Fair one . .

Metal, just for your info, I run a 1×9 on a cotic soda ( E13 ring) wi 9 spd xt cassette and is superb. . . One shifter and is fine for anything apart from seriously steep stuff. . . As long as legs reasonably strong it is a good combo to consider. .

Chives, that’s interesting, cotic say different, but proofs in the picture!

Blue run great- went today, big berms, fast and fun. .

Hope or e13

Solaris. . For everything apart from xc racing. .

Solaris

I have looked into this before. . The new souls take a 2×10, the old not, due to the ‘chain line’ being different. . So on your old soul, 3×9 or 1×9. . . Some Sram will work though on 2×10 as chain line correct. . Contact cotic they will give your the science behind it. .

Go DHB

Puff chest out and tell him straight. . In a nice but firm way. .

Mtb every time.. Did swindled today, great fun. . Start early, avoid the traffic. .

Loving all the suggestions, they are ticking most of the boxes ! Thanks all. .

Thanks, ill have a good look at this one . .

How uncool I meant ”in da groove’

In the grove

Have a look at ‘wildbike’ . . They are running trips, and I think have minibus with trailer going down there. . V good company I had a hol with them last year. . I think youll be on price at 375. .

1 cotic soda with two wheel sets (flows and crests) depending where I’m riding. . A bike for racing, general trail riding, epic rides and trail centres!
One bike to maintain, ride and love!

I know Meade are a decent make. . Tasco is apparently like swearing in the astronomy world. . Not a fan of astornomy myself but close relatives big into astro. . Refractor probably better than a big refractor. .
Some meades on eBay . . I can find out some really good advice if your interested

Make sure your bike fits you properly ie saddle height and your reach is not too stretched. . Also do regular glute exercises (arse muscles) strong glutes helps support lower back. . Rotational back stretching also. .
Only speaking from my own experiences. . My back much better following doing the above. .

Thanks all for your comments. . I recon that’s resolved it. . For the money it does not seem at all worth it. . Maybe spend the extra cash and get a proper extension!

Consider- Merton, putney, Barnes, Kingston, Richmond, . . Or even better go and live near mtb trails, Bracknell on m3 corridor. .

Consider- Merton, putney, Barnes, Kingston, Richmond, . . Or even better go and live near mtb trails, Bracknell on m3 corridor. .

Ztr crests with hope pro 2 evo hubs

Ztr crests with hope pro 2 evo hubs

I rode one at the weekend . . a 29er 910 i think. . a large and am 510.5 and felt surprisingly a good fit. . Maybe slightly stretched6ft you should be fine with a large. .

Get some ztr crests. . Hope pro 2 or 3 hubs, and run with tubeless tyres, racing Ralph’s or something similar if your just riding xc stuff. . If trail centres and heavier stuff get ztr flows with say some lust tyres. . eBay and here good place to look for 2nd hand sets.. Expect to pay up to £200 for second hand set in good nik . . Or nearer to £400 for brand new

Or vist just riding along website for wheel build options. .

Before you buy make sure your weight is suited to the rims you purchase. .

Thanks all for your comments, in the case of a proper xc race wheel set up what is out there for this purpose alone… Light racey fast. . ? What will the pros be using ? Are they mostly on carbon set ups?

Yep somouk,, hubs would be the same Evo pro 2, so really just seeing what the crest rims would bring me over the flow on xc racing/riding. .

Thanks all, I will be racing xc. . This weekend so will see how the flows and Ralph combo works, sounds like it should fit the bill. . I suppose ideally, to save the the changing process, and to have a slightly lighter set, the crests would be preferable for xc only stuff and the flows for everything else. Excited to see how much difference the r Ralph’s give me on the xc front. . .

Bought a MT Zoom ti. .well made and looks the part. . Comes
With bling red bolts. . Which conveniently matches my hope red kit on my being built soda. . Nice

They look good too and obviously a lot cheaper. . Maybe go for that first and if dont get on will go for the king cage . . Both have good reviews. .
So anyone recommend good bottles for racing that will last and not leak? I’ve had the camelback ones but a little big for short races. .

Sigma doing king cage for £45 seem about right?

Will do Tom thanks

Blazin, you know good place to buy from?

Thanks, I have a switch on the bottom so that’s good. . I can use it for a 3×10 set up. .
Cheers

Thanks, I have a switch on the bottom so that’s good. . I can use it for a 3×10 set up. .
Cheers

Right, looking into it I am going to a 1 x 10 set up. . Keeping the back 10 as before and a single ring with chain guide on front. . Can Anyone recommend a decent ring, and how many teeth shall I get? A nice alloy one to fit the shimano remains of my crankset will do nicely. . .

Thanks, I have the 2011 set, so may be a problem. . Maybe have to go tripple. . Think 1×10 may hurt too much! The frame is a 2012 the last ones that were available, so maybe be worth a go. .

Thanks for your advice. .

Thanks Jon. . That’s good, i would hate to change back to 3×9 as really gelled with just the 2 rings. . My forks wind down to 110 so that would work, the 140 would just be used In Wales and the like. . As a second hand buyer I’m not sure if the warranty would be carried over. .
Cheers