I’ve no idea on the ‘improvement’ that Pro 4 brings but I may have a pair of wheels that you might be interested in. Firstly sorry for the shameless plug.

I have the wheels that came with my Whyte 909 that are totally unused, Hope Pro 2 rear hub with 40 tooth engagement and WTB Asym I23 rims, with Tubeless strips fitted and valves supplied, the front hub is a Whyte branded generic sealed bearing job with 15mm thru.

The full spec is on the below link and I removed the tyres, discs and cassette when I got it so the wheels have never been used. I’m looking for £200.00 posted – let me know if you’d like any pics adam.buckland@hotmail.co.uk

http://whyte.bike/gb/909-2/

Cheers

I’ve been a total XT whore but have just got Hope Tech3 V4. Amazingly different. In a good way.

Exactly this. I’d not used Hopes in years and was a little nervous but so far they have exceeded the standard set by various Shimanos. the Tech 3 V4’s offer massive power but have great modulation so better control. I also quite like the chunky manufactured look and they feel solid

This thread reminds my of the lyrics of Popcorn and Fisticuffs
http://www.urbanlyrics.com/lyrics/example/popcornandfisticuffs.html

When you watch him ride you know he’s one of those who has ‘it’. But blimey he’s had so bad luck, some fatigue related virus while at Spesh while he was one of the best in the world, badly broken ankle at London 2012 and then apparently a broken pelvis when hit by a car on a training ride.

His win at the CX Nationals shows his class, to beat Ian Field who rides cross full time by that margin is incredible.

I wonder if he’ll ride some UCi ranked races to get ranking points to help BC get an olympic space!

Thank you for all your input, I knew I could rely on you lot

I’m currently thinking that when people enter their usual category they can tick a box for fat bike so they can be identified in the results, I’ll then take their average lap time from their race and times it by a fixed number (probably 3) of laps so we can place them in the effective ‘Fat Bike Race’ and therefore make a series of it. I appreciate this isn’t perfect because riders go faster or slower depending on the length of their race but I’m struggling to come up with a better option??

Re tyre size, the diameter doesn’t matter as per other categories but the width printed by the manufacturer on the side wall must be greater that 3.5″ – easily checked and easily understood.

Anymore feedback would be great, don’t be shy?

The gorrick winter series has a fat bike category, seems to get about eight or so per race but it is winter. Think high teens would be what I would expect.

I’d be more than happy with that number…

nedrapier, thanks for putting the link up. We have a bit of website work to do, it’s in hand and will be released with online entry before the end of Jan (with a bit of luck). This update with include info re exact location.

Re having to schedule it in, my thoughts were to have it start about 5mins after the open race – I think part of the appeal is to have a race just for Fatbikes, not just chucked in with another category – it might make the timing too tight but I’ll have further look into it.

Any female fat bike riders out there, what do you think?

Keep it all coming guys, and girls

Good call Mike 😀

I love the Clydesdale cat but unfortunately we’re not allowed alcohol at most venues

3.5″ min seems to be a tipping point for the regs and would have to be based on the size printed by the factory on the side wall.

Would any of you enter any rounds of a series like this (I know I asked regarding the SouthernXC but forget the location for the purpose of this question)?

Going to start them separate? Something that fat gets harder to pass

Yep that would be the idea, it would be a stand alone race.

Loads of different classes to cater for every type of bike and rider smacks of “every one has to get a prize, nobody is allowed to loose”.

I hadn’t looked at it this way and it certainly not what I’m trying to achieve, thanks. I was really looking at it as a way of broadening the appeal of XC

Thanks for all of the feedback.

Re the definition, I think it has to be 26″ with a min of 4″ – it should be fairly easy to manage as I can’t see the numbers being that great. If the category doesn’t get traction (no pun intended) then the above points about just enter the standard cat are valid but if the entry numbers are sufficient it could be great racing, as a fat bike rider you’d know who you were racing and you’d also be racing knowing that you’re not starting on the back foot. Some events that are more endurance orientated make this category work well.

The race would be presented with an emphasis on fun and the prizes etc would support this and hopefully this could help it appeal to a broader audience

Keep the thoughts coming

Cheers Bruce. re the tyres, I should have just looked a little more closely at your pics.

yes, yes, yes this is the future. Lovely looking bike, where did you get the rims and tyres?

Between vans at the mo and I’m regularly getting an XL MTB and kit in a Micra – admittedly the seats are always laid flat!

I’ve previously found an Astra estate to be really good as their cheap to buy/run and no need to lay the seats down, as long as you don;t mind removing the wheels.

lol, see you there!

Hillingdon this weekend to get through first…

At 38 you in the ability cats as your too old for juniors and not old enough for vets so fun, open or sport are good places to start depending on you fitness. I think I’m right in saying that each of these cats is just one lap longer than the previous. Sport has a good mix of ability and usually attracts a reasonable field.

Get stuck in Blobby, there are a few locals already preentered (including a sertain shop owner who’s also a 4th cat so you have someone to scrap with) for the series, hopefully I’ll be at one or two!!!

At the SouthernXC we charge £5 for small kids racing and this year we are working with BC to offer coaching for them after their races so that their parents get time to ride, this will be included in the price as will sweets and medals for at least the first 3 – there will also be a deposit for the timing chip, the cost of that is TBC but it’ll probably be £5 and returned when the chip comes back.

£110 including post and Paypal seems fair to me so they’re yours if you want them? Use adam.buckland@hotmail.co.uk for the PP but make sure you buy your Turkey first!!

Ribble had new XT M8000 for £134, which Im struggling to ignore at the moment…

I hadn’t noticed that, I’ll need to revised my expectations for selling my M8000 – £110 posted?

I don’t know but I have a brand new pair of XT M8000 that I could ship you for £140.00 (not sure how that stacks up against SLX). The ones I have are I Spec 2 but I can probably get you a blanking plate for you from LBS – drop me a mail if your interested to adam.buckland@hotmail.co.uk

They came from my Whyte 909 but I replaced them with some old Hopes before riding it

pseudo file treads

Lol…

I’ve heard that there will also be some extra festive additions to the course!!

I use the Raceware one, not cnc’d but well tested and nicely made

I’ve had cinch for just over a year and the first set of bearings seized within a month of so which raised alarm bells but I’ve since discovered then seem particularly sensitive to preload, it needs to backing off a little compared to shimano 24mm. The 2nd set of bearings is still running smoothly but I’m going to try the Hope version next time as apparently they work great.

If you interested I’m selling an unused pair of Turbine cranks with a 32 tooth ring but no bb – £140.00 delivered. They were delivered on a new Whyte 909 but I replaced them with my preused Next Sl’s before using the bike.

Flybywire – Of course. The guy has confirmed that he’ll be there with oven fresh pizza – fat and carbs to soak up the hang over. I think the snow machine has also been confirmed which should add to the fun!

Morning Deano,

They’re 175’s – let me know if you want any more info. Email’s the best bet as I’m not too consistent on here.

Oh, and I have Next SL’s, if your budget can stretch do it! Cinch is awesome and I’d be keeping the new Turbines if I didn’t already have SL’s

OP, please excuse the shameless plug but earlier today I put a pair of Cinch Turbines on the FS Forum

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-brand-new-xt-m8000-brakes-mech-shifter-cassette-and-race-face-cranks

Drop me a line on adam(dot)buckland@hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk if you want anymore info…

Sorry guys

Sorry for the sneaky high jack…

If any of you looking for a hangover cure on New Years Day the entry is open for Palmer Park Velo’s NY Cross https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/140673/Newbury-New-Year’s-Day-Cyclo-Cross

It should be a really good event, it’s at the tried and tested Goldwell Park in Newbury (home to Newbury Summer CX), there should be pizza & hot coffee available (to be confirmed) and we are working on some rapha like features for the course!!!

It’s a non-ranking event so super cheap, £3 for little ones and £5 for those who are fully grown!

Oh, and fancy dress is being encouraged!!!!!

As you were folks!

They are really reliable, I’ve used them for years and only replaced 1. They are carried as spare parts at most Specialized dealers and if push comes to shove you can order replacements from Boa who are the manufacturers.

I’ve just put a 2.3 Purgatory with Control Casing on the front and so far it’s been great. I tend to ride more rooty woodland stuff than rocks so can’t comment for that but it’s proved very grippy and when it does slide it seemed to be progressive and responds well to weight change – thumbs up!

Depending on where you are you could try the Southern XC, I updated the website over the weekend with dates and venues!

http://www.southernxc.net/

I’ve been using preproduction ones from Raceware for the last year or so and find them great. The silicone is a little softer than ESI so is really mouldable but returns to shape easily. I notice they are not on the website yet but drop them a mail for more info.

I’d be well happy with any Alu Giant, I think they do great stuff with it.

Their response re warranty is interesting though as in some regions (I’m not sure about the UK) they have offered Trance Advanced SX with 160mm forks from the factory!

I’ve only had a brief go on the 650b version and of course the trail came alive…

A mate has them on a T130 with Pikes and the front end felt awesome, tracked really well, the braking felt really solid too but some of that may have come down to the fork. Being Mavic running them tubeless is a doddle! If I was looking for wheels of that type I’d have them in a flash and the only reason I’ve not get them is that their as bit chunky for my riding – they’re big strong buggers with more stiffness than a paper boy in the Spearmint Rhino.

I guess it’s a combination of the 2, spec’d decent bearings and back them up with decent customer service. I think the deal is that you book in with your local Whyte dealer for a bearing change and assuming the bearings are worn you only pick up the labour.

as I said up there I’m not sure if it applies to headsets though!

Whyte provide life time warranty on bearings, I’m not sure if they limit it to suspension only but it might be worth a try!

In my experience there is no compatibility issues with running a combination of SRAM and Shimano (11 speed only). I currently have x0 11 spd gripshift with m9000 cassette and a xtr mech, it work brilliantly and although I don’t have the range I wanted closer ratios and a shimano free hub body. I also have friends who run the shimano shifters with the a SRAM cassette – this also works a treat.

It’ll depend on the series. If it’s the National Points Series I’m not sure as I haven’t been able to get to one for a few years but if it’s a regional BC series (Southern XC type stuff) then the first round grid is usually based on the series results from the previous year and then rounds 2 onwards are based on the series standings for the current year.

OP, I have a couple of lightly used Ground Controls with control casing that have have just come off some wheels that I sold. Your more than welcome to them, if you don;t get on with them just give them to someone else. Drop me a line if your interested.

I’ve often used them on the front with something like a Fast Trak on the back and if the conditions require it I’ve put one on the back too. Lot’s of decent grip and a safe lean angle. In the drag dept I don;t feel there’s a massive amount of difference between them and Fast Trak

I might have some original ones at home. I lost my Jawbones so there is a case at home with the spares in it which you can have for £10 delivered but let me check that the remaining lenses are the clear ones.

If your interested pls drop me an email to adam(dot)buckland@hotmail(dot)co.uk to remind me to check this evening