Nice bike mate, concerned for the white finish on your seat post though!! Looks amazing..go ride. i test rode one when considering my full sus, could't get on with it tho. Bought an Orange 5 Pro instead, still like the look of the Trek's though. Nice bike again..

I have an idea…..SLOW DOWN. 76 is far too fast for that road anyway. I drive it 2 or 3 times a week and have seen some horrendous accidents and people making overtaking moves you would not believe! Too many people taking too many chances. Drive safe.

What kind of bike would she be?? Nice bike by the way.

all the way

winky, winky, bum

very nice indeed mate, too big for me though…ha ha. Enjoy riding the wheels off it. When is the maiden voyage?

Very inspiring story Karin, that's what i was after. Thanks to everybody else who has posted stories, supportive and sensible replies. Seems i may have caused a slight rift…crikey! My bad, only posted it as a passing thought that ended up in words on the forum.

Very nice mate, top marks. What's the spec?

Thank's for that Penrod Pooch, thought i was doing quite well for a Friday evening. Sometimes wonder i bother.. i thought it may be quite interesting to see how some of you other people got into biking, i know i like to chat to other riders and find out how they came to the biking scene etc.

Thanks Yeti Guy, i posted it for people like you.

Like i said, it say's longwinded in the title..if you can't be arsed reading it or are just going to be a smart arse then don't bother..

We are all bikers so surely we share a common love of biking and we all must have a story to tell, whether it is short snd sweet like Skyline or long winded like me, sometimes it is good to just read a wee story and think, yeah that was ok..maybe a bit of waffling tis true but good on the person for doing so. Maybe even inspire somebody who was planning on a lazy weekend to go out for a pedal and get some fresh sir.

There is enough doom and gloom, and there are more than enough smug arrogant people around to keep us all occupied. Maybe we should just enjoy the fact we able to ride bikes and appreciate how lucky we are to do so and the fact we have a wee forum here that we can use to post things such as my story and riding pics etc without the fear of ridicule and mockery from "fellow bikers" who share with us/me a passion for 2 wheels and expensive bits to break… After all said and done though, i wish you all a nice weekend, enjoy whatever biking you manage to fit in this weekend.

Mike.

No, just making a statement in my defence.

if you aint got anything nice to say, dont say anything…it says it is longwinded in the title.

Orange 5 pro, takes everything you throw at it. Not the best looking bike as many say (not me, i love it) a true do it all bike, as happy going uphill very slowly as it is being hammered down hill with the rider hanging off the back throwing it around, grips like a bery grippy thing and corners like it is on rails…

Got to be Chrome grey, check the link for my bike, http://www.moredirt.co.uk/ratebike.php?id=16379

I went for the full Hope pack in blue with gunsmoke hubs, bike looks and rides superb. I was sorely tempted ny the apple green but was worried that i may tire of it in 6 months or so….seeing one in the flesh i definately would not. Maybe get mine done that colour next, for now though the chrome grey looks amazing.

What a bike aswell, never ridden so quickly, i ride a Cove handjob aswell and that always make me ride faster and reignites the flame if i feel im getting lazy, i never thought id love riding a bike as much as i do the Cove but the 5 runs it damned close…

I agree, i love my pixie blue Handjob. I also have an Orange 5 pro but still love riding my hardtail and im always amazed by how quickly it covers ground. Hardtail lovelyness….im taking it up too Laggan at the weekend..Happy days.

Can't get photos uploaded on this site so here is a link to my Cove Handjob, was thinking of selling it but not sure now tho…think i may love it too much, got an Orange 5 pro aswell mind you which is just superb in every situation. Anyway im whittering, click the link (ignore the water bottle and holder, i just use it for quick blasts round the local area) http://www.moredirt.co.uk/ratebike.php?id=16382

Nice bike m8, great build. Swap you for my Pixie blue Cove Handjob! HA HA. Seriously tho, looks ace.

I enjoy visiting ur shop Chris, always welcoming and well stocked with shiny bits and sensible bits…check the website ; ) . I could easily waste an hour or 2 looking and chatting..and have done recently. A good lbs is hard 2 come by, there are a few near me but none keep the stock and choice u do. I have used other shops before but i genuinely prefer Cycle World, good product knowledge. Internet shops are fine if you know exactly what u want but a visit 2 ur lbs is worth it 2 talk 2 the guys selling the kit, they know they are on about and can recommend a similiar product, i buy the odd part online but any expensive buys go 2 the lbs, they are never that much more expensive, if at all. I think alot more people are realising the benefits of buying locally, nobody want's 2 see a shop go out of business! Especially a good bike shop…we are a unique and slightly geeky bunch as it is, imagine all we had was internet bike shops! Next step would be chords, tucked in shirts, thick glasses, computer fairs and talk of pentium processorthingymabobs and that my friends would be a step 2 far. SUPPORT UR LOCAL BIKE SHOP!

I have a bike shop in Dundee that i use when i can't get 2 Arbroath to use Cycle World, bit of praise coming ur way Chris… I am picking up my Orange 5 pro 2moro, chrome grey with blue hope kit and pro pack…mmm nice. Have 2 say that the service i got from Chris and Joe was outstanding, i had loads of questions and a few requests and they took the time 2 answer them and carry out the requests. Nothing was a problem, explained the sag and pro pedal very well without making me feel stupid. Were happy 2 swap my the triple chainset for a double and swap the wheels off my hardtail over, gave me they're opinion and advice on spec and colour, let me test ride a few bikes, explained why the 5 pro was the best bike 4 my riding (even tho i was looking at pricier models and bikes) and kept me informed as 2 what stage my bike was at etc. All round great experience, my 1st brand new bike in 15 years of riding and made it easy peasy. Highly recommended. Also did a great build on a Giant Vt frame earlier in the year..i couldn't get on with it tho so swapped it for a Cove Handjob : ) . See you 2moro Cycle World.

Thanx 4 that Paul, that is a cracker. That's what mine will look like! Yum. Is that 32's on it? Are they rlc? Love that colour, hence why im having it. Sram or shimano then? Im used to Shimano kit.

yeah possibly Del, although im not over stretched on the Cove and that is longer in the tt than the 16" and the Cove is a 17.5. U guys are riding them all the time so u will know better. 16" it is and i think ill get the lock out on the fork 2. I did think about the bright Orange but after seeing a couple of used ones they looked quite faded. Maybe just not looked after mind u. I just love the Chrome grey. Anybody else got pics 2 whetten my appetite even more?

true wookster. Garage door! No way my babies are kept in the cold. The missus loves the 2 bikes already in the spare room..may as well make it 3. But i see ur point, ok i think gunsmoke rotors and the rest silver as it will look smarty not tarty! Plus the brakes are silver 2. I cnt wait 2 get it now, my 1st new bike at 28..god it's been a lng time coming 16 years of being a proper biker 2 be exact.

yeah it is the chuckability (great word) factor that is making me question the size i need. The 18 is fine 2 ride and i can shift my weight round no problem but if the smelly stuff hit the fan the smaller frame may be easier 2 haul me out of harms way. Ill be sure 2 post a pic as soon as it arrives, thanx 4 confirming the fork choice, and yeah i see what u mean by the set up. Get it perfect for 99.9% of my riding requirements etc.

i have demo'd the 5 on several ocassion so i know what im putting my money in 2. I tried a few bikes and always ended up bck at the 5. As 4 the hope pack, im getting it because it does finish off the bike better but mainly because of the durability benefits, the headset is far better than the fsa that comes as standard and they're bb's out perform any others i have used. Ill admit 2 wanting the floating rotors 4 the bling tho! Ha ha. But i have always bought 2nd hand bikes as couldn't afford a new one but im in a position to treat myself 2 a nice shiny new Orange. I only started adding the shiny bits once i got the important bit out the way. I.e choosing the bike and spec etc, i think it has 2 be the 16 then after what u guys are saying, ill phone the bike shop today and see if he can get his hands on a 16. Thanx again guys, any thoughts on the colour 4 the hope stuff then? Or dare i ask! Seriously tho, ur input is much appreciated and taken on board.

hmm interesting. Thanx so far guys. My lbs doesn't have a 16", anybody in Dundee got a 5 i can have a shot on? I did ride a prototype alpine 160 in 16" but that was high at the frnt as it had 36's on it. Did feel like the bars were on my lap tho. Is it worth fitting the rear maxle? Still want the floating rotors, bb, headset and seat skewer.

yeah fair point m8. I rode it 4 around 30 mins yesterday. That was my 3rd test ride tho. I used 2 ride an 18" Kona Nunu that gave me äk pain at times. Managed 2 get rid of it by adlusting bars and saddle etc. I have a 30" inside leg and wouldn't say my arms are long in comparison. Maybe better with the 16" then m8. U got a pic of urs 2 post? How u getting on with it? Had it lng?

ha ha. Very good davey. I think we all tell the odd whopper when it comes 2 the bikes. I have a pixie blue cove handjob with gunsmoke kit so maybe fancy a change. The 5 is coming with hope hoops with black hubs but im swapping them over as i just got heavier duty rims built up on the gunsmoke hubs. I thought blue but maybe wouldn't look right. Decisions Decisions.

not keen on the black. I like a splash of colour on my rides.

ill give the grease a shot. Will it restrict the movement of the post tho? And will it make a mess? I was hoping 2 get a silver post. Go on make the joke, yes it is a new hope qr. I just want a nice firm grip for my handjob. Is that 2 much 2 ask!

ill give the grease a shot. Will it restrict the movement of the post tho? And will it make a mess? I was hoping 2 get a silver post. Go on make the joke, yes it is a new hope qr. I just want a nice firm grip for my handjob. Is that 2 much 2 ask!