Not a bad shout. Though the bolts wouldn’t shift before… Will give it a go. Ta!

I hear your ‘pain cave’ and I raise you a ‘cottage of wattage’.

*Slap!*

Says that my NCR Tis were dispatched 21st July…

Absolutely gutted.

Mike was an incredible athlete, very modest about his achievements and remained grounded through it all. Happy to chat and have a beer, top lad.

Met him when racing the first Transprovence. Mike broke his ribs on the first stage of day 1, but continued the race, including riding all the uplifts! Beast.

A really big loss to the cycling world. Ride on Sir, you’ll be missed terribly.

Had one of the first pairs of the Alpine XLs when they came out. I suspect they may have been a pre-production run as we got the free when working on the TransProvence (Mavic sponsorship). Generally up to the job, great for walking and hike-a-biking and more ankle protection than a normal shoe. Only issue was that the sole and cleat area started to separate so when walking off-camber, the sole started to slide off to the side, if that makes sense. This was after about 2 years though.

Now onto some Crossmax XLs – also have been good. Clip fasteners are extremely vulnerable to getting whacked and are made of cheese, but as mentioned above, are replaceable, if you can find them! About 2 years old now and sole is starting to do the same as the Alpines.

Good shoes, but on the pricey side. May try something else next.

Yeah, I remember seeing the post last time – benefit of the doubt and all that, but this is just bonkers.

Had a few issues with mine too.

Pretty sure mine was also out of warranty but give

Mark@mtbbatteries.co.uk

a shout – he services in the UK for Gloworm and has helped me a few times. Top guy.

For reference, ended up going with one of these:

https://www.alpine.co.uk/p/Products/cd-head-units19/cde-w235bt

VW system was too much faff for the expense.

Very happy with it so far!

Stif Morf!

Just building one up just now. Getting pretty good reviews so far.

Great stuff – thanks chaps!

Lots of T5 owners on their lunch break it would seem! :)

woody74 – I think 2008 and later all had the same wiring but the dash changed in 2010 for the facelift models. Conversion kit here but not cheap! Thanks for the advice though – appreciated – sounds like the all-VW option is a bit of a minefield.

http://www.advanced-incar.co.uk/products/vw-t5-conversions/vw-t5-interior-dash-conversion-kit/%5B/url%5D

DaveyBoyWonder – I’m in Edinburgh unfortunately!

Thanks for the responses chaps! Keep ’em coming!

I haven’t got the email either but maps are here:

Map1

Map2

Yep – this hasn’t happened for a while – thought whoever was doing it got bored but evidently they’re back…

Previous STW thread

MK11 XL frame in 160mm mode with Fox CTD
Marzocchi 55 RC3Ti
Hope Pro II on Stans Flow 26″
XT Brakes
XTR cranks
XT drivetrain
Straitline Silentguide
Hope Stem
Nukeproof Bars
WTB Rocket Saddle
Syntace post

Absolutely love it.

Another vote for Knog ones here. Had mine for years – very easy to swap about. Recommended.

In a similar situation here. I actually contacted Windwave yesterday – they’re really helpful. There isn’t a hard spring available for these forks unfortunately.

Echo what most people say here – adding air solves the diving problem but loses sensitivity a bit. Doc here suggests you should be at about 20psi:

Manual

I’ve also found that if you add air to stop the diving, it’s hard to get full travel.

Also worth whacking the mechanical preload on the LH leg up to max before adding air to see if that will help.

Have also heard that changing to 10wt helps or mix 7.5wt and 10wt to get somewhere in between can help.

Good luck!

That is absolutely gutting news. Jenn – many happy memories of you on the TransProvence when you were working as Mountain Staff. You brightened up our suffering!

Big love to you and your family.

Chris x

Should also point out that up to the break, he was very happy with them – light, stiff, built up no problem. Took a while to ship, but to be expected I suppose. Good price too.

Yes, it was definitely the tarmac road. Bang to rights.

Duh, obviously it was something else that damaged it but we couldn’t identify exactly what. He didn’t have any heavy crashes that would have obviously done it, hence the ‘bollocks’ comment.

We all doubted they would hold up but he gave them a chance and went with them anyway, I dare say he won’t again.

Everyone else riding the same trails on similar bikes and similar build of people, all on Flows had no issues.

Mate ran these on a 29er Orange Five on the TransProvence this year (one of the signing team). The back one exploded after 4 days as he rolled onto a tarmac road. He’s gone back to Flows on the rear but think the front one is still ok.

I wouldn’t, but that’s my opinion…

Heh heh. Excellent!

Hob Nob – great call – thanks!

Can use this to mount my Silentguide – winner!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/e-thirteen-iscg-mounting-plate-iscg-05/rp-prod11453

Thanks for the replies folks – will consider these for the future.

Ah – top tip. Yeah, Bromley always seem to have cheap Liteville stuff on the go – thanks.

Aha! Good man. Is it ok with a single-ring? Assuming the 2-ring version is the one to go for. (running a 32T)

The only place I can seem to find them is here – did yours come with the bike or did you buy afterwards?

https://www.bike-components.de/en/Syntace/SCS-II-Kettenfuehrung-Typ-II-301-601-p29097/

Had this on a Golf. There was a connector for the rear washer hose behind the rearmost door pillar that had come loose, effectively squirting water/screenwash into the cavity whenever I washed the rear screen! This was running into the footwell.

Take off trim and check the connector isn’t loose.

Think ads678 was alluding to this…

http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/12955696.Cyclist_hurt_after_fishing_line_strung_across_path_at_Moors_Valley

P20 – you’re not helping here! Think a Soul is in the pipeline…

Andy R – frame ridden 3-4 times a week in Scottish mud and slop with constant seat up/down – seat tube wears inside so that no matter how hard you clamp the post, it always slips. A right pain.

Ooh – nice! I also have a Liteville 301 and my Dialled PA is about to die (worn out seat tube). I’m seriously thinking about a 26″ Soul.

You have re-ignited this fire. Damn you! ;)

Enjoy the ride!

Similar dents in my frame have all been large rock strikes coming off the front wheel during Alpine stuff – TransProvence trails etc.

From the Liteville site: “The Warranty is valid for all Liteville owners, not only for the first owner, and permits DH and race usage”

However, point taken on the seattube “reducing”.

Mind you, on MK10 frames, they actually produced a user guide to drill a hole for a stealth dropper! Not many manufacturers would do that!

Drill your own!

My MK10 has dents like that all over the downtube – it’s been like that for years no issues. And the frames have a 10 year transferrable warranty that includes race use.

Worst case it snaps and you get a new one!

They are bloomin’ awesome bikes.

Seconded.

Absolutely beautiful area. Spent many a summer at Achmelvich with my folks. Stunning.

Echo the comments above. Some coastal paths are worth a shot. Footpath from Alltan’abradhan to Lochinver via Achmelvich, Loch Dubh (great for a freshwater swim) and Ardroe is nice techy track. A few gates and stop/starts but mostly rideable. Best going in that direction though. Not a big day though.

Quinag is a good shout as is the path up to the Bone Caves – nice track.

Enjoy!

That’s interesting balfa – I’ve never seen that sign – will look out for it next time I’m up.

Does anyone know why it was there?

Yeah, I only got to know it relatively recently and I’ve never seen it blocked until now.

At the field, you can still go straight on and down by the stream but it’s a bit overgrown. You have to pop out and ride down the side of the field for a short section. Best to take the right turn but both options are rideable.

Cheers. Cleared all of them off the trail – sawed through one big one with a trail saw but as you say, it’s pretty dedicated work. I’m sure they’ll be back.

Chaps, I am 100% ultra-mega sure it’s not wind-related.

These were methodically-placed every 10-15m on the entire trail. You could see the marks where they had been dragged over from the side of the trail and placed right in the middle. Some were entire tree trunks that had been lying for a long time in the undergrowth and had been dragged out across the trail.

And yes, it’s a great bit of trail! Turn tight at the muddy field and continue in a dog-leg. Bit muddy in places but good fun.

Ah yes – the Nail Trail – I’d forgotten about that. Was anyone ever caught for that?

Pretty disappointing really.

Interesting. I could do with a firmer one. And a spring too! Ho ho ho. Where? TELL US!

Guys – many thanks for all your suggestions – lots of frames I would never have looked at or haven’t heard of – will get looking.

qwerty – Budget – I guess up to about £700 would be ok – I’d like something under £600 if possible. Quality/niche – most importantly, reliability. And not much heavier than the PA. Niche – don’t really mind. The PA has been a solid workhorse and is a hoot to ride.

And thanks for the backup cows_in_cars :) I hate to retire the frame, but I get the feeling that if I get the seat-tube repaired, my forks will inevitably die next and I only have a 1 1/8 headtube… Will look into it though.