow through the rough stuff, I’d opt for a 36 – however, if you want a more agile, poppy ride, a 32 would be better, but you have to be more careful with line choice.

Of course, you could go halfway and opt for a 34/35 stantion – Fox isn’t the only brand either!

Orange Five – 150 forks.
29 lbs.
27 lbs with lighter tires.

Nice looking Five, how are the BOS forks?

I’ve had my Five for about 2 months or so now. I use it for DH, AM and XC and I’m going to race enduro after my exams are done. It is a slightly more beefy setup then the standard, but not nearly as heavy or bad at climbing as an AM.
It weighs around 29 lbs, but 27 is doable with lighter tyres I reckon.
Here’s a pic (it may not work, it usually doesn’t!):

Link if it won’t work Piccy[/url]

Took Five months, but it is pretty much spot on – would have preferred Marzo/RS suspension, but couldn’t find any 2nd hand for a reasonable price.
Anyway here is the spec – it cost around £1900 (second hand parts / big discounts):

Orange Five 2011 20″
Fox RP23 Kashima BV Adaptive Logic
Fox Float 32 150mm Kashima FIT RLC
Mavic XM719 on Nukeproof Generator hubs
Shimano XT brakes (180F, 160R)
XT cranks
Nukeproof Electron Pedals
ZEE 10speed shifter
ZEE 10speed Shadow + rear mech
Renthal 36T chainring
XT 11-36 cassette
Renthal bars and stem
High Roller tyres
Thomson Seatpost
Charge Spoon saddle
MRP G2 Mini chain guide

I can’t see anne being too keen on you riding around her garden, but the opposite side of gatcombe park has a good few bridleways to explore. Have a look at an os map between chavenage and Nailsworth.

I’m not going to waltz on in and start riding the Mayhem Course 😉 – it is more the fact that it is being held there would suggest that there are ride able trails in that area 🙂

I’d be very interested too, as I’m local and constantly looking for riding alternatives to Wales and FoD.

I’ve got a FOX oasis and love it!!!
Slightly little on the space front, although there is loads of exterior space.

I’d go zee shadow + : shorter cage = less to get knocked. Plus I think they are built sturdier too, which helps.

Twrch Trail should be good fun. Take a look at my edit to see what it’s like (shameless advertising, but gives a good idea) :

This was my first trip to Cwmcarn and I would normally ride DH, but getting into trail riding and love it!!!!!!

If he can do a blue fine, then Twrch may be okay(ish) :/

Most of the weight will be in the components, so changing frame will help, but it is an expensive way of saving weight.
If you’re only riding XC, then I would definitely get a ligther XC bike (maybe something steel if you want it to be a bit more burly).
If not, then you could just upgrade a few components, tyres and wheels to start, with a view of changing frame in the not too distant future when you can afford it.

, so let’s charitably assume that a new plant will be twice as powerful.

I suspect it will be more then 2X as powerful.

There are plenty around who know their stuff who think renewables are a waste of time now, let alone in twenty years. They’re not a useful answer. They’re a government sponsored smoke screen which delivers profits paid for by you and me to mutli million pound investors.

What do you think is a useful answer should fusion fail?

Hadn’t thought about the developing world at all – that’s an interesting point!
Yeah, I guess we are probably talking 2050 at the very earliest for viable production from fusion, by which stage, I will probably be considering retirement, or not if they keep putting the age up 🙂

Thanks for the reply.

And no, I have no idea what mainframes or assembly code are 😉

Love the tea room. The customers weren’t actors and were just normal people having tea! That makes the scene so much funnier when you watch it 🙂

“Here. Hare. Here.” Don’t know why, but that line cracks me up every time!

Cult classic, love it!

Lag sorry.

I genuinely don’t see why people bother running the cables through the swingarm. Having done it a few times on my last Orange, I’m not doing it on this one. I can confirm that it is not only a massive waster of time, but hugely inconvenient in terms of servicing, and I’ve heard its louder too – not sure how you can hear a cable bumping around what with the rear end racket of Oranges anyway.

I would say Propain Tyee, just because I’d be curious to see how it performed.
Giant Reign would be at the top of my list.
Specialized Enduro seems to fit the bill pretty well.
Lapierre Spicy?
Even a beefed up Orange Five might be pretty good, I love mine, but I’m sure most other trail bikes perform just as well and it may get updated soon.
I’d be reluctant to get an Alpine 160, as they may be releasing a new one soon – it’s about time.

hmmm

Commencal Meta?

Bump

Got freeriders, can’t see any reason why you’d go for any others, unless you need the extra grip because your pedals have really short grub screws.

Took 5 months, but I finished my Orange Five last month. Love it.

Assuming that i can convince myself that taking up Downhilling at the age of 40 isn’t an epically stupid idea, then one of these might just be my next bike:

You’re just taking it up, and your first bike will be a Wilson Carbon !? 😮

My Five. No haters please 😆 , I’m not a fanboy, I promise, its just a cheap frame popped up in classifieds 😛

Photo was taken just after I built it, about a month ago.

06aw, you’re kidding aren’t you? From Sheffield uni (main campus and student union) trails start within a mile and a half, if you’re at Hallam then you need an extra half mile. From the roundabout on ecclesall road (hunters bar) you can ride through parks and trails and get to the peak district without any road work, other than crossing a couple!

Sick!!!
I knew the Peaks were close, but I didn’t realize there were trails on the doorstep! Feeling very pleased I went for Sheff over Southampton now 🙂

I’m hoping to go to Sheffield next year too!
I hope there are some decent trails within cycling distance from the Uni.
I’m hoping to keep my bike in my room with me 🙂

I’ve got some nukeproof electrons, and they seem amazing.
Really durable, really light, nice shape (slightly convex, but oh well!)
The only problem is that it is difficult to know when the grub screws are tight and when they are screwing into the plastic body of the pedal.