I was going to suggest the Deathgrip too, not had any issues with twisting like on some single clamp lock on grips. If you look around you can get the “Race” compound in the thick grip. ODI do quite a few good options too.

I’m tempted by the Adidas Terrex as i’m fed up of my 5:10’s not lasting anytime at all, the sole either wears through or falls off.

They have improved drying times on them though so maybe sole adhesive improvements are next on their list of things to make better.

A 2.6 tyre that only weighs 815g, i’d be dubious as to it’s strength and longevity.

I still buy & use the cheap ebay lights, I do charge them whilst i’m in the house but never had any trouble. First one I had was an import for China that lasted 3 years but rest have all been from UK sellers. Last one I bought came with a proper UK charger. The first one I got you had to run a UK adaptor to charge it, never had issues though.

Sad to see this as it’s one of my favourite bits of tracks in that area, wonder what Wheelbase will make (or have made) of this as they use this as part of their loops during the Big Demo Weekend.

They have also started to make “improvements” on Maiden Moor too, granted it’s a footpath but still seems out of place and doesn’t fit with the natural area around it.

Pretty sure 3mm is boost while 6mm is non-boost, but what onehundrethidiot says it should say on the GX chainring

Nope

I’ve used a cheap one from ebay for a rear hub, it came with two spacers and a rotor spacer so no dishing was required. Doesn’t give the best chainline, though that won’t effect you.

Other annoyance is that every time you remove the wheel the two smaller spacers do fall out.

2.5 DHF or a 2.4 DHR both a bit bigger than the 2.3 HIghroller and offer more grip

Yeah these aren’t boost, they are a 2016 model, wasn’t sure if the latest (or even 2017) models had a little extra clearance around the arch.

Quite liked mine, it was a fun playable 29er rather than a steep angled XC style bike or just a big burly tank that flattened everything out. Quite often hit the rear limit and never found it vague, hooligan would be the right word if you’re riding near the bikes (or your) limits. Wasn’t bad on flatter trails either. Cable routing was always a bugbear on mine though and the limited tyre clearance out back was a bit annoying.

A mate of mine has ridden and owned both but he hasn’t elaborated much on the difference, other than the new one is quite a bit longer so it takes a bit more to get round tighter corners etc.

I’ve ridden both the old and new Rocket and there doesn’t feel much difference when just bimbling along or climbing but there’s an extra level of stability when going down.

Last time I was up the work was from the crossroads of where Sticks kinda starts and went up to the washed away turn that starts up towards Raise.

They also had a digger just below the top roller bits on Sticks that they did a few year ago. My guess was that they would be “fixing” the first section you hit after those rollers, the bit that was all multiple ruts and routes before finally settling down to the singletrack.

I’m trying out a new Rocket this weekend, but that’s not much help really. I’ve ridden the latest Aeris and while the one I tested (nicked off mate) was a bit too big for me it felt pretty nice.

I’ve got a Rocket (older version) and it rides pretty mint, I would very much like to try out the newer version and also the Shan No5 too. Pinkbike reckons their test build weighed in under 32lbs which is probably what my older Rocket weighs so i’m happy with that.

Is it just D&D who sell them now? Would love to demo one.

I had quite a few rides on the one that was reviewed for Singletrack as part of the bike test they did a few months back and it’s a good bike for the price. The size tested was a large and i’m only 5’7″ but it felt fine, they’re not a big bike like many others are these days. I’d say she’d be ok on a medium but worth a test if you can get one.

Other options are the Bird Aeris or a Vitus Escarpe, both great bikes and not badly priced for what you get.

Sound ok from this: https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/after-8-months-of-foul-weather-testing-heres-our-review-of-the-oneup-components-aluminum-flat-pedals/

Unless you measured accurately there’s no noticeable difference between a 2.5 DHF and a 2.6 DHF. The recent test on this very site of 2.6 tyres said none of them actually were 2.6inch wide. Also the recent Maxxis 2.8 test of DHR2 and Highroller 2 measured up at 2.67inch.

The fastest line down a hill is rarely the funnest

Too true

I was quite liking the slightly longer reach of some of the newer bikes until I popped my shoulder out a few times, it now feels more comfortable with something a bit more conservative. Current bike is a medium with a 435mm reach & 50mm stem.

I did try a bike a with a longer reach and short stem (450mm & 35mm) but found it wanted to tuck on me when cornering but that could just be me not being used to that set up.

I find once Shimano brakes start to go it’s time to replace with something new, if look about you can usually find XT brakes for a decent price especially if you buy last years model. Or get the Hopes as they are rather nice.

You’d be surprised at how much similar bikes weigh be they alloy or carbon, though the wtb tyres are very weighty so yes that would drop weight. Any idea what yours does weigh?

I recently rode & tested a new Bird Aeris (nice bike) but it wasn’t as light as I would have expected it was nearly 32lbs even with a decent build kit on it. And my old Airdrop Edit v1 was 32lb too, both bikes were fun to ride and made your shoulders ache on hike a bike rides.

Anyone on the Cotic mailing list will have just received some news…

How much does this “conversion” end up costing then, has it been worth the price for how the bikes now feel?

Get the boostinator kit for your hub if needed, I use one on my DT swiss 350 hub and had no issues. This will help open up options of frames to look at as quite a few now will be boost at the rear. New Cotic Rocket is pretty long, but the latest version of the Bird Aeris is long too and a really nice bike.

Production Privee Shan GT, first pic is with 650+ 2.8 tyres, 2nd pic is with 29er setup. Both wheel sizes fun to ride.

looking at you Warnscale Bottom

Rode that a few times now, there’s a few hard sections but on a good day it’s rideable mostly and always a challenge

I bought a cheapish kit from ebay that was just two 3mm spacers that sit either side of hub and another to correctly position the rotor. It’s a bit fiddly if you keep removing rear wheel (spacers can drop out) but otherwise works fine. Works with any hub as far as I can tell as long as you’re not using a centerlock rotor. Chainline not ideal as said above.

I’ve also used the wolf tooth boostinator kit for a DT swiss hub, that required the wheel to be dished but it does work better and it’s not too hard to dish a wheel.

I’m 5’8″ and was on a V1 medium with 40mm stem. I chatted to Ed about sizes before I bought mine and medium seemed the best option. Felt just fine, the extra standover on the V2 frames probably helps a bit more too.

Give Wheelbase a ring they’ll soon be able to tell you, plenty of snow here in Carlisle and plenty in Keswick too.

Cheers Cy, standover height and seat tube height was my main concern, the longer reach on the large wouldn’t be an issue as it’s similar to what I have ridden previously.

I’m just waiting to see what ex demo frames come up for sale now as all the mediums have been sold from the older stock.

Might have to try a medium too if any ex demo ones turn up

Not exactly gorilla arms but usually find most frames around the 430mm reach feel too short. The new rocket is even longer and I’d probably buy a medium in that. I’ll drop Cotic a message too.

I did look for a thread but couldn’t find it. Basing size on my old airdrop which is similar in reach and toptube length but shorter in seat tube.

I’ve got a specialized butcher 2.8 that fits my non boost fox 34, not much clearance but it does fit

Slight thread hijack but how do people find the Ranger as a rear tyre, any real world experiences, grip, longevity, puncture resistance etc…

I’ve only ridden one for a short demo and that was a large. Being 5’8″ I expected it too feel a bit too big but it felt pretty good so I’d probably get that size if I was to buy one. Best to try have a sit on one at the very least if at all possible.

My hardtail will only run a boost chainring (or cranks) anything else catches the chainstay bridge. The full suss works with either without any issues at all.

No issues with my GX crankset so far, simple to fit chainring and cranks, though you really do have to crank up the bolt to get the cranks tight. Running a sram BB too but too early to know if it’s better or worse than previous cheapy shimano ones.

Dan (Stanton) doesn’t think it’s right to give hardtails a long reach, he explains why in this wee interview (look further down interview underneath full suss images)

Steel is Real frame builders: Dan Stanton of Stanton bikes