Hope for pretty much everything where it’s an option. Maybe not always the lightest, but solid and know if there’s ever a problem it’ll be easily sorted, either with a cheap spare bit or just popping it in the post back to ’em.

SRAM drivetrain, but with Shimano cables, outers and cassettes.

KMC chains.

J-bend spokes.

New tyre? I find leaving it with a tube in overnight usually helps.

Made sure you’re logged in? Only got it the other day so should still be valid.

CRCT35THM7X&

Got it done! The Jagwire cutter wouldn’t even start to get through the hose, but a quick snip with cable cutters did it fine. Hardest part was getting the new hose insert in, though I’m assuming (hoping!) tightning the hose back into the lever squeezes everything together properly anyway? All seems fine so far though…

Pumping the pistons out meant I didn’t need to bleed the front, but then forgot to do it with the rear… :/ Quick top up at the lever sorted that out though. Hope brakes are easy!

Cheers again!

I used Interparcel last time. Think it was about £15, and you can add extra insurance.

Paul Hewitt for me!

Thanks for the advice! The brakes came with a spare olive and insert each, so have a fall back if I manage to mess it up.

Will I get away without bleeding, or am I best off getting some DOT before I attempt anything?

I don’t get the o-ring either – the only bit that should be doing any sealing is the base of the valve against the rim bed.

Re-tape the rim, inflate with a tube overnight to press the tape down properly, then give it another go.

Try fizzy water?

At 6’2″ I’d even consider an XL, I’m 5’10″ish on a large Spitfire…

I like to stick a tube in and leave it inflated for a bit to properly press the tape down, but as long as it’s covering the spoke holes it’ll be fiiiiine.

I’m near Bolton if you want any pointers sometime. I’m far from an expert though, and mostly out on the MTB at the moment with the crappy weather… If you see some nobber in Hope MTB kit on a Chinese carbon job it’s probably me, so feel free to flag me down! 😀

Edit: Size sounds about right to me – I’m 5’10″/11″ on a 55cm top tube with 110mm stem.

Got a set of those Beta sliding allen keys a while ago and they’re luuurvely! Good for spinning! 😀

When I looked at this, it was just a case of adding/removing spacers to adjust the travel… I could be wrong though, never actually got round to doing it.

Mine are also up for sale atm… 😀

I’m usually a medium in Endura MTB stuff, but got some cheap DHB bibs a while ago and ended up with an XL! So I’ve gone for an XL in these too as I’m anticipating tiny Italian sizing…

I had the 26″, friend got the 650b a few months ago – both have been brilliant for the money. Halfords always have sales and offers on too, so getting one for £800 or £900 should be fairly easy, but even at full price they’re a good buy.

I saw one of these a while ago that looked great, but am struggling to remember what it was… It was the usual bumbag type of thing, but with shoulder straps, and a bladder rather than a bottle. Wasn’t the Camelbak one, because that doesn’t have the shoulder straps. Wasn’t a Wingnut either.

Any ideas?

I have the Hope 35mm. Mostly because it’s Hope. 😀 Light and solid, but think you’d have to try pretty hard for a stem not to be at that length.

Depends on which Nobby Nics – the old ones weren’t great, ran one on the back, didn’t roll that quickly but not particularly gripy. The new ones look alright though – like a slightly lighter/less aggressive Hans Dampf. Might give one a go when my HD wears out.

Give your bike a good check over too, especially the fork and front wheel. Can seem alright with a quick glance, but a lot can be bent/cracked if you’ve gone into the side of a car. Was certainly the case for me anyway!

Mine’s been brilliant, no problems at all, and it’s all slop around here at the moment. I do brush the dried caked on mud off and give the chain a quick lube before every ride though, with a quick wash once every week or two.

You can’t really compare because they’re completely different bikes, but having said that…

Road bikes generally have longer stems than MTB, which would make up the difference in TT length: My MTB has an ETT of 615mm, but a 35mm stem, while my road bike is 550mm with a 110mm stem, so works out slightly longer.

Edit: Beaten!

Got one of those Clas Ohlson ones for Christmas too, and it works great, no more putting on damp shoes or stuffing them with newspaper. 😀

I’d always go with Paul Hewitt around here. The road and MTB wheels he’s built for me are both solid.

He build wheels for Wiggins too if that makes a difference. Though obviously my recommendation is worth more! 😀

I’ve got a Hong-Fu FM079 (disc version of the FM069) and it’s brilliant! Communication when buying was good and the finish is flawless. Think it ended up costing around £500, including the paint job and customs/Parcelforce fees.

Just before the first ride:

Earlier today:

I think it’s 8mm NDS for GXP, 10mm DS for BB30.

I think the Hope road BB cups are the same as MTB, but different centre tube and spacers. Sooo, maybe, but you might need a few extra bits.

I had the previous (26″) FS Team for almost 3 years and it was brilliant for the money. Friend got the 650b version in the summer and loves it. That’s what I’d go for!

Any more going?

I’ve got Spyres with Force22 levers on my road bike and they’ve always worked great… Not that that really helps you, but at least lets you know they should work with SRAM…

Using IceTech discs at the moment, but the stock TRP discs were fine. Stock pads and standard Shimano brake outer.

So any HTII 24mm BB should work, although the axle on FSA cranks is slightly (like less than a mm) larger than other HTII cranks so it can require a tap with a rubber mallet to fit/remove.

Yep, supposedly different, but a good whack with a rubber mallet will do it. Even a cheap Shimano BB will last loads longer than the FSA.

I’ve thought this since fitting a rear Mudhugger on my MTB… Been through two sets of rear brake pads before I’ve even got through one on the front.

Still prefer it to being covered in crap though!

As requested! 😀

Got it built up earlier in the week, but haven’t had a chance to try it out yet with work/rain. Hopefully giving it a go tomorrow!

Agreed the colour looks much better in the flesh, though I think that photo’s pretty accurate. And the mudguards are staying! At least til after winter…

Been considering one of these, but there doesn’t seem to be a Pike specific bracket:

http://www.powa-productsstore.com/acatalog/Rock-Shox-Fork-Dfender-Mudguards.html

Is there a particular one to go for?

Did you end up giving Ison a ring?

Pretty sure I’m in the same position as you… Pre-ordered in June and was told late August/September for delivery. Spoke to the shop last week, and they said they’d spoken to Ison the week before, who’d told them about 10 days… Haven’t heard anything since.

Had all the bits ready to go for what feels like ages now!

Bit of a bump! Did you ever manage to get a demo? North west and very interested too!

What height/inside leg is everyone and what size have you gone for?

I’m considering a medium at 5’10″/32″…

If it’s 55mm, and black with a mag face plate, I’ll take it for £35!