So update, being a little bit and just got back to looking at a the locks. Mainly as its only a few weeks away i got on holiday. Thanks for the suggestions and feedback. So im going to use the decent cable locks I have for the bikes whilst in transit and then get a decent quality chain lock to put on my bike if we stop in the car for lunch and also to use when at Centre Parcs. Looking at a Kryptonite Kryptonite Keeper 712 or 790 chain or an ABUS TRESOR 1385/110.

Being through this one, it’s tough but if it works it’s a superb thing. Daughter now coming to 5yrs. Luckily you have 3 goes via NHS ours was only 1 so added some pressure. We had some counselling which helped us both through the mental challenge. I personally gave up coffee, reduced MTB, showers only no hot baths and tried all sorts of things to help my count. I had acupuncture which may have helped me, who knows if it actually helped but it definitely helped with the mental side, gave me the reassurance i was trying. We never got an answer on what may have prevented us naturally and we found the process pre IVF quite stressful.

Lots of talking with each other helped us through it plus a few close friends to just talk, not really details just basics which helped with the mental load as well.

Good luck

I too hope they survive but the industy appears to be a very difficult place. There is just so many bike’s companies have in their range im suprised some don’t just focus on what they do well.  I’ve always thoguh my next bike (FS) could be a Kona but possibly not.

My first proper MTB was a Caldera, still have the frame and half the original parts on it hanging on the garage wall. BB shell wore out a bit as the BB & crank came loose on a ride without me realising. I loved the back did alsorts on it, its still rideable ish, LBS put a saint DH BB in due to the BB shell issue and once that goes i think the frame is toast, it also has years of frame wear but i still love that cream paint job.

It has a kickstand but it put it over on an angle too much for storing in the garage and isn’t the most stable. I was thinking more upright position so it takes up less space. She will use it also to put our daughter into the rear seat before she goes out so needs a bit more stability if possible.

So great feed back guys really useful, i managed to purchase a excellent Shotgun seat from @Shackleton on this very fine forum. My daughter and i have been out a few times and shes has taken to it instantly and loves it, there is the faster daddy whilst moving back and forth to get me to go faster which was bit unnerving on the road! !

For local short rides i got a Bannana industries one. Good quality and i fitted phone, snack, small lightweight jacket in (Howies Dyfi). Simple padding and strap so if you don’t stuff heavy items it would be alright for most MTB stuff, well unless its really rough i reckon (Not had chance to fully try it yet)For the money for short rides its decent.

UPDATE!

So i order the stans arch rim and will hopefully be with me for the bank holiday ;) Just got to choose some new tyres!!!

Any ideas, bridleways (road sections in between), few trail centres (Dalby, sherwood pines Guisburn) a year but mostly in the flat/wolds in East yorkshire. Initial thoughts area Maxxis F HR11 R Ardent. I curretnly run Spesh F GC R Fast track but find the GC a little wallowey. I have been running fast track for yrs!!

So ive narrowed my search down to two wheel sets from JRA: Stans Arch build or a WTB i29 build.

Im just trying to figure out which is better or suitable for my frame (Width/clearance).  ??

Thoughts people??

Well alot more replies than i was expecting!!!

Mmm still undecided hope enduro’s are cheaper and as some say UK made but there much heavier than stans Arch with britex hub. How are the latest 27.5 stans arch like for getting tyres on and off still a Ba”%$£d?

Update! I got the the New 2018 Adidas, (Long story but i did order the older model online but the supplier let me down! They blamed courier but really they actually didn’t have any) Got the 2018 on Adidas’s own website super service.

The shoes are nice so far, super quality and stick well. They do come up narrow but i think there made to be a snug fit.

I just found the original 2f0 on leisure lakes at £100, how do they do size wise?? Any one used the Terrex not sure if they look tough enough but might be just because they look like a trainer.

Are the AM7 really that bad?

Chain stay protector probably is 10yrs old was spare one Ive used. My first new bike in 11yrs so big change. Frame seems great value and quality.

Nose bit up as on 26 wheels on 27.5 frame. Took careful planning to build I think. Seat came loose with a bang which gave Mr quite a scar! Gotta adjust it a bit.

So looking at

Slx cassette 11-42t
Slx crank
Slx mech
Xt shifter

Any recommendations on chain ring if not shimano.

Or just buy group set Slx and wait a bit few weeks I think for stock

Cheers for help people. Only other I don’t know which I just noticed whilst looking at specs what’s the difference between cage lengths do I need medium, long etc

Ive just got my self a Primal (2016) looks nice in its half built state so far. They seem great bikes for the price etc. Just trying to decide if I need XT or SLX 1 x 11?

Probably going 30t upfront and 11 -42 on back as I like climbing but live in a flat part of the world (Selby way).

Any recommendations

So I’ve been doing some shopping!!? Got a Xfusion velvet fork at a good price. Seat post and clamp from Superstar in a sale and also gear kit and BB from Uberbike in there bank holiday sale. So only thing I need to get is drive train. Is a bundle/groupset or do individual bits work out cheaper (1×11 I think)

26″ wheels and yes from scratch as current bike has a triple and Bonner be wife’s bike. Plus new stuff always good:)

Okay ill look into the gearing as I was going to buy the whole lot but ill look into the 1x 10 or 1 x 11 stuff.

Fork wise I wasn’t quite sure if I could put a 27.5″ fork on to the 26″ wheels?
I had looked at the X fusion velvet forks which can be used for both. I’ve got newish good wheels (arch ex on SS hubs) so not changing them for a while.

Not 27.5 wheels but some 26″ Stans arch ex on SS ultra hubs, which ive been running for 6 months. If the frame I got was 26 and 27.5 compatible I could get 27.5 wheels and change bike to 27.5. Am I right in thinking that you can change some forks from 26 to 27.5?

Got wheels, brakes, stem, handle bars. But ye new bike prib cheaper mmmm decisions to make. Cheers for comnents

The frame is good still but is straight steerer and not sure how long bb threads going to last as had to put a saint bb in as they have longer threads.

So then I like the idea of building a bike but what is the stw collectives thoughts on a Dartmoor Primal frame. As they seem cheap, future proof as taper head and 27.5 and 26 wheel. Confusion reigns at the moment!

Not hijacking but having similar thoughts at moment. Was looking at a Dartmoor primal 2015 frame what’s the collectives thoughts?

Ordered wheels! Thanks for all the advice, looking at forks at Xmas the financial controller has stipulated.

I run 2 on back and 2.1 on front can’t really go much bigger than 2.2 on back due to frame. I think arch so covers me for stupid line choice etc unless people think over kill for my frame etc. I only do xc bridleway locally and a few trial centres a year. Arch I bit heavier and wider than crest.

What do we think of these wheels: Alexrims or pacenti on switch ultra hubs. Any good, suitable for xc and odd trail centre use. The other ones are stans arch or crest on switch ultras clerance wheels.

Cheers, thats great they have some on offer, stans and pacenti. I like the idea of been able to change axle standards as I ain’t decided on fork yet.

Cheers, thats great they have some on offer, stans and pacenti. I like the idea of been able to change axle standards as I ain’t decided on fork yet.

So after a day at Sherwood pines I think its new wheels and forks rather than bike. I did think the caldera was to small for me but I should have noticed some years ago I would have thought!
So what superstar wheels do people recommend?

So what do we think of the bike.

Try pound shops!

thanks for the info guys, I’ve got some thinking to do. Wheels forks new or bargain 2nd hand bits, 26″ ain’t the in think these days it seems!

I’ve had some issues with the rear hub, the cup cones prob need replacing. There not the best hubs ever but the wheels have kept straight. I changed oil this yr and put new brakes on last yr. Front end always felt a bit heavy. Budget £500 ish. I did think about a fs but would get the use and the Caldera does what I need it to.

I had the v8’s for years 10 + I reckon and just swapped to some of the new v12’s. Not the mag one’s and im very happy. Lighter than the v8 and slimmer but just super grippy.

you can try the wolds to the North of Hull around Huggate, Wetwang area. Some long climbs and steep descents. Quite smooth but better than nothing, I go up couple times a year with the missus. Other than that Dalby not to far away. Im in Howden (Junction 37 on 62) and have just flat bridleways which are okay for a local 10-20 mile loop just to get out.

10Yr old Kona Caldera HT. Had a few new bits over the years but still going strong. Forks even had the oil changed recently which made a massive difference.
Still a great bike though.

26″ AS WELL

that’s a 5/32″ is that right? I would just replace the whole headset but don’t want to buy the gear or take it to my lbs. Can you do a headset replacement with out the expensive tools?

Well I’m just about to get around to servicing my forks. But a quick question oil type!! Marzzochi say 7.5wt oil what do people recommend?

I’m only doing xc stuff plus occasional trail centre and am around 10 stone.

I ride 2005 Kona Caldera 26″ love the thing little heavy but burly and has taken a beating over the years. Have considered building a new up to date bike but why bother the Caldera HT goes everywere FS does (well that is if I can ride it properly)

There is as my mate said a lot of one upmanship in the MTB world.

Just go ride