Update:

Bought some rechargeable inersoles and wore them in my NW Arctic with some thermal socks and my feet were warm all ride with them set to medium.

Going to buy some rechargeable gloves now

I would say that’s plenty demanding and exciting enough for a 6 and 9 year old.

Alternative – Lady Cannings then down the Porter Brook to Forge Dam cafe, or a bit further to Endcliffe.

I use Northwave Arctic boots which are plenty big enough for a pair of thermal socks under a pair of seelskinz or woolie boolies – but I still get cold feet – even now before it gets properly cold.

I have just ordered some rechargeable heated insoles but they get mixed reviews.

I broke mine 40 years ago and wasn’t offered surgery.
The most painful thing I have endured and still aches sometimes now.

If I break again, I would have surgery if given the option.

Good luck whichever way you go

I thought the reason most of chose this ‘sport’ was for the fitness and excitement in equal measures.

Try and get in at the Brocco. You could cycle from this superb boutique hotel (off road within 20 metres) up past Forge Dam, over Houndkirk and back down through Lady Cannings

steveh – No I am not referring to the ‘manmade’ tracks – which are great, I am talking about the many trails through the woods which were really muddy on Tuesday. We will not be back for a few weeks

I go there fairly regularly mainly in Summer and follow my biking mates around, so I’m never really sure if I’m in Wharncliffe or Grenoside woods or where the cut off is between them!!

Grenoside woods are very boggy at the moment though of course there are numerous tracks that are rideable. I wouldn’t recommend Grenoside woods to someone that doesn’t know them or have a buddy to ride with.

Where are you staying?

This afternoon I purchased and fitted Ardent rear and Minnion front and have just got back from a long ride. Very dry and varied terrain and am happy with the choice – thanks.

Dolby on Saturday and its forecast showers so looking forward to how the setup performs.

Thanks
Think I will try Ardent rear and Minnion front then.
What is the advantage/diasadvantage of 3c?

Thanks for those suggestions.

I have the Adidas Evil eye. They are ok with the dark lens for Summer riding but in winter with the light polarized glass and the prescription insert, they make you look like a pervy Benny Hill. They also steam up so I am looking for another make.

Did you find a group?

Thanks everybody (apart from Bigjim – what a ridiculous comment – I don’t want to do my own bike mechanics and am happy to pay my lbs and donate large sums to charity already)

Mike

I have only ever been on a HT once, 7 years ago when I took up MTB (for a 3 hour ride) and hated it so I think I will stick to full sus

Mike

Not at all.

Even if the lbs could book the bike in foe repair straight away (which there is no chance at this time of year) and they had or could get the parts the following day (which is not always the case), It would probably mean missing at least two rides if I didn’t have a spare bike.

Brilliant I don’t need a spare bike because it will always go to plan:-

Tues eve ride – bike breaks
Wed to bike shop (if a slot available)
Parts arrive by Thurs (if in stock and they are delivered the following day)
lbs do the repair during Thursday
Collect bike for Thursday evening bike ride

I don’t think so!!!

Thanks for the replies and suggestions.

I don’t read any biking press and had never heard about the Turner Cza(which I guess is why I have posted on here)- it gets great reviews

The new bike is to go alongside.

Daft as it sounds it doesn’t need to be any different – as long as it is at least as good because I love the Tallboy and may even just buy a second one!!! – (I don’t do any bike maintenance and don’t want to (apart from hosing and oiling)so need a second bike for when the present one is in the lbs)

I spent loads on my previous bike and never liked it – hence the apprehension to change bikes for something too different

In the peaks, General cross country and mountain bike riding. No racing, no large jumps or drops but big ups and downs.

I want something similar to the Tallboy, as to me it seems a good ‘allrounder’

Brilliant – thank you everybody.
Torchy – thank you very interesting.

Just to add, this is to replace my helmet mounted Lupine Tesla and supplement my handlebar Moon light.

The tesla is about 5 years old and wont charge anymore (though I’m pretty sure the bulb is OK)

Blimey – nobody???
I thought at this time of year it would be a hot topic!

Would you expect to walk into any store that sold sony televisions and warranty one you had bought from amazon?

I see your point. But the internet is rather a different matter and in your example you know you are purchasing from Amazon (they are not inferring they are Sony)

And even with a car, if it was delivered damaged or faulty I would expect you to have to deal with the supplying dealer.

If you noticed a fault upon collection of a new car I would think that would be the normal route but I have purchased many cars from dealers at the other side of the country and never had an issue with local dealers carrying out the warranty.

I don’t think the OP is unreasonable to expect any Specialized dealer to honour the warranty.

I also don’t see it being any different from a car – you can take that back to any of the franchised dealers and they will take up the warranty issue with the manufacturer on your behalf (and get full recompense for their time.

It should be illegal for Specialized (or indeed any other company)to allow an independent retailer to use their name and branding to suggest to the public that you are indeed buying from Specialized itself.

I found it very moving – it has certainly made me pause for thought.

Lucky with the weather. There must have been several thousand people at the dam alone – possibly many more.

Parking will be horrendous anywhere in the area and tickets will be a plenty!
I am going to park at Redmires dam and go past Stanage Poll then will watch it from Whinstone Lee Tor – which should hopefully give a great view.

‘fatnslow’ has an interesting posting history, joined at a similar time to ‘chrisfixed’ too…(probably just a coincidence)

I’m not sure what point you are making. Not everybody visits a forum on a daily basis – even after making an initial post.
He may not be interested in debating it, but just wanted to make us aware ???

Thanks for all the comments.
I was about to purchase the standard tallboy but raised the question about LT v standard because a SC salesman reckoned that with my description of my usage the LT would be better suited to my riding (I do not need the extra travel, but he said the LT was the better all rounder of the two).
From the comments on here, it would seem the standard Tallboy would be better for me.
Higgo – I very nearly bought a T129S and know where there are two large ones – you could reserve one till April.
Fathomer – I hope to purchase one in the next few days but will bear that in mind.
Anybody else with any input – please feel free!

I thought there would be loads of Tallboy riders on here!

So, andyxxx, what put you off ?

Nothing put me off – if the large bike had been in stock when I went in store or it had come the day it was supposed to (3 weeks ago ) I would probably have bought it.

All along my first choice was the tallboy – but I didn’t want to spend that much! – I still don’t – but will!

I have decided not to purchase this bike despite all the top reviews. Apparently there are very few left in the country, but if anybody wants a large ebc have one.

Thanks for input everybody.

Badger – all too far away from me I’m afraid.

I have a large coming tomw and though I havn’t paid for it yet, can see myself buying it after only a few moments of sitting on it in the shop and car park – with fingers crossed I like it after getting used to it.

I have a large 129s coming on Friday to my lbs. Not paid yet and impossible to get a test ride, so touch and go wether to buy it or not.

I’m 6ft – sat on Medium and it seemed too small.

I cant tell if i like a bike riding around their car park – it takes a few rides for me.

Still, with the apparent shortage, should be able to sell it on easy enough (without too big a loss) in a few months if i dont like it!

I still don’t get why people don’t do the work themselves

I am sure I could learn to do it myself.
I don’t want to learn because:

I would rather spend the time doing other things.
I can earn more money working if I choose than I pay out.
I have no patience to do it
I don’t like oil down my nails and my knuckles skinned.
I am happy paying and have ample funds to do so. But having said that – only happy if the job is done correctly.

hibb – sarcastic not very useful post.

mangoletse – you are bang on with your cryptic guess – I have some pretty good horror stories regarding their service dept – truly shocking.

I have also tried a number of others with only a fair/middling service.

Many of the places you reccomend are a bit far away for me.
I tried Bike tree when it first opened (they are v friendly) but the service was slow as they struggled to get parts (Trek) as has been the case from a number of shops. I spoke in length to Trek on Thursday and they will only release parts to authorized dealers.

Anyway – took my bike to Bike rehab yesterday and by the end of day had a comprehensive breakdown of the problems and parts needed to fix the bike. If the bike does infact work, I will have found the person I am looking for.

Hi Thx all

I have just taken it in to Bike rehab

The worst thing on the bike being the fox forks. The paint is flakink off and the alloy beneath is oxidising. I may have to send them somewhere else?

First need to find someone to strip the bike – will start a new thread.

Yes, that looks good.
One other thing I forgot to mention – it is a carbon frame, which I assume/hope makes no difference

I dont think the op was intending to get a smooth spray finish with the pens!!

Perhaps more like a ‘Graffiti look’ or random doodles I would imagine.

I am hopeless and certainly can’t strip it so would have to find a good local mechanic which seems easier said than done in Sheffield!!! – Any suggestions anybody?

Argos cycles is the kind of place I had in mind thanks.

Any more suggestions from anybody would be appreciated

Anywhere near the uni? When I was there they had clauses where if you didn’t pay your rent (even for private landlords) then they could withold your degree.

Sorry but that is not true and never has been.

Sounds like you don’t have any options other than renting it via an Agent (unless u have any more mates wanting to rent)

I have heard loads of horror stories about most of the big agents.

However large houses on the West side of Sheffield rent fairly easily. If you like your paintings – move them.