Is that really black?

Stunning morning at Glentress.

Highly recommended. You’ll feel the benefit for months afterwards as you gradually put all the tips into practice.

bump for evening crowd…

Take them to your LBS and ask them how to change a tyre properly. Once you know the secret technique any tire is easy.

OK yep accept I’ll get some stick but here goes anyway then.

2010 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 (OCLV Carbon)
18.5″
Fox F120 FIT RL QR 15 tapered (standard) RP2 DRCV shock (standard)
Cane Creek headset new may 2010 (zs £130 RRP)
Just had all suspension bearings/bushing replaced and full serviced.
Deore XT chainset (granny and middle ring new May 2010), cassette (new May 2010), chain (new May 2010)
XT shifters
XTR Rear Mech – not the most recent one the one before with the carbon cage
Bontrager Rhythm Elite Wheelset – new in May 2010 so excellent condition
Rhythm stem (70mm) – new May 2010.
RXL Carbon bars
RL seat post and saddle
Maxxis Ardent/Crossmark combo
Elixir R Carbon 180/160 – new rotors May 2010 and good pads.

This bike has been ridden and the frame shows this – there is nothing structural wrong but it looks pretty well used with some cable rub and general marks from 2 years of riding. That said it’s mechanically absolutely sound and rides awesome.

Any ballpark figures?

TIA

I found it to be a bit overhyped too. It’s not really steep enough for my liking.

Big Trek demo at Glentress this weekend so you can get a free shot on the shiny new 2012 bikes if you head over there.

GT is pretty good in the rain as most of the climbs are in the woods.

Ah thanks!

Notifications – swipe down from the top of the screen.

Got bored – went to sleep – woke up with iOs5 – looks good so far – bit nippier all round and sorted out the problem I was having with the home button intermittently not working.

Notifications seems OK but can’t get the camera button on lock screen? No tabbed Safari browsing either wonder if thats just iPad.

4 hours :(

Nope they are nails. I’ve smacked mine about and its held up better than aluminium.

Seriously?

Are you worried about the extra weight in the 400mm post? If so why not just chop a bit off the end?

2011 3.1 for £1100…

http://www.alpinebikes.com/shop/trek/madone-31-c-h2-2011/

Madone frame – nice bits. Maybe spend extra on some nice wheels.

Tip – She’s probably dropping hints like mad right now so listen

How would it work with an RP23 for trail rides, keep the Van R for gravity days??

To be honest if you’re looking for a trail bike a Patriot is probably not for you – it’s a mini DH bike that can be ridden up hill – not a beefed up trail bike IMO.

If you want something more all round to swap shocks etc then a Five is probably a better option and VERY capable on steep stuff with the correct setup – remember it’s the rider not the bike that’s generally the limiting factor – Gary Forrest won the Seniors at Innerleithen SDA last weekend on a Five running High Rollers – pretty much everyone else was on full DH rigs and mud tyres…

It’s actually pretty good uphill for such a capable bike but it’s no mountain goat. Amazing bike for the Alps.

Alpine Bikes have a demo at Inners – best to try before you buy – here’s a video

Fuel all day long.

2011 for more XC/Trail geometry.

2012 for more Trail/XC geometry (slightly slacker)

I’ve been fortunate enough to try Active Shell and although I am usually incredibly sceptical about Gore and other membrane based fabrics active shell was actually pretty good.

If you can, get to one of the test road shows or ask you bike shop if they can get a test jacket from Gore – they have loads. Worth a try.

The summary of the sensible answers is 0% neither costs nor earns the dealer anything other than helping him/her shift bikes.

Why then expect a discount?

Not a great summary really.

0% finance always costs the bike shop something – 5-12% dependent on size of shop/turnover through finance etc and the deal they’ve managed to strike with a credit provider.

If you pay hard cash then you save them the 5-12% less any banking fees they may incur.

If you pay card you save them the 5-12% less any card fees they may incur (typically 1-3% depending on card)

So you can argue that, if you turn up with 3.5k in cash you should be able to get some kind of discount assuming you aren’t rubbish at negotiation.

I think 10% would be good going, 5% more likely. Also very dependent on how desperate the LBS is to get 3k in the till. Can swing things massively.

Commentry terrible without Warner.

Gwin has been awesome this year!

Try Alpine Bikes at Glentress they have an 18. You can put your name down for bikes then when they get to 30 hires they sell them.

Gel + Bottle of SIS a lap will keep you going.

Too expensive

Trio definitely the best – good break in between laps and have someone to chat to.

That said I’m probably doing Llandegla solo.

Only read the first post but basically the OP has bought the wrong size or fit of pads and is blaming the velcro?

Oh man some people on here are NUTS!

That is lovely.

Frank for the win today.

Sorry, I’m being harsh. I’m glad you found it fun. Loved you yelp at 0:44 for clearing that rough patch!

Around here we call that fire road and we go UP it!

Why not just get yourself a road bike?

http://twitter.com/#!/itvcycling

Twitter

Great effort – lets see how many Schleckonds he has to spare now Voeckler has cranked it up

Bertie switches to the battery powered bike for the climb…

Trek Time is where it’s at!

http://www.google.co.uk/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=trek+time

So on this thread we’ve established that it’s

– cheaper materials wise for them (thus probably cheaper for you)
– more environmentally (sp?) friendly than jiffy bags
– cheaper for them to handle (thus probably cheaper for you)

but you lot are still complaining! I love STW it’s great for a laugh!

All packed by a machine.

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gallery/article/chain-reaction-cycles-behind-the-scenes-29496

Yep a mix of marked downhill tracks and unmarked lines.