Dave, what length stem have you got fitted there? Agree about it looking like a “proper” bike.

Big place so may depend where. Local patch was a slog but rideable sat and sun. Snow still quite soft and wet. Couple of inches and limited ice. Access might be more of a problem.

[There is a chance that if I make the move to a xl 5 spot that I will regret it and if Im happy with my current bike I am already asking myself whats the point ……………….]

Keep the spesh and invest your cash in a proper biking trip. You will get far more enjoyment from a week or two of lift assisted, dusty singletrack than from a life time of polishing your boutique bike. It should be about the experience rather than the ownership shouldn’t it?

Thank you. So I assume a little bit more low speed compression could also help by preventing the over compression on these in the first place (I will read the manual tonight).

Before today’s slop fest christening ride and wearing the circa 2006 xt dual controls with pride. Thread to follow – how do i adjust a ccdb shock without messing up the ride.
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12jan13[/url] by bubswilby[/url], on Flickr

I used to live in Forest Green (at the foot of both Holmbury and Leith Hills) which is a fantastic village but perhaps a bit too tucked away for you. I think there are some new builds at around that price.

Great riding from your door, great pub, great community and very quiet.
Also lived in South Holmwood which is cheaper but less villagey and a bit to close to the A24.

I agree with nuke about Dorking over Reigate/Redhill but just stay away from developments in the southern part of the town.

Yep, early morning blast around some old favourites. Was there last Sat on the Hemlock and so I want to see how they compare (and cope with mud).

First ride on davosaurusrex’s old 2011 XL planned for this Saturday! It certainly feels different to my previous run of UK classics (Hemlock and Five). The front does seem a bit high in comparison but then it is an XL frame and my old forks still just about fit (no room left for spacers where previously had room for 4). Build not quite up with wrecker’s as I have done a lot of recyling but should come in at around 31 lb.

Not issues – just observations on things I didn’t have to think about before. Having to modify a component to make it work with a frame is new to me and just seemed a bit odd.
Internal headset means no or very limited bottom cup and therefore a shorter (effective) axle to crown length which is probably a good thing on an XL Turner. Fitting external cups lengthens this and slackens the angles whilst raising the BB height.
Have to admit that I haven’t actually experienced the seat post insertion feature yet as none of my existing posts fit – just going off the forum comments I came across whilst researching the post to use – may be old frames (210mm insertion before you hit butting apparently)? For Alpine / Scottish trips I do like the saddle to be completely out of the way.
Pics will prob not be that impressive. It is going to be a hotpotch of components and hand-me downs until I shift my other frames. Not sure the brown grips and saddle were ever a good idea.

Having been lucky enough to snap up davosaurusrex’s old XL 5 spot I have found the frame design to be quite “interesting” so far. Coming off the back of long Orange five and then Cotic Hemlock ownership I think I may have taken many things for granted.
1) 44mm head tube. 1 1/8th steerer internal headset, steeper angles. Tapered steerer, external headset slacker angles. Limited options.
2) Seat tube that only lets you partially drop your post (or buy a dropper). The bike is designed to be ridden hard and so this is not ideal. Limited options.
3) Front mech restrictions (or use a hacksaw). Limited options.

I am not yet one of the Turner faithfull but hope to be convinced. The frame looks and feels the part and so I am looking forward to hammering it around the local trails (when I finish building it).

Thanks