Interesting that Airdrop at sticking to 27.5″ across most bikes when Bird are dropping it.
Anyway, looks great! Really like this.

Went to a local LBS who are also a Trek stockist.
The owner said they stopped stocking Shimano motor bikes because of the unreliability.
They only have Bosh bikes now and he reckons they only have an issue once a month, despite ebikes being their biggest seller. Early days he said Bosh had big issues (thought still less than Shimano) but now they are pretty reliable according to him..
Big pinch of salt I guess as he want’s me to buy one of his Treks with a Bosh..

I’ve got a garden office incoming, but wasn’t happy with the base from the plans, so whilst I waited I built my own and overengineered it. Higher grade timber, treated and more supports. Top is theirs, bottom is mine. It’s 3.4×2.2m.
Need to tidy up the edges and treat the fence now.

It’s a variation of a mountain board; https://www.neoscooters.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Dirtsurfer_Flexi_Pro_Dirt_Board
You lean to carve rather than relying on the trucks to flex on the conventional 4 wheel type.

In my regulated world, you start with a ‘Source language’ (in this case English) and then the French is a child of the source document, so you’d add an extension to the file name (AXXFR). In my world you shouldn’t have a scenario where to child documents differ in content, just localization/translation.
If the child document MUST change then it becomes it’s own document and therefore has it’s own naming convention (FRXX)

Some bargains on there other than shoes. The Status 160 for £1600 really stands out!
I don’t need it.. but want it.

I just want a robust motor and the option to do software tweaks in an app. Everything else works quite well at the moment.
Other industries have got robust and reliable submersible electric motors for various applications. You’d think the big players, like Bosh, could do it too. I assume it’s a cost & weight reason for the poor reliability?

Has to be Ann’s Pasties ! 

I lived for a good few years down in Kernow so have had more than my fair share.
I find most of them are just poor quality volume tourist trap rubbish.

Stooge Mk1; bought into Andy’s vision and pre-ordered one from the first batch. 10 years old next year! SS and old school geometry so used as a pub/urban bike.
Stooge Speedbomb (incoming to replace a Dirtbomb); Continued Stooge love affair. Modern geometry and tyre clearance for my 29×3.25″ Crux. The Dirtbomb was heavy and bumpy but made me feel good. Speedbomb is the same geo, just different design, so should be just as fun.
Cotic BFeMax; Wanted a LT HT for winter and this was on offer. Replaced a O-O Scandal ’22 that was fine, but didn’t make me feel good. This is a little special and rides incredibly well so not just for winter duties.
Kona Explosif 27.5 ’13; Had this from new and fell in love with the frame finish and old school deccals. This came out when 27.5″ was the next best thing, so wanted to try it too. Being converted to electric for the wife.
Vitus Escapade CRS ’23; Got an enormous discount through work, plus additional discount code so made this a no brainer. Carbon and great spec when the competitors had AL frames and really poor components. It’s been fantastic! It’s not got the feel good factor.. so may need to frame swap..

In summary, I buy based on heart and emotions. Some purchases are driven by cost, but don’t last long if I don’t form a connection.

Glad I didn’t go for these now. It’s a shame as I quite like Unite.

I emailed them about something Monday morning, no reply yet. They usually reply in a day or two.

They had time to post to their Instagram story earlier today at least

Pet hate of mine.. Cotic do this. I’ve owned 5 of them and have asked questions and interacted with their Instagram posts/stories and have all be ignored. They still have time to post hundreds of stories and posts though.

There’s also the RTR BIKES BRUTUS UP PRO that looks much better but I need 5-6, so £500-600 is a little spendy!

So far I’ve used fork axle mounts screwed to chipboard with a wooden frame. Was thinking of similar but using the narrow scaffold poles to neaten things up. That’ll be £160 too.

BRUTUS UP PRO

Even the wild complicated Speedbomb frameset from Stooge is £820.

Ah, also add £30 postage in the Uk, so £980!

Looks like an electric Stooge with a lower TT.
really like that!

140mm- it’s been an amazing bike. Zero regrets.
There’s a thread over here that might interest you.

Where abouts are you?
If anywhere near Oxford then you can try my BfeMax medium.
As pictured with a 150mm dropper for someone 173cm. I’ve got short legs.

Cheers both! Just priced them on both sites with the axle.. £80+!

Not cheap.. maybe I’m better off with a new wheel.

Which crankset have you got? Are you trying to remove the chainring, or spider too?
If it looks like this then I believe they are T-30 torx key.
The rotors usually use T-25 torx keys.

How’s everyone getting on with their BfeMax?
I’ve done another 500 miles, 70 of which with mini me attached. It’s been fantastic! The Plus wheelset are noticeably more compliant and nimble over the DH set, but a little slower. Fair bit of tyre clearance which is nice. Lovely for summer.
Usually I default to FS for the summer, but this has been out a fair bit too. It was only meant to be the winter bike. Only criticism is weak paint. Picked up a load of stone chips and rub marks already.. not that I’m bothered.

Three flip-chips!

I don’t know why  more brands don’t do this?! Excellent idea. I’ve got one on the Vitus which give me a ‘trail’ and ‘enduro’ bias. Swaps quickly and seems effective and reliable.
Lovely looking bike too.

Remortgaged early in ’22 at a cost of £2,000. It stung at the time but I’m risk adverse so went for it despite push back from the bank & wife. I got 10 years (+6 months) at 2.04%  which I’m now happy with.
We really want to move to a bigger house, but fully aware our energy prices, food and general cost of living has shot up. I think we’ll just stay and do a few bits to the house we’ve been meaning to do for sometime and hopefully live within comfort..

I’ll most likely see what happens once the full extent of the changes are felt by the market. We live in a 3 bed semi, so probably the sort of size people would be willing to downsize to. I guess we’ll take a wash on our house value though, but at a smaller proportion than the big houses. Could be a good time to move after all?

Just checked- they are even offering 10 year fixed now at 4.79% at our bank. Seems reasonable to me for peace of mind! It’s lower than 2 year fixed (5.64%) & 5 year fixed (5.09%) too..

I’ve got my eye on a front hub motor, but the question is how lairy I go.. 12v 250w is standard and would keep it legal but they do a 52v 1500w one :D !

We have a nice row of big old military officer houses that have been boarded up for a good 30 years.
Complete waste but good for some post apocalyptic photos.

On a side note, the C5 is bloody awful to pedal without the battery. You can’t fully stretch your legs out so it’s like trying to pedal a BMX sat down.

Picked up my Sinclair C5 project and went for a nice 10 mile ride.

Another vote for the Cotic BFeMax.
Mine has been awesome! I’ve done everything on it from BPWs to XC epics.
Lots of mounts on the frame for extra bottle cages and accessories/storage.
It’s been my go to bike since building it in January.

Currently I’ve got a shed only, so space and available height is an issue all round.
I’ve found mounting them vertically without the front wheel takes up very little space.
I’ve got 2 other bikes stored elsewhere, but could comfortably squeeze another in. I can access each bike without touching the other and the front wheel gets fitted within a minute. Usually the most ridden bike is left assembled standing up normally.

Cheers all!
I shall stay clear of Shimano motors then :O !
That Specialized Levo & the Whyte E-160 are both on my list now :)

I have a Brand X Ascent post that I’ve abused for 5 years. Ridden year round a few times a week, including those axle deep mud days with no mudguards. I’ve never serviced it or had to change cables. It just works! It’s as good now as it was when purchased despite the shaft having wear and a couple notches. I’ve got a few other droppers that have never caused me issues either, but then they see less use.

The one thing I don’t like about any of the cable/hydraulic droppers is lever feel. I think the awkward cable routing and flimsy lever design means it’s never felt robust or particularly accurate when actuating. All my gear shifters feel great- why can’t they copy that? Would like to try the bluetooth options for feel.

Lord Wantage Monument along the Ridgeway. One of the higher places locally and the ‘summit’ of my ride :D

For years I ran flats until I had a nasty crash and stitched/superglued/taped by shin back together and decided to give cleats ago. After a little while I got into it and then was a convert. Loved the slight extra power available, no feet jumping off pedals and the fact I knew my shins were safe. Didn’t bother looking at flats again.

Fast forward 5 years I borrowed a mates bike with flats. I used his shoes, 5:10s, too as I had nothing suitable. I rode 417 for the day. I didn’t realise how floaty and unsecure the clips were! A good ‘sticky’ flat pedal with a good shoe was amazing. Felt secure, planted without the need to worry about clipping in and out.

Promptly bought flats for all my bikes and a few pairs of shoes and not looked back. I’ve tried clips now and again to check but keep going back to a well sorted flat pedal and shoe. Probably been 6 years now? I’ve ridden more aggressive stuff in those last 6 years and have yet (touch wood, cross fingers) not had a bad pedal slip.

I had a Fiesta ST3 Mk7.5- amazing car! Super engaging handling, breaks and all the kit you need. Enough power to have fun without losing your licence.
The ride was very firm (something improved on MY16 onward cars) in town and slow speeds, but get onto a nice back road and it’s lovely.

We need another car and am looking at the ST again. I still miss it! Might be out of budget, but they did a small run of 5 door STs too which helps with practicality and roof racks.

Are Bird doing okay? Seems odd to be having all of these sales, especially as some of the frames are still current generation. Hopefully just a clear out.

Enduro-ists seem to like a bolt on widget carrier as almost as much as bike packers.

Yup, I’m one of those. I hate carrying things so strap them to the bike. I still have no use for 4 bottle mounts.

I get the use case for the mounts on a tourer, gravel, road, but not on a ‘hardcore hardtail’.
My BfeMAX has 3 bottle mounts in the main triangle which are super useful, but also a set on the bottom of the DT.
I haven’t seen them for months as they are always covered in mud. Would hate to mount anything there.

You have my condolences.. I’ve had the same terrible experience at Evans (Reading) with a Trek.
Told bike was ready to collect and on arrival it was still in the delivery box.
Wouldn’t let me take it as is, so had to wait 2 hours (!!) for assembly.
Pop-lock missing entirely, saddle and stem not straight, tyres not seated, gears not indexed, they scratched the frame down to metal in several places, lose bolts throughout, almost flat tyres, grease covering everything & some protective packaging left.
I would have rejected it but had an XC race series starting the next day, so had to wait as they scavenged a pop-lock off another stock bike. Everything else I fixed at home late into the night ahead of the race the next day. Pointed out the damage and pretty much told ‘meh, pick a bell off the shelf if you want’. Left me with a real bitter taste and took the shine off the ‘new bike day’.

£2k+ bike! I get better service in Primark.
Will never touch them again.

Thanks again all!
I’ve not really got anymore to add.
Its been really interesting hearing everyone’s experiences and take on things.

Thanks again for everyones thoughts!
It’s put my mind some what at ease.

Thanks everyone! Really appreciate the comments.

We both have sibblings (2 for me, 1 for the wife) and none of us get on.
Parents on both sides had some oddities bringing us up, so we’re both working through the neglect and other issues.
So I’m all too aware that having siblings and family doesn’t mean you get on; blood makes you a relation, not family.

Super interesting responses- thanks all!
Lots of things I can relate to.

TBH if your wife isn’t keen, the conversation really ends there.

Completely agree! Her body, her decision. No qualms about that.
We’re both undecided together. We’re pretty transparent talking about this stuff.

Single child issues

This just seems to be something that oh-so-many people have said. I’ve got it from friends/family/colleagues/neighbours throughout my life and as a consequence sticks in my mind.

Typical response here of ‘recommend what you’ve got’..

Cotic BFeMax- reasonable price and the bike is fantastic.
Here’s a thread on them- https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/cotic-bfe-max-120-130-fork/

RE- That Stooge thread linked above, that was my frame originally and recently got it back with the repair.
2 years on and I can vouch that it’s still a solid repair. Running it single speed and cranking it up hills. No issues.