2 of us doing sport enduro Sunday – can’t wait, it’s our first time. Weather doesn’t look too clever! 2 of our group have wimped out but did it after the name change cut off.
Forks and shock have been in for a service and courier has lost them so Sprung are sorting me out with some loaners – going above and beyond!

Was most likely resin in that case. Eventually removed it all – rattling the wheel about and breaking it up bit by bit! Hopefully no issue with the wheel now

interesting forum – i am about to switch components from a non boost frame to a boost and hadn’t even considered re-dishing, is it necessary?

I think this will be a pretty short term fix until I find some 27.5 boost forks and a good wheelset at a keen price – anyone had experience of the Hunt Trail wide?

Cool – thanks all, will just bite the bullet

Hi – i owned a TB3 and it was a goat at climbing. I had a 130mm fork on it and it coped with most things amazingly well. I then rode a TB4 in the states and was blown away, modernised geometry, lower link adds traction and it suddenly felt like more of a trail/enduro bike. By that I mean it was capable and more comfortable over chunky stuff but still climbed amazingly well.
If I didn’t want more bike park capability without losing too much Cotswold climbing efficiency I would have gone for the TB4 over my current hightower V2. (Still debating my decision!!)

Good advice – I’d be interested in a coil with the cascade – maybe once things open up again and trips to bpw are on again I’ll consider.

Yeh plenty of mud in Squamish – mixed with loam. It’s the clay here that’s a killer for poor tyre clearance. Roll on spring!

Tbh I saw the reviews and hype and got a bit caught up and the boredom of lockdown forced my hand! It’s an expensive upgrade but I’m glad I did.
I run 170mm cranks and went on a ride with 210psi at the weekend (I’m about 86kg with a full pack) it was much better than the previous which was about 200.
Do you run a 160mm fork? If not i wouldn’t recommend it as I think that low bb would be a total pain and the front would wander too much on climbs.

Ha brilliant! I wonder if life constantly deals him tough luck and he’s probably had COVID 3 times already too!?
Sounds like a happy soul!

Bought the LT link for my Hightower V2 recently. Makes a nice noticeable difference on the DH and can really notice small bump sensitivity is improved.
I’m running close to my previous psi minus a few points.
One major thing people speak about is pedal strike – this was bad on the Hightower V2 before but made worse with the link. I added a bit more pressure and it improved – I am also running a 160mm fork rather than the stock 150mm (I’d avoid the link if you had 150!)
Final point is tyre clearance – it is reduced to maybe 10mm at best – rubbish for clay Cotswolds where I live at the moment.
I can live with these issues for the sake of improved performance but wanted to point them out to anyone considering it and from the UK where we have proper mud!

Calendar is a highlight of this edition – have to say the articles are pretty dull and getting slightly bored of writers old kit. Other mags seem to get no end of new kit to test during this period.
Love the articles but they are getting a bit same same but different.

I had the same issue and ended up buying a new clutch from Taiwan, took a few weeks but sorted it (sort of!)
Now just trying to figure out why as soon as it gets muddy my perfectly turned gears turn to utter rubbish! Any wet conditions and the gears start to grind and sound awful, also a bit more trouble shifting.
Maybe 12 speed still needs a bit more refining?!

although i own a Hightower 2 i did it the expensive way and built up a frame. Brilliant bike but it would be let down totally by cheap/crap components. I think you’d regret the hightower

I would be so tempted by Bird or YT if you can wait. My mate also got a NS Snabb – it is awesome, more suited to bike parks but totally bombproof and good value

what tyres are you running?

I think that was the issue – took a look last night and the old clutch was almost seized! It’s 4 months old!!!
Luckily I had ordered a new one and fitting that solved things.
Shame as XT used to be built to last

Stunning bikes but agree with comments about pressfit BB – not good! Although some interesting alternatives out there now to solve that.

I have an oval ring on my hardtail and the clutch on an older XT rear mech works just fine. maybe look at chain length, it could be too short?

that is a shame, they had good pricing and service. Im sure they sourced from Germany or something but hey! at least it was a small local shop i was helping.

Just found that part on ebay – will give it a go.

Cheers all

really useful thank you

i will take it apart again today and see if i can do that. Also sent Madison a quick email to see if they can source a spare mechanism. Unfortunately the shop I bought it from, Vanilla Bikes, seems to have disappeared.

good to know im not alone! this will be a lunchtime project today for me.
Just found this video:

that sounds exactly like my lad – same height but he is a confident rider on his current Woom 2

Cheers, may just go for it

Did anyone have any issues getting the ‘top hat’ style bearing caps to fit onto their crank spindle? it is proving a real pain for me, they have been great and sent new caps but still no luck.

Standard Raceface Aeffect 24mm spindle btw

Sorry to hear that people haven’t got their Souls yet. Mine has been doing some good miles and recently did the new xc trail at cwm Carn and I was amazed! Not missing my full sus at all!

I haven’t seen any proper magazine reviews on the 275 yet. Have been to Haldon forest recently and so many people ask me about it! ive even let a few guys have a ride on it too (in exchange for car keys!)
Just a quick update – the paint isn’t the most robust! I have a nasty stone chip that has gone down to the metal already!!!
Also I need to play about with the stem length as it still feels slightly twitchy with a 60mm stem.

ride feedback – I went on a bit more of a ride on Saturday and feedback is very good. Obviously a bit rougher than my old full sus, but the forks are starting to bed in and work very well.
It holds speed so well and was great fun on singletrack. I have the reach etc dialled now, so just very happy to ride it now!

Just weighed it and she comes in at 27.7lbs with a full XT double groupset, with dropper post and a few carbon bits.
That’s with 2.4 conti trail kings as well.

I stand corrected, hadn’t realised layback also refers to clamp position.

Nice ride this morning and it fits like a dream. Climbs like a goat!

Hi Kelvin, no it’s a Joplin dropper post, so totally inline. I’m used to the size now and it’s perfect!

far too lazy for that, but please feel free to do it for me mate!

hopefully this link will work better
https://www.flickr.com/photos/125204655@N07/

Cotic Soul 275 Build[/url]

Some pics of my finished Cotic 275 build. Its a medium and im 5’9 and it seems little large, but for what I want it is perfect.
Riding it in anger this weekend – but first signs are brilliant!

mine arrived this week from 18bikes (thanks guys) slowly building up hopefully ready for the weekend. It is medium, and im 5’9” and just sitting on it feels very comfortable with a short stem. Will post pics and weight when done

Although im a local lad I have never attempted the HONC for real, so this year was a first. I was impressed with it from start to finish and a great bunch of riders all the way round.
Even more impressive was the number of guys riding past my house in Woodmancote on the way to the start (up cleeve hill before beginning the HONC!!!!) Respect.
The 100k was hard work but well worth it and has opened me up to more local riding spots.
Loved the end of Cleeve as it is my local spot and I know it oh so well. Sorry to the lady I shot past on the final decent to the road! 🙄
Now looking for the next ride like this to get my teeth into… any suggestions?