Formerly a massive Schwalbe NN/RR fan. Now trying something a bit more robust with great first impressions. Maxxis Minion Dhf 3C front, Maxxis Aggressor out back. Much heavier but surprisingly roll very well, crucially feel confident on them. Both on a 29er.

Looks unusual but maybe it works, time will tell but its not a looker is it. This chap, sponsored by them obviously, shares a few details etc on this.

Good shout

Santa Cruz Hightower around £4-5k gets you a very capable carbon all rounder. Orbea Rallon worth a mention too also in price range. Does Intense float your boat at all?

Cheers guys. Thanks Spence

Between 130.9 to 133.9 Bedfordshire. Its seemingly going up every few days

Chunky or Extra chunky grips John? I have just gone over to these in chunky flavour, no more sore hands. Nice build its very satisfying isn’t it.

I have had a pair of Adidas Terrex Trail shoes lasting well. Stealth rubber sole etc touch stiffer than freeriders though. Usually around £75-85 if you nose around

How quickly does it upload or sync activities with your phone etc?

My go to glasses too, cheap, fit well and hard-wearing. I buy off ebay usually. Got clear and dark tinted.

Witter ZX503 really good rack I have the 502 2 bike version. Folds up on the car too for driving around when not in use a handy feature if you can’t be bothered taking off the rack.

https://www.chestertowbarsshop.co.uk/Mobile/MBSCProduct.asp?PdtID=21287803

I just popped on a SDG Bel Air 2.0, seems decent so far after 3 rides not too padded and nice shape.

Orbea Oiz  fantastic xc/endurance bike. Really efficient pedalling bike and super sharp steering. Has routing for a dropper too if needed which I thought was a nice design touch.

I have a 2018 model Oiz, bought it to replace a hardtail.Hardly ridden it though and am considering parting with it and reducing down to just 1 bike.

What’s the gap between bikes like? Or dimensions if possible. I like the look of how the arms attach to bikes frame looks more likely to have a point of contact.

Well done!!! All good. Did it get recovered from an area beginning with F.. By any chance

Morning bump….

Late 40’s

Drive an Alfa 159 Sportwagon

Rides a Santa Cruz

Hardly riding currently

Spends too much time on the net

No attributable skill

God I am boring…… Which also fits here :-)

Ah so I’m not quite a failure of a man. R clips look a good bet.

Ah I forgot its in Euros, I should actually look properly . Obviously it competes on price against a Santa Cruz that’s at the upper end but a lot more companies are a fair bit more competitive than SC. Agree with your point on spec being the major draw.

2.1k frame set from a direct sales company, not far off normal actual hands on dealers.

Very very nice. A little bit green here. Enjoy!!!

Errrrrrrr aren’t we supposed to be commenting on your interior / exterior of a pic of said bike?

Weirdest … I just got to the top of a climb and literally nearly rode into a woman squatting and having a slash. All I could muster was a “maaarning” and a little chuckle.

Most memorable …. Found a suicide victim hanging from a tree a couple of  years ago now.  Better ways to start the day if honest.

Not a bike. Thanks though

Thanks guys I suspected as much

Better Boost Hub Conversion Kits

Utter twunts!!! I’ll keep an eye out locally not far from you. My Mrs is forever leaving her bag in the hallway much to my annoyance this thread is proof that she can’t ignore.

Hope you get sorted soon fella

I try here first had some really good no fuss sales and purchases,  ebay is a nightmare nowadays. The only thing is on all platforms is sellers always over value the kit being sold, yes it cost £600 rrp but you paid probably £450 in a sale its 6 months etc old and you want offers over £375. Be realistic unless of course it demands a premium price as the market dictates. The most annoying for me is ebay Best Offer option why do sellers use it and refuse all offers unless its £10 away from the buy it now, just price eBay it at what you want in the first place.

2 bikes,  both full suss 1 for general XC and a longer travel for fun days or weekends.

29 Orbea Oiz

29 Santa Cruz Hightower

Perfect combo for my limited needs.

I have a set of Pure Components C33 rims on Hope Pro4 (I believe the rims are manufactured at same place as Nobl rims and that being Light Bicycle apparently).  They 29 flavour and so far been really good, but I have never had carbon before so can’t compare really. Have a look on Pure Components site they are UK based and you can create your own wheelset etc

The Yakima Forklift carrier look good too from that link above.

Carbon Orbea Occam AM in the Orbea sale outlet at under £2500. See here

https://www.orbea.com/gb-en/bicycles/outlet/occam-am-m30

Whyte S150 S gets good reviews. It’s a little bit more at £2850 but I am sure you could find somewhere with an offer on it?

Brilliant :-)

The marked XC loop disappeared after neglect and development of the bikepark, compounded further by large scale forestry work a few years ago or so. There’s loads to ride in there though all tracks criss cross each other just follow your nose. Some bits have been fettled by trail pixies but not much.

I can ping you a strava loop or so but it’s really not needed, it’s no more than a couple of miles worth. It’ll pass a good hour and a bit with your lad though.You shouldn’t get lost just walk straight in any direction takes you to the edge, it’s not a big area and is well used by local folk.

Here innit

Both look good sat in they’re racks since 25 Nov embarrassingly……I’ve no bike enthusiasm and appear to be a fair weather rider now, a crying shame really to see them sat there. :-(

HT owner here, I am 95kg and didn’t get on with the monarch either. I replaced it with a Fox DPS EVOL shock in a very slightly firmer tune, feels much better. I had it set at 150mm but changed it to 140mm front easy to do on Pikes.

Russyh, maybe change your forks to 150mm if they aren’t already it’s cheap and easy it may slacken it off a touch for you.

I had a 156 (Red) twinspark bought it cheap fsh due to the stigma of Alfas from the 80’s still scaring folk. Loved it….then bought a French euro box diesel which I had for over 6 years, reliable but boring after the 156.

I am back in the Alfa ownership group again after buying an Alfa 159 Ti Sportwagon 2.4 jtdm nearly 2 years ago , yes its diesel but its still a good looker, sits aggressively on the road and has plenty of poke if needed or cruises like a GT along motorways. I have had bits n pieces done on it by an Alfa Specialist at reasonable costs if honest including a few modifications like Powerflex bushes in lower arms which sorts some of the wear issues and sharpens up the steering. I like it its a V5 engine and sounds great under acceleration for a diesel with bags of torque (had a mild remap done too helped the power band).

I say go for it, lifes too short for being sensible ;-)

Apologies I didn’t read your first post properly, you already found the aftermarket versions.

The thule ones I had were just heavy cast items quite crudely finished certainly not finely machined, the sellers item appears well machined. It’s just a stepped tube essentially after all. I’d buy one if I had roof racks again.