Cheers – thanks for the advice. Been preping the bike today and now ready.

We’ve had our eye on Venosc – our hotel is at the top of the lift

So looks like Shim so far

Thanks for the input – was in town and picked up some Bar Keepers friend from Lakeland – has done the trick. Wife is very happy.

Same here, slightly annoyed about it.

Pyekid – so after cleaning the marks off mine should I seal/protect it?

Pyekid – happen to live in chelt. Does it do any damage to engineered stone?

Not sure if it is supposed to be stain proof but id like to think it would be stain resistant to a degree

Cheers, thinking high roller 2’s

Wookie – I didn’t get on with the saddle – but changed mine to a SDG Belair off my previous bike and felt massively different.

The DT wheels are amazing – mine accelerates up hill which is awesome.

Fork is ok (talas 32), but if I coulf afford it id love a pike

Been riding mine since I got it and even rode the Mini enduro on it. My thoughts are its the best bike I’ve ever had – Loving it and riding GT this week to see how it handles that.

Really fast up and down – my strava has gone nuts with PRs since I got it. Bike feels really stable on the downs and really nimble too. Doing some of the more technical steep sections locally I’ve been impressed with how well its coped. Uphill it accelerates where you need it and doesn’t feel that taxing.

In terms of size, I’m happy with my medium (6ft) some may prefer it to be longer in the top tube but I’m enjoying the handling of it.

Looked at a SC SOLO yesterday and thought that looks nice until I did a double take on the price – the Spectral is such good value for money.

Defo Technique – My Bfe pops up nicely.

Went out on the hill and took the dog out for a walk last night – no bike but lots of cheese – spent it walking around throwing cheese behind me calling “Back”. Started off on flat paths, then moved onto some gentle downs. Then walked down some of the steep DH trails before running some of the sections – by the end she was walking really well and kept back waiting for cheese. Pleased with first attempt.

Today I’m going to take her out with the bike by stick to some narrow alleys round the houses so she can get used to it with no distractions such as fox poo and rabbi’s.

Hoping that on Monday I can get out on the DH runs with her and see how well she’s taken to it.

Thanks for all the tips

Andyrm – Yeah, she’s a Patterdale crossed with a Lab – quite big (about 20kgs). She is great – really good natured but a little stubborn and always wants to be the leader/protector. Cheese and Franks have been great at keeping her attention but once the bikes out in the woods she is off and doesn’t care about food.

Loves the fox and badger poo though.

Here she is…

I’d love to say I could buzz her at low speed but she is normally about 2m in front.

I need to find some food she goes for as when she is in the woods she is difficult to reward.

I’ve got a piece of trail which I think I could use to train her – will get on it this weekend. Need to get it sorted as she is getting dangerous, especially when she’s tired and insists I slow down

Cheers, didnt realise there were so many options!

mbnut may take you up on surrey hills after hearing a lot about it.

Its gonna be the 1st May if that works for you?

I know it, went to school at the bottom of the South Downs – always fancied riding it – although haven’t a clue where to start.

Yep – arrived – loving it. Great bike – so fast compared to my others both up and downhill.

Yeah, I saw that. Just hoping the sizing is OK – It’s almost identical in numbers to my Scott Voltage and get on fine with that so hope it will be OK – don’t fancy sending it back to get the large. Fingers crossed.

After 5 months of waiting my new Spectral will be with me on Friday – just hoping it arrives before my evening ride :) Very Excited!!!

Total convert here – had a massive difference on my life and would recommend it to everyone.

Although having said that some people need it less than others just due to the way their minds are wired.

Cheers Deadkenny

Jule – No top guide – nothing just chainring, rear mech and standard chain (wasn’t even new)

Been out today and did some tech DH runs on it and no issues. Previously did the same before I had a chainguide with a normal chainring and every run it would come off. Well impressed.

Sad and shocking news – Thoughts go out to his family and friends.

MOT’d it today and flew through so quite happy. Just listed it so will wait to see what happens.

Thanks for all your advice.

Sadly I think like with anything some are good and some are bad – I go to two physio’s and one is amazing but really hard to get an appointment with. The other is a firm of physio’s but they are 30% as effective as the other.

Cheers for the advice all. Not sure there is much I can do about the MOT as the earliest I can do it is middle of May.

It’s getting a good valet on Monday to bring it up to “showroom” condition

Yeah, but I looked over about 50 cars and the price range for them bearing mind my spec is loads more than I want/need – hoping for £2k but most cars are ranging from £3700 to £2500 for similar. I’m quite excited.

Just having a look on Autotrader and looks like I’ve been expecting too little by about 40% – could be some spare cash after I’ve paid for the new bike.

Yeah, I may see about getting it MOT’d early – MOT is due in May – I don’t see any issues with it getting through the MOT it’s just a timing issue

Yeah, splitting does sound a faff…

It’s a 10yr old Audi A4.

Autotrader – had totally forgotten about that.

He’s done good – must be something in the iron bru!

Still dont believe 1hr13!

Yeah, really enjoyed it and will be back now I know whats its like. Knackered now but maybe that my soft southern-Ness coming out. Cheers.

Wierd, I texted you as soon as I got the email. Ill try again.

Trekster – ygt

I’ve got a Canyon Spectral AL8.0 One of these… on order.

But I’ve seen the Norco Sight 7.1 Carbon for £3k and Alu for £2.5k in Evans recently and it looks very nice – I think if I’d not got the Canyon on order I’d probably checked it out.

Although it does depend on what you want to ride – An anthem is a very different beast to a Capra.

Sweet – thanks for the heads up. Will be heading Ae then. Comes recommended by a friend so got to give it a go really. I can justify 1.45hrs but not 2.5-3hrs

Trekster – my email is barnt at hotmail dot com

WHat sort of average time will Ae take? from checking back I can do GT red is around 1hr40 / 1hr50 if that acts as a yardstick