Because some scroat nicked my 2 mtbs – Bas###d. So I tried a DW Spot & fell in love. Now I've seen the new Soda – Bikes nicked were 5spot & a Merlin !!!????

I used to get through headsets, at least 1 every 8 months shimano, stronglight etc (although i'm talking 14 years ago!) The i paid for a CK for a Merlin Ti. It's still on the same bike & still smooth. What more can i say? Well worth it IMHO

Where are pics of new Soda please??

Clubber – unfortunately – the price is quite breathtaking – although nowhere near as breathtaking as some 🙂

Good cables do make a difference. BUT…..Only if the kit they're used with is worthy of them. The difference in Naim std interconnect & Naim Highline is totally breathtaking!!! I.M.O.

AAAARRRRGGGGGHHHH . MY EYES. NOOOOO!!!!

Probably about the right size for you. more important (imo) is the reach. A saddle much higher than the handlebars is more of a racing set-up. Saddle pretty much level with bars – more of an all mountain/all day ride set-up & will encourage more control on tricky stuff. & you guessed it, bars much higher than saddle – more downhill/extreme riding. Either way, (imo) better slightly too small than too big – although as i said. 16 probs about right. I, 5'8" 1sh & 16 is where I would be looking. It depends on make & your size (long legs, short arms, long body-we're all different, If you're comfortable it's fine! I recon about a 22.25 to 22.75" toptube with a 90ish mm stem probs about right!!

Indy Fab TI Deluxe (26") with sram XO & Tune hubbed Wheels & Tune Chainset.
Although I'm not sure that 4.4K would be quite enough!!

Love mine too, best full suss bike I've ridden, owned previous version of spot & a couple of Intenses, tried specialized stumpies & Giant Trances / Anthems & the DW Spot beats 'em all. top bit of kit once you get the shock pressure sorted.

Danish oil – 2 or 3 coats & wax if you like. Oil will soak into wood & dries. It can be buffed up or you can use wax applied with 0000 grade wire wool (or you could use super fine scotch brite) This is a very good way to finish timber to give a natural look.

Chainline, really does sound like you were targeted, sure i was too.
Did you have any door to door types round prior to the theft who may have seen in your garage? ANY ONE, no matter how legit they seemed?
I personally don't think it's "pikies" if they only took bikes, not random enough! This was also the opinion of my mate who's a top copper (CID i think)
I did have a door to door type & phoned the organisation he was representing – turned out cosher though?!

Martinshaw woods are great at the moment!! Hows Ticknall at the mo. -not been for ages?

Very sorry to hear about your loss mate.
Just up the road in Thornton near Markfield – had 4 bikes nicked a few months ago – seemed very targetted – only took bikes from a garage with power tools & other nick-abel stuff. A Merlin Oreas TI, Turner Spot & 2 Specialized Rockhoppers. Bastards
Will keep a look out for ya.

"Spending £1000s on a bike that can only go on tarmac….that's really bonkers"
Perhaps you underestimate the amount of technology & engineering in road frames these days
IMHO a road bike probably needs to be better aligned than a mountainbike.!!??

Had my road bike 'bout a year – really love it – soooo fast – corners like it,s on rails – just give it a lean over – Has made me realise how fast i can take a corner – on road or my fave bit of singletrack.
Everyone should give it a go – i was a "dyed in the wool" mtber (since back in the day – 1990 ish!!)now i ride both & wish i'd started earlier.

"Anyway why not just anneal the old one?
Heat it up until it's cherry red & then quench it in water"

I Thought you heat up & let cool slowly to anneal something – quenching will usually harden things – if my memory serves me right!!

Think i might have one – can't be sure tho. Let me know if your stuck n i'll have a look tomorrow eve. Email in profile.

Here
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=ARMY+SURPLUS+GORETEX&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Or Here
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/British-Army-Surplus-DESERT-GORETEX-Trousers-Medium_W0QQitemZ270431502653QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Collectables_Militaria_LE?hash=item3ef6f9413d&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

You complete plonker. Sorry nowt personal, but you asked for it. Bet you feel like a complete one. AND admitting it on here – brave, brave fella!
Get a new cup – you'll be laughed of the trails with a creaking King bb.
Personally, Creaks on my bikes really pish me off

Captain – slamming your nuts in a drawer – although, probably not dull but a little suspect me thinks. & probably smats a bit 😈

I guess it depends on your luck if you get taxed or not – ie import duty. I've had a few items from US of A & only got to pay import once.
Aspire Velo was really quick too – i paid a bit extra for some CK hubs for expidited shipping – got 'em within a couple o' days – fantastic!!
Customer service from them is first rate too – as most US companies.

If it's a quick blast you're after without having to use your brain with maps or you want a change from your locals it's good – but you gotta ride it at speed for it to be fun. I'm taking a friend this weekend – he's fairly new to it so i think a good place for him to loose his trail centre cherry.

Daveh Has a point – Ribble do some nice carbon bikes. Worth a look!!

Re Terry Dolan
I phoned him up once – very helpfull chap, didn't actually end up buying from him as i managed to raise extra funds & got a really good deal on a Wilier Izoard !!

Have you tried Terry Dolan? I think he was doing some pretty reasonable Carbon frames built with good stuff – Dolan Mythos – £1000 gets a full carbon frame & fork & 105 groupo. Askium wheels & Deda finishing kit – great value me thinks 😉 Well worth a look!!
http://www.italian-solutions.co.uk

Very simple –
Staff that give a shit about what they are selling.
Staff who aren't totally up their own arses.
Staff who know what they're talking about.
Staff who do what they say, when they say they're going to do it.
Staff who can be bothered to ask if you need any help when that might mean they have to cut short their conversation with ther mates &/or fellow staff who also don't give a shit.

Enough about staff – they just need to give a shit.

Needs good stock levels at reasonable prices – don't have to match net based bargain outlets (although service from some of these is first rate)
Need to sell a good range of quality frames & bikes.

Easy really – Be nice, sell nice stuff, welcome new customers, give a shit & don't rip people off

Here endeth the RANT 😉

I think he'll be lucky to sell it – Merlin XLM on there a few months ago & the poor fella struggled to sell it – around the 600notes if i remember correctly – if it was a tadge bigger I would have snapped his hand off!!
Don't forget that he will have a fairly hefty cut to pay the 'bay & paypal? – these guys take quite a chunk

REDTED – Merlin built Soda as in THE Merlin That used to & probably still do, build some of the finest Titanium Bikes ever- What's this I hear – Veeeerrrrrry Innnterestiiing me thinks!!!! Needing a new Hardtail soon – Was thinking of something 853ish or TI – this could be a good option!!?? PS Don't tell Mrs Dusty T. 😉

Air – pretty sure

Isn't it a bit late to be asking if they're any good!!

Roger M's book – worked for me – not expensive – print it yourself – free upgrades. I even emailed him with a specific question – no bother, he emailed back really quick. A true star of a fella!!

No there's a plan – everyone buys some new expensive waterproof it, mud tyres & the sun will come out. Why the **** didn't we think of this months ago!!

Congrats on the new born – got him a bike yet!! Vladimir Maximus – got a great ring to it that one – Perhaps Ethan V… M…?? Enjoy

Very sorry to hear of you loss. Had 4 bikes nicked a while ago – locked up in the garage. Turner, Merlin ti & 2 specialized.
Really gutted for you. B~~tards – hope their knackers fester & drop off!!
Hope you get it back mate

Singletrackmonkey
You won't regret it. IMO DW Spot is a lot more taught ride than previous Spots, doesn't feel like your riding a 5 1/2" travel bike until you hit something rough, then just let it fly 😉

Just got my DW spot in raw & absolutely love it. Pretty much like V10's piccy but medium(thanks Luke -it's fantastic). Have ridden hl spot & owned non hl spot – DW far outperforms them both imo

Thanks all
My Mate's now got Swine flu so will be postponing (giving him a wide berth)- If we went from his place Nanty is probably as close (nearly) Will take the kids to Llandegla some time as it doesn't sound too techy for them

MMMMM. Might give it a try – if it's wide trails we'll have to ride it fast! Or maybe Nanty Arian / Coed y Brenin again Or Penmachno

hp – there's a thought – trouble is my mate hasn't been riding much & i'm trying to drag him out on the pretense of it not being too heavy going

grumm – don't ever wear sports wear round town – i try not to even go in to town