The blog is a fascinating, and inspiring, read. I love the idea of long cross country rides taking in trialsy obstacles along the way.

That chainring is extraordinary. What’s the strut from the seat clamp to the mudguard?

King’s Head at Holmbury, Volunteer or Abinger Hatch

Stooge is springier than you’d think and I find it v comfy. It’s not the lightest but it’s incredibly versatile and feels bombproof. FF29 would also be a good call – the angles are near identical to a Scandal IIRC. Swift/El Mar/Karate Monkey/Inbred are all perfect for what you describe. Or a Lurcher if you can put up with the looks and the press fit BB.

I’ve only ever noticed this with some On-One risers I got as part of a package with my C456 frame. They were a good shape, very similar to the Eastons I had before, but they were super-solid and gave me wrist and hand pain. I swapped them for some pretty flexy carbon Wisers which were a pretty similar shape and it solved the problem. I was surprised it could make such a difference with 130mm fork and big squishy tyres but it did. It’s possible that the small differences in shape had something to do with it but I reckon it was the flex.

I’ve had an Inbred 29er (in SS flavour) and it was great for what you’re describing. Plus it was incredible VFM. I now have a Swift (old-style) which I’d say is perfect for your needs. The new ones will take a 29+ front, which adds even more flexibility. All the others on that list up there will do it, too, to a greater or lesser extent.

If you’re unsure, get an Inbred and see if you like it.

I’m 5ft 9. Mine fits great with a 60mm stem, 760mm bars and inline post. Reckon I could drop 10-20mm on the stem and may experiment but I’m in no hurry. It’s a great bike – uber-capable and super-comfy. Not done a huge ride on it yet but I can’t see any reason not to.

Buy an Inbred. Go somewhere amazing

Or a Stooge, which also ticks most of the above boxes but is PURPLE (if you’re quick)!!!

Obvious answer = Singular Buzzard. Not springy, not light but steel, UK-designed, loads of fun and ORANGE!!!

All the above will work. This will too: watch lots of video of good riders and pay attention to what they are doing. Watch skills vids – and pay attention. Even read those mag features about technique – and remember what they say. Then practise on every ride, every corner, ever drop and pay attention to how stuff feels and how a small weight shift makes a difference.

Just knowing some basics and thinking about what you’re doing over and over again is how you learn. That said, if you can find someone better than you to follow, that’s a whole lot better. As long as you’re paying attention.

Above all, have fun and relax.

Or keep an eye on the classifieds

Buy a Deore chainset for £50-odd and stick with 9 speed

I should be riding past Nirvana with a mate or two at 8.15ish. You’d be welcome to tag along. Just give us a wave. I’ll prob be on my Purple Stooge.

Those new Om-One carbon bars come in two levels of stiffness and are only £40.

Bah!

I’ve now sheared two Superstar valves – one while pumping up a tyre and one in a bit of a freak accident while riding. Probably just karma but I’ve now gone with Stans. When I say sheared, I mean the whole valve not just the core.

I started with a 456 then got a slot dropout Inbred which I ran SS rigid and which was the only properly light bike I’ve ever had, then a C456 and a 29in limited edition SS Inbred. Now only have the C456 and I think that’s soon to go. All great bikes and I miss them all. Looking forward to a carbon Parkwood with slightly shorter chainstays that I can run SS. Come on On-One, you know you want to!

Eh?

Just watched Danny at Champery again. Wow! Both vids are just amazing

Oooooooooooooof!!!!

First I’ve heard of this but I have been hoping they’d do a 3in Monkey. Where did the rumour come from? Or are you starting it? 😆

Alpkit Gourdon?

I ride rigid most of the time. A Stooge with a Knard up front is about as capable as anything on 90% of the trails round my way. I do like a bit of variety, though, so I’ll be out on the Buzzard tonight. 🙂

There’s a ton of superb riding in the area. Head up to Newlands Corner then either along the ridge towards Dorking or across to St Martha’s Hill and then over to Peaslake and Pitch Hill.

Hardtail all the way. The On-One Parkwood is a bargain if you feel the need to buy new. Don’t be put off by the 29in wheels, it’s a fun bike.

Agree with scotroutes, it’s all about being responsible and courteous. Rights of way are just Nazi bullshit.

It may just need a clean and regrease. I’ve had mine apart to replace the upper bushing and regrease it. The hardest thing is gripping the stanchion without damaging it. You may also want to do a seal/bushing service but be aware that, as with all things SRAM, parts are stupidly expensive. I’ve also had one serviced by Loco when it started losing air. That was about £100 IIRC.

That is not a looker

Yeh, I heard he’s suing Red Bull because they wouldn’t let him use his scientific calculator. He had to rely on log tables and someone had ripped out the vital page to make a roach.

I really need to sell one. But it hurts so : (

The all-important Peaslake Bus Shelter Index shows that:
a) There’s a lot more roadies about than there used to be
b) There’s an awful lot of very expensive new bikes out there – road and MTB
c) 29ers are still a bit of a rarity
d) 650b ‘enduro’ bikes are selling like hot cakes

Until recently, the people I ride with (not representative of the PBSI) were all buying 29er hardtails. Now everyone wants a 650b carbon ‘enduro’ bike (not me, though).

What they said ^^^ Love Torridon. Paradise when the sun shines.

I like that. A lot.

CM front, Smorg rear. V good combo and easy to inflate tubeless IME. Just a tad lardy.

I had a 69er Inbred for a while. It was good but I liked the big wheel up front so much that I swapped it for a 29er Inbred.

Bloody heretics

For religious reasons I have to ride my bike wearing nothing but body paint and a pickled onion on a length of string. Mainly natural trails for me.

Fair enough. Just (genuinely) interested 🙂

Interested to understand why people want to fit fatter tyres in the rear. I’m using a Smorgasbord, which fits with plenty of clearance and provides all the grip I need (ie it’s good for climbing and slides through corners like it should). I don’t feel the need for more squish at the rear but is that what people are after?