Reading this with interest. Quite fancy A23’s for new CX wheels but does anyone have a view on the Pacenti road/CX rims – PL23 and SL23??

Racewaredirect These chaps might be able to help – they do all sorts of custom Garmin Mounts, if they don’t list it just drop them an email.

Cheers guys, horizontal drop outs so it sounds like I’m better off sticking with nuts.

Mr Salmon – thanks for the pointer, had,’t thought about guards getting in the way!

drofluf – that could have been embarrassing re spanner length!!

When I purchased filter machine a year or so ago I noticed that a couple of companies made them with timers, a great idea but a little concerned about the ground going dry over night. I seem to remember that one of them was made by Kenwood.

I think I’m going to get a pair of the 29er CL25’s (slightly narrower and lighter than TL28’s) built on to DT240’s with Sapim D-lights over the next few weeks. Once I’ve hgad chance to put a few miles under them I’ll stick a short review up.

Just imagine how much he’ll gain from the book and movie deal… poor old soul!!

It was the first of the series I’ve been able to do and I’m now regretting not doing the other. The course was great, really fun and just challenging enough!!

I think they’re the same as come on my XTC, assuming they are they’re ok, like Weeksy says something like 2kg but they ride fairly well, you won’t be blown away but they’re strong and reliable. My only complaint is the Deore rear hub, it just doens’t engage quickly enough and the rear hub has cup and cone bearings… not as easy going as sealed bearings!

I’ll be there, really looking forward to it – last MTB race was Torq 12:12 – I’ve not been riding cross over the winter so endurance may be a little fragile!!!

Good luck…

You can gt an XTC Composite for that money, brilliant frame with component offerings to suit most budgets

I purchased one after trying it along with a bunch of others and not only is it quick but is also good fun when compared to some of it’s competitors!

Fast Trac, great for woodland single track

Thank you, just the info I was after.

I wish I hadn’t clicked on that link, I’ve always wanted an Sworks Epic for 26″ wheels – just wish it wan’t quite so spendy!!

You minght want to add Specialized Fast Trak to your list. Really fast with pleanty of grip and progressive break away

Should be there, may be on a CX bike…

Go and try loads, when I swapped from 26 I tried a few and found the ones I tried fairly different! It’s also depend on fit, what you’re used to etc.

I eneded up with XTC Composite and love it but I found the Stumpjumper felt more planted and as a result may have been a bit faster but I didn’t find it as much fun. The Scott sat somewhere in the middle. All IMO. Would have really liked to try the Whyte but at the time they weren’t making large so I didn’t bother.

Lol, (through choice) I use 10spd grip shift on a 29er.

I think that for the majority of xc races 29er is faster but I’m still not convinced it’s as fun as a 26″ FS.

I live in Newbury and really struggle to find anything more than a few very short XC trails, like the ones at Greenham Common so I’d struggle to find 3 let alone a top 3!! I think the chilterns have a lot more to offer.

I’ve been spoiled when it come to forest trails as I use to live in Fleet with Minley on my door step and the Look Out just a short ride away!! Riding from Newbury seems to be much more about a CX bike on bridle ways…

That’s brilliant, just what my Tuesday morning needed!!

That is brilliant, I’d love to find something like that (note to self; pay more attention)

Really good course in Basingstoke on Sunday for Southern Champs. Flat and fast, not muddy and fun on the BMX circuit. Apart from a terrible start my race was pretty uneventful as I minced around in the lower positions but bloody hell the front runners are fast!!!

Maybe it’d help it you set some goals that are active but away from cycling, a running training plan for example (google 5k training plans, there are loads of them). I’m assuming your are doesn’t hurt too mush running!! Do you have a Park Run near you that you can do on Saturday mornings – the one I go to (Newbury) is great fun with really nice people with vastely different abilities.

A Protection spec Continental tyre – maybe X-King?? Their UST models are also pretty tough. If you go down the Conti route certainly don’t use RS or Supersonic Spec!!

FYI I’ve just spoken to a friend who works at the Concept Store in Newbury and Stumpy FSR they have for demo is a 29er Carbon Comp, I assume they expect to sell more of these than Evo’s!!

Good luck Mr Poddy

I wish they were my local trails!!

Nice Pics

Oh great, somewhere else to show up a lack of skill!!

Looks fun, but I’ll apologise now to anyone who gets caught behind me!!

Instead of Crest’s is anyone using the disc/xc specific rim Stans sell? I think it’s called Crow!!

Pro 2 Evo’s, 32 holes on Open Pro’s or A23 (if you want wider and tubeless) – good quality spokes and a good wheels builder

Buy it, the frame is really nice.

Always sell it if you don’t use it (this won’t happen, CX rocks)

Ah man, this sort of stuff sucks – why is it that there seems to be a growing number of these shafters out there??

Be really carefull with this. My right leg is about 7mm shorter than my left (thought to be femur but not 100%) and after years of cycling with a normal set up I was left with a a very unusual posture and some other issue with imbalance. After quite intensive periods of physio and a lot of stretching along with wedges between my cleat and shoe I’m back on track. All of that with just 7mm!! My advide would be to got and see some biomechanics experts before you do anything, I imagine your friend would know of the correct people from previous experience. From my very basic understanding a shorter crank can lead to other problems.

I am no expert, these comments are based on my experiences.

Good luck!!

Switch Type – Forward clicky

Love that!

I know you said you don’t like SLR’s but I fancied a change from much liked Specialized Toupe/Phenom and now use SLR Flow (with cut out) and the shape is very similar to the Toupe 143 and just as comfy.

I found the older style Rocket V Stelth very comfy too but has a groove, not a cut out – I think WTB still make them

Eye’s peeled.

Such bad news, it’s happening far too offen!!

Re the Advanced and Advanced SL question; assuming it’s like their road range and to some extent the XTC range it goes something like this:
Composite – models are the entry level Carbon frames but still very good
Advanced – I think uses Toray’s T800 carbon, this I believe is the highest grade that Giant make for other brands.
Advanced SL – a higher grade of carbon, if you believe the marketing, lighter, stronger atc

I’ve ever ridden a trance so can’t comment on that model

A friend of mine runs a website called racewaredirect.com and manufactures all sorts of items like this (Garmin mounts/SRM mounts etc). I don’t think they have waterproof Iphone ones yet but keep checking as they seem to have new configurations coming out all of the time. Or contact them to discuss as the tech they use makes it possible to make totally custom configs.

After numerous racey 26 HT’s over the years I went to a mid spec 26″ Epic (Anthem didn’t suit me) and was faster than I’d ever been and the shocks and pivots were problem free for the 18 months I had it, earlier this year I swapped to a 29 XTC composite HT (tried a few similar but found the XTC best fit and most fun to ride)! I find the XTC 29 slightly more harsh/stiff than the Epic but ultimately quite a lot faster for a ride of less than 3 hours or a race, I suspect that the most of the increased speed come from the significant weight reduction when compared to the Epic but it does seem to roll slightly more smoothly so the big wheels make some difference to me. This Autum I tried a 29 Epic and it felt great but too much bike for 99% of my riding, for some reason a 29er with 100mm travel felt like a pretty cooshy trail bike.

I still think that the fastest and most enjoyable way around the races and trails I ride would be a super light (and therefore very expensive) S-Works 26 Epic – best of all worlds, for me!! Once the cost is taken into account the 29 HT’s make a lot sense.

It would seem you’re quite entitled to your forum name, hard luck man!!

I’ll sort some pics later but let youtube, redbull TV etc be your friend

Good luck with recovery.

They’re brilliant frames, ever so stiff and efficient but fairly comfy! I have a 2011 Advanced with Ultegra and the essential carbon steerer and it’s lovely, a big step on from the older TCR that it replaced, even if it’s not as good looking!

Re fit; I’m just over 6’1″, a bit lanky and ride a M/L, if I was any taller with the same proportions I’d be on a L.

Re quality, I have known of 2 that have cracked at the driveside chainstay/BB join but both replced by Giant, no questions asked.