Looks nice – what Magura forks are they? Done similar with my bike, taken all the best bits from two bike plus frame to make one… I like the simple choice now, do I want to ride my hardtail or my full sus? Easy!

jfeb – that makes a lot of sense, I found the ride I did yesterday a lot of fun but hard work, partly because I'm not very fit at the moment, but I kind of got the feeling I was going faster than normal and felt on the edge at times. I had put that down never having ridden a VPP bike before and the whole getting used to a new bike thing.

Drop me a mail timbo_tepATyahoo.co.uk and I'll let you know when I'm heading over to Swinley, probably the weekend after next.

Yeah had a bit of a tweak, one click faster on the rebound did help it was set quite slow, think the PSI is OK cos 25% sag is where I want it. I think its just a matter of getting used to it, felt better and better as the ride went on. Next stop Swinley forest for a decent bit of up and down and along… I must say it was the smoothest build I've ever done, no issues and its all working great straight off, must be a sign!

First ride out on mine yesterday, after years of single pivots it was very interesting! Overall I love it and its a keeper for a long time I hope. Didn't quite manage to get used to how it feels off the lip of a jump but that will come, seemed to soak up the takeoff more than the 5 did, maybe I need to go faster! Did some nice mellow drop offs, about 5 feet, and it felt really solid and stable, so all in all really looking forward to getting lots of time on this bike. Looks ace in the flesh and surprisingly light about 30lbs all up I think. Set up is:

Large frame in Orange, 2010 RS Pikes, Hope pro II hubs on mavic 717 rims, Sunline V1 65mm stem and 710mm wide V1 bars, Gold (!) CK headset, XT cranks, V12 pedals, XT shifters, Formula K24 brakes 180 / 160 discs.

I'm nearly there with the build, how do you upload a photo? Agree with Hora on weight mine feels a tadligher than my Orange Five.

I think the sitting down thing refers to climbing only, when a sit down and spin approach works better with a FS vs a stand up and mash with a hardtail? Once on the flat / downs the yes the attack position is just the same.

Is it worth running swamp things with the centre knobs cut down so they roll faster / don't squirm as much on rock? All the DH'ers seem to run their spikes cut down all the time…

I couldn't help myself, its like someone else had control of my credit card!!! Great deal on 2010 Pike 454's obtained, adjustable coil sprung loveliness on its way….

There is a difference, and its in jumping and bunnyhopping as stevomcd describes, in order to jump you need to load the suspension up first by pushing down. I don't really notice I'm doing it as I ride full sus most of the time but when I occasionally ride a hardtail on a jump I try to preload the back end and it doesn't work.. Only takes a few minutes to adjust though and then all's well.

Hmmm – so maybe Pikes or Rev's are the way to go. Choices choices….

Yes massive hike in forks prices has set me thinking, from what little I can glean the forks work well its just the reliability that's unknown. Might be worth a punt.

Maybe… just fancied being able to set forks at 120mm for xc and still have 160mm available for gnarly stuff. Fox tala 36's don't come cheap though it seems…

I'll be feverishly building tomorrow. Might get some pics up later this weekend. Still trying to get some decent travel adjust forks for it, my Z1 SL's will have to do for now…

I'll take that as a no then.

So Hora – does that mean you are back in the Blur 4x club?

Climate change is just a symptom of a larger issue. Overpopulation and overconsumption are pushing every ecosystem we depend on to the point of collapse, and our entire way of life (the way we grow food, the way we stay warm, everything) is dependant on a supply of oil that will start to run out well within our lifetime. How much are out of season veg going to cost when oil is $200 a barrel? How do we grow enough food to support the population of the UK when it costs so much to fill a tractor with fuel that farmers can't afford to buy fertiliser that is also made with oil? There is never going to be the political will to make the changes needed, is too late already I should think, so despite it all I do wonder what the point is of doing anything except try to be happy and have a bit of fun before you die. I think burying my head in the sand is the only realistic option.

I saw more than one Commencal frame in bits at the Mega this year… One had snapped just about every tube going it was amazing! No idea how it happened.

Cables stretch. Oil does not compress. The result is power and modulation if you use hydraulic. So they are better.

My big horse chesnut has leaf miner – seems to cause it no problems whatsoever, masses of conkers this year! Each autumn I take about 10 bags of leaves to the tip, If I leave the on the lawn they kill the grass. My next door neighbour leaves the lot where they fall hence leaf miner back again by July…

Yes and no – I'd still do something but I'd take time out / retrain etc…

Seconder for Cliff Burton, legend.

Sting? Despite everything he is a good bassist. Dead End Job springs to mind…

Latest bout of DIY is finished, house looking nice and Mrs Monkey is pleased. My two boys are a bundle of fun and the oldest is getting on OK at reception. New (to me) bike frame arrived this week and looks ace, will be building it up at the weekend. Also shifting my cold in time for a bit of muddy XC YAY!!!! Things are looking OK!

I'd say shorten the stem and widen the bars, keep top tube length similar. Otherwise you will be banging your knees on the bars and hanging too far off the back which is not the best unless you are Brendon Fairclough. A slacker head angle with bigger forks should help with wheelbase / stability.

Yep – works fine on all of mine.

I have Vailant for years and very happy. Reliable and efficient so far. I have heard of Potterton but not had one.

I've got a mint pair of 2008 55 ETA's I need to sell, they have had the TST cartridge fix done by windwave. Great forks IMHO but bike cull means they have got to go. Drop me a mail timbo_tepATyahoo.co.uk if interested.

I'd say yes, its going to be muddy and dark for the next 6 months you've got to have a nice simple hardtail to turn to. If you lived somewhere dry and dusty then maybe you could get away without a hardtail but not in blighty…

Yes loads to do. Excellent swimming pool complex, luge run, hiking, easier bike trails, "Go Ape" type thing in trees by the pool, its my four year old's favourite place in the world!

Got one on each of my bikes, one I bought second hand 10 years ago from a guy who used it on a DH bike and its still absolutely fine, I have never touched the bearings and it must be on its 6th frame. They are worth every penny.

Alps in summer is one of the best family holiday destinations I've been too – loads for kids of all ages to do, weather generally better than UK, plus biking! Drove down for the Mega this year and then wife and kids flew into Geneva airport. Then had 10 days near Chamonix, was ace.

If I get my way we'll be doing it each summer for years! 🙂

£60 each way tolls is about right…

I did the Chicksands one as well was a great day out in the woods. Lots of time to muck about on other tracks as well as a bit of competition to keep things interesting!

Might try to get along to the FOD one as I've not been before..

Anyone read Chickenhawk? Some hair raising stuff in that… plus add being shot at!

No that's very true.

I've got a toddler, he is a looney and will throw himself off anything, I would not choose to live somewhere with a backgarden like that. You wouldn't be able to take your eyes off him and that's no fun for anyone…

I've got a Vailant. It has worked well so far.

Mate of had one on his new build, one ride later he didn't.

456 takes a 27.2mm seatpost, not sure about the clamp but probably 30.9mm?

Yes I thought that… doesn't look new.

"What size is the frame?"

"Adult"

Genius!