True, if the blue and red is ridden properly you can carry some great speed and get some reasonable air time. Amazing how quickly you can catch people up too.

Personally I really like Swinley and any development there is a good thing. I’ll be looking to volunteer when the weather gets better.

My Whyte T129 SCR- bought it without a test ride.
When I got it home and took it out it just felt perfect.

I tend to try and keep my top half toasty and hope for the best for the rest.
Top: Buff, Sealskinz waterpoof glvoes, Base layer, long sleeve jersey, waterproof (if v. cold add another baselayer- short sleeve).
Bottom: Bib tights, Sealskinz waterproof socks, Sealskins overshoes.

I did 30 miles round Swinley on Sunday. Muddy slush, rain & grit, proper nasty. The first 2 hours were lovely and warm, after that I started getting cold and miserable. I knew that I could strip off and sit in a car within minutes, so that kept me going. Had to stop for a gel too- I never do that on a casual ride. Lots and lots of unprepared people there. Rather scary.

I’d be interested in one for my Whyte T129 medium and trek Superfly 9 ’15 in 17.5″

I use the Sealskinz Medium sock combined with Sealskinz overshoes. The combination is perfect. My feed stay toasty for about 2 hours. Once my legs are fully saturated the water runs down into my socks, but it’s such a low volume that I just warm it up like a wetsuit. Once warmed up it’s comfortable again.

With the socks alone I find that they fill up with water to quickly and don’t stay warm, overshoes are a must.

Can’t comment on sizing, but the new S-works Epic is incredible.
One of the guys in our riding club has one. It’s unbelievably light, yet stiff and direct, feels like much more travel. The geometry and components makes it so easy to gather speed. I wish I could afford one. I wouldn’t do the bike justice, but it’s one of the only bikes that has left me speechless after riding it.

I’m very jealous. Enjoy!

Evans with a price match and then some vouchers from ‘friends’.
They’ve only got 1x 18.5” left; http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/superfly-9-2015-mountain-bike-ec074289
Evans is the only 18.5” I’ve seen.

I got the last 17.5”, but lesiure lakes still have a 17.5”.

Thanks for all the input!
I’ve ordered the Trek Superfly 9 ’15 at an even lower price than above.
Should arrive Tuesday. I’ve ordered some Beevers for the mud too :D

Little bit here..[/url]

Thanks for all the replies- will have a look. I just can’t get past the Superfly 9 price at the moment. I could run the stock wheels with winter tyres and then buy a nicer set for summer, and still have change over.

Looks like this is wining for now..
Trek Superfly 9 2015- X1, Sid RL, XT brakes for £1450!

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/18491/trek-superfly-9-hardtail-mountain-bike-2015-sale

I’ll have a look at the Scott- not checked the Geometry yet.
Problem is I’d have to spend the £2400 before I get the spec I could get lower down on other bikes.

Yeah, they do look lovely! Shame the SS didn’t come to the UK.
With Al you get a better spec, and arguably a more durable frame, but with a slight weight penalty. Seems to only be about 500-700g though, that’s some mud this time of year.

Edit: Superfly 8- 1×11 GX, SID RL and al frame for £1600. I don’t know anything about the Bontrager wheels though.

Well, that’s annoying! Just bought a TLD A1 because I couldn’t strech to the POC. Absolute bargain!

T129 SCR Works here.

Maxxis Beaver 2.2- ace tyre. Clears easily from mud and gives plenty of clearance around the CS. Grips nicely on everything apart from very polished surfaces.

I’ve tried Spec Purgatory and MKII in the back. None of them had the clearance or the grip close to the Beaver.

Weeksy- did you get my email? I got an out of office back..

Backie! Why is this even up for discussion? :lol:

Would a 120mm 29” Rev compliment the Transmitter with 650b+ tyres?

Stoner- post it here and i’ll paste it in

Brant answering my question like a true politician :P

Edit: still appreciate the response

That’s concerning.. some of my trails require substantial bits of road riding to link up- especially this time of year.
Maybe it’s worth getting a cheaper Cat eye or something and swap the lights when I see cars approaching.

Sounds like there’s good reason as to why the Maxx D is popular and so reviewed.

For road use I tend to cup the light so I don’t blind the drivers, but most of the time the roads too narrow for both of us so I pull over and turn the bars. Hopefully it won’t be an issue with the Maxx D then.

We’ve got one booked at BPW.
All of us booked onto the uplift and a few renting bikes.
BPW will cater for all abilities too.
Cardiff is close and cracking night out.

Thanks everyone! Appreciate the quick response.
I’ll order the Maxx D now and then save up for the Diablo :-)

Edit- mboy, email sent.

Thanks both. Two Diablos seems a lot and very expensive..

Gazhurst- I’ve never heard of them.. I’m not really a fan of the bar mount, it looks cheap and flimsy. Also, the battery life isn’t fantastic. I’ll have a closer look though.

Thanks b r- I’ve read that the Joystick and Diablo are drowned out by the Maxx D. Is the spread wide enough on the Maxx D to negate the need for a helmet light?

The grit and grime seems to get in everywhere.
My gripe is having to try and clear the bike during a ride. The mud sometimes builds up around the forks and CS and then cakes the drivetrain. Every pedal stroke I’m cringing and trying to not calculate the cost. I get horrifically muddy trying to clear it to get the wheels turning, never mind getting cold and using precious water to do so.

Post ride clear up is easy. Quick rinse with a hose and put away then lube chain before the next ride. I’ve got two sets of everything so just swap every ride for dry kit.

Nice! Looks like an honest bike.
I’m tempted by one for the winter muck. It’s cheaper than replacing my drivetrain and servicing the forks.

adambarton- If you fancy selling the bits you’re taking off send me an email; cokie.stw(AT)gmail.com

I’m younger than most of these bikes, but those Kona’s look perfect 8O

Personally I’d go for the RS for the extra £450.
– Drivetrain: I preffer the feel of the XT over GX. Better shifting and cheaper to replace. More bling crankset.
– Wheelset: the Roams are very nice with great pickup and light. Feel stiffer to me than i23
– Forks: Pikes are lighter and proven
– Brakes: XT have a nicer leaver feel and easier to feather

The whole build will also be a bit lighter and it’s all a little bit nicer.

Cokie I’ve got Thule space if it would help mate ? Got 1 mate likely to book up too now, but 3 bike trailer so still 1 space which will save fuel and bridge costs.

Thanks for the offer! Are you going just for the day?

I like most of that kit. Good price too!
What’s going on with the bar widths though.. 720mm & 740mm..

Oh, I might book that.
Just spotted there’s uplift spaces and I’ve had to take a days flexi.
Edit: Just remembered, you’re just down the road from me!

Charge Blender- cheap full build pop up sometimes.

^^ They’re good ones! :lol:

On various builds- chainring bolts, gear cable and outter, steerer spacers, BB & disc brake mount to space to 180mm.

Always seems to be little things.

Banjo Cycles & Specialized Concept Store, Hambridge Lane, Newbury- owned by the same chap. Great service, cheap workshop costs, good range of kit and lovely people.

AW Cycles, Reading- Nice guys and very helpful with huge range of bikes

Mountain Mania, Goring- Great shop with some interesting bikes, staff always have time for you and great service.

The Missing Link, Droitwich- Mboy from the forums runs it. Endless good advice and really nice chap & gave me a fantastic deal on a bike

18 Bike, Hope- Excellent service, great prices and nice guys

Lovely bike! Good matching decals too.

I’d change a few things though if it was mine..
1. Fit a dropped
2. Lose the rear shock leaver, or if you keep it then move it under the bars on the left.
3. Go 1×11
4. Slightly shorter stem.

Had a very muddy 50 mile ride on the Zealous. I actually found the TBs very good for my local trails. It gripped 95% of the time. The only issue I had was claggy mud covering the tred- but I think most tyres would have struggled. The Zealous Mk2 has plenty of mud clearance outback and the Revs were okay. I had to stop a couple times to clear the mud out.

I’m very impressed with the big tyres and rims. The ride is comfortable but it’s still easy to cover ground quickly. Love the bike!