I’m running 481 front and 511 rear. Previously had a few flat spots on a 481 rear, so decided the extrs few grams on the rear was worth it.

My current set are 28 hole, just cos I got some cheap 28h hubs. Still perfectly true after almost 2 years with a fair bit of abuse.

Was a long time Time user. Got on well with the metal bodied pedals (z-freerides?). Newer ‘plastic’ cages got smashed up pretty quick for me. Went to XT Trails and not looked back. XTs far more durable in the rocks.

I went with a custom build: DT 350 hubs (very similar to 240s but a fair bit cheaper), xm481 front and ex511 rear. Lovely wheels: very strong rims and super reliable hubs.

I’ve got a xm 421 27.5 28 hole rim for sale. 25mm internal. Unused (was built up into a wheel then stripped down when I went 29″). Complete with the DT squorx nipples and washers. £50 posted for one or could do a deal if you want a pair

Thanks everyone!!

Had similar good service from On-One with my Codeine. Lost a bit of faith after seeing 3 crack on the chainstay though. Think the new 650b ones have a changed design.

Used 3 x 29″ ones and found they worked perfect tubeless. As easy as any tyres I’ve used, but then I do have a compressor. Got an unused 27.5 sticky compound one for sale if anyone wants to save a few quid over on-one prices.

Purely recommending what I’ve got. But liking it a lot so far so what the hell.

Second hand 2014/2015 Specialized Camber Evo frame, 120mm rear travel, full bottle cage, come in ally or carbon. 140mm Pike, offset shock bush. Not sure but reckon HA is about 67 degrees.

Nearly buggered mine the other day removing it in a hurry. From now on I’ll be using a spare axle or qr to lock the tool down on to the splines before trying to loosen.

Very dry and fast just up the road on Blacka Moor.

Yes you can

Not done this, but obviously all it is going to do is place the chainring 6mm inboard.

Chainline in small sprocket won’t be great, but probably perfectly useable. Chainline in big sprocket will be better!

Might foul on chainstay, even downtube, probably won’t be able to use a chain guide or taco.

New 11 speed Shimano mechs are designed to work well with 11-42 cassette (and more next year apparently) so if you need a new mech I’d go for one of them. Almost certain the 11 speed Shimano mechs work perfect with 10 speed.

I ran DHR2 front, HR2 rear last year and liked it a lot. HR2 shallower tread and more ramped so made sense as a rear for me.

This worked for me: remove Shapeshifter, remove all air, you’ll see a couple of tiny torx bolts on the back of the unit. Undo these and release any air that’s got where it shouldn’t be. Honestly can’t remember if I pumped a bit of air back in to keep it locked, don’t think I did.

Specialized Butcher (front) and Purgatory (back) are very good, grippy yet fast rolling. Come in different flavours of sidewall.

As it happens i have an almost as new set of 29er 2.3s in Control (the lighter) casing. A fair bit lighter than EXO Maxxis. Came in new bike but took them off as worried about pinch punctures in the Peaks. I’d happily swap for the High Rollers if they are EXO casing.

I really rate the Zipvit ones as long as baggies on top. Sales come around fairly often too.

and Stealth routing exits seattube on drive side is an interesting choice.

I’ve got a Focus Cayo Ultegra disc. Very happy with it, much sprightlier than the Chinese carbon ‘gravel’ disc bike I had before. The Cayos come with half decent DT wheels which a lot of mid range disc road bikes seen to skimp on.

We’ve got a 2006 Shuttle (with up to 9 seats). We are thinking of downsizing to a Galaxy or similar. Ours is a 1.9tdi generally as bullet proof as an engine can get. Ours is remapped up to 130bhp which makes it far more driveable than standard, but its still a big heavy lump to drive and park.

Fairly comfy inside. Shuttles have the benefit of air con, decent seats, proper headlining, lights and air in back etc.

Great if you actually use the space on a regular basis. Perhaps too much of a compromise if you do not..

I guess that may be because the Strive has a slacker head and / or seat angle effectively moving the BB forward and bars back??

Mine is the Strive in Race geometry which i’m pretty sure will be longer than the Spectral.

and I’d ignore the Canyon sizing thing which always seems to suggest a smaller frame then I’d like (I had a medium 2012 Strive when it suggested small which would have been tiny).

But I am a bit of a sucker for all this ‘modern’ long and slack fashion.

I’m 5’8″ and really like the fit of my medium Strive Race with 35mm stem which will be a fair bit longer in top tube / reach than a medium Spectral I think. The top tubes are fairly dropped so do give very good stand over.

I’d be inclined to go Medium at your height. Worth checking seat tube measurements just to make sure you can get the saddle low enough (assuming a dropper).

I’d probably go something slightly faster rolling than a MM on the back. But the important thing is get something with a decent casing: super gravity or dual ply. You’ll probably find yourself riding way faster than you normally would in the race run, and other riders shouting at you from behind or blocking your way in front make you ride some silly lines.

1 pinch flat = race over

I do like those Last bikes. Remember Dirt used to really rate the Herb. Coal looks much betterer and probably more ‘on trend’ 😉

Northwind: I really like post mount rears. 180mm rotor works for me and II do away with an adaptor. What do you not like about them?

FWIW I have a Canyon Strive Race and am very happy with it (despite shapeshifter issues). I would buy another. Bought for value, looks, geometry, and cos I’m a Barel fanboi. I looked at Capras very hard. Put off in the end by poor wheel options and shorter reach. Glad I didn’t get a carbon one now after what seems like a fair few frame cracks on the YT Facebook owners page.

I’m 5’8 1/2″. Sat on a large Capra which felt good for length, though I’d have probably got a medium. Would not even consider a small. Issue you might have with a medium Capra is the saddle height being too high with the 150mm reverb depending on your leg length.

Mine was absolutely fine with over a years use. A mate has also had one for over a year with no pivot issues.

I ran this setup this summer and loved it. Mostly because my Canyon came with a 3c maxterra DHR2 on the back and a harder compound HR2 on the front. I swapped them round. I did get geeky and cut the edges off the wide knobs on the DHR2. There’s info on the web: apparently works better on the front. Deeper tread on the minion makes more sense on the front to me.

There is a 26″ and a 650b Wicked. Different frames I’m pretty sure. Never heard about running 650b in the 26″ frame

Same happened to mine, ride it for a fair while after, didn’t get any worse, didn’t get any better. Had this happen to a couple of continental rubber queens, but this was first maxxis.

thepodge: I’ve got a medium Codeine frame for sale in the classifieds and I’m in Sheffield too! Be much better to be the first to 279 a Codeine 😉

Seafoam Green might look great or really sh*t in the flesh..

But why a 20″ seat tube / not very dropped top-tube in the large? My son would love one I think if it had better standover.

5′ 8 1/2″ and on a Medium Race with a 35mm stem. Feels absolutely perfect for me, loving the extra length up front, and the stability.

Look at the Mondrakers: Foxy XR comes with a 30mm stem and has 478mm reach in a Medium. Makes the Strive Race at 448mm look very short.

Just a call back from Saracen. They’d made an error yesterday and the new norglides are in stock apparently. Part Number – RNS5169 – RRP £9.99 = apparently 1 pair for 1 single pivot, ie 2 lots needed for the 2 top pivots. He’s sent me a picture and they are black. Unavailable through the Saracen website but can be ordered via your local Saracen dealer. I’ll order mine tomorrow and let you know..

Just spoken to Saracen, very helpful guy. They say the new norglides are due 2nd October, no current stock.

I’ve got a 161 with linkage play. Can’t undo the t27 torx bolts that connect the top of the rear swingarm to the linkage, just below the shock shaft. Are these a reverse thread by any chance??

I’d get a VAG with the 1.9PD engine. Get one without a DPF (usually 2006 or older I think) as the PD engines weren’t designed around a DPF leading to loads of DPF problems. I’d personally look at Skoda Octavias for motorway comfort and bike swallowing abilities. Maybe Passat if you want something bigger, Leon / Golf / Fabia / Polo if OK smaller.

Got some almost new x-shazams in UK 8.5 for sale if anyone after a pair.

I heard we were asked not to ride there anymore about 6 months or so back. Something to do with a big new leisure development I think. I’ve not been up since. There is a Facebook group: The Secret Allotment Collective.

Thought long and hard about buying one myself before got a deal on a used Canyon Strive. Only weak point seems to be the e13 wheels on the carbon bikes.

You want a large I’d say. I’m 5’8″ and the reach on the large felt about right, but wouldn’t fit me due to the seat tube length and 150mm dropper.

And they do seem to cut their steerer tubes very short for some stupid reason!