Solamanda – is that one of the new carbon ones? CCDB, Dorados…must have set you back a fair bit!

So there was more than one lunatic vegetarian tearing up Europe in 1939 then!

Very good.

There’s just something really appealing about dirt jump bikes (or park bikes or whatever the correct term is for them), and that is one fine looking example. Very tidy! :-)

Just tried a few of the jackets recommended in this post and thought I’d share my findings, in case anyone was interested.

I tried:

Hagloffs Endo
Rab Stretch NeoShell
Montane Mohawk
Arc’teryx Beta FL

The Montane was really well put together, was pretty lightweight and had some great features, but the arms were just too short for me. A shame, because otherwise it was pretty much perfect.

The Hagloffs was the only one specifically designed for riding, which was evident in a fantastic fit. It was really trim in the body and more than adequately long in the arms, but felt far too flimsy. The sales guy said he wouldn’t expect it to last long, particularly with regular wear under a backpack. That said, it was the cheapest of the four. I spoke to Hagloffs and they said the Electron would be a better bet as it’s a bit sturdier, but I can’t find anywhere in London that stocks it.

The Rab was the most comfortable (possibly due to the slight stretch in the fabric) and like the Hagloffs had really long sleeves – even fully stretched out they didn’t ride up at all. It was also felt the most sturdy, and apparently the NeoShell fabric is considerably more breathable than eVent or any of the GoreTex fabrics. The only problem, apparently, is that its waterproofing is nowhere near as extensive as eVent or GoreTex. The sales guy also said that it would get worse with use, and that there was no way to re-treat it to fully restore its waterproofing. (He did say it would remain fine for all but prolonged use in a serious downpour, however.) I actually spoke to Rab’s sales team, who are all keen cyclists, to see if they’d recommend it for MTB use. They actually suggested I look elsewhere, as the NeoShell wasn’t specifically designed for riding so I’d probably be able to do better for my money – how about that for customer service!

Somewhat predictably, given its ludicrous price tag, the Arc’teryx was probably the best overall. The fit was pretty much perfect – it felt really comfortable and light – and apparently uses a new version of Gore’s Active Shell that is a good mix of waterproofing and breathability. It wasn’t quite as comfortable as the Rab, and definitely didn’t feel as sturdy, but other than that it was spot on. A bit too spendy for me, but might be worth keeping an eye out in the sales.

Hope that helps!

I entirely agree with what ask1974 has just written, except I came to the opposite conclusion. I recently decided that I wanted a bike to make the uphills easier and the downhills more exciting. That sounds like a funny idea but hear me out.

That actually makes a lot of sense, in a perverse kind of way.

..but maybe i’m just being picky a tool…

Yeah, prolly.

did you eat a few copies of MBR with a side of MBUK finished with ST for your tea last night?? what a load of tosh!

And what part of that is tosh, exactly?

I’m 6’5 and find the XL fits me perfectly. Where in the UK are you? If you’re in London you’re welcome to swing a leg over mine.

Not sure I’d describe the bike as ‘playful’, though. It’s relatively light and short travel at the back (for today’s trail bikes, at least), which does give it a sprightly feel. But I was actually surprised at just how composed it is. The suspension action is very neutral and has handled some pretty techy Alpine descents with no fuss. I run mine with a 150mm fork and find it gives a really balanced riding position.

Perhaps the thing I like most about the Bandit is how versatile it is. I’m sure there are bikes that would be more responsive on flatter terrain or more capable downhill, but it seems to perform really well in any situation I put it in. That undoubtedly involves a slight compromise in most situations (while recognising that the bike is still far more capable than my skills are able to exploit), but as an all-rounder I couldn’t be happier with it.

I’ve got a warm feeling all over me (perhaps the wine I had at teatime is helping)

Bravo, sir. Bravo.

Did you get one in the end?

I’m another sufferer of short-sleeve syndrome (the dreaded triple-S). Would love to find a decent MTB jacket that has longer sleeves yet isn’t too baggy in the body. (I’d also like to find some trousers that have a longer inseam without having to get XL or XXL, but that’s another post.)

The Norrona Fjora jackets look lovely, as does the Montane stuff. Both pretty spendy though – anyone know if they ever show up in sales anywhere?

Mine arrived today – very pleased with it. Thanks to the OP for the heads up and to Duffman for the bargainous prices. :D

Recumbent Fixie Fattrike?

He said fattrike, not fat tike.

Had mine for four months now, including a week in the Alps, and it’s holding up fine. Couldn’t be happier with it.

And the Talas v Float question what’s the difference?

Talas forks have adjustable travel, so you could lower the front to stop it wandering on really steep climbs.

I’m a Bandit owner, but would also happily ride a Covert. As already said, there’s a pretty big amount of overlap between the two bikes. If you’re not fussed on the slight extra weight, which seems to be the case, then the extra travel of the Covert surely isn’t a bad thing! :-)

Me a rent boy

Is that a question or a statement? :D

That cover pic is a stunner.

I personally don’t really like rim decals, and still think they would look better without any at all, but those actually look pretty decent. A bit like Eastons, but less garish. Good effort.

Or what about that blindside? How does that fit in? They say its 35.4lbs and pedalable.

That’s a 180mm mini-DH bike. I definitely wouldn’t want to be pedalling that for any prolonged period at all.

im trying to find a suitable alternative to the bottlerocket as my brother has just bought one and a few folk i ride with have them. im struggling though…

Why bother? If you’ve tried your brother’s and life it, just get one. You can always get a different colour if you’re worried about having the same bike.

That said…

my riding is about 50-50 between jumping/ larking about and going for a few hours around the peak, though even that tends to be focussed on the fun downhills rather than exploring.

This is a pic of Kyle, one of TBC’s owners, jumping a Bandit 29 (and humping the bar). That’s a less burly bike – with 29″ wheels – so I’m sure you’d be fine larking about on a Covert.

Why don’t you test both and see how you get on?

I still think you’d be better off with a Covert – it’s designed to be more of an all-rounder than the Bottlerocket, which is more of a specialist jump and park bike. I’m sure you could ride it all day (or for 3-4 hours at least), but you’d probably be more comfortable – and therefore enjoy the ride more – on a Covert.

Also, Transitions are really solid frames and can take a lot of abuse. I recently took my Bandit – which is basically the lighter, more XC-focused version of the Covert – to the Alps and it absolutely gobbled up rocky descents that had me hanging on for dear life! The Covert is designed with more of a gravity bias, so I imagine would be capable of handling some pretty extreme terrain.

And I know you may like the look of the Bottlerocket – and who doesn’t, it’s a great looking bike – but the Covert isn’t exactly bad looking either…

I’ve got some Gore Tool IV winter gloves that have excellent feel. They have pretty decent insulation, although my hands do feel it during longer rides if it’s reeeeally cold, but are well cut and and give good bar feel. My only real complaint is that there is a stitched seam around the thumb that digs into your hand a bit when you put pressure on the bars. Not sure if this is an inherent design flaw or just a dodgy bit of stitching with my particular pair. Otherwise they’re great and not ridiculously priced (at least they weren’t when I bought mine in 2009).

There may have been a ‘for your lame fat middleaged Surrey hills ass’ implicit in that reply but I found it refreshing. Especially as everyone else had said ‘ you need a £££ revelation/talas ‘.

Nah. A lot of bike companies seem pretty strict in what gear they’ll let you run on their frames – particularly with regards to forks (though I’m sure in some instances this is with good reason). Transition just seem pretty relaxed about things like that. They even let you strip your frame without it effecting the warranty, IIRC. Great bikes and great guys to deal with.

Cove frames are cheap, some with 63% off

There’s also a full one percent off 2012 Handjob frames, saving a massive four pounds: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=41232

But only in 17.5″. Oh, and only in ‘Team Blue’. The rest you’ll have to pay full RRP.

Most pointless sale ever? :lol:

Sounds like you’d be better off with a Covert to me?

i’m using REV 130MM, The crown to axel length is only 4mm less than a 140mm fox so the angles stay the same as it was designed for, cant afford a new fork yet.

I’m using a 150mm Rev dual position air. In the full travel setting it’s a bit slacker – just over 67 degrees – but Transition say this is fine (I think Kyle was running his with a Lyrik lowered to 150mm) and feels great to me. I can then drop the forks to 120mm for really steep climbs.

Deer grazing in the background? you’ve set a new standard for back garden new bike photos

It’s the lens on my camera – they’re actually squirrels.

ashfanman – ooh that’s pretty…

Why thank you. It was taken about two-thirds of the way up the Stralettapass, Switzerland. Was an amazing trip. Over far too quickly. :(

Ooh thats the colour mine is, it looks much better than the pix on the website. And my hunch all black on the components and finishing kit looks correct.

I’ve got a Henry Ford approach to bikes and components. The less colour, decals and overall bling, the better. And it looks to me like Burt is running a RS Rev. RLT maybe?

Here’s another pic taken just after it was built.

One of the questions is from someone who has checked his feedback history. Turns out he’s recently been buying expensive bike parts, including carbon time trial wheels and vintage NOS pedals. Oops.

there are some amazing pics on this forum everyyear. an online pop up calendar on the site would rock

Or maybe even a reader-submitted one? People could email in photos, the STW team could narrow it down to maybe 25 and then we could vote for the best 12. I’d buy that.

Only had mine for a few months, but in that time they’ve been faultless. Saw me through five days in the Alps without a single issue. Loads of power and great feel too – a noticeable step up from my old Formula OROs.

Have you ridden some? Is it for racing? If so, get the one that you were fastest on. If it’s not, just get the one you enjoyed riding most.

For that sort of money you’re going to be near the top of the shorter-travel spectrum, so you’ll find it hard to go too far wrong no matter what you choose.

EDIT: Evans have a 2011 Trek Top Fuel 9.7 for under budget if you’re tall. Link.

I had bought a pair of Royal shorts a few years ago and they were great – excellent cut, well made and really cheap. Bought a pair of Matrix shorts about a month ago, however, and have exactly the same problem as you – there are loose threads all over the place.

Really not very pleased with them – the pockets are particularly bad – but I’m also not sure I can return them now. It’s a shame, as they’re really comfy and look great too.

I love mine too. Definitely the best bike I’ve ever owned (or ridden). Rode it on a trans-Alp a few weeks ago. Didn’t miss a beat.

Just had a look at the cost of a Swift Ti railset – £122….ouch!

You can get the whole saddle for £150… 8O

Why are there no carbon stanchion forks?

I’m sure Al could bodge something together for you. :wink:

What, a camera tripod?

There’s a new Bikelab opened in Richmond, 5 mins from station which is about 1/2 – 3/4 hour from centre – fine selection of top end road/mtb/CX, good coffee, friendly place despite looking like a Park Lane car dealership from the outside
http://www.bikelab.co.uk/

That’s my local – I live just around the corner. Not huge, but a good mix of road and MTB. On the latter, there’s a pretty big selection of Cubes and they also sell some Yetis, have some Lynskey frames, etc. Even had one of those crazy (and crazily expensive) carbon frames with the hollow lattice tubes a while ago. Really nice guys too.

Moose Cycles in Colliers Wood is also pretty small, but worth a look for the more boutique end of the spectrum. Last time I was in there they had some Intense, Ibis, Santa Cruz and Bionicon.

EDIT:

Sod mooching about boring bike shops looking at bikes you’ll never be able to do justice to anyway, speshly when you consider all the art and culture and good food and drink on offer in this Great Metropolis….

+1

Better things to do in London than browse bike shops.

Bike Lab in Richmond. Can’t recommend them highly enough.

Nice floor.

I still can’t decide between Covert or Bandit.

Get a Bandit – they’re ace.

Yeah, it was a good one this week. Not sure I’d want to live there myself, but they did a fantastic job. You know it’s good when even Kevin can’t find fault with it. :wink:

Theres a few suitable frames on Ebay depending on what size he needs.

Yeah, I saw those yesterday, but unfortunately the auctions don’t end for at least another four days. Thanks for taking the time to search for them anyway – much appreciated.

A lot of the big companies do demo bikes, even if you have to pay a bit to borrow one for your trip it might be the best option?
They’re designed to be tested and ridden and handed back so don’t worry about your morals, and if your friend likes the model that he tries maybe he’ll want to buy one from the shop that he demoed from (especially if they’re nice and give a bit of discount…)

So you pay to effectively hire a bike for a prolonged test period, then get the money taken off if you buy it? Now that I hadn’t heard about – sounds like the ideal situation. Any idea how I’d find out which manufacturers/shops offer that?