Wet n snoggy North Downs…. Should be great 8)

I use an original Apple TV for iTunes content and streaming from my Mac, then Western Digital WDTV for everything else. Does BBC iPlayer, Netflix etc and plays almost every file out there – so streams all my ripped movies directly from my NAS. WDTV is about £80 and has a pretty nice UI.

I think that’s the point Teamslug, if you got a dropper you might ride faster and scare yourself witless for many more years to come 😉

Seriously though, I’m curious about what type of bikes those ‘for’ and those ‘against’ ride and the type of trails you would ride if you had the choice. I appreciate some of you have more than one bike so it’s not straight forward, we’re all (mostly) tied by time to the trails on our doorstep but ‘what if’?

I would always choose to ride fast, steep, technical and just plain fun trials given the opportunity. As such I have a Five and a dropper so I can throw it about a bit, turn round and ride back up without stopping to faff with the post. I don’t for a minute think that being able to ride those trails with the seat ‘up’ would make me a better rider or, most importantly, the ride more fun. So I’m firmly in the ‘droppers make riding more fun’ camp 😀

Nicely said Tazzy… Although I’m never wrong of course, that would be everyone else 😉

That’s really very nice, a mate has an alloy one and it’s just lovely. How does it ride compared to the 575?

Ooowww… Lets play samantics.

I see nothing wrong with using the term ‘aggressive’ as an adjective to riding (noun). It defines how someone may like to ride on any given day in relation to how they normally do. I like the follow dictionary reference;

“vigorously energetic, especially in the use of initiative and forcefulness”

Today I rode a tad aggressively and ended up with a hole in my leg… I think it works 😉

I’ve only read a few posts on this thread so appologies if I’m repeating others, but I just don’t get the argument that if you drop your post you’re somehow lacking in skill or technical ability; specifically the comments that glasgowdan copied in his post above.

Firstly it’s a matter of preference. But secondly when you compare XC and DH you have two completely different disciplines requiring different bike setups. You can’t possibly argue that a pro DH rider could do what they do with a tall post if they were just a little better. Nonsense.

A dropper post allows those with the inclination to mix up different trails without stopping. It’s a matter of preference as noted above but I’d not leave home without one. I’ve just returned from a ride with a nice big hole in my knee where I got a jump wrong on a fairly technical decent, wouldn’t call it a full on DH but it’s as close as we get where I live. The damage proves that I’m still a long way from having the ability I’d like to have but I’d like to see someone ride that with a tall post with anything close to agression or speed – would doff my cap so to speak. I’d never do it 😳

Good post GD.

I considered that but no support for some of the Apps I need, not sure if they have alternatives by but might check a little deeper. Thanks.

Thanks Phil. Purchased.

Thanks guys. Are purchases transferable between devices with Viewranger? i.e. if I purchase a map on the iPad, can I add to my iPhone without having to purchase again?

Can’t comment on mtbbatteries lights, but my Gloworm X2 (helmet mounted) is all the light I need. After two rides I’m happy I don’t need anything else.

I had a good three hour ride around Swinley on Wednesday with my new Gloworm X2. Really interesting. We set out at dusk (7pm) and rode into darkness so I started on the low setting. After a while we rode through a section of tight, dark woods along twisting singletrack and I was thinking wow this light’s great, didn’t realise until we were spat out back on to the fire track that I was still on low!

The switch made it really easy to use the light effectively. I spent most of the time on high just switching to low when climbing. Big, wide spread of even light. On the last section back to the car two of our team lost there lights with dead batteries, to be fair they were running older lights but when I lifted the battery I still had 80%.

😀

Went in 2007 with seven mates for a Stag. Epic. Started on Friday, then after an early start Saturday morning (to make sure we got a table) a group of us went in search of a TV to watch England beat Australia in the Rugby world cup. Then back for steins and pork belly.

Group of 20 will be a challenge but you’ll still have an unbelievably good time. Go for it.

Oh, we camped as well. Mixed feelings from the group but as I just passed out every night it was easy 😉

Great. Thanks guys.

Jamie, do you not need someone to press buttons to ‘allow’ the link?

Wasn’t it just. Four of us went for a three ride around Swinley, first time night riding there for me and it was ace. Took in pretty much all the sights.. Bloody marvellous.

Grahamt, here you go…

Link to Gloworm X2 on Neninja’s website

Pypdjl, I used the Velco tie and it was a firm fit. Probably depends on the shape and style of your helmet though, I removed the light from the bracket so I could apply force from both sides and get the fit nice and tight. Will probably move to cable ties now I’m happy that a helmet mount is ideal.

Neninja, really impressed and thanks for such prompt delivery. One comment though. It might be a batch issue but two of the little square [Velcro] bits to allow the switch to stick to my helmet both failed. The sticky backing came free. No big issue as I’ve super glued one of them back on but thought you might want to know.

One (tiny weeny) blemish on what is an excellent product.

Cool, I’m sure you’ll be impressed. I’m off to Swinley tonight for my first night ride in the forest, the idea of riding Labyrinth in the dark gives me goose bumps. Can’t wait, riding with a couple of STW’ers, perfect weather and perfect trails…

😀

Hopster, this video of the Gloworm X2 dunked in water was quite persuasive…

Cheers rOcKeTdOg and thanks Variflex, very kind. Must start up those post ride reviews again…

I’ll get my camera out and take some shots as soon as I can, probably not much point trying to do it with a blackberry on the trail!

Gloworm X2 first thoughts here

Plus one for Afan lodge. Good bar, lounge, nice rooms, bike storage and cleaning and a surprisingly good restaurant. As RJ notes somewhat more than a BandB but I’d go back in a flash. Highly recommended.

DD, sorry mate I’m about as far south from you as it gets. Just always been interested in that type of vehicle and was curious what sort of economy it returned. I do fairly high mileage. Cheers anyway.

OP. Plus one for Subaru Foresters they’re great, I paid £4k for an S Turbo (90k) several years back which was a hoot but MPG was pretty awful as you’d expect. The non turbo versions will be better. My folks lived in the Alps for 14 years and pretty much everyone had Subaru’s with winter tyres – never ever got stuck but most had minor alterations to the body work 😉

Dirtdiggler, out of interest what sort of MPG does that return?

Just for the hell of it…

– stands ready to be ridiculed by 4×4 enthusiasts –

I have a Toyota RAV4 from 2006, 56 plate. Basically a two wheel drive car but you can run in 4WD at low speeds, it’s got me through foot deep snow around the Surrey hills without insident. If I lived in Scotland I’d probably have a set of wheels prepped with snow tyres for the winter.

I commute over 60 miles daily, it returns 40mpg+ and has been brilliantly reliable. Bought with 20k mileage and now just over 110k. You can pick up the same car for around £6-7k with 50k miles now.

Added bonus is my bike fits inside without removing wheels, seat post etc… 😀

I’ve been using these for years, perfect every time and no faffing about. You can fit two in a decent sized saucepan.

Mine came from France but you can buy here

Great, all in time for Thursday night 😀

Jonba, useful question, thanks. Spurred me to get on and make a long overdue light upgrade… At least this season of darkness I might be able to see where I’m going. I’ve been getting a bit bothered that my light can’t break the shadow created when ‘well lit’ mates ride behind me 😳

Neninja, took the plunge with one of your Gloworm X2s. I had been looking at the Intron but hey ho, looking forward to receiving and testing shortly. Will add comments to this thread when I can.

Great choice, I looked at the Core as well but decided on a Casio ABC instead – the PRW-2000. Brilliant as an everyday watch, riding, outdoors work… the lot. Not as pretty as the Core but slimmer and sat better on my wrist, and I have quite wide wrists. No battery issues and a heap of useful features.

Would not wish to change your mind but as noted above there are options and I can recommend this one.

Have you considered the Transition Covert? Especially the new carbon version about to arrive. I bought a Five having tested both, why? because the Five made a better all round package for climbing and XC. But I absolutely loved the Covert it descends beautifully. Definately the next stop along the Enduro route from your Five.

Very pretty as well…

Covert carbon

OP, I rode the Mega with a couple of mates two weeks ago and I think the answer to your question lies in your ability and confidence. I went up with 140mm front/rear and it wasn’t enough for me, just not good (confident) enough to attack some of the technical sections. Having not rode in the mountains for a few years I was a bit out of practice and would have been much more confident with 160mm and slacker geometry. The fact that one of us was air lifted off the hill with a shattered collet bone didn’t do anything for my mojo at all 😯

Still, great fun. Huge respect to anyone mad enough to race the course.

Third best moment the GB footballists going down to that well known footballing nation South Korea and no one in Britain giving a sh!t.

😀 😀 😀

The greatest moment for me was Mo Farrah in the 10k. Topped an unbelievable night of tense excitement with a huge race – brilliant edge of your seat, scream at the telly stuff… 😀

Bradley was (is) great and if he doesn’t get SPOTY the program should be scrapped!

But for GB – the ‘greatest’ must be Chris Hoy. Six gold sets the standard all other GB athletes must strive for, by that measurement alone he’s the only choice.

THE greatest is of course Michael Phelps.

OK I stand corrected by mboy, should have noted that I would like tubeless as well. CGG are the RQ and XK available tubeless? They sound good. The Purgatory was a 2.2. I ride in the west Surrey hills mostly and the surface varies between sandy and, well, mud these days. The Maxxis HR give stunning grip out here in the Alpes but feel very draggy hense my request for fast rolling, I don’t like the feel of them at all for XC or singletrack.

Bloody hell mboy your a tough one aren’t you…! All I want are some tyre recommendations for a trail bike that’ll be used in the UK and I’ve listed the three tyres I’m familiar with. Can’t believe you took the time to type that response and not add any constructive comment.

Thanks seavers.

Fair enough.

Couger, obviously GPS doesn’t need data but the phone does. You make a good point about maps and I would be interested to know just how much data a smart app needs. Last time I was abroad I got hit hard with charges mostly due to email, so I now turn data roaming off when abroad now and just use WiFi where I can. Don’t think a navigation App will work without data on so you would have to stay connected – 58.05p ex VAT per MB on my plan.

Could be wrong though and might be fine.

That’s a very good starter pack for any budding photographer. I had a D40 for a while and loved it, I can only assume the D3100 is better still. Of course it’s mostly about lens’ and those are basic, but they will do very nicely. You have to spend the same again to get a significantly better lens. The lack of VR will be a problem for handheld shots at slowish shutter speeds and extreme zoom, but a tripod will solve that.

For the record I have a D90 and just love Nikons. As you note the help assisted menu is brilliant, my D40 basically tought me the basics of photography. Took me a while to teach myself about exposure and how to control it with my camera, the best help I got was Bryan Peterson’s book ‘Understanding Exposure’. Third edition now and a brilliant book for anyone wanting to learn. My advice is to get it as well.

Edit;

Camera is perfectly fine for A Levels
Zoom is zoomy enough unless you want to shoot ‘nature’ in the wild