The last full suspension bike I rode was a Proflex 857 back in 1998 and everything since has been fully rigid with a few hardtails thrown in.

I’ve just had a Scott Spark on loan for 2 days whilst in the Lakes and I was amazed at how much easier it made the steep rocky climbs.

The Spark certainly didn’t ‘dull the trail,’ and I felt a real benefit over long ride; particularly on the climbs and generally making me feel far fresher at the end of the ride.

I didn’t feel any quicker on the down bits though :oops:

I am cheating slightly with the Jones though as it’s got a Knard fitted to the front.

I have just borrowed a Scott Spark though for a couple of days and was really suprised how easy it made the rocky climbs. The last full suss I rode was a Proflex back in 98.

asterix – Member
Those were the days when your rigid mtb was your XC, downhill and enduro bike all in one. The only difference in wheel size was the tyre width.
Life seemed so much simpler then

it can still be – it is for me, just one fully rigid mtb:-) have swapped the smoke/darts for XC pros but other than that, not much has changed

My Jones and Dekerf are fully rigid, but I see very few rigid bikes out and about these days. Everyone seems to either have a suspension fork or full suspension bike.

I ran around on Hardpack 1.5’s for a while after MBUK used them on a Marin Ti in a quest to build the lightest mtb possible.

That was when everyone went weight mad and people were drilling out things just to save a few grams.

Those were the days when your rigid mtb was your XC, downhill and enduro bike all in one. The only difference in wheel size was the tyre width.

Life seemed so much simpler then 8)

gonetothehills – Member
That takes me back! Around the time of the white Porcupine, Spesh Ground Control and the like. Happy (fully rigid) days

Not to mention Farmer Johns 8)

I don’t recall the Dart and Smoke being that good to be honest.

I used to run Ground Controls which I think were very well thought of at the time.

As Rochey said, Lizard Skins DSP is really great.

They still make them them. 8)

This is mine courtesy of Charlie[/url]

[/url]
PICT3102[/url] by Ample Brew[/url], on Flickr

@ EdwardH

You’ll love the groupset and the cassette is a work of art.

I ordered some Crankskins[/url] to protect my chainset, but they already come with protection film fitted.

I’m running a 32t on the chainset and 10-42 cassette on mine.

I got all my XX1 stuff from Tweeks Cycles, who were the cheapest at the time. That was a few months ago though.

This should hopefully help you decide on which q factor you need.

It’s the measurement between the outside the crank arms.

Have a look here.

I’ve got a 168 XX1 fitted to my Mosaic mtb frame which has a 73mm shell.

The narrow version might not give enough clearance with your chainstays.

[/url]
WP_20130816_010[/url] by Ample Brew[/url], on Flickr

I really enjoy Ride the Divide, Life Cycles and Inside Out.

I did buy Reveal The Path, but it didn’t really hit the spot for me.

iomnigel – Member
Mr Brew, you are lucky, mine has yet to land.

I was a bit surprised when it arrived, it’s usually at least a day after the UK subscribers get theirs.

Nice way to start the weekend though, especially with our current weather :(

mcgowan – Member
Just out of interest, what is the measurement from the top of the seat tube to the bottom weld of the support junction?
sorry, i have been measuring it: 9’5 cms

If you’ve had a 4″ /10.16cm shim in the frame, that’s not a lot of support below the weld if it measures 9.5cms from the top of the seat tube.

Their website states that they do an accident exchange programme at a ‘low price,’ however much that is.

Might be worth keeping friendly with them and going down that route.

Just out of interest, what is the measurement from the top of the seat tube to the bottom weld of the support junction?

mcgowan – Member
amplebrew: thats not true, you can buy a reverb in a “reduced” Price if you want

Sorry, I’ve got a bit lost on that one.

The Dixons on their site seem to use 31.6 Reverbs.

mcgowan – Member
Hi amplebrew

When I was buying the bike I asked about my correct size frame. Freeborn told me M knowing my numbers.

About the seat… how can avoid to use an other seat than the one sold with your bike if I only bought the frame?????

All the ready built ones on their website come with 31.6 posts.

clubber – Member
What would the wrong seat be all about?
Wrong diameter I expect.

That’s what I wondered, so ‘seat’ could be a poor interpretation of seatpost.

The warranty does not apply if:

*The damages were caused by a fortuitous event;
*The bicycle was purchased from a retailer other than those authorized
by devinci;
*The bicycle was not entirely assembled by an authorized devinci
retailer;
*The bicycle was repaired by a person other than an authorized devinci
retailer;
*You are not the original owner of the bicycle;
*The instructions contained in the user’s manual for all frames and the
technical manual for frames with double suspension were not respected;
*The periodic inspection recommended in the user’s manual for all
frames and in the technical manual for the frames with double
suspension was not carried out;
* Parts not supplied by devinci with the bicycle or not indicated in
the user’s manual for all frames or the technical manual for the
frames with double suspension were used;
*The bicycle was used for an activity other than those for which it was
conceived;
*The bicycle and/or its components were subject to abusive use,
negligence, abnormal and/or excessive use or was implicated in an
accident;
*The frame is too small for you;
*You used an other seat than the one sold with your bike;
*The frame and/or its components were modified (ex: polishing,
structural or mechanical modification or addition, stripping, sanding,
strain hardening, shot peening);
*You continued to use your bicycle while it was damaged.

They stipulate that the frame being too small or using the wrong seat voids the warranty.

What would the wrong seat be all about? :?

I can see the one about the frame being too small and maybe not leaving enough post in the frame. They’re website however doesn’t give any indication of how much post to leave in the frame.

I’ve always gone for at least 2 inches below the bottom weld on the seat tube / top tube junction.

Mine arrived this morning to the Isle Of Man. We’re usually a day or 2 behind the UK.

Think this[/url] is a link to the bike for anyone interested.

Not connected to them, just helping :D

Tyre dressing works wonders as does a steam cleaner on the interior.

2nd the idea of getting some cheap wheel trims, especially if the wheels are rusty.

Bit of a difference to my experience with Rocky Mountain who not only replaced a broken frame within 2 weeks, but also gave me a much more expensive frame.

One of my friends also had a great experience with Specialized who replaced his broken frame and had him back on the road in less than 2 weeks.

Commencal sounds like a bit of a nightmare.

[/url]
Nev[/url] by Ample Brew[/url], on Flickr

Can’t dance?!?!?!

OUT, OUT, OUT, OUT, GET OUT OF MY OFFICE!!!!!!

Was it Nev interviewing?

I wash them straight away.

Far easier and quicker than letting the dishes stack up.

@ rusty trowel

Thanks for sharing those links.

And there was me thinking my peculiar food eating habit was unusual.

dirtycrewdom – Member
How do you lot handle sandwiches or salads?

I rarely eat sandwiches, but I only ever eat one filling when I do. That’s not counting marg, sauce and mayonnaise etc though.

chvck – Member
According to this http://drbass.com/sequential.html (which I’ve obviously picked for the next bit):

sequential eating represents the most advanced approach to understanding proper food combining.
So we’re just more advanced in our eating habits!

edit: I’ve just actually read some of it, looks pretty dubious to me!

One of the few things (if not the only thing) I’m advanced in then :lol:

If it was a bike I really wanted, I’d wait the extra 3 weeks. Especially if I’d already waited 5 weeks.

3 weeks is really no time at all.

You should be able to view manufacturer brochures on their websites; depending on how old your vehicle is.

If it’s an older or non current model, try a google search for the brochure.

As br said though, I’d be measuring the actual vehicle….. twice :wink:

I’d get it serviced at the main dealer for this service and then you should get the cheaper fixed price servicing deal from 3 years on.

A lot of the manufacturers fixed price service prices can be the same as the independents.

For such a new car it would be nice to keep a main dealer service history. I’m not convinced a main dealer history adds any more value to the resale price but I think it does make it more attractive to a buyer.

Not related to VW, but when I worked at Ford car dealers; Ford would often help out owners who were out of warranty as long as they had a main dealer history. For example they would cover the labour charge if the customer bought the part.

@ chvck & dazh

Glad I’m not the only one with funny character traits :D

I’ve used JRA[/url] for numerous builds even though I could have got the wheels built slightly cheaper elsewhere.

They’re really great to deal with and every set they’ve built for me has been faultless and required next to no maintenance.

They only upkeep I’ve ever had to do on a set of JRA built wheels was tighten two spokes after 18 months and thousands of miles use.

I have to strip and clean my push bikes after every ride.

Even if it’s been a dry run, everything gets removed, cleaned, re-greased and torqued up correctly.

I’m the same with my motorbike and although I don’t strip that down; that’s only really due to a lack of skill and tools. Even just an hours ride results in a 3 to 4 hour cleaning session.

Having said that, I find faffing around with my bikes to be very relaxing.

I believe that I also have a funny character trait when eating food which I only became aware of when colleagues noticed on a works meal out.

I always eat different food types separately and won’t put more than one food type on my fork. So with a roast dinner for example, I wouldn’t eat some carrot, then eat a potato and then some meat and then have a bit more carrot. I have to fully eat each food type before moving onto the next.

Don’t know if that’s OCD though, more just a strange behaviour.

Edit – I have thing for tools being in the correct place as well. I think that’s quite common though.

We’ve got a locker room and showers in work, so I’m really fortunate.

I cycle around 7 miles each way, so not very far really.

On my first day I carry my uniform trousers and shirt along with undies, socks, towel and shower gel.

I then just carry undies, socks and a fresh shirt for the other 5 days.

It can be a bit tricky getting out of bed at 5.30am for an early, especially when its chucking it down. It’s fine once you get out though and getting all your gear ready the day before makes a huge difference.

My favourite bits of kit are my overshoes and my Woolie Boolie socks.[/url]

One word………………

Mudguards :D

This is the first year that I’ve not had to remove any ticks from my dogs. They usually pick up loads, but they’ve managed to avoid being bit.