Hmmm, those Sqlab ones seem to be going the right way about it, but +5mm not really worth it for me.

Shame. Will look into the pedal extenders…

Finephilly what type / brand sus you go for?

Thanks Pip. Good to hear. 

I’m using Vaults on two of my bikes.

They have a pretty big Q factor (stick out a bit from the pedal).

I’m building up my new Cotic and recently got some larger shoes (Impact Pros) and thought I would consider… 

https://www.biketart.com/products/shimano-bottom-bracket-bbmt800-h-tech-ii-set-68-73?variant=40809450373299

51% off bottom brackets. I bought two, one for my build and one to replace the one that has just gone!

Amazing!

Depends a bit on your footsize – I’m a 12 and my feet turn out lots, so I want square, big pedals – pedalstrikes be damned.

The Kona Wah Wah composite is good. I’d consider the new Crank Brothers’ Stamp but haven’t tried.

I mostly run DMR Vaults as I have about 10 year’s worth of bearings and bushings in the garage so a bit locked into their paradigm. That being said, despite being a little small for me they are very angular and have nice pins so plenty good.

Some people say the bearings aren’t great, which I get, but you can spend silly money to get a triple mega sealed Hope F22 – its nice to have nice things, but I’d cap myself around £100, because otherwise when do you stop?!?

Mine came yesterday. About a month, was nearly going to give up and get some Northwaves – about 50% off if you look – but we got there in the end.

#happyimpactprowearer

Hi Alex,

Thank you for bearing with us at this very busy time.

​

Unfortunately the ongoing allocation issue for the shoes is still ongoing, however we do hope to have a fix in place by the end of this coming week.

​

I completely acknowledge that this situation has been going on for sometime now, but please be assured we are doing everything we can to get this resoled as soon as we can.

Kind regards,

Nathaniel

Customer Services Team Leader

Go Decathlon or Mountain Warehouse. 

I got a hiking one, as have long back shorts and trousers. 

Chased my order. They were basically like “Errr our IT doesn’t work. Do you want to cancel?!?”

I said no, give me my shoes. TBC.

I’m certainly hoping they deliver. Just ordered some Impact Pros as my freeriders are starting to fall apart.

Very hard to get discounted in size 12…

Good Intel. RC Helions available on discount.

TBH yes they always made my feet tired. Fine up until about 10 miles, but after that the burning sensation starts.

I’ve tried different socks, tightening laces, loosening laces.

It has never been enough to seriously bother me, but now I’m replacing, I’d prefer a more supportive shoe.

I have very flat feet and hypermobile joints, so there’s quite a lot going on in the mix. 😉

Thanks Hobnob, thanks Stu. Will check them out.

Good psa.

I suppose my point is, my 5ten freeriders make the balls of my feet burn on longer rides, so was wondering if anyone has an alternative they’d recommend.

Specialized do some really nice kids and youth helmets. My boy has had two back to back.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-hiking-lightweight-waterproof-jacket-mh900/_/R-p-150330?mc=8382335&c=GREY

Decathlon all the way.

Got an excellent one for about £90

Non-Shimano cranks are horrendous.

I tried getting a Race Face Cinch off the other day. Even used a breaker-bar, wouldn’t shift.

Hollowtech type cranks are where its at.

As above, cable droppers. Even if you follow a good tutorial, the tolerances are so fine.

It’s the one think I’d go wireless on if I had the loot.

What other bikes, if any, do you already have?

If you’ve got a mid travel full suss, you might want this one to be more distinct so rule out the Enduro.

If its your only bike, a long travel enduro is the most flexible option.

I have a dakine with a 3 litre hydration bladder. Really rate it.

I had a DD Agressor on the rear. Hated it. Put on an XR4. Different bike!

This was on a Bird Aeris. I think you can lighten up some components like tyres and cranks on a fully that you need more tonk on a hardtail.

I want to run it with a shorter fork – 130mm – so the aim is to preserve the head angle, rather than chopper it out.

The one down also looks good. Z2 need the top popping to out some foam rings and some extra lube in from new.

I’m going to bide my time a bit about the frame. Thinking Pipedream Sirius, or Pace 529.

Marino is a bit hassly, although having the custom fit is very attractive.

That was my thinking. Will put this on a Marino, or something.

Vitus Sentier 29er frame and headset going cheap – DM me! ;-)

Is that 20% on the price of the frame, or 20% on the frame + shipping?

Alex

Pretty good thread this, lots of interesting issues.

I’d recommend watching some of Gary Stephenson’s videos on how inequality is growing and subsidies to the wealthy.

I think my main thought is that lots of Western countries, certainly the UK and USA, are becoming more and more feudal – the way to have a high income is to own and rent seek rather than work.

This means being born rich will become more and more the means to becoming rich, whereas during the capitalist era it was only one of many ways.

Prior to capitalism amassing wealth was all about gaining, through fair means, or foul, lots of land and stuff. You can see it today with property, patents, copyrights, even domain names.

Who owns my music, Spotify. Who owns my movies, Amazon, Netflix, Disney. Who owns my flat, Natwest (for the next 30 years).

Vulture capitalism, Neo-feudalism, the Predator state, call it what you will.

Think about the covid bailouts.The government generated money, via the BoE, borrowed it, gave it to businesses, and now I have to pay off this national debt.. . It’s a transfer of wealth from earners to owners.

I remember trying a BTR Ranger – 27.5 at a steel is real demo day.

I told Burf it was the best bike I had ever ridden and I still stand by that.

Yeah, looking at the Solaris it doesn’t wow as much as the Sirus.

I’ve got fairly short legs and long torso [6’1”] so the Sirius Longest really appeals.

I’ve contacted Pipedream and am on their mailing list, but no news currently.

Bikepacking.com said that they are putting more rack and bottle mounts on the S6 as well which really appeals…

Maybe I’ll just have to wait.

I looked at this and thought “no thanks” to any of them.

Endura singletracks are a good warm weather glove – not too pricey, no fuss. Their MT500 gloves are comfy but wear out at a rate of knots.

I’m currently on Endura D30s, they are so so, sticky bits on the fingers and palm coming off quickly. I got them because they were in the shop in my size.

I used to like the old Fox digits too, but more recent refreshes aren’t as good. Dirtpaws next time.

Nothing special at all.

The wash isn’t any good, Fenwicks I would recommended, especially the foaming chain cleaner.

The lubes, may as well use 3 in 1…

There are some decent specialised chain lubes like Squirt fir the dry, Rock n Roll blue for around, which have clear performance benefits.

Muc off lubes don’t seem to have any.

I’ve got some left over, I only use if the other run out and I need something right away.

Agree with the above, Rock’n’Roll blue is an excellent all rounder.

I know it isn’t in this category, but WPL Forkboost Lube is a really good product – helps clean and lube fork seals.

Pinkbike did a recent review of the Giga vs the Reactor;

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/short-or-long-travel-which-is-the-best-all-round-mtb.html#:~:text=The%20Reactor%20has%20130%20mm,frame%20and%20fork%20are%20different.

The Giga came very, very close to the Reactor on the climbing.

You can interpret this as the Reactor being a pig to climb on [no idea, but it has rather low anti-squat], or the Giga being really rather impressive.

That being the case, you’d assume the Mega was something inbetween; I’d go Giga if I was choosing between a Big and a Bigger bike given that there seems to be very little downside to getting the Giga from a climbing point of view.

23 to 39 with the same woman, then after a rough spell she calls time on it this January.

I’d echo the above, Interesting, Hot, Baggage, pick two would be my version.

You’ve got to be a bit more open minded as you get older.

Current prospect is interesting and an absolute stunner, but has a 15 month old and a a violent Ex.

I’m seeing it as picking up an 18 month old Santa Cruz!

I had medication posted from a pharmacy via them – never arrived.

Nicked, clearly.

They resent via Royal Mail – 2 days.

Such a shame if the case.

I’d say 460 seat tube, 480 reach is a good sweet spot for me.

The reach is 477 on the XL… If the seat post was 480, I’d fit that.

It really depends on your motivation.

If you are looking to keep the paint nice for resale or protect carbon then self applying with good heli tape is fine.

If you really care about the looks, then paying for invisiframe and/or having it applied is probably the better route if money no object.

I don’t constantly clean and keep my bike mint. Drive train suspension is kept super OCD clean, but not the non moving parts. With a bit of dirt on it, you cannot tell.

If your whip is a bit of a show pony, it probably would make sense.

The Carbon Pro looks right up my street – looking for a 120mmm xc bike to complement the enduro and 150mm steel hardtail.

Other than this, not much in the 120mm category wets my appetite- Pipedream Sirius aside – good to see…

Got rid of that silly knock block nonsense and the silly proprietary suspension.

Trek starting to look really attractive.

No takers?

Thanks learned sages. I shall procure a breaker bar tomorrow.

A whole new world