@Pridds, interesting, I can’t get it to surrender the last 10mm of travel is that similar to what you experienced?

I’m running a 160mm Fox 36 Talas with a low stack headset as it’s a 1-1/8″ steerer. It works well but I wouldn’t want to go any shorter than that.

Pushed mine in by hand, bit fiddly but worked fine.

The Scirocco was my first auto and I have to say it was the most ‘fun’ car I’ve driven. This suggests that the DSG is marginaly quicker in the hands of a pro, certainly I can’t manual shift like this man either.

Very interesting molgrips and far better explained than I could, I echo that the DSG shifts faster than I ever could (being a useless numpty) but also that not having to take your hands from the wheel is a bonus when using ‘manual’.

I had one for three years until June this year, miss it a whole lot and only finances and ditching cars all together made me get rid of it.

I had a 2.0tsi with the DSG and have to say I can’t follow at all what is being said above. The gear box is superb, yes if you’re cruising and then suddenly put your foot through the floor it may take a moment to adjust (the accelerator has a stop, push it beyond that and it drops straight down to the optimum acceleration gear). It also has launch control too.

I drove mine across Europe and through very snowy winters and it was a hoot in those conditions, admittedly I had winter tyres fitted but that’s just common sense imho. I also took it round the Nuerburgring and Spa on a number of occasions and not once did it come close to letting me down even in pouring rain.

A few of the German shops market this ‘new’ version under the Forca Sports brand, for €100 on some of the german sites.

Claimed new model and listed with 110mm travel and 31.6 actual size (no shim) here. I was really tempted but needed a 30.9 size and don’t fancy using a shim so got a Reverb instead. I’d be interested to hear what people think.

I’m a similar height to you and had a 17″ Kona Shred which was great fun. I gave it up as I ended up having to commute on it, I do regret selling it. It was geared but very capable on the jumps if you are looking for a middle way. I think there are some bargain Kona Cowans around somewhere.

Cheers guys, this may seem incredibly numptyish but searching for machine shops near Reading only brings very strange results, can anyone suggests one?

My El Guapo, I was amazed how well it went up, how good it was going down really wasn’t such a shock. Now with Thomson stem and will shortly add a Reverb.

Cheers Jamie, I did a forum search but didn’t find that one.

Gonzy, I’ll cross them off the list.

I like it, I’m surprised it’s that light though. My bike is mid 30s with a similar spec and air shock. Not that it matters, it looks great and sounds like a load of fun to ride.

Thanks Neil

I only found pedal strikes an issue on uphill very rooty climbs. It does make up for it in climbing ability and is a blast going down. I will look to get some slim pedals to improve it though. For what it’s worth as I haven’t ridden the alternatives I really love riding the El Guapo and it’s a very capable bike for both up and downs whereas your other options may be more downhill biased.

Fox 32 Talas forks for £25, stantions were a bit worn but after a service they were perfectly fine functionally, at least till some sod stole them off my bike.

First: Feeder at the Astoria in 2001
Next: Converge at the tiny venue of Loppen in Christiania, I have very high hopes for that.

I bought a set of these in the x0 flavour for my old x0 mech.

Ignore the description, it actually came with adaptors to fit all different kinds of Sram mech including the x9 with the weird two holes. I’d recommend them.

Actually I remember when I was in a similar situation a year or so ago someone had machined just the thing you’re looking for. Some aluminium ‘wedges’ you could place in the forks drop outs with a 9mm diameter, the you could just use a rear qr to clamp it in place.

I know some chap was selling them but I’ve just googled and can’t find it easily. Might be worth a search though.

My two favourites have been Portal 2 and MW2, much better than MW3 for co-op. A few cheap games offer good co-op, I bought Kane and Lynch 2 for £2 which was very good, Resident Evil 5 is a much better co-op than single player game and should set you back very little.

I have an anthem and it really is incredibly capable, I’ve ridden it in marathons and XC races but it can also be hammered round the forest. I’m sure the Whyte is a very capable bike but you won’t go wrong by choosing the Anthem.

It will probably get shouted down but I bought a set of the exotic carbon bars, nice and wide, good shape. First thing I did with them is take them to the alps and they were no issue at all.

It would fly for sure! It climbs so well with the 160 I don’t imagine you’ll lose too much in that respect and you’ll have a beast going down and the benefit of a slightly higher bottom bracket.

Stack height for the lower hope cup for 1.1/8 forks is only a couple of mm at most so 180 with that should be similar axle to crown as a 170 fork and normal headset.

I’ve got the hope pick n mix with a 160mm fork on mine, doesn’t feel steep at all. It may help to raise the BB though.

Also I bought mine at the same time as smiff and my seatposts (Giant Connect and Answer Hyperlite) fit fine without slipping.

I have had a few threads on this as I was a bit disappointed with the super raw finish, it’s very raw! In terms of quality though of how it’s put together I have no complaints at all. I think I’d go with the black though if I had my choice again.

I bought mine a month or so ago, originally went for the Monarch but changed to the CCDB air after hearing some concerns on the reliability of the Monarch.

I have no experience with the Monarch but I don’t regret spending the extra. I’ve just had four days in the alps and the CCDB air has been very impressive, not too hard to find a good set up and very active. Also climbs far better than I expected although I do have issues with pedal strikes on rooty and rocky climbs.

Thanks all, sorry for not being more specific before as I’m actually leaving for Morzine tomorrow. I have neither the guts nor skill for big downhill and freeride stuff but I’m definitely biased towards gravity assisted riding.

Appreciate the advice and will look into the more XC trails and alternatives for when the weather dictates, ultra slippy mud and roots have caught me out too many times before!

I went for these in the end, very impressed. Nicely finsihed, very comfortable shape and light. Only ridden a few times but I don’t see any reason to doubt the longevity, yet.

Just finished building my El Guapo and that came out at 34lbs.

Large El Guapo
Cane Creek DB air
Fox Talas 36r
Hope hubs with XM321 rims, Panaracer Rampage tyres
XT double cranks, e13 bash, X0 mech and shifters
Carbon bars, very old answer seatpost, On One stem

I’ve had a go at polishing on the scratch, the paint and the water marks and those pictures are taken after having a good go at them, whilst being wary of doing anything too aggresive that may cause any damage.

I hope this doesn’t seem like I’m criticising Brant or On-one, it does give a better idea of what super raw looks like as he intended.

I’m afraid I agree with you robowns. I have some other things I’m not over happy with on a new frame but that really does stand out. Sadly I have a trip to the alps booked in just over a week so it’s a bit of a catch 22.

A black rocker would look pretty tidy too!

Anyway I’ll get on with my build and the serious business of riding it. Thanks for the feedback.

That’s fine, I’m certainly not seeking to argue about it. If it gives people an idea of what to expect then that’s great.

I’m a little disappointed particularly with the rocker but I’ll happily live with it and get it built up ready for a trip to Morzine to put some all new scratches on it 🙂

If you have any suggestions on safe ways to try to to remove the paint I’d appreciate it though.

Sorry Brant, I meant to edit those comments out so they weren’t seen here! Thought it wasn’t fair on you guys without having a chance to respond as I’m otherise a happy customer.

I’ve highlighted the rocker issue as to me what is a tool mark and is very noticeable doesn’t really fall under what I expect with a raw finish.

Thanks Brant, Light scratches to the frame are to be expected and are part of the reason for going super raw! I’ll wait to see what the warranty guys sayabout the other issues.

Sure thing mate, am I missing something on pm’ing here though?

I’d just like to say it’s a bloody lovely frame in any case, can’t wait to ride it.

Oh it’s not the brushed effect, that’s fine. Just quite a few fairly major imperfections. I won’t go in to it too far while I’m awaiting on one’s verdict. 😉 I’m glad to hear yours wasn’t the same!

I’ve been a bit disappointed with the finish on my raw one, could be a one off though. Awaiting on-one’s view on it.

Pro Bike Shop, no bleed kit though.

D’oh answered in the original post. Please ignore.