Thanks both for the replies.  That’s exactly the sort of feedback I was looking for. I’ll take the advice and try and get out on both before I decide anything.

Hi all,

I have been riding for about 25 years – and in that time have had four bikes: ’94 Specialized Hardrock, ’98 Proflex 1000, ’04 Specialized Stumpjumper Pro and now ’13 Cotic Soul, (the most fun and capable of the four by far).

I am looking at new bikes for next year and have decided on 29 over 27.5.  With that in mind and with my relative lack of exposure to modern geometry can someone give a brief comparison on where the major differences are likely to be in riding the Zero versus the Solaris Max please?  I understand the steel\alu arguments and am more interested in climbing versus descending confidence and general ability to ride natural trails and bridleways.  I have ridden lots of different terrain all over the world in the past, but with three small kids, I mainly ride 2-3 hours in the Surrey Hills if that helps relate it to anything!

Anyway, thanks for anything that would help – both bikes look great to me but it feels from this thread that they are for different types of riding?

I changed my eldest son over to Shimano Altus M310 (seven speed) shifters after he struggled with grip shift on his Hotrock and he is much happier. I have ordered some for my daughters’ bike (I’m still in the process of building) – didn’t bother getting her to try the grip shift this time – straight in the parts bin!   In my case both bikes are 3×7 and I got a pair of shifters for under £20 on ebay.

Hi

I fully agree with getting rid of it – we bought a house where it had been left unchecked and it has gotten under soffits, gutters, into window mechanisms, lifted roof tiles etc. The mortar is not damaged though – maybe we were lucky with the species – but I have read it doesn’t really attack mortar?

Anyway, where I would disagree with the above is that I would rip it down while it’s still alive. Reason for this is that the roots are far more supple and come away quite easily. If you leave it to die – it sets like concrete and leaves far more of a mess on the brickwork, takes more effort to remove – and the toxic dust is far worse, (wear safety glasses – it’s horrible if you get it in an eye).

I did one half of the house dead and one half alive – the live stuff was much easier to remove and then you can chop it up and worry about killing the stump, (it is heavier alive though).

Anyway, good luck – definitely worth getting rid of however you go about it!

Hi,

My son went from 16″ to 24″ at 8 years old (could have gone a year earlier easily in hindsight).

My 7 year old daughter is currently on a 14″ and is short for age. She hopped on her brothers 24″ and rode off on it the other day to wind him up! I guess I’ll be looking at a 24″ for her now too….

So I would say definitely 24″ for your daughter by April if she is confident on a 16″ now.

Hope that helps!

2019 Clockwork Evo 129S looks like a good frame with a nice spec. for just under £1700

https://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.php?product_id=8360&10820=51551&10897=51855&10822=51556&10823=51561

Or grab this years at a lower but still decent spec for around £1300…?