Really looking forward to Wessex League this year, it’s great to be involved in these races as a member of the committee and also working for the timing company. The riders are brilliant, the courses are fun (ish, this is cross after all) and with loads of organisers coming forward it looks like one of the best seasons in years.

Sorry, I wouldn’t usually do this but I have a pair of NON BOOST American Classic Wide Lightings that will comfortably take a 3″ tyre. The rear is QR but I think that can be converted. They’re true, barely used and shipped in the UK for £100

This all sounds super familiar

I have a 650b Anthem from 2018, the year with 130mm pikes and there was something about the Trance that caught my eye so I booked a demo, it was amazing. Great pedalling, firm but just sensitive enough and the geometry felt good, however I still have my Anthem and haven’t order a Trance because I felt that for most of my riding the Anthem was more fun, a bit more playful, a bit slower on the rough stuff but for me the Trance felt like a bit of a sled compared to the Anthem. My biking sounds similar to yours, local woods, blue/red pedally trail centre stuff.

The vittoria Mezcal in this size seems to get good feedback, I have used the 2.35 a lot and really like it – fast rolling with great grip and the 2.6 version has scaled up blocks too for a bit of extra bite.

It sounds like there’s been some great racing – anyone attend the SWXC race, from what I’ve heard the course was cool?

We had a wicked time down in the New Forest with the SouthernXC and Dirty Hot Lap Time Trial. The weather gods were on our side (until the last couple of laps for the day). Everyone was super positive about the course and very kind in their feedback – thank you!

If your looking for photos there is a great album by Kevin Sheldrake linked below
https://www.kevinsheldrakephotography.com/Cycle-Races/Southern-XC-2019-R3/

I have Mezcal front and rear, 2.35 front and 2.25 rear. I’ve heard great stuff about the new XC casing (tan walls) but you do seem to have run them 3-5psi more than the TNT casing. Shame the newer casing is 29er only.

Discs over rim brakes are a priority for me that mechanical/DI2. however DI2 is really good so if not budget constrains then go for it.

As the frames I don’t know

The little bits of video I’ve seen from Cannock on social media suggest that the conditions are a little fruity! Them pebbles can be like ice.

Where are you going this weekend, NPS 3, Battle in the Bowl (not strictly MTB but still off road goodness), what else?

If you’re going to Battle in the Bowl, come and say Hi, I’ll be at the finishline as I’m working with the guys doing the timing – it’s great to put faces to names.

10UTB is on the must do list – maybe next year!

Love those bikes, really lovely trail bikes, like a really quick race bike but it is run too!

I know a couple of people who went to 10UTB and both were in FS, an Epic and an Anthem. Are the climbs as rough as the descents? I was wondering if it’s a case of FS bikes offering better traction and being pretty light these days?

Did anyone do the SWXC race yesterday, I’ve heard rumours of a good course???

Blimey, 22nd, 23rd and 24th at the SouthernXC in Open were really close, 1.7secs across 3 places! That’s what I love about racing at Checkendon, and other flatter courses, the racing is so close.

Well done buddy, crap prep and a great race!

Everything I’ve heard about Muckmedden has been great – an amazing result Munrobiker, nice one.

It seems like MSG put in a mega course for the National Points race at Hadley – I wasn’t able to get there but from what I’ve heard it was pretty brutal!

Did you reduce the chain length to accommodate the new, smaller ring – I’m not sure it is that but eagle does seem super fussy.

Cokie’s got it, some great local riding if you enjoy local woodland stuff

All sounds advice here. From a serial Giant rider I’m 185cm and always ride a m/l on the road or CX

I love that the course at Sherwood proves that it doesn’t have to be obviously technical but can become super technical as the speed goes up – trying hard not to whack your hand/bar/shoulder on the trees certainly keeps you on your toes.

The early season enthusiasm is brilliant and it’s for us race organisers to keep delivering the best we can to help keep it going.

Please keep all of the course feedback coming as it really helps – the likes, didn’t likes etc, just remember that we can’t change the weather, unfortunately

Oh, I’m on of the organisers at the SouthernXC.

So, who made it to the first National Points race of the year and how was it, I’ve heard some pretty good things about the course?

There seem to be a few T130’s around with coils on, I’m not sure that the linkage progression is what you’re after but quite a few people have gone for it.

Ah think I’m getting brakes mixed up it’s these I’m looking at
https://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-xtr-m9020-disc-brake-set-82367.html
Are these the good ones ?

Yep, they seem to be the trail ones, very good brakes.

I had two pairs from the M9000 range and they were the worst brakes I’ve owned. The modulation was reasonable, though not as good as Sram and certainly not hopes but they’d lost the ultimate stopping power that Shimano is renowned for. Also the first pair had to be returned twice before being replaced with the second.

I have a friend with the XTR Trail brake from the same generation and they seem to be brilliant.

I’m one of the organisers at the SouthernXC.

Thanks for the positive comments above, it’s a real shame that the overnight rain storm battered the course for the first race of the day as it was great for the TrailX Duathlon on Saturday and for the later races on Sunday.

It also sounds like DrP enjoyed picking out the cheeky lines that we leave open, keep your eyes peeled.

Hopefully see loads of you at the next round at Checkendon near Reading on 21th April.

I have a 650b Anthem from 2018. It’s the best xc/trail bike I’ve had, for me it’s a proper keeper. The Maestro system seems to do what Giant designed it for so it climbs well and you can really get on the pedals, but with a 130mm Pike, the slightly burlier giant carbon wheels and nimble feely geometry (not super modern) it’s brilliant fun.

If you’re Newbury/Reading area and fit a Large you’re more than welcome to give it a whirl?

I love the Vittoria Terrano dry in 38mm, it’s like a fast rolling mini mtb tyre. They seem to tubeless up well, with just a track pump and have strong sidewalls so slightly lower pressures are no issue

For a bit of balance, I’ve had a few TCR’s over the years and more recently a Defy and found it to be a ‘dead’ feeling and as a result a bit boring so I sold it and have bought a second set of wheels with road tires for me TCX and makes for a great endurance road bike with great handling.

I’ve never owned a Boardman but have ridden a reasonable spec one from their aero range and compared to similar bikes from other manufacturers the ride felt a bit crashy and the handling was very middle of the road.

Ooooff, sounds like a tough day out – from feeling rough, to bent chainrings and uphill rock gardens!

The effort a commitment of you guys always amazes me!!

Who’s over at MSG Round 1 today, what was the course like and how did you go??

If I was in your shoes I’d be having a very goods look at the new 29 Giant Trance.

I have the no not available 650b Anthem with 130mm forks and find it a perfect trail bike for similar riding that you describe and I think the new Trance is just a grown up version of it.

“Member
First round of Southern XC series entered. Trying the open category this time round, will see if i can step it up to Vets next time, or more likely head to the fun/beginner category 🙂”

Welcome aboard Buddy, I’m one of the organisers so if you have any questions just shout.

The same goes to all of you joining/thinking of join us. I’m the tall gangly bald one who is usually between the registration tent and the timing trailer (and the ice cream van on warm days) so come and say Hi as it’s good to put faces to all the names on here.

I like that Buddy, it looks like it’ll be great fun!!

Bloody love Minley, but I’ve got to work

Gooooood luck everyone!

Weeksy, give John (ex manager at banjo’s) a bell at the Marlborough Bike Co I think he has an alu 130 Works from 2015ish, maybe 16 in stock at the moment, I’m sure it’s a large – I’m sure he’ll let you give it a spin.

I’m 6’2″ and have an XL but would go for a L if I was buying again.

Given the mixed response I’d certainly head of for some demos

I have a 650b aluminium Anthem 1 from 2018 and for me it’s a proper keeper, a brilliant short travel trail bike. Really good fun but great at pedalling.

I have recently demoed a 2018 carbon 29er one (I can;t remember the spec but it was Red with SLX?) and it’s a totally different bike, it feels even more efficient and certainly more racey but not twitchy or at all boring as I find some overly efficient bikes. The front end is certainly more playful than the last generation Anthem 29er. If I was buying a race bike my money woulod be going on the 29er, in my opinion it’s even better than the epic which seems to be the bench mark xc bike.

Hey Weeksy, it’ll be good to see you back at the races. We’re behind with the website but it’ll be updated soon at https://www.eventrexuk.com/southern-xc/ and stay tuned to https://www.facebook.com/Southernxc/ for updates. Have a great Christmas and enjoy your new purchases!!

Strictly speaking, assuming the torque wrench is accurate or calibrated you should only hear a single click as a second or more could over tighten, depending on the wrench design

Double post!

So Wessex league cross finishes up this week – anyone recommend a central Southern XC series I can bring a couple of boys along too (U10, U12 cats) with a ‘hanging on at the back’ category for me?

Don’t actually have an mtb thats ‘raceworthy’ at the moment (chubby plus rigid bike and a T129 lump) but thats a minor issue 🙂

I’m one of the organisers of the SouthernXC and we offer racing for all ages and abilities, our website is currently under construction but should be fully up and running in a few weeks but to be totally honest all of the information you need is our Facebook page (look out for SouthernXC news) and the entry site, both are linked below
https://www.facebook.com/Eventrex/
http://my1.raceresult.com/g2730/?lang=en

This is one of the events that I’ve always wanted to get time to come and spectate at but somehow work always gets in the way. Who’s of you a bit more in the know, is there going to be a live timing feed?