As already stated many times above the mk4 2.0 ‘GTi’ was a very old engine and worth avoiding if you want something ‘rocket powered’. It was actually marketed as an ‘SE’ model in other countries, the GTi badge was just put on it to help shift it in the UK.

What’s the catch? http://www.cyclesurgery.com/orbea-avant-m30se-2015-special-edition/orbea-road-bikes/bikes-components-bikewear/fcp-product/62079#deliveryinfo

Funny how the mind works sometimes. I’ve spent the last hour trying not to press buy on a Planet X Pro Carbon Tiagra for £699. It seems too good to be true at that price, and at around 1/2 my budget!

I know there’s no such thing as a truly British bike, but I like to think I support UK companies when I can. At the end of the day though I just have to make sure I buy a bike that makes me want to ride it.

And I’ve just spoken to the finance department, turns out that we aren’t doing Cyclescheme again until August so I have to rethink everything as I can’t wait that long.

That Whyte looks lovely. In the garage right now are bikes by Cotic, On One and Whyte, obviously previously owning a Genesis I think it’s obvious that i like to keep it as British as possible.

All the above comments have helped, I just need to keep mulling it over and arrange a few test rides to get a clearer idea about what I actually want.

Currently though, the Genesis Volare 10, Whyte Suffolk…and a Defy 1 are on my list. I’d be tempted by a Planet X orCanyon Endurance if I was more confident on my needs though.

@Hooli, thanks. It appears that I am looking for a Sportive or Endurance bike. The research continues

@monkeyfudger, I really appreciate the advice, after all it’s mainly the weight that put me off the CdF. And I’m not really sure what I want either! This all started with a browse online and seeing a Sora equipped road bike for about £500. Sort of N+1 but I do really want, I mean need, a road bike. Honestly.

Up to £2500, but I have to be realistic with the monthly repayments over 12 months hence my current £1200ish budget

It’s going to be on Cyclescheme so not really sure frame and build is an option

I have no intention of using it off road, and my only real fault with the CdF was the weight, about 11.5kg. An equilibrium comes in just over 10kg. In comparison an alloy Defy would be just under 9kg.

Cheers, I’ll check that thread out. I do like the Eqiulibrium, but the 725 Reynolds comes with Campag which I know nothing about. t’s not just LBS loyalty, I really like the brand.

Yes they stock Whyte but aren’t they a bit too CX commute type bike rather than relaxed roadie?

Good luck to anyone who understands that post!

Nothing in Taunton unless you’re XXL, a couple Gore waterproof jackets marked at £50 and a couple SS jerseys at £25

Bought one of the last orange Souls about 12 months ago, upgraded to new 26″ wheels about a month ago. I love it and see no reason why I need to change any time soon.

I’m up there tomorrow, was there any dust today?

Are their carbon riser bars any good?

I take it you don’t want to travel as far as Haldon or Dartmoor? I don’t really know of any riding around Torbay itself

I think I’m just going to keep a look out for all these cheap 26″ bargains that everyone is talking about….

I’ll start with some Hope on Stans Arch with a standard QR front and then convert them when I find some Revs or Talas. I’m liking the idea of 140-110 travel adjust as I loved it at 140 on my Floats for the downs, I just felt the front was too much hard work on the climbs so adjusted them to 130mm as a compromise. I’ve never had adjustable forks before but I’m assuming they’re good for a climb and descend set up?

Stiffness and security?

Sector Gold RL for £280 http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/rockshox-sektor-gold-rl-solo-air-forks-15mm-2015/rp-prod109679

Or Rev RCT3 for £435 http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/rockshox-revelation-rct3-solo-air-forks-15mm-2015/rp-prod109674

Are the Revs really twice as good?

Hey Luke, yeah I’ve had a Soul for about a year now and really enjoy it. I just think that i’ll benefit from some bolt through forks and better wheels, but i could just be itching to spend some money.

Thanks to fatherhood and being a student paramedic I don’t get much free time anymore, and I don’t ride Haldon anywhere near as much as i’d like. Living in Wellington also doesn’t help. But it does mean that i ride the Quantocks at quiet times during the week

Have you tried asking Orange?

My Cotic and On One are both threaded BB

Sorry mate, I forgot about the thread.

How much say you get depends on how flexible you are prepared to be. Lots of people are willing to relocate for a job offer, you just have to see how lucky you get. I ticked about 15 stations on the list that I was willing to commute to when I applied and I had to wait 18 months to get a position. If I was willing to move home then I would’ve got a job quicker.

As for transferring to a different station once you’re in, you usually have to wait 12 or 24 months before you can apply to go on to a list. But there’s alway exceptions and negotiations to be made.

Back to the riding , this week on Wednesday I’m heading up the quantocks with some work mates, and then on Thursday we’ll be up at Bike Park Wales. All on my days off.

On One X9 versions of 45650B or Parkwood?

They still do a 456 Evo2 for £1200 if 26″ is your thing.

Things like the Cotic and Dialled might be possible for under £1k second hand

2 days and 2 nights. Depending on how much sleep you need then you can ride before or after work. The Quantocks are between my house and work, I fact I went for a ride up at Triscombe before my shift tonight. The showers at Taunton station are great.

As far as I know we only have cycle response units in Plymouth and Weymouth. I’m a student Paramedic based at Taunton, worked for SWASFT for 10 years in various roles now.

I get out on the bike loads, you just have to accept that you ride alone a lot as everyone else is at work. Unless you have colleagues who ride too of course.

And I actually work for SWASFT if that matters.

And I work 12 hour shifts so only work 2 days a week.

My Howies Dyfi suits me fine, windproof, as breathable as I’d expect (better than my gore tex waterproof), waterproof enough to shrug off a heavy shower, and less than £40.

Edit: I know it’s not actually a soft shell

I now want a Bird Aeris after looking at their site. Thanks!

Whyte 901?

I have absolutely no idea what bike I would end up with if I had £1.3k saved up. But it would be a hardtail.

I like my Kona Paddy Wagon, came with 28mm tyres and I fitted 25mm as soon as I got it. Can’t say for sure if 32mm tyres would fit

Early night with ear plugs in as I’m working 6am New Years Day, alarm going off at 0430 for the first cycle commute of the year.

Living the dream!

The morph looks ideal, especially as I’m now a proud fat bike owner so could do with a good volume pump. 35cm is long but should fit in my Mule

Cheers guys

Cheers. Mrs Bucko says thanks too

Phone 111.

I tried to set a bit of a mileage goal this year but got bored of the fact that I chose the road/commute bike all the time and neglected the mountain bike completely. I missed out on a long summer of dry dusty trails. I won’t be making the same mistake next year.

I just need an idea now. My time is limited, I’m a student paramedic with a 2 year old child, but I want to ride my mountain bike more.

1.No more excuses.

2.No more wimping out when it rains.

3.Discover more of the trails on my doorstep – The Quantocks.

4.Try to ride with other people more

I’ll get some kind of plan in place over the next week after looking for ideas on this thread.

@P20 – Our RRV’s are Skoda Scouts. No idea what we’ve decided to use instead yet as they no longer produce the Scout

Down in the south west our ambulance cars run winter tyres all year round. On every vehicle we just carry snow socks and some tubes of grit at this time of year. When it actually snows we just hire 4×4 vehicles.

As for me getting to work in the snow this winter, I’m hoping my fatty will come to the rescue

Still waiting for mine, being built in the 22nd so not getting my hopes up for a Xmas fat ride on the Quantocks.

Rode Triscombe on my rigid 26″ SS Inbred with a group of 6 mates today. The guy on the only 29er fell off twice bending the rear mech hanger, and the guy on the only 27.5 fell off twice. Nobody else fell off. Enough said. :wink: