Excellent, thanks again. Keep it coming please :) !
Any recommendations you m specifics bits of Angus and Fife?

To be honest, house prices are crazy down here. All the houses are selling for more and in less than a couple weeks around here. Good to know though- thank you!

Thanks all! Will do a little research into the places above.
Anywhere particularly in Fife? Aware there’s probably some towns to avoid.
We’ll move to a 4/5 bed detached place with space which might help us get into a nice area?

Good to hear the Scots don’t hate us entirely. I like a bit of banter, but resentment and negative vibes is something we can do with out.
I guess Edinburgh’s the pull because of all the ammeneties, but if there’s other large towns & cities to consider that offer the same, that’ll do too. I suppose within 1/2hr (train or car) will work. We’re country bumpkins and only need simple stuff for the majority of the time.. but nice to have hospitals and other ammenties available when wanted and needed.

Cokie, I see you too have your saddle rammed forward. Which Solaris did you have?

The saddle rails are level- it’s not rammed forward. Might be the angle it’s been taken at.
I had a Solaris max longshot. The Scandal is a much better bike.

cokie – can you tell me about your tool/tube setup on the seat tube? It looks nice and neat and maybe includes a dry bag?

Sure- I never carry bags so everything has to be on the bike. I don’t notice either setup being there. Mounted nice and low, out the way of mud and doesn’t rub on anything.

Light setup, as pictured above, is the Wolf Tooth B-Rad strap. It’s fantastic bit of kit. I’ve had it for years and uses bottle cage mounts. The scandal only has one set of cage mounts so I used 3 thick zipties and some black tape. It was solid and looked pretty neat.

My full setup is actually a Alp Kit top tube medium feed bag. This just uses velcro straps with a bit of tape to protect the frame. It has plenty of food, spares, tools & basic first aid. Again, mounts up solid and out of the way with no frame damage. It’s waterproof too.

Has anyone set there scandal up single speed?

Yes! When I first got mine I set it up SS with a DMR chain tensioner. I had a load of cogs, but coudln’t find a magic gear so used the tensioner. Easy to setup and only takes a couple minutes. I was running 32×16. I did about 500 miles like that before I got bored.. SS isn’t for me on such a capbable bike. It ws meant to be a pub/hack/winter bike but turns out it’s fantastic. Sold the Cotic Solaris as this was better. Now running SLX groupset, brakes & Maxxis 2.6″ minions. Fantastic bit of kit.

I had a stop gap ’14 Fiesta 1.25 Zetec with 60BHP- they chocked the engine to reduce emissions and therefore fit into the £30/yr tax bracket.. as a result is was woefully slow. I used to have to drop to 2nd to get up the A38 hills in cornwall. It was utterly reliable and cheap to run but so bland and borderline dangerously slow.

Quality wise it was the Polo 6c- we’ve had 4 from new in the family with issues. Rocking seat bases (normal apparently..), broken air con compressors (also common) and always full of moisture because of bad seals. Nothing covered under warranty despite being less than 2 years old, full VW service history and having an easy life.

‘Loud tyres save lives’- yet to use it. Been sat in the draw for about 8 years.

Done! Can’t wait :)

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Thanks all- will gve them a call and see if I can lock it in.

Order without an axle?

Their configurator doesn’t let you do it.

ah, so close to ordering with the perfect spec and then they run out of axles :D ! I’ll have to keep checking back.

Anyone else got theirs? What are your thoughts?

Mine is Cokies Mk1 with added weld 🙂

You don’t want to sell, do you? Pretty please..

I’ve had 3; Mk1, Mk2 & Mk4.
I really want the exact same spec Mk1 back. It was amazing.

That is very cool! Looks fantastic & OEM.
Would love to have something like that.
Look forward to hearing how you get on. I always try to work out how different something like this would be to the standard setup with some XC tyres and light sus forks with lock-out.

This is the exact bike I want to replace my Whyte T130RS, but every time I visit the site I can’t build the bike as there’s always parts out of stock. From shocks to stems. I go through the whole options on out of stock items and there’s never anything else to pick. Not even an option to pick a placeholder item and get an ETA. I wouldn’t mind if it was 3-4 months even. I might just leave it and go for the Whyte S120 that’s at the LBS.
It must be costing them more orders than just mine?

I don’t know why anyone would ask about cars on here, most people seem to have whatever boring Audi is on trend right now (and an S3/4 etc are still boring) or a knackered old Skoda cos they are too cool to have better cars.

If the OP likes the ST3 I say go for it. Don’t listen to anyone else, if you like it go for it. I have a Fiesta Titanium X right now and it’s brilliant to drive, would love the same thing but with more power, would be amazing.

Hard suspension? Badge kudos? Only a problem if you’re a middle aged IT salesman.

You have read the rest of the thread, right? No boring Skodas or Audis mentioned..but rather people that have owned the car in question and other hot hatches offering reviewes.

Middle aged IT salesman? Not even close.

The ST is nothing like a regular cooking Titanium X… so what’s your experience of the car in question? Bizare comment.

Should add that the ST Mk7 had a slight revision from Aug ’15 onwards to dampen the ride more.
They changed to stiffer rear torsion beam, thicker front anti-roll bar, recalibrated steering, altered springs and damper rates. Most people said it improved the right vastly, so some reviewes maybe from the older girder setup.
I did have the older suspension setup..

I haven’t driven a standard one but we’ve got the performance edition with the adjustable coilovers. All the reviews say it’s plusher than the standard car but it’s got twiddly knobs to enstiffen it. Might be worth looking for when when you’re on the hunt.

I’ve been following and posting in your thread :) ! The Perfomance edition is definitly on the radard. Just need to decide if I can live with 3 doors.. apart from that I love the colour, suspension & wheel upgrade. Looks lovely!

I’ve hit potholes before where I’ve had to pull over afterwards to double check the thing hasn’t snapped in half

Yes, exactly this! I forgot having to do this. There were a few times I was just driving along when I hit a pothole on a wet dark country road. I thought I had hit a boulder/lost a wheel/disapeared into a sink hole. Horrible horibble feeling. It would also tramline a hell of a lot.

I had eaxctly this car- I kept it for 8k & 8 months before I couldn’t deal with it anymore.
The car is fantastic and eventful in terms of handling, fun and feeling like an event.
The problem was that the suspension was unbearably firm. When you were on it, it was fantastic! The backroads with that handling, manual & noise and I was in heaven.. the problem is all the other times. The suspension was relentless and I used to swerve anything more than a wet leaf, and wince when I couldn’t. It would shake me up and leave me with a headache on the morning commute on the country roads. On the motorway it was dronny and got tiering after anything more than 30 mins.
If I could have it as a fun car- I would adore it and keep it forever, but if I even have to use it for anything else I wouldn’t consider it. It’s almost like the car is taking every pothole personally.
I’m mid-20’s and have had other hot hatches, so used to a firmer ride anyway but this is something else.
It broke my heart selling it and keep thinking about another, but then remember the headaches and punishment. On another note- it was cheap to run, reliable, boot was fine and the ST3 toys were good. I quite liked all the buttons & screen over modern single touchscreen things.

Once lockdown is over I’m going to test the Mk8 ST- review suggest it’s more gornwup and easier to live with but remains fun. Fingers crossed it’s more softly sprung. You can pick up an ST2 Mk8 from 14k too!

Sharkattack, how are you getting on? Must be a nice contrast seeing the car out on a winters day.
I’m still eyeing one up myself. I’ve seen some nice examples close to £20k now.

General ride report would be awesome!
– Can you feel the resistance/inefficiencies during pedalling? Is worse on climbing?
– Can you feel the weight benefit the drivetrain weight sitting around the BB? Does it make manualing/wheeleing more difficult?
– How does actuation feel? Is it sloshy like the alfine or is it more of a confirmatory click like a XTR shifter?

..not asking much :D

I’ve got one and absolutely love it.
It’s really nicely balanced- climbs nicely and is great on the longer xc rides too. It’s pretty confident on the descents too. Nice light alu frame so it’s built up light and stiff.
What’s surprised me is that given the geometry I thought it would be a winch and plummet type of bike, but it’s actually a great all-rounder (& better than my SolarisMax LS).
I originally got it and built it up as a budget build as a winter hack bike, but it’s superb and deserves better components so I’m upgrading bits as I go along. The finish has also been excellent on mine.

Good value, great spec and looks nice- looks like a winner to me!
I’d love to have one as a n+1.
We need some photos!

Why on earth are Giant releasing 2021 bikes, but not putting them on their website..

Great PSA- cheers! Winter tyres sorted.
Free P&P too

I’ve tried various stuff, but the Airshot is fantastic.
I thought I was bit mad when I bought it but from first use I instantly reveled in my purchase.

Another 2 weeks on.. how are you finding it?

I’m still toying with the idea of getting one, but with the recession and COVID aftermarth still coming into full effect, I’m tempted to wait and see what happens to values.

I’m in a similar position with the same list of bikes!
I’d also add Whyte S120 to the list

Expecting our first child in a couple months, so we’re still ‘shielding’ and essentially in lock-down to limit the risk;
– All food delivered and cleaned before putting it in the house
– All packaging opened outside and items quarantined for a number of days before it comes in
– No shops, meals, pubs or anything else for in public spaces.
– ‘Bubbling’ with another family that are also ‘at risk’ who are doing what we’re doing
– We’ve met select friends and family in the garden or on a walk with 3+m distance between us and masks where necessary

It might sound extreme, but we’re not taking any unnecessary risks with our first child. There is still a big unknown around the virus and its long term impact on babies & pregnant women.
I don’t need the consumer spending and we’re still seeing the friends and family we want.
We both work full time from home as the office doesn’t exist anymore. I’ve actually enjoyed the work life balance. We’ve both agreed that once baby is here, fit and healthy, we’ll start easing into ‘new normal’.

I couldn’t care less what people think of our current routine. We exercise more than ever before and walk the dogs as before. We’re lucky as we live in the middle of no where.

I’ve got a Ring Pro wired up and it’s still very slow to respond, despite home network being 100mbs+ and answering on a strong 4G connection.

That looks awesome, Sharkattack!
That colour in this weather is perfect.
Have you had a chance to go for another drive since?

I’ve been on Autotrader having a look. I can’t decide between a ST-3 with performance pack and 5 doors for less money, or one of these with 3 doors but more toys for more money.. Like for like seems to be a £5k difference. I know that the Performance Edition is just much more special..

Geometry looks perfect for me, but I can’t stand the blocky aesthetics of the carbon. It looks like a homebrew ‘I made my first mtb from carbon in the shed’ vibe. Overbuilt and agricultural. Looks like I’m in the minority though.
I think I’ll have to wait until the alloy version comes out and hope it matches the AM9 for looks, which I think looks superb.
I’m also disappointed by such long lead times.. November for medium! I assume Covid is to blame.
It’s also impossible to price it up as everything is out of stock.
I’ve been waiting for a couple years for this, so just venting :D. I’m sure I’ll love it by tomorrow.
Grumble, grumble, grumble.. etc.

Photos & impressions when you’ve got it please!
It might just push me over the edge to get one.

Sharkattack- I think if your other finances are in order, then do it!
I’m a (fast) Ford fan. I had the Mk7.5 Fiesta ST and the performance and handling was superb.
It’s the most fun I’ve had driving. I even found myself going for a drive just for the hell of it. Something I’ve not done before or since, despite having nicer cars.

I’ve been toying with the idea of the Fiesta Performance edition too. Great colour, awesome little extra tech and a little more refined than the old version.

If finances are stable and you’ve got some money saved, then do it. Worst case is selling/handing the car back early. It’s only money.

Perfect timing for me too, providing the wait isn’t too long.
I’ve narrowed it down to the Whyte S120 or this.
I’ve had 2x S150’s already, so not after an enduro bike again which discounts the AM9.

I also had a Solaris max long shot in mercury as well as a Rocket max in red, both had really soft paint. They dulled, scratched and chipped far too easily. Who would have thought that my new O-O Scandal would have better paint. Oh well!

I locked up my bike at a park & ride just before lockdown and then went back to find it gone!
It was a cheap thing as I anticipated it getting stolen. What I didn’t count on was that they’d cut through my motorbike chain, worth about £150. I would have hopped they’d cut the bike instead so I could just unlock the chain. £150 worth of chain and £100 worth of bike gone. If they can get through that in a very public place with much CCTV, then nothing will stop them.

Chain in questions: Oxford Monster XL

Looks lovely! I wondered what you’d end up with.
I love RockyMountain too.
There was a good video of one of these a couple years ago where the rider was taking it down some Whistler trails and making it look easy. It just looks fast and composed.

Cheers Mark. Good to know! I guess they’re looking at releasing a few different models soon then.
I don’t want another carbon bike, so fingers crossed.

Wow! How is it better?

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.

A! As above

Wow.. 8 bottle bosses & 6 fixed cable guides. Half expecting a braze on front derailleur mount and removable v-brake boses too. I think it’s using the huge ugly silver bolts that cheapens it all and makes it look more dramatic. Should have used black dome headed bolts and blanking plugs.