I received my XL Vandal and have added a some decent tyres, pedals and a 200mm dropper. I took it for a 35 mile XC ride yesterday and really enjoyed it. I think it is a little lighter than my XL Scandal, but I’ll weigh them to check when I next spot the luggage scales. I really like it. Seems to have a bit more spring than the Scandal, but that could be new vs old forks and different 2.6 tyres. I like the fact that the Vandal is longer as I have quite long arms. I also like the shorter, lower seat tube that allows me to run a 200mm dropper rammed all the way in. The only downside to the extra length is that I didn’t find it quite as good when climbing a steep section. Overall I think it was worth the £300 premium I over the Scandal. I’m keeping both anyway as I like them better than all my other bikes past and present.

I just got a 20% off code (BTRT20) by email valid until Sunday 3/10/21. The Vandal is included and is already on promotion at £1499 with free delivery, so I decided to order one. Total paid £1199. I paid £925 for my Scandal (1,600 miles on it so far) last year so it seemed like an eqivalent deal. As last time though there still another £200+ required to sort out tyres, pedals, and a dropper.

I’ve put over 800 miles on my Scandal in the last 6 months. Before I rode it I put on a BrandX dropper and 2.6 tyres. Since then I’ve just cleaned an oiled it and it’s been perfect in all weathers. I’m noticing the chain is starting to slip when I’m in the 11 tooth cog so I might need to adjust the rear mech or possibly get a new chain/cassette. I might swap the back wheel for a spare one I have so I can fit an XD cassette. If PlanetX get close enough to the £900 I paid again then I’d be tempted to get another one.

Had my first ride today. Exactly what I wanted for a Winter hardtail. I fitted a 2.6 WTB Trail Boss tyre on the rear and a 2.6 Bontrager SE5 on the front. Worked pretty well in the mud. Very comfy bike to ride. I might stick a wider bar on, but only because I’ve got one spare.

My bike turned up today exactly on schedule. It was well-packed and arrived scratch free. I’ve taken off the the 2.2″ tyres and will get the 2.6″ ones fitted and set up tubeless over the next few days. The WTB rim strips fitted as standard were all over the place on the rims, but not an issue as I’m replacing them with tubeless tape. I would have been happy to pay a bit more (+£50) for a GX cassette instead of the budget one fitted, but other than that I can’t fault the spec.

I couldn’t find any good deals on Nobby Nics (I run one a s a rear on another bike and think it’s very good). In the end I’ve settled for a 2.6 WTB Trail Boss for the rear and a 2.6 Bontrager SE5 for the front. The bike doesn’t come for a few more weeks, but 2.6 tyres seemed to be selling out a quite a few places so I didn’t want to get caught out.

I went for a black XL bike last week taking advantage of the £200 off and 10% code. I think the spec of the bike is great for the money. The stock tyres seem like an odd choice for this time of year (Vittoria Saguaro Folding Tyre / 29 inch / TNT 2.2″ / Black), but I’ll take them off and use them on another bike next Summer. While I wait for the bike I’m shopping around for 2.5/2.6 tyres for the Winter. At the moment I’m thinking a Minion DHF or WTB Vigilante on the front, not so sure about the rear.