It makes no difference….just ride whatever you feel most comfortable and confident on…

Currently running an ultra soft (purple) MM on the front and a soft (orange) HD on the rear……my god it’s hard work…..

i have to pedal on some of the downs as it’s so slow and draggy.

My fault for being lazy and not taking them off from when i did Ard Rock.

Deposits before work starts or a certain percentage on the start day is becoming more frequent for higher value jobs….

Personally i don’t see a problem with it, but then again i am in the trade (sparky).

I do really hate comments about “tradesmen who want money upfront must be rubbish as they can’t get credit” which is what some folk, who are generally not in the trade say….

Have a meeting with the builder, discuss stage payment terms and get it in writing so you both know where you stand. It makes everything easier in the long run and you should both be confident in each other before the work starts.

Managed to get tickets for the Marathon and Sport, same events i did this year.

You are just being a grouch…

Mt7 here…^^^^pretty much what he said^^^^ apart from i didn’t find bleeding too bad.

I am far from a wine connoisseur, but i like the Barefoot Merlot. It’s my standard go-to weekday wine.

If i am feeling flush i really enjoy Apothic Red.

Just about to crack open a bottle of Yellow Tail Jammy Red Roo, which i like too.

I bet most red wine lovers will turn their nose up at my choices….

No real world experience of the 4 but i borrowed a 2017 Trance from my lbs while mine was being repaired.

Quite a statement but it was the best bike i have ever rode, the fit was perfect, pedalled well and i felt really confident downhill, i absolutely loved it.

Took it to bike park wales and took it on an mtb marathon and it was ace.

Giant are not probably not that “cool” but they really know how to make bikes.

Mate of mine was asking about a new bike and i suggested a Trance…..

i know it’s all personal preference but i really got on with it and will almost definitely get one when it’s time to change my full suss.

Great little cars those, was looking for ages for something “small, more economical than our old Volvo and it has to have cup holders” was the spec from the wife. Got it down to a pick between a 100 or a swift. I wanted the Panda, she liked the swift. We compromised, she got the swift, but it had to be the Sport….

Put some pics up tomorrow 👍

It was alright…lost water bottle on first descent so was seriously thirsty most of the way round!

No GPX, you will struggle to get lost, just follow the arrows.

I’ll be there doing the half. Really enjoyed it last year. Fitness is way down as hardly been out.

fingers crossed weather will be ok.

Had mine 12 months now. Came stock on my Whyte.

Initially had problems with the rear mech, ruined 2 in 2 consecutive rides!

Found hanger was slightly bent, from new. Been  faultless ever since, apart from the last 2 weeks where shifting is all over the place.

Messed around with cable tension and still haven’t managed to sort it out yet.

Hasn’t put me off as new bike i am looking at has GX Eagle.

I really like my MT7’s, now. Came stock on my bike a few years ago. Braking never did seem that impressive, so i bought a bleed kit, replaced the pads with SS Kevlar and fitted some Uberbike rotors and they are now brilliant.

I honestly haven’t touched them in 18 months, not even replaced the pads.

I am convinced that the ‘SL’ rotors it came with were the problem, not much braking surface due to massive cut outs to save weight and me being a lard, doesn’t help.

Looking to replace my Guide R’s on my hardtail to the MT trail sport in the near future.

That is a bit stingy Trout! Without marshall’s, these events can never happen so it’s a big thanks from me for giving up your weekend.

I did the Marathon on Saturday and the Sport yesterday. Really enjoyed both days, yesterday was quite a long one, start time was 11am so didn’t get back to arena until gone 6pm.

Already discussed with the wife on the way back home last night about going next year, will probably just do one event over the weekend.

Need to have a think about which one to go for…..

£1300 gets you a 2019 Whyte 629….saw one on the Whyte stand here at Ard Rock and i am going to pop into my lbs next week to order one…..

It’s my fault for not checking, but after finding out this week that all people who camp have to be off site by 9am Monday morning a bit ridiculous, this doesn’t actually surprise me……

Truth is, if i knew it was this regimental, i probably wouldn’t have booked it.

Surely you are allowed a camping stove? How else are we going to make a brew or heat up our little one’s milk?

I have just bought a Thule 598 carrier

Only used a few times but solid and very confident in it. Easy to use too.

It was the same price (£85) as the 591 from Halfords.

Thanks for your opinions everyone. Went with shorts and a linen floral shirt….and cons.

Apparently nobody will care so it’s a win, win!

Saw this thread and immediately thought about this…

The car i regret selling the most…..

immaculate 2001 Peugeot 306 GTI-6, (not mine in pic) spent a small fortune putting it back to standard and keeping it clean….even the Mrs loved it. Replaced it with a V50 T5 which i never really loved, i was just scratching an itch really…..

Just bought the wife this….she wanted a 1.2 but we ended up compromising on the sport. Puts a smile on my face every time i take it out. Probably not what every bloke in their early 30’s likes but it will do for her….

After having a pedal-shin meet and greet with some Warner Base Jump pedals a loooong time ago, switching to SPD has probably been my smartest move.

My shin still bears the deep scars now….

Not first hand experience, but the school i work at have a Disco as their pool car/towing pigs to shows etc….

Over the past 2 years they have spent around £6k fixing it, not including fuel and insurance costs.

Funniest one was where the old headmaster took it on a family holiday to the Isle of Wight and the handbrake stuck on (electronic) he had to stay on the ferry and go back and forth 4 times before it released.

lovely looking car and people love driving it, when it works

Whats your budget? I have a 2015 L2 (long) Connect. Been very reliable and nice to drive etc. I had an mk1 as a company van years ago, again, very reliable and I loved it. Shame it got wrote off.

Have a drive of one and see how you get on with it.

I have been running one on the rear of my Trigger for over a year.

I really like it, have found it to be very fit and forget, in a good way.

I used to run an ikon on the rear during the summer months but never changed it last year and the Tomo has been great.

I did run it on the front for Mountain Mayhem a few years back and thought it coped well.

Can struggle for traction in deep mud when climbing. But no tyre is perfect.

Love my 909….

I’m with 5lab….if the bar has snapped so close to the end, i would expect the grip to be completely knackered too.

Bit different to your problem, could be heat related though, but a few weeks ago, i went to go out on a ride and the rear brake was stuck solid.

Happened to be a day where the rear of the bike was in direct sunlight on a hot day. Lever couldn’t be pulled at all and brake was on so couldn’t ride the bike.

Next day, it works perfectly fine like before.

I like(d) my guides but they are getting a bit temperamental. Bite points changing etc.

https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/cannondale-trigger-team-large/

This one is very nice 😉

https://www.cyclorise.com/store/p143/louri-frame-strap

Have to remove strap everytime you want a drink but it’s quick and easy.

Saves trying to bodge something and just remove the strap when not needed.

PDW – Yes the tyres are Schwalbe and are very good. They are way cheaper than the Uk and cheaper than the Germans….

Thanks for the replies. I have gone and ordered them, they have said delivered by Thursday. Fingers crossed i have no issues.

I agree with Trailrider Jim (are you the same jim from the facebook owners club?). I also have a 909 and it is simply brilliant. Beat lots of PB’s at BPW on it compared to my 140mm trail bike.

Will be taking it when i am back there in a few weeks.

A hardtail is especially good if you are lazy at maintenance as there is slightly less to go wrong obviously.

Get one, it may suprise you how fun it is.

Love it! This is top of my next bike list. Keep us updated on how you get on with it

If it’s bothering you so much, look at other brands, there are plenty out there…..

Smoove

Firstly, how is the 4mm incoming cable fed? Consumer unit in the house?

What consumer unit have you bought for the garage end?

Nope, no reason at all….buy them, i doubt you will be disappointed.

I am a massive ESI fan. I use window cleaner rather than hairspray to slide them on.