Thanks for the replies so far. STATO, does an XT 10 sp compatible 16T exist?

Buy a Trance. You know you want to.

I went today as I can ride there from my house. The blue was completely shut, but most of the red was open and I still had some fun. Rebuilding is underway so best to respect the diversions and hope for drier weather so everything can get back to normal.

Many thanks for the useful replies. I like the idea of bridging the gap (thanks mtbtomo), so I have passed your advice on. TBH, the Alps is not that important, so a big bike isn’t really a must. Something more trail centre focused that could cope with more gnarly terrain would be perfect.

Thanks again for your help.

Dom

The Alps will be a mixture of long climbs and fast(ish) descents over everything from mud to rocks, ie a ski resort out of season. Plenty of riding through the woods, too. It throws everything at you! I rode there on an old VT2, but have also used an Anthem and an XTC. The Anthem climbed brilliantly, but felt too little bike for the descents. The VT2 coped well, but felt old after the Anthem. I’m hoping the Trance will hit the spot in the Alps. I can tell my mate all this.

I don’t know where he got his list from – the internet, probably. His HT is a Cube, and we all like to stick with what we know. That’s why I’ve recommended a Trance….

Thanks for your help so far,

Dom

Always an option….

That looks like the ones. Many thanks!

broke soul, that’s what’s on my other bike (XT 785s), but on the bike in question the pin has a flat head screwdriver end, not an allen key, and the clip is not bent. The brakes are older XTR, M975s, I think.

Hi. It doesn’t go through the pin, but is secured into a groove in the end of the pin.

I have a lovely medium Giant XTC carbon frame that would do you nicely. It would come in well under your budget, also. I’m 5’10 and it fits me perfectly.

Great suggestions. Thank you very much for your help. I’ll give it a go!

I’ve ordered one now, so we’ll see. Maybe that’s why they’re so cheap on CRC.

Great. I’ll get one ordered.

Thanks, nodrog2. I’ve seen that, but it doesn’t say multirelease in the blurb, so I’m hesitating.

That’s good to know, and thanks for getting back to me. May I ask where you got it from?

Brilliant. Thanks for that.

I sent my 2013 ones back as they were too narrow. I went for MW81s in the end one size up and they fit nicely. it was a shame as the Defrosters look cool and all my other shoes by Specialized fit a treat.

Les Carroz is great. Been skiing there for years. 265km of piste (Grand Massif) and connects to Flaine, one of the most snow sure resorts in the Alps.

Mine have also arrived and don’t fit. I ordered a 43, based on my other Spech shoes being that size and fitting very well. The Defrosters are much narrower across the arch of the foot and will have to go back. Even a size up I think the width issue will not be addressed.I’m going to try the MW81s one size up and suspect the traditional strap closure system will be more comfortable. Still a good deal at just over £100.

Sorted! Found them on eBay after looking them up on the Jagwire site. (Thanks petefromearth)

Neninja-here’s a link to the Jagwire product. You can then search on eBay. The part is called a housing holder.

http://jagwire.com/products/v/S-Hooks_Bridge

Thanks again for all your help,

Dom

Excellent suggestions. Thanks!

It’s just that I use the bike at Swinley and never use the smallest chainring.

Try these:

http://www.hopetech.com/page.aspx?itemID=SPG445

Dom

Try an Anthem. Set up well it feels like a hard tail, but without being bounced out of the saddle. Curious and amazing!

All sorted now. Thanks for your advice, Trevor. It was spot on!

Many thanks,

Dom

Thanks for that. Where do I get the kit, please?

Coatsey – I think you have it! Many thanks for your great explanation. What you describe sounds just right and explains why there is apparent leakage and yet no loss of pressure. Perhaps I can just leave things be and crack on. We’ll see when I next get out to the Alps in Febraury.

All the best,

Dom.

Great advice, so thank you. I did put the bleed plug back in, but I reckon getting a replacement is probably wise. I will then remove the master cylinder cover, reseat very carefully and re bleed. Hopefully that will do the job! The bike is in the Alps at the moment and I have just got back (cycling across a piste busy with skiers got some odd looks, not to mention completing the ski cross country course on my trusty Giant…), so it will have to wait a few weeks. It will be interesting to see if the system has held pressure.

Thanks again for all your help,

Dom

Many thanks for your speedy reply. Do you think the fluid could be weeping from the actual bleed port, and so replacing the plug might be a good idea? I did remove the master cylinder cover and then refit it, which I now know was not necessary…. The other odd thing is that when I pull the brake leaver there is a hydraulic type noise from the tiny hole area and fluid appears to almost bubble out, but not every time. Could the bladder not be correctly seated under the cover?

Thanks again,

Dom

Got the wife measured at Evans and came away with a Spech Windie 155. Fitted it to the Anthem and went for a ride. All good so far. Thanks again for everyone’s help.

Kind regards,

Dom

Great, and thanks for all the suggestions. Just off for a fitting session.

ATB, Dom.

Just ordered one From Pauls. Can’t find a better price anywhere else.

I have now tested the 1200 lumen light on my road bike and it is great for on road use. The thrower aspect works very well in this context, for all you roadies out there. For £28 delivered it does a superb job.

OK, time for an update. I have altered the pressure to 160 psi which gives me around 11mm of sag and 44mm of travel. I tried this out yesterday and never bottomed out, but the bike felt good and there was room for error as a reasonable amount of travel remained for any big hits. I have set the propedal to 3 for climbing and overal feel happy with the setup now. In terms of the can size, I don’t know how to ascertain what size it is, but the tune of the shock is medium in respect of the boost valve and the same for velocity.

Many thanks for all your help.

Kind regards, Dom.

I’m running 180 at the moment, but it feels a little “boingy”, even with the rebound dialled slower. Plush ride, though. I was involved in an Alpine event today over literally every sort of terrain, and the Revs up front and RP23 at the back felt good, so I’m nearly there.

ATB, Dom.

That’s great. I understand now! I will have a go once I have recovered from 55km of Alpine madness!

ATB, Dom.

Fair comment. It’s just a shame they don’t fit through a letter box!

I am in a similar position. I have an 05 Giant VT2 that I love riding and does all I ask of it, including AM in the Alps. Reading this thread is interesting. I was thinking of replacing it, but instead I have put on 140 Revs and have sourced new wheels, an RP23 for the back, bigger rotors (the Hayes 9s work ok for me), XT drivetrain etc. and can’t wait to fit it all when I get out to the Alps next week. The Revs were good, so let’s see what all the other stuff does for it!

ATB, Dom.

I have had the same experience twice now for very small parts. Both times I received the ‘Sorry you were out’ cards. Apart from the inconvenience of that, what a waste of packaging! It’s hardly a “green” approach by CRC. I wonder if they have any environmentally friendly awards/accreditation etc.? If so, they shouldn’t…

ATB, Dom.

If you decide to sell off the Reign frame I would be interested. My email is in my profile if you have time for some details, such as age, condition etc. and a couple of photos.

Many thanks, Dom.