I have both and have no issues with either. A pair of XT’s can be had for about £110 if you look around online (deore’s even cheaper) and it’s no hassle fitting them yourself.

I need to take a look at the off piste stuff there only ridden one of those which was good fun

Going there tonight as it happens

Hmmmm buy the last one or wait and see what new colours they bring out…..

Looks a good bike, trying to find reasons not to buy one (even though the main reason is I have no money).

Wonder if pedals in edinburgh still have that medium demo one available

I’ve ridden the butcher up front (27.5 and 29) and liked both

I really the the purg out back too, and the slaughter is proving to be good also

Current on like this one?

http://www.ison-distribution.com/ are the UK distributor so they may know if no one on here has changed theirs for another type

I’ve got the vitus escarpe, just bought it as frame only deal. I quite like it, medium feels a good size for me at 5’8″

I live in Carlisle, regular trail centre evening rides are Whinlatter, Mabie and Newcastleton, all about 45 mins or so away (traffic depending)

There is some cheeky stuff in woods but not what you’d call proper ride material just short tracks for messing about on.

Easy enough to go to keswick and ride, borrowdale bash (or half bash if you want shorter loop), lonscale fell and other cheeky options

Staying in a campsite about 30 miles away from Glenlivet, probably going to ride a Cairngorms loop and then something else before heading up to Torridon, whence asking if Glenlivet is worth a trip or if there is something better I could be doing (maybe as we drive towards to Torridon)

Try the wtb i23/i25 (either frequency or kom rims) the new easton heist (i think the rim is the arc) look good too

Is Glenlivet worth a visit? I’m up and around the cairngorms for a few days next week so still looking at route ideas

You could try and measure it, the newer models are 73mm (only need one drive side spacer)

I’ll second what tomaso said, been running the slaughter out back all winter up here in the Lakes and it’s been fine, straight line braking isn’t their strong point but they do roll well and once in a turn the side knobs do their job, easy to set up tubeless and stayed up tubeless even after i put a big dent in rim.

Just put something else on the rear and already notice how draggy it is compared to the slaughter, will be changing back soon

We booked Jo from http://www.ride-ability.com/ for a day last time we were there

If you ride them all and enjoy them all then don’t sell unless you really need the money. I’d keep em till I wanted something new then sell them at a later date to fund that instead.

So you have 3 bikes: 26 mega, a 650b mega am and a 650b mega tr.

No need for em all if that’s the case

Spesh slaughter (grid) is a great tyre, cheaper than similar looking tyres and goes up tubeless nice and easy. Bit of a pain to get on rim initially if running a tube, had mine for several months and it still has plenty of tread after plenty of winter riding in the Lakes

Any particular loop in the Cairngorms? Seen a few options but will probably just do one before moving on.

Been up to Kinlochleven before and rode the Ciaran Path & Devils Staircase.

Torridon and Skye are definitely contenders

You could do a loop around Burnmoor Tarn, can be a bit wet in places, basic description here Burnmoor Tarn loop

There was a tiny mark on my Orbea frame when I got it, it was barely visible due to the graphic anyway but I was offered £100 off the bike cost or the same amount as discount off anything else I wanted

Just under 5’8″ and I have a 16.5″, feels just fine to me

If you order direct from Fisher (or shop who has account with them) you can probably get the 650b Pike in 140mm (they obviously have one if complete builds come with them)

You could try the x-fusion sweep they can be lowered to 140mm

Sherpa can run a 120mm yes, rides quite nice too

Had mine down some rocky stuff in the lakes, that’s as close to downhilling as I get

My rear wheel is built up with this rim, seems just fine, not too bad a weight but you do get the odd comment about the KOM part of the name sometimes

Currently running the specialized butcher up front and the slaughter out back. Both are the tougher grid version of the tyres, I ride in and around the Lakes and both have been fine so far.

Go up tubeless nice and easy too

I do like the look of the smuggler. good choice

What bike is it?

If in doubt a 125mm is a safer option.

You’d need to measure how much of your seatpost is showing when it’s fully extended, and check if a fully extended reverb (including the collar height) is not more than that.

Edit: graph above shows you what you need to know

Depends on how tall you are, you’re leg length and size of bike. I for one would prefer a 150mm drop as then I could really get my seat down low.

Longer drops also seem to be more popular with taller riders too going by some recent bike reviews.

Really? Is this wrong then?

Yes, looks like a typo in that table for bb height

edit: beaten to it ha ha :)

I’ve got sweeps on my bike and they’ve been just fine. Tend to run them about 5psi lower than recommended (like the slants before them).

New axle is a bit funny in that as you do it up it hits the fork leg but that’s just a minor inconvenience when fitting the wheel.

Feels better than the basic fox 34 it replaced but i’d say it’s not quite as smooth on small bumps as the top end fox 34 i’ve also used.

Overall I like it and it doesn’t cost a months wages either

Nanos look ok, very similar to a set of nukeproof pedals i have on another bike. Anyone used the delta pedals?

Like the look of those azonic pedals

About £100, but ideally a bit less if something is reduced. Think the spank spikes are about £75 online at the mo

Plenty of good stuff at Grizedale forest that isn’t the trail centre, also get to wheelbase who will sell you some maps (or find them online) of the various bits on offer around Staveley (garburn pass etc)

I really would like one of these, if I happen to see you up in the Lakes i’ll probably hassle you for a wee look. Have fun

You’re paying for the extra awesomeness of the frame obviously. Maybe is took longer to develop and therefore cost more so they charge that wee bit more to offset that. Doesn’t really matter does it?

Had my Rallon for 4 months now and I like it, still get the odd new bike itch though.