Thanks so far guys. Some great suggestions.

We’ll be driving down as we live in Southern Austria and we plan to go in November so it will be a good deal cooler by then. We will also be there for 4 days so hopefully enough time to get a feel for the place.

I’ve had the previous model Velvet 130mm on my Kinesis Decade for a while now and I have nothing but praise.

I’ve been doing a lot of steep trails on it recently as I now live in the Austrian Alps and it handles everything I throw at it. Previously I used it around Newbury a lot on long rides.

Not had to do any servicing yet so can’t comment on that.

Just moved to Austria and when searching for a house-flat I used this website:

http://www.willhaben.at/iad/immobilien/

A bit like the Austrian Rightmove.

Kaufen is for sell
Mieten is for rent
Wohnung is an apartment

The wife and I moved to Villach, Austria in June, so we are excitedly looking forward to a season of weekends and cheeky mornings. Nearest slope is 10 minutes from us and also we’ll get a season ticket for Carinthia so we can head to the best snow.

When I got the job I got myself an Arbor Roundhouse RX. Really excited to ride it for the first time.

Arbor Roundhouse

Also we may look into getting some splitboards because Ski touring here is meant to be good. Any tips?

Yes the club I ride with the guide has already offered so that’s sorted.

Ask her? That’s crazy! Seriously though, she doesn’t really know much about bikes and is leaving it to me. Maybe the best thing is to try and get a demo for her on a few sample bikes. Better polish my german up as they don’t speak much English in the LBS!

I am planning on going to both currently because I have Olympics tickets and I’m moving to Austria.

The problem I have is that coming back for the Olympics is now going to cost a lot for flights and hotels etc.. So trying to decide what to do because spending that much money will limit other activities for the year.

P.s. I have takers for the Olympics tickets so don’t ask :-)

Anybody know who was taking pictures officially? Not that my photo will be any good as I was busy posing and ending up sliding down the hill on my bottom!

Loved the format for the event though even with a puncture between stage 1 and 2 which meant I had to ride stage 2 with only about 15 psi in the tyre. As soon as I tried to turn the tyre rolled and I was off.

These have been great for me.

http://www.freeborn.co.uk/x-fusion-velvet-rl-15mm-fork

I was trying to make the same decision as you recently and I ended up with a Covert. And to be honest it ticks all the boxes for me. I’ve been to Afan and Aston Hill so far and it’s handled everything thrown at it. At Aston Hill I was going down the DH tracks and the bike was great, even if the rider was lacking skill and sliding out all over the place!

I didn’t want to spend too much but got a frame for £1000 from 2011. There are a few deals around. I think a large is available from Bikechase and there’s a second hand one on ebay at the moment in Large.

I almost went with the El Guapo but the Covert just pipped it. I also tried a Whyte 146 and an Stumpy Evo. The Whyte was fantastic but I wanted frame only and wasn’t too keen on getting Carbon. The Stumpjumper EVO was good as well and quietly got on with the job but just didn’t have the playful spark I wanted.

I suppose I asked for some of those comments:)

It sounds like I won’t die anyway. I’ve ridden some DH tracks at FOD on a 120mm bike and survived so I’ll give these ago.

Thanks

Mortons House Hotel in Corfe Castle is good. Not really the sticks but a village.

For mine we hired a bunk house on Exmoor near Lynmouth for ~14 of us only accessible by 4×4.

A lot of the guys were not riders but the 14 mile route set by the hired guides was challenging enough. We then went back had lots of beer and meat before I was stripped and dressed like Frakenfurter.

I’ve got 130mm X-fusion Velvets on my Kinesis Decade.

They ride every bit as well as any other fork I’ve tried, Fox and Rockshox included.

Thanks for the answers. I’ve just got to wait and see now. Got a call on wednesday to discuss it.

32 – Electronic engineer.

It’s not a new company it’s actually a transfer with my current employer. There is the option to go to LA instead but that’s not for me.

It was cold enough for my Beard to freeze on a two mile commute.

Thanks for the comments. I took the plunge and went for a Large Black Transition Covert frame at £999.

Now for the fork.

:) I used google as well.

So I think looking at the bikes here it’s got to be the Covert.

Black or Polished?

chakaping: Go to the Enduro Shop all the prices are there. £35 for one event.

I’ve booked in for the FOD stage of the southern series. http://www.enduro1.co.uk/

Not sure what I’ll be riding as I need to buy a bike. It’ll be something with 150 or 160mm travel.

Thanks. That’s what I thought.

I installed an X Fusion Velvet RL into my hardtail last week. I’ve only been for one ride so far but I was very impressed.

I changed from Fox F100’s with QR to 15mm bolt through with 130mm travel. The difference was noticeable, mainly the stiffness. But suspension feel was just as good as before.

After one ride I’ve obviously got no idea about longevity or servicing.

Kindle. Went to the US and managed to pick up a brand new one for £50.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/forks-suspension/product/review-x-fusion-velvet-rl120-suspension-fork-11-44920

These XFusion Velvets have tested well. I’m planning on getting some when I can justify it:)

http://www.singletrackbikes.co.uk/m7b63s411p2389/X-FUSION_Velvet_RL_9mm_Fork/RS_GB/4843

Les Arcs looks great but the bikepark says it’s not open until July. Has anybody gone in June? What’s open then?

+1 for the Kinesis

I rode my new build last night for the first time and it was fantastic.

I saw it in my LBS and in the flesh it looks good. To be honest I didn’t like the raw look Ex9 to start with but it’s grown on me. (Two guys I ride with have it)

Thanks Freester. 2 loops looks great. To be honest it may be easier to start at Corfe anyway.

Mine are DT based Bontrager Elite wheels I believe. The existing rim tape was removed before the new rim strip was installed. Are you sure you have the rim strip the right way round? It is asymmetrical.

I have gone tubeless with my 2010 Fuel Ex 9. I use the Bonty Rim strips and Stans sealant. I used to use Bonty superjuice but it didn’t work that well.I have used a number of tyres and they vary in how hard they are to inflate. I found Maxxis LUST easy but Specialized I’ve had variable results. I am using a track pump though.

What is the exact problem? Inflation?

Within our riding group a couple have Fuel Ex9s (myself included) and one a Fuel Ex8. Also a couple of guys have Camber Pros.

I love my Fuel Ex9 (2010) and it hasn’t put a foot wrong in the year I’ve had it. The others seem really happy with theirs as well.

The guys with the Cambers love the bikes but one guy has sent it back three times with bottom brackets going after 100 miles and has now gone up to a Stumpy. The other guy hasn’t had it long and has had a chain snap.

http://www.yt-industries.com/shop/index.php?page=product&info=154&xa9c43=0pr7olhlulk8rtpsv760tfsctgjc8evm

Had £96 taken which means we have Mens MTB or BMX. Glad I got something.

Budget is yet to be set but if it’s worth it we’ll try to pay it.

I’m keen on Canada but I think the wife has something against bears. I think Australia and NZ are a little too far for the 10/14 days we have spare. I tried persuading the wife NZ was a good idea but she realized the dates I’d selected were during the rugby World Cup!

Climbing is quite important to balance my preference for MTB.

Only 120mm bikes I can find at that price have RS recons:

Kona Buffer or Rocky Mountain UK Special Project

But i’d probably go down 20mm and go for this:

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=2054

Thanks lovell. Not a problem for me as I’ll be approaching from the west.

I was there this weekend and did the gap road, which I really enjoyed. Nothing too twisty but lots of loose rocks and boulders. Conditions were great and the trail condition isn’t really affected by the rain we’ve had.

Also look at this website:
http://www.mtbbreconbeacons.co.uk/%5B/url%5D

I wanted to do a Talgarth Red but didn’t get a chance. “Foothills of the Black Mountains”