Always A Winner

Honda CR-V? Good high up position, not too wide, reliable, comfortable and big enough boot. I had a 2010 petrol EX version for a couple of years and it was good jut a bit boring to drive.

I’ve got these and recommend Das Boots now down to £49

Can’t upload image so here’s a link

Happy with my 2019 Norco Fluid FS1 – the 2020 model is now out at Evans and under your budget Norco Fluid FS1

Have you looked at the Norco Fluid? Evans have 2019 models on sale and leaves you money left to add lighter wheels and drivetrain Take a look here I’ve got one and did the L2B off-road on it so can vouch it’s good for marathon usage

Diesel estate for £2.5k here SEAT Exeo

How about a SEAT Exeo? it’s a rebadged Audi A4 with the convertible’s dashboard. I had an estate version (2.0T petrol) one for a couple of years and it was ace. Not well known so a bit of a hidden gem.

or you could buy mine ;-) 29″ wheels

I had a v1 for 2 years – awesome bike. Tackled everything from Swinley to Peaks to London to Brighton offroad. Plus tyres are very sensitive to tyre pressures so spend some time adjusting them. Get one – it’s very good.

The Transmitter is a hooligan bike – I rode everything from London to Brighton offroad to Peaks on my v1 – need to get tyre pressures right but it was ace. Now replaced with a short-travel 29er and regretting it

If you live near a Specialized store go get your ar5e measured plus they do 30 day exchange so if you don’t get on with a saddle you can swap it until you do. Worked for me

Anyone?

My XL arrived a couple of weeks back and I’ve changed the wheels and rear cassette (as they weighed a ton) and bars, stem, grips, saddle and pedals and set the tyres up tubeless and got weights down from 33lbs to 30lbs. Been out locally and to Swinley and it did OK – need to play with suspension settings but so far it’s promising.

Tried an XL and it was a much better fit. Got one on order now :-) Anyone want a Sonder Transmitter?

I’ve got 155 Phenom’s and Avatar’s on my bikes and much prefer the Avatar. On sale at Evans

@richardthird what size did you go for? I found on the Large that the seat post wasn’t high enough, was thinking of putting a longer dropper on it -did you have the same issue?

Orange – I forgot about them thanks Chapaking! The Four could do the trick. Haven’t had an Orange since my C16-R

FlareMAX is a good call. I did look at Sonder Evol but it’s probably too much bike at 140 travel. Anything else I should look at?

The clutch squeaks on my Mk 3 – didn’t realise the later model did it as well!

In typical STW fashion, I’m going to recommend what I own a Sonder Transmitter I’ve got the v1 and it’s been great at everything from XC to trail centres and natural (almost) Enduro-type terrain. My Full Sus hardly gets ridden these days because it’s so capable and fun to ride.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Red_One

Me likee! I love my Transmitter so curious how you find the full sus

Yep

I’m tempted by the black face. Great spec for the money. I’ve never had a titanium watch either. Anything to be wary of?

If you’re looking for an off-the-shelf option how about this from Alpkit https://www.alpkit.com/sonder/bikes/sonder-frontier-build-nx1-rigid-hobo

Saw him when he was at Chelmsford last week. Recommended.

Have you looked at the GT Grade? I have a105 spec version and swapped to lighter wheels and it’s a very comfortable mile muncher.

I have Spesh Phenom and Avatar’s – I prefer Avatar on road and MTB’s – more comfortable. Phenom is OK for short ride, Avatar better for longer rides.

That there indoor trainer for £50 – worth a punt or avoid like the plague?

I’ve got one – a 2016 model the TM model with ally frame. I like it. It’s not got the most up-to-date geo but it rides well and is well specced and looks OK. You have to size up though (I have  20″ frame and I’m 6′ tall). My only niggles is the rear shock bottoms out and so I never have it fully open and I notice more few pedal strikes on it than my hardtail (Sonder Transmitter). I’ve changed the tyres (2.5″ on front) and did this years ‘Ard Rock Enduro on it and it was ace!

How about carbon Sonder Transmitter https://www.alpkit.com/sonder/sonder-transmitter-carbon

I’ve got one of these – Sonder Transmitter (photo not mine) and it gets ridden far more than my newer full sus. My favourite mountain bike in over 20 years (and there’s been a few!)