I think the Chameleon is one of the few frames to hit the sweet spot between modern xc bikes and LLS bikes. Great all-rounder.

SC Chameleon?

Mine is set up with 120mm 35mm SIDs and is a great all-day bike, really comfy.

Anthem 29er is a xc race bike. If you want a short travel trail bike there is the Trance. Having said that the Anthem is ‘old school’ geometry, rather than the newer progressive xc geo as seen on Specialised Epic, Scott Spark etc. However, it is a very fast xc bike and rides far more confidently than the geometry suggests (see review in the mag a couple of years back). Having said that it would benefit from a bigger seat post to make droppers easier to come by.

Patagonia – not cheap but ethically made, lots of recycled materials and plain colours available.

All children need a balanced education. Too much of (any) one subject they get bored and switch off. Plus there has been a significant focus on ‘character education, on top of PHSE and RSE for the last few years. Education is not just about exams, it is making students prepared to be successful in life and the workplace. Unfortunately the focus on progress measures has meant schools are under pressure and student don’t necessarily develop self-study and independent learning skills which means they struggle post-16 and in the workplace.

Different area but we have camped in Devon twice and Cornwall once recently with no issues.

@clink very interesting. What’s your opinion of the two? We are located close to Stif Yorkshire, so when they eventually open, I can probably get a test ride, though I’d look to build it myself I think.

They are very different bikes. BR is designed from ground up as a stable bike-packing stead; long chain stays, slack (for xc) ha, 100mm fork. Chameleon is an all-rounder, I’m running mine a lighter end of spectrum with carbon wheels and 120mm fork (29er). They are both ‘good’ bikes, but I prefer Chameleon, I’m sure other will prefer the BR. Not much help, sorry!

I currently have an alu SC Chameleon and have previously owned a Sonder Broken Road. Chameleon is just as comfy – in fact, all the reviews of the alu version mention how comfortable it is. Don’t compare it to earlier versions.

Watch the VWs – basic kit was rubbish when I was looking at them.

Yeah Berlingo is still a bit marmite; ours is red so looks a bit like a Playmobil car!! However I wanted 130bhp, auto and grip control in a nearly new car – very few with grip control about so I gave in on the colour. Auto is a revelation – so relaxing to drive.

We just changed from a Renault Trafic LWB to a Citroen Berlingo XL (new one). Plenty of space, sliding doors are great. Fist go at sleeping in it this weekend. Even fits a kayak in with front passenger seat flat (although normally put on roof). We have taken out 2 rear row seats (pain to store). Middle row all fold flat individually; with one down can fit 2 29ers in upright with front wheels off. Very happy so far. Oh ours is biggest of the diesels and an auto – all reviews said go for bigger engine if lugging loads.

Interesting thread. We currently have 2 Wavesport Scooters we have enjoyed in surf, but not so great for journeys. I have paddled proper kayaks in past, but my wife will only paddle a SOT. Thinking of Perception Triumph, and fitting rudders. Any thoughts? Will be for coastal day trips in Dorset/Cornwall/Devon.

Is it me or doesn’t that Pinkbike article have a summary / outcome?

It’s just the introduction to the test. I think they release individual/overall findings later.

Just seen this, probably worth a read.

Link

Orbea Oiz
Intense Sniper
Giant Anthem

Kona Unit is now boost.

Specialized Chisel here for exactly this purpose. Just about to put a set of carbon rigid forks on. Light, comfy.

Reminds me of the ‘The Handmaid’s Tale‘ the paramilitary unmarked vans and no ID not a good look.

Exactly my thought. Bloody scary. Currently looking more like Russia than the land of free speech.

I have the Santa Cruz chameleon in the 29 variety but comes in 27.5.
It was a really change for me but love it now so much so I have decided to get rid of my short travel Yeti.
A great bike for fun stuff and long day rides.

Just done first proper ride on my alu Chameleon on Exmoor. It was great – no issues with staying with mates on full sus bikes and it is a comfortable ride. Mine is set up on xc side of trail with new 35mm SIDs. Mine is a large and I’m 5’10”, medium would definitely be too small. Wouldn’t say it’s overly modern LLS geo though, but great for an all-round riding.

I’ve just put a set of SID 35mm Select on Chameleon. First proper ride Exmoor Saturday. I’ll try and remember to report back!

I use a Specialized Chisel for that. Trad xc geo, but very light Alu frame that is also comfortable.

Chisel review

SC Chameleon? Not LLS, alu frame is not stiff, probably better for long xc and bike packing?

Nino puts the EWS crowd to shame

please explain …

Link 1

Link 2

Cheers guys, yeah running 180. Need to get some bolts. Do they need the half-dome bits that help it to centre, or just the washer?

I have a Specialized Chisel – fantastic old school xc bike, light and sprightly. However no rack mounts, but there are ways around that. Not much new stock about but they come up second hand.

Leaked plans for September.

Leaked plans

Speak to JustRidingAlong and they will spec something to meet your requirements.

Finish- I can’t quite believe it.. but this frame has a better finish than the Cotic. The mercury finish on the Cotic just chipped and dulled far too quickly. The orange is marking, but holding up better. I had issues with burs in the ST of the Cotic (chewing up my new dropper) and the BB needing chassing. The cable routing was a mess on the cotic, but is rather well thought out on the O-O.

Ride- This is down to personal taste, but I find it easier to climb and better on singletrack. Sure, it’s a little slower on full blown descents, but more than makes up for it on everything else. The frame is also notably lighter, yet just as stiff. It’s easier to manual and ‘play’ around on, but doesn’t feel a whole lot less planted.

So, the Cotic was £650 and the O-O £150 (with Headset). It’s quite the bargain and I can honestly say that the Cotic was a big dissapointment, and the O-o a very pleasant suprise.

I should caviat this- I have owned 3 Cotics (SolarisMax LS, RocketMAX & Roadrat) and also several O-Os (Inbred, 456 SS & Scandal). I’ve had various issues with some and others have been perfect. Little disapointed that some spare linkage bits I bought recently from Cotic were inconsistent, even down to two identicle bolts (1 each side) only having loctite on one of them.

Ta for this feedback, really useful.

I think a short travel, modern geo FS is probably the best ‘compromise’ – doesn’t make trails dull, still fun to ride, extra traction on climbs and comfort for big days. Having said that I’m going back to a ss hardtail :-)

The Sherpa’s and Switch9er in Ti that are available to order are all Taiwanese made.

The tubes are taiwanese too, always have been as Reynolds cannot produce the tapers Stanton need.

Older Sherpa Ti’s may be UK made, but I think a lot of the process was outsourced by Stanton and it is cheaper and higher quality to have it done in Taiwan.

Are you sure? When I last spoke to them they had shifted production to the UK.

It looks as if titanium Stantons are produced overseas so there’s no production advantage to Stanton.

I’m sure they are UK made now?

I’ve had 3 sets of JRA wheels all been spot on. Might main set are carbon trail dogs though so slightly different. They build good wheels.

People moaning about the bottle mounts are sorta forgetting what this bike is for. If you want to go full HT enduro then get a BfeMax BUT, if you want a bike that will do that AND allow you to ride into the hills for a week the Solairs is for you. Personally its exactly why I have one I can smash it around Surrey or back home in Wales all day throwing it down anything I would on my Rocket or take a 60+ mile loop from my house in London taking on roads, bridal way and any single track I find on route. Its a truly amazing bike.

Agreed. But why not put the extra mounts under the downtube? This is what most manufactures do for there all-round frames and it means you can use a frame-bag and a bottle or other storage underneath – ideal if you are riding in the hills for a week :-)

cy – is there an engineering reason why you don’t go for mounts underneath the down tube, as this would be great for bike packing using a frame bag?

I had a 2018 model, only sold as too small for me. Rocket-ship on technical xc terrain, but it is only 90mm travel/100m fork.

I like the orange – but just one set of mounts under the downtube was all that was needed. Just looks messy now.

One of the best bikes I’ve had and far better than the Cotic SolarisMax LS.

Wow! How is it better?

The straight cut harness doesn’t rub on your cables or headtube and works well on drop bars too.

That looks a very similar design to my original Wildcat harness Wilcat Lion

Used my Wildcat on drop bar, Jone and normal mtb bars very successfully.

Sounds like you are doing an amazing job considering the circumstances. Covid 19 is a further kick in the nuts. Unfortunately getting effective support from CAMHS is alway san uphill struggle, but just keep pestering them – you’ll get the support the kids needs eventually. Where about are you? I might be able to signpost you to other services, although social services should be doing that. Social services will want to put sustainable support/change in place so they can withdraw – get everything from them that you can.

Sorry, I’m sure you know all of the above. What age are the children? School will have counsellors/ Parent and Family Support Advisors, most of which should still be working, albeit in different ways. Are any of the kids the right year groups to be back in school?

Anybody decided they don’t want their carbon fork? If so I’m after one.