Just rebled the dropper and it’s working well. In fact, it thinks it’s an ejector seat now. On full slow, it’s faster than it ever was on the highest speed. Fingers crossed it behaves itself, but it is a Reverb, after all…

Thanks for your suggestions.

Yes, air topped up and speed adjuster protocol followed. It’s a mystery!

Quick update re battery life: the bike has stood overnight and been ridden for 3 1/2 hours and the Di2 battery is still reading 100% on my Edge 510. Promising stuff.

I’ve just fitted one of these internally in the top tube. The Garmin sees it fine, but only after a firmware upgrade courtesy of Shimano’s e tube project software (free download) and my PC. As for battery life, I’ll keep an eye on that, but I don’t anticipate any issues. The insataltion was incredibly simple and I like the fact that the (tiny) unit is hidden away from water and dirt. All in all, a nice upgrade.

I’ve use those wheels all the time in rather Alps with no issues whatsoever.

I’ve been running Ones on Giant carbon rims for a while now. They went on and up incredibly easily and I only added some Stans for good measure. I’ve had one large puncture which, nonetheless, sealed itself enough to get me home at night in the Alps…. There was a lot of fluid sprayed about, though! I’m really impressed with the whole thing. The tyres roll fast, are comfortable and grip well. My mate borrowed the bike and was also impressed. I got my tyres from Germany where there tends to be stock. Having gone tubeless on the roadie, I can’t understand why it’s not a more widespread practice, as it is in the MTB world. I do carry a spare inner tube, just in case, but that’s only because I favour a belt and braces approach!

I’d mostly be riding in the Alps in the ski season,both through the woods and down the Pistes out of hours.

Thanks for that. Hmm. On One Fatty Trail or Cube? Cube do a better finance deal… And I’d want to add a dropper to the Cube.

5’10” with 31″ inside leg on a medium. However, I did opt for a shorter stem by 10mm. My bike has hydraulics, so what esher shore says figures.

No one tried this bike?

I did my RS785s with the epic bleed kit no problem.

I recently put Ice Spiker Pros on my Trance for added fun on a ski trip. The grip they give on compacted snow and ice is amazing. I was able to confidently descend icy, steep red runs in the evening afterthought he skiers had all gone home. Fantastic fun! They set up tubeless OK on Flow EXs, which was a bonus.

They are massive. I am a 30″ waist and, based on Altura’s sizing, bought a small. This was way too big, Velcro adjusters and all. I ended up with an XS. The annoying thing was that I originally wanted the 3/4 length shorts, but they don’t offer these in an XS, so I ended up with regular shorts.

Pretty steep head angle on the Hesperus.

Hadn’t thought of that one. Thanks!

I use the d2 and am really pleased with it.

What about the Canyon Dude? Ideally I’d like to build up a bike by buying a second hand frame and taking it from there.

Thanks for all the info. Why are all my ideas so expensive? I’d like to build a fat bike with a 1X11 drive train, a dropper, decent wheels and brakes and the all important tyres. Better get saving…

Ooh! That could be the answer, but what bike shall I shod with these beauties?

+1 on the Proviz. The way the engine note drops as the driver thinks, what the hell is that, is quite reassuring. Anything that gets drivers thinking is a good idea. Doubt can be useful… I use mine on evening rides round the lanes, as I don’t commute. They are a bit boil in the bag, but worth it. The way they reflect light from any angle is amazing.

Thanks, ianc.

I had the leaking issue with my Ultegra Di2 front brake lever. The reservoir expansion cap was leaking, so I took it off, smeared a little grease around the edge, refitted it and that was that. However, due to the leaking and peeling the hood back numerous times, that particular hood is a bit loose. Can new ones be had?

I found Schwalbe Ones here:

http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/schwalbe-one-evo-osc-tubeless-25-622-108025

I use them and rate them for comfort, puncture resistance and ease of setup.

I’recently bought a Sharan. Yes, I know it’s not a Touran, but it is certainly massive inside for bikes, gets mid 40s mpg from the 140bhp diesel and is very nice to drive. Having come from an MPV with sliding rear doors, sliding doors became a must. I recently went to the Alps with 6 bikes, 3 mates and associated luggage and the car was great. Fit a towbar just in case, and you’ve got a car that covers many bases.

My KS Lev Integra has been faultless and routed easily through my Trance carbon frame. The action is smooth, the lever integrates with ODI grips (a nice touch) and there is infinite adjustment.

I’m 5′ 10″ with a 31″ inside leg and find a medium Trance spot on.

Giant Speedshield Universal for the Advanced models.

Yep, the universal ones. They’re specifically for the Defy Advanced models.

I’ve just fitted the Speedshield ‘guards to my Defy Advanced and they seem excellent. They’re discreet, were easy to fit and match the black of my bike. There’s no problem with 25mm Schwalbe Ones, too.

I was lucky enough to pick up a carbon frame second hand and built up a bike using 150 Pikes and an X01 group set. It weighs 28lbs with Flows and a dropper and is a very capable bike. You’re right, there’s just something special about carbon… Why not look for a good used frame? Didn’t they do an Advanced SX with 160 Pikes?

The new Green in Les Carroz is great fun. My 8 year old lapped it up on a hard tail and you can session it via the lift. There are also plenty of general trails that are fine, plus you’re not far from Morzine for a day out.

Atera Strada DL3 here with expander to allow a fourth bike. I have a VW Sharan and the tailgate clears the carrier when it has arced away from the car. (See Stoner’s post above.) I took four bikes to the Alps two weeks ago and if was fine. Roof box.co.uk are great too deal with and offer no-nonsense phone backup and super quick delivery.

My Trance Advanced 650b. I’m tempted to de-sticker the Flows, but haven’t got around to it yet.

I’ve been pleased with my Blackspire Bruiser. It seems to be fit and forget, although to fit it to my Trance I had to hacksaw one of the bolts down as it would have dug into my frame when fully tightened up.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/blackspire-bruiser-beavertail-1x-2x-bash-guard/rp-prod112082

In the Alps last week at 2100m after a long climb. That’s Mont Blanc in the background. Shame about the pylon.

endurogangster – another ‘Predator’ reference….!

We’re all gonna die.

I regularly go to the Alps with 30T up front and 10-42 at the back on a 650b Trance. It’s fine!

Anytime…

I ain’t got time to bleed…

Sorted.