Unless you are going mental a well build wheel with an appropriate tyre for the job will last most all mountain type riding pretty well. I give my Mavic X717 rims on my orange 5 a hammering but they stay straight becuase they are good hand built wheels with (if I'm riding rocky locations / DH type stuff) proper chunky tyres on them.

That times article makes me feel sick…. We relly are no better than animals, for all the sheen of civilisation we like to hide behind. Deary me this is all a bit serious for a site that's meant to be dedicated to my frivilous escape / hobby. I think I'll bury my head in the sand for the sake of my own sanity.

This was a very humbling watch and certainly puts our minor day to day troubles in perspective. However the thought that really bothered me was what happens to all the Afgan civilians / children who get their arms and legs blown off by IED's or laser guided bombs. How the hell do they cope, if they survive. Must be utterly miserable life in some parts of the world. No choice where you are born, biggest lottery going. The little people always get trodden on, whether its by Western governments or Afgan war lords.

Boy oh boy, (sorry girl oh girl) twins! All the very best, sounds like you are doing really well to me. We are still being woken up by our two boys, 4 and 18 months, so as people have said its just being a parent I think. I know what you mean about the dummy noises, our youngest wakes up around 4am and starts singing away to himself with his dummy in really loudly, can go on for hours like that half asleep. Ditto with the don't be afraid of formula thing as well, it can be a lifesaver and was for us. Just wait until they start riding bikes! Its ace! 🙂

Life has thrown you a great opportunity to get out and do whatever you want without having to check in with your significant other first – ENJOY! When I was dumped after a 6 year reltionship I moped for a while, then realised I could get out and ride my bike every weekend! ALL WEEKEND IF I WANTED!!! I had so much fun before I knew what was happening I had got fit, got a big smile, and then bumped into my future wife in a nightclub. Now I have kids, a mortgage and no time to ride…. that's life. Its all good. Enjoy it while you can.

Nice! I've just put an RP23 onto my 2006 Orange 5 and I'm v impressed, it gives a more progressive action to the travel, it used to blow through the mid range too quickly. I had a Pearl shock on it at one point and did not get on with it, sent it back after only a few (squeaky) rides for a refund.

Can't go wrong with an orange 5 IMHO – no bike puts a smile on my face like it. I've got a 2006 frame with a new RP23 and some Z1 SL's on it, its a lot of fun and doesn't blow through the mid range of the travel so quickly with the RP23. That's not to say all the other bikes mentioned aren't great too, but I like lively ride you get from a 5. I can't fault it.