Video is here for the bike:
https://vimeo.com/173828109

I personally prefer Mabie just because of all other “not really secret” trails that are there, though the red loop itself is still quite fun.

Haven’t been to Dalbeattie for a while but I remember quite liking some of the sections, quite a it of fireroad if I remember rightly.

How about Drumlanrigg, it’s a bit natural feeling for the most part and if you have the energy afterwards you could always do Mabie too.

Pace rc127?

I have the new singletrack jacket but only used it on 1 ride, it coped fine with the wind and rain on that day. It’s a straight up shell jacket as there is no kind of lining inside. I went for the small as i’m a slim(ish) 5’8″ chap.

Have you read further up this thread – lots of info

I have now :) how are folk finding the tight clearance in the muddy conditions?

What forks are ppl running these 2.8″ to 3″ on? Does it need to be plus specific or will 29er forks work?

The 2014 was standard 135QR on the rear

I’ve got a 17.5″ light blue frame sitting around my house, the seatpost is currently seized up inside the frame the though so will need some persuasion to come out.

£80 delivered if anyone is interested?

I’ve got some, used to run them at 160mm on a full suss, then stuck some spacers in there to reduce them to 140mm to run on my hardtail.

A good no nonsense fork, haven’t required much looking after so far, not quite as plush and nice as the new fox 34 i’ve got but can’t go wrong for the price tbh.

Clearance is fine on seatstays and chainstays it’s just that brace on the seatstays where there’s an issue on the 2015 models (can’t really run a tall tyre). I think they’ve modified it for the 2016 but i’ve not seen one in the flesh to know how much better it is.

There’s the pace rc127[/url] also, it’s what I have, so far it’s really quite nice. Singletrack reviewed it in issue 100 and really liked it. You can also run 650b+ in it if you want.

It’s not as slack as the switchback so a bit better for all round riding. I was also tempted by the shan but they had none in when I was ready to buy so I went for the pace.

does this mean you’re not doing any work and building up that kona 29er?

I’m 5’8″ and based on the geo alone i’d at least go for the medium.

However i’ve also ridden and owned a bike that was similar length and reach to their large so it’s possible I could even ride that.

It’s all down to personal taste and how you like your bike to fit in the end though.

I’m running a wtb trailboss, plenty of room either side and there’s a 5mm or so gap between the tyre and that brace on the seatstay.

Running mine at anywhere between 35% to almost 40% sag (i’m not a heavy chap) and leave it in the open mode pretty much all of the time. It’s bottomed out once or twice but not in a harsh way. I get the occasional pedal strike when climbing but only due to my own clumsiness, I’m using 170mm cranks but I also run a 140mm fox fork to heighten the bb slightly. Had mine for 3 month now and I love it, one of the best bikes i’ve owned.

I’m probably a similar size and ride a medium transition smuggler it doesn’t feel like a big wheeled bike to me

The new rc127 by Pace perhaps pace rc127

I think the large is a 19″, it has 630mm top tube, not sure on reach or how that compares to your codeine. No one has mentioned the cotic soul or bfe either.

Orange have the new p7 coming out soon perhaps that would be ok?
new orange p7[/url]

Spitty will be fine round grizedale etc probably about right i’d say, there’s loads of routes available here’s one found on gpsies.com

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=zypeubboimhpucdu

Dejavu, it seems every single day we have a thread like this asking about lakes routes

I’ve seen two of these posts just this week. The Lakes is a popular destination, glad I live there.

I second what the thestabiliser said, both good options.

The geo is right for the Bfe as they slackened it out when they made the recent changes, it’s mentioned somewhere by Cy on the site.

I use the reach measurement for comparing new to old when looking for new bikes, I find it quite helpful, the head angle sagged/not sagged has never bothered me but it’s nice to see some ppl quoting both

That particular rocky section on lonscale fell loop can get quite slippy. The loop is good but spoonygreen lane gets very busy so take care as there’s nearly always ppl walking up.

The bash is a great ride out (you don’t even have to do the full loop either to take in the best bits) with some fast fun rocky descents. And a few challenging ascents too.

Borrowdale is fine in the wet, it’s not that gritty or muddy really, it’s a good ride out. You can park at Grange too if you fancy doing a shorter version that takes in all the best bits, or look at a map for cheeky options to avoid the road ride to and from keswick.

Really like my wtb i25 kom rims I have on my smuggler, had a 650b i23 kom previously and that was good too

Borrowdale bash

this or if you go whinlatter ride the full red and blue

Your first priority should be to leave wigton

ha ha, and drive with windows shut to keep the smell at a tolerable level

Keswick or Whinlatter both do hire bikes and easy enough to get to, depends what kind of riding you’re after

Zenith has double stud and zipper too, I have some and they’re a really comfy short. According to madison site addict seems to have a little more water resistant material and pockets than the zeniths

I was up here, was a lovely morning out

It’s ok yeah, a good extra on a quieter day, there’s a couple of gates/stiles to go through and the top section can get a bit boggy after a bit of rain, nice wee rocky section towards the end of it though when it starts to go down again

Borrowdale bash with extra ‘cheeky’ bits if you’re doing it on a quieter day, or if you’d prefer to shorten it slightly just do the best bits by parking in grange and cut out the ride in and out of keswick

There was mention of a steel frame a way back: https://www.facebook.com/birdmtb.co.uk/posts/201564306695794

Not sure if they’ve posted any updated news on this plan

Live and ride in the Lakes, found the spec slaughter to be pretty good, I rode one all winter without issue (tad slippery at times mind). Running a wtb trail boss now but too early too give any long term feedback (so far, so good)

Sent you an email Greg

Don’t think i’d change back from my transition smuggler, doesn’t feel big for a 29er, still has that fun playable feel and it just rides nice.

29ers aren’t for everyone though but I can’t see me going back anytime soon (and I usually change bikes a lot)

photos for it are here: https://goo.gl/photos/kbS8ywJDmxdRuJo26

it’s a 17″ which they class as a medium, how tall are you?

there’s a headset already fitted

in reasonable condition, a few scrapes etc but everything is in good working order

If you’re looking secondhand I have an orbea rallon (16.5″) frame and a vitus escarpe (17″) frame going.

Liking mine, looks and rides lovely

Ignore the trail centre at Grizedale just go look for all the natural stuff that’s there on your doorstep. That gps route hits some of it and should be good fun but there’s still more.

If people are waiting at the top of a particular section and I want to continue on I do so, be it a trail centre or not. I’ll usually at least acknowledge the rider(s) by saying a hello or something. If they mention they are waiting around for other riders in front (say a family or kids) then i’ll probably wait with them a while.

If i’m waiting and people pass me then that’s fine too.

I’ve never had an issue with anyone when out and find most folk are polite and chatty if you are too.

When I got my Slant forks from 18bikes they did the travel adjust for me before sending them out. I believe it’s not a difficult job if you’re happy messing about inside a fork

If the person comes away from a coaching session feeling more confident or with a sense or where they can improve then surely that is good enough, it’s up to them how they use that advice.

Riding a bike is about having fun and if you’re too fixated on practise all the time you may lose sight of that.

For some just being able to go out and ride their bike is enough.