Hi
Looking for a bit of advice
I’m 5’8 and am looking for an upright gravel bike. I have previously had a medium giant toughroad and found the reach a little too much. I’m looking at the women’s arkose D1 in a size tall and seems to have a high stack height, just wondered if you thought that would give me the upright ish position that I’m looking for?
Thanks

I’m also Interested to hear opinions on this as well

Enjoyed that, a much better watch than Polar

Cheers OP, set ordered

In reality, am I looking for a carbon XC 29er?

Great, thanks for that. No issues with the panels getting distorted or is the load evenly spread?
Cheers

Any issues with roof damage from using a suction cup rack?

I’ve just bought a uvex jakkyl convertible helmet. It’s my first full face lid and have to say that I’m very impressed with the weight and ventilation whilst wearing with the chinguard, not much (if any ) hotter than the bluegrass goldeneyes trail helmet I had before

I had a toughroad. Brilliant bike. Unfortunately, I have/had shoulder problems so struggled with drop bars so have got a flat bar version now.
The drop version makes a fantastic all rounder. I found the frame really comfortable and compliant even though it’s aluminium and the beauty is that you can fit whopping 29er tyres in it and make it a monster cross bike.
I had 700 x 50c clement tyres in mine and it rode brilliantly

Hi
Bit of a thread resurrection

Have users of the rockbros racks noticed any damage to the roof panels of their cars? I’m looking to get one for my lease car but am just a little wary
Cheers

Thanks
What are the tooseek / Chinese carbon forks like? I don’t jump or anything too gnar, but do like Gravel/XC riding
Cheers

Thanks all.
I’ll have a look at all suggestions.
I also saw last night that Halfords are now selling a carbon Bizango – that looks interesting (although no featherweight racer!)

I’m looking around for something similar at the minute
The Stitch looks good, but I’m also taken with this: https://www.merlincycles.com/ridley-ignite-a-gx1-mountain-bike-2019-149191.html
Just not sure how big a chainring I could fit?

Giant Toughroad? I paid less than your budget for last years model in march. It’s a great bike and takes 2.1 tyres if needed

@Whitestone – many thanks, I’ll have a look at altering them a touch. They feel comfortable at the minute but I’ll see if a minor alteration makes them feel any better

I swapped my drops out for some Geoff bars (Jones bars) and really like them. (although I am considering trying drops again for the summer, just to confirm that I don’t like them)

`many thanks

I’ve fairly recently bought a Giant Toughroad and it’s quickly becoming my favourite bike! Stick some 700c 42s and it will eat the bridleways, a quick wheel change to some slick 35c tyres and it will happily munch the miles on the road at an acceptable pace.
I really didn’t get on with the drops though, gave me sore shoulders and neck pain so I fitted a set of the the Planet X “Geoff” bars (like Jones bars) and it’s now brilliant. A great position to ride bridleways and enough different handholds to be comfortable on longer road rides

Hi
Try http://www.mbwales.com – there are some good routes/ bases in mid Wales on there.

Apologies for any dodgy links that were in the links. I used postimg but not very successfully apparently!

Took the new “Geoff “ bars out for a quick spin this morning- I’m very impressed. Lots of nice alternative hand positions and a nice aeroie roadie position as well

I’m 45 and on lisinopril. Have a family history of high bp, had the 24 hour test and it came back at 135 over 85. Suggested by Dr that I have a low dose of lisinopril to benefit me going forward.
Its brought the bp down a bit, not as much as I expected to be honest, and I can’t put my finger on it but I don’t quite feel fully there since starting the tabs. However, if it helps me maintain a healthy heart then I’ll do what I’m told by the Dr.

Elan Valley has some nice trails – not “colour coded” but have a look at the “bases” here for some accurate descriptions: http://www.mbwales.com/

Also, give the chaps at http://www.cycle-tec.co.uk/ a shout and ask them. They run some rides from the shop and will no doubt have some great family friendly local trails they could recommend

Cheers

David

Cheers for the advice. I’ll give it a miss then, this time

Hi Brant
I ordered some bars at lunchtime when it was showing pre order for march delivery – how will I know if the bars are in the first batch or whether you’d sold them all before the order went through?
Cheers
David

Hi
Where are you getting these from? I keep trying the Halfords link above but it says not available for delivery or collection?

I picked up a Pinnacle Lithium 5 from Evans just before Christmas. Comes with DEore hydraulic brakes and a deore triple chainset. I use it on the road and also a bit of gravelly type riding

Let me know if you’re looking to sell them? I’d be keen to put some on my Tarn
Cheers

Cheers all

Think I’ll keep a look out for a Stache

I picked up a pinnacle lithium for this exact purpose. Very pleased with it to be honest and well under your budget

Cheers all

Will have a look at all the suggestions and see what’s what

Diagnosed last Christmas after having quite a few flair ups. Apparently it’s a genetic inherited condition in my case.

now on allopurinol once a day (started the course in the summer) and still get attacks so also have colchicine to lessen the pain (plays havoc with my stomach though)

I’v Made a conscious decision not to eat red meat as that was definitely a trigger and have gone tea total as well. Exercise certainly helps, as it also does to help control my blood pressure.

140mm Yari

a really good frame. I really loved my Mondraker Vantage Plus but this one is pretty close

Finally built mine up now and taken it for a couple of spins – rides nicely

I bought one last week as well. Looks a really nice frame. I’m just in the process of building it up but struck a bit of a hiccup with the chainset. The Sram boost 32t hit the chainstay!

just ordered a 30t ring to try that instead

will update as build progresses, but a bargain frame for £140

Sent you a pm

I’ll remember that for next time

Not mad with anyone – just think it’s a strange thing to do?

Got a Lezyne Micro GPS watch and it’s been faultless. Software is good, syncs immediately with my android phone and distances, readings, etc seem pretty much spot on – can’t moan at all

I’ve just picked up an old giant revolt, the predecessor to the toughroad (?) and have to say it’s brilliant.

I’ve got WTB nanos 40c fitted and there’s plenty of room for wider tyres. Took it off for a 15 mile bimble on Sunday, 7 miles on road and 8 on fire roads and it was ace.

mine is the bottom of the range version with claris shifters and it weighs 11kg