I gave up about 9 years ago now

I was on holiday and about to buy 1000 cigarettes to bring back to the UK, changed my mind and bought a nicorette plastic cigarette, used that for a few months and haven’t touched one since.

It gets easier, there is virtually no chance any event would ever cause me to smoke again, however, I still do get occasional cravings. These usually last a few seconds a couple of times a year.

I think the key thing for me and what I see others fail on is that you can’t just cut down, it’s all or nothing

Sam Dexter, don’t bite your tongue off on the landing!

Got a medium sized Ghost AMR 2955 for sale at the moment that would fit his bill. It’s barely been used as it was my 2nd bike for 12 months, and it’s in great condition… Would come in under his budget too.

Any more details on this? my email is in my profile

Medium is a word not a size, will depend on the bike completely. At least pick up so you can check for lemons and the wrong size.

I have no intention of purchasing something over tinternet without picking it up but thanks for the advice

That pains me looking at that

Looks good! would love to do this, what sort of budget are you talking about for a week here? also, any experience of hire bikes? :)

Cheers

I’ve just ordered a 2016 whyte 905 in xl, I test rode a 2015 905 xl and it all just felt right, might be worth a look

Cost £1599

I run the Carbon cycles 750mm flat bars they are cracking and mine have had plenty abuse

These don’t sound too good… ;)

Another vote for the hard knuckleballs!

Love these bikes, they look really well made with some nice little details

Mainly Cheshire, Llandegla and Marple!

I weigh nearly 19st though so strong wheels would be better

barffy, not sure what a flat spot is but it doesn’t sound good? Also, are sram hubs compatible with Shimano cassettes?

Are they better than all of those I posted? Any idea what the weight is like and if they’re tubeless ready?

Cheers all, heard a few bad reviews about oneplanet specifically the neil donoghue courses. Apparently over crowded and too much self promotion / showing off according to a friend, however, I ride at Llandegla so knowledge of the trail may be a plus point?

Had a look at some of Ed’s videos at Gisburn and he seems like a good trainer, very calm!

Anyone experienced Ride MTB coaching? their clearly very capable bikers based on their promo video but no idea on their coaching skills? – Ride MTB promo video

Hm.. I just clicked through and the first link specifies the free light, but the others do not. I think I will phone through and check on Monday.

If it’s still in the mag though that makes me feel a bit better.

I noticed this but continued anyway, the order confirmation confirms the deal though:

Mountain Biking UK – Print Edition Subscription
United Kingdom | 6 Monthly Direct Debit + LEZYNE MACRO DUO Unit Price
£23.99 Qty
1 Total
£23.99
Total £23.99
Grand total £23.99

Just taken a punt and ordered, thanks op :)

I’ve a stanton slackline 631 I’m going to be selling soon if you’re interested, 18″ I black.

Send me a mail about this, email is in my profile :)

jambalaya – Member
Went to see Alex Clare on Sunday, what an incredible live singer! sounds exactly like he does on the album

@choclolate he played his only UK gig on MONDAY at Shepards Bush

I assure you that wasn’t his only UK gig, he was in The Ritz in Manchester on 09/11 (SUNDAY) :)

Went to see Alex Clare on Sunday, what an incredible live singer! sounds exactly like he does on the album

kayak23 – Member

Spare bike you say?
Me carrying my mates bike off 2-Alpes after he broke his arm.

Should of told him to man up and ride it 1 handed!

I’ve got one of these as a cheapo quick bag, only negative to it is that it doesn’t have a proper waist strap, just shoulder and chest.

http://www.tesco.com/direct/tesco-hydration-cycle-bag/342-4022.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=342-4022

Your size is?
It’ll be fine for someone up to 24/25st

How do you know this?

I’m 6ft 5″ nearly 19st

Thanks

Thanks, I don’t own one to check this :)

I’m trying to work out if it’s appropriate for someone of my size

High Volume and Standard Volume. High Volume shocks have more air in them to compensate for certain riding characteristics, but they tend to be very linear – heavy guys need lots of air in them. Luckily you can just change the shock to a standard can, but thats a bit of an expensive upgrade.Rule of thumb is avoid HV shocks if over about 13st.

Thanks for the info, do you mean though I should avoid lots of air? as surely a high volume shock would be what I need if I need lots of air in it?

I’ve had a good idea for my next thread though – “What hardtail bike should I get?” ;)

Choice of shock is way more important than leverage ratio in most cases. Both those ghosts have hv Shocks in the picture, which means they probably would need a new shock either way. Look for something low to medium that uses an sv can and you’ll be fine I would expect.

No idea what hv means or sv? and what does low to medium in respect to that mean?

Also, the bike has a seemingly good spec, why put a shock on it that needs replacing?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ghost-amr-2975-suspension-bike-2014/rp-prod111427#

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ghost-amr-6575-suspension-bike-2014/rp-prod111429

Only real difference between these two appears to be the wheel size, dropper & travel.

Presumably they would be similar leverage ratios? I can only find data for the 650b version.

I also can’t find any other bikes with a near 2:1 leverage ratio!

mboy – really great post, thank you very much, combining your info with frostys post earlier I can pretty much rule out the trance & nukeproof

(3.05-2.6) leverage ratio according to http://linkagedesign.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/giant-trance-650b-2014.html assuming that means 3.05 / 1 to 2.6 / 1

also, same for the nukeproof at around 2.6/1 http://linkagedesign.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/nuke-proof-mega-am-275-2014.html

The ghost like you say is looking like a good bet at 2:1 http://linkagedesign.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/ghost-amr-asx-2014.html

Can’t find any info on the leverage ratio of the boardman pro though, will try to see what I can find out

Thanks everyone, very impressed at how helpful everyone has been

A lot of people seem to be getting out of the 27.2 dropper market. What’s going on?

We’ve heard there are big plans for 27.2 and it’s making a comeback with rockshox reverbs and all sorts…

…or I’m selling my old bike and don’t need this anymore :)

http://linkagedesign.blogspot.co.uk/ this site may be of some use when considering leverage ratio

– Cheers frosty will take a look at this later

Get the nukeproof,my mate is 6’3″ and 16 stone rides a 20″ it’s not a massive frame,but is sturdy.

The sizing is perfect, i’m bothered about it being too descent orientated though and shit at climbing.

My last full sus was an Orange 222 about 10 years ago, it was shit at climbing, not really sure what to expect these days on modern full suspensions. I’ve heard the giant maestro system is awesome though.

Also, I know I should get a bike that ‘fits’ but I’ve rode bikes that are meant to be my size and I’ve never felt comfortable, always felt better on a bike one size down.

Perhaps it was just the bike I rode or I didn’t give it enough time maybe.

I’ll be selling one of these soon, 27.2mm KS i7r (100mm), only different is mine is blue not red.

It’s in excellent condition and works flawlessly

Will sell for £150 :)

Still massively confused by this leverage ratio stuff, I’ve had a look and I understand it reasonably but no idea how to look at a bike and decide what leverage ratio it has!

I’m in talks with dekadanse about his boardman frame at the minute, just slightly concerned it may be to XC orientated for my build

Cheers Mbnut, I’ll do some more research :)

Some great bikes have been suggested though so far, thanks.

Mbnut no idea what you’re talking about, I push the pedals hard and it goes forward :D

dekadanse – I would be tempted but I guess it’s a 27.5? my SL5 is a 26″ so all the other bits would mount up to probably a complete bike!

The spectral looks good, i’ve heard they’re not great for tall riders though? also, do they climb well?

Lets assume new for now, not sure if i’m going to get a C2W scheme voucher or not yet, either way the budget stands :)

That is quite terrible

There’s a new bar opening near me and I think there website is much worse, albeit it is intentionally bad I think

http://www.theneverendingfool.com

any outbuilding at the side of the house would be a massive target. Is the bike expensive? how much do you want to spend?

If it’s a cheapo bike then just get a lean to shed and bolt it to the walls and ground.

3 egg omlette with cheese and a healthy portion of buttered white bread

Same for the 2 little ones on half term but slightly smaller :)

My favourite two of my current bike, some great photos here!

Couldn’t agree more, i’m back with a vengeance after a 10 year break. I lead a hectic busy lifestyle with 2 children and 50+ hours work but I feel so much better after a few hours on the bike.

It’s sometimes hard to get the motivation to start the journey but once I’ve started I never look back!

Thanks all, Delamere and Macc forest are both on my list

Much as I expected really, we went to Roman lakes a week or two back and did a route around Mellor / Rowarth which was really good, great scenery.

It would be nice to have a few more on my doorstep but I don’t mind a drive out every couple of weeks.

Cheers