I have a sirius and have been riding it as my only trail bike since mid 2006. It's a great handling frame and well finished and tough. The head tube is a little long on the 16 inch frame for us shorties, though. I found them very good with communication etc back then.

Mine's built for peaks riding with Recon 351 U-turn forks, Hope hoops 5.1, with fat tyres, LX groupset etc. I find it handles really well at about all fork lengths with the REcons, although for most riding it's best at about 110mm unless it's particular steep up or down.

Wheelbase still have some prophet 2s if you're not wanting a medium. I've just bought one and they'll give you 10% of the bike's value in bits as well if you're not going down the finance route.

I enjoyed the one I tested. It is the only bike that I've had to rest descending the roman road in Hope on, though. The combination of stiff oversize bars and rigid and very solid forks makes the front end brutal. I'd put some 25.4mm eastons on there and a nice fat front tyre. Other than that, it's a great bike.

Boardman FS bikes come in at about as light as can be done for the price point. However, I'd go with Drillski's recommendation, or similarly with a basic Scott Spark or Commencal super 4.

I had a major creak that I isolated to a bit of movement in the cassette after it had settled into the grooves it had cut in the freehub body. Once I finally managed to get the cassette off, I tightened the whole thing back up and the creak has gone. Back to an XT cassette, I think.

Cheers fellas

Cheers guys – will check all those out.

In the shop they’re not bad (I’ve actually had quite positive dealings with them recently), but their mail order has a very poor reputation.

See you folks there. I’ll be choosing my only bike – Pipedream Sirius. Should be about right – it’s not as if I’m quick anyway.

It’ll be great – was there on Sunday and there wasn’t anything even vaguely damp up there. Even with the rain it’ll still be dry tonight. I enjoy it more every time I ride it.

Unlikely with a 140mm bolt through air fork (which is what the frame is crying out for) – that’ll take up half your budget before you start.

Assuming you’re talking about a full build:

Charge duster, an On-One 456 build, Orange P7 s etc.

If you’re happy to build your own, you could build the following frames up into good bikes for around a grand:

Pipedream Sirius, Dialled PA, On-one (any of their steel frames), Ragley Blue Pig (when it’s out), Sanderson etc.

I’ve just sent them an email about my chain / cassette order. The PC971 chain didn’t come with a power link, which starts to make it look quite poor value when the indiviual chain listing specifies that it does come with one and buying it with the cassette only saves you a pound.

That came off years ago on my LX – it hasn’t affected the performance at all. It’s not on the bearing surface, and the bearings still grip the axle fine. Are you sure the knocking’s not just the bearings? Unfortunately, this seems to be more of an issue with HTII.

Quick question – what bearings for pro II front hub? I can’t find the info anywhere, despite changing them before.

anyone?

We find out some time this week – 70 out of 140 are going and I’ve only been there (after my last place went bust) about 5 months, so it doesn’t look good. In Sheffield too. Got a couple of job leads, but not overly confident. I need to finish the attic anyway!

This is a new (1 year old) installation and was definitely wired as a ring. I’m happy to check socket terminals, but beyond that I’d be lost as to how to diagnose the problem. As I said, I’m happy to get an electrician in, just wanted to know a bit more about it before I did.

A friend uses hers for racing and general peak district trail riding – it doesn’t seem to hold her up at all. Bloody light too.

Gary, Thanks – I’ll have a look.

That’s the first obvious thing to check, but am I right in thinking that the rest of the ring should work even if that particular socket has a fault with the wiring?

oops double post – sorry

That’s the first obvious thing to check, but am I right in thinking that the rest of the ring should work even if that particular socket has a fault with the wiring?

Forensics are good. I have ripped the cuff pull tab on one, but they’re still otherwise in great nick and it doesn’t affect the performance.

Yeah, I had some advice from an ear, nose & throat Doc – don’t stick anything smaller than your elbow in your ear!

Always used to like Muhib (I think), but that was years ago.

18bikes if you want a good job doing at a good price. Bit of a drive, but the only place I’ll use for anything I don’t want to do myself.

Simon – as long as it fits me for when you get rid of it, I’m sure it doesn’t matter. I’ve always liked a look of the alpine personally and Mike sounds like he’s got your size available!

I thought becoming a parent would curb your bike buying!

TJ, I’m sure there are more of us than you think.

Hi, My name’s Paul and I’m an Architect. There, I’ve said it.

I was brought up in Amersham, and although High Wycombe is alright, I think the area around Amersham is considerably nicer (probably more expensive too). It’s also cheaper into London and is on both the Tube and the overland lines.

I think Black Combe is a great fun ride. We tend to do it as a there and back, so no navigation issues, and you’re getting a good look at the descent as you climb. Great fun and super quick.

I like them a lot. Have had one on the front for ages. Had one on the back, but tyhe 2.35 gave me front mech clearance issues – otherwise, it was fine.

Every pair of endura shorts I’ve had over the last 5 years have had seems come undone. They’re good at fixing them, and they’re great shorts (especially the singletrack), but I may look elsewhere next time.

The XC “run” looks in great condition. I was wondering how that was standing up. Looks like Wednesday’s night ride is sorted! Really good helmet cam footage BTW.

About 110 miles of very hot potholed road in Sudan.

A Camel in Egypt – you could smell it for about a mile on the approach!

I have a pair of the terroc for trail walking / backpacking. I actually have problems with the heals and the rub horribly if I’m not careful, but if they fit they’re a great shoe for general outdoors messing around.

In sheffield a large percentage of houses are leasehold – so it’s pretty normal and doesn’t affect sales. That maybe a fairly local condition, though.

I did have issues with the ceramic ones, but took a chance on the sintered. Just replaced the rear one i put in in July and the front is still going strong. And that’s 3-4 times a week in the peak, and often in the wet. I’ve not had any better from any other manufacturer, and the price is fantastic.

Why would you bother with either when you’ve got so much great, well drained natural stuff in the area. They’re also both quite far apart. If I had to do one, I’d choose Grizedale as a way of climbing up to parkamoor in a route including claife heights etc.

Spain with Freeride Spain in September. First organised bike holiday, and looking forward to it. A lot!