Ra for the win. Love it 😊

Desire, no yeti, no ibis, no pace, no Santa Cruz, no bespoke. Nearest I get to desire from this is for the love of Atherton’s even though I’m not a lug fanboy. You can’t please everyone I guess but am left wondering.

@joebristol its lovely and machined on the inside!

I’ve an RC295 (three months old) and the best review you will find is GuyKesTV review on YT. I completely agree with his review, its damn fast and capable but you don’t know it until you get to a corner! 4 pots needed. Its an amazing value frame (considering £3k others) and PACE have done an excellent job. I love the stiff frame, with stiff rear end, and the trail orientated aggressive position over the 20mm riser bars. Even with 150mm it doesn’t feel overbiked. Mine built up at 13.5kg all in. The true winning test for me is its first choice out the garage everytime. Ive changed teh spec a little since this shot:

I know what you mean and also struggle with this, I’ve used and own both Trail and Race Shimano pedals.

I don’t find the Trail easier to get into but they do offer a platform that I can push against if I’m not able to clip in and get up the hill.

What I’ve found makes a difference is the shoes, my carbon bottom slippy Sidi can be awkward and it’s a bit dancing on ice, where as a treaded SPD sole helps with purchase.

I also find it easier if I’m not in my easiest geR, so I’ve got some resistance when I turn the pedal.

I’m thinking of going back to trail type shoes over my XC racing snakes.

Exactly this. Different shoes for different Pedals. Sidi XC Shoes are a slippery bugger for XC SPD (but are super stiff sole), Whereas Shimano XC Shoes finds the cleat really easily. I use the Shimano XC501 or AM7 for XT Trail pedals (Which are super easy to engage). Currently also trying Crank Brothers Candy 7 on Enduro bike, and these are super easy to engage but the float is bigger and I often heel strike compared to XT Trail. That said my two pairs of XTR PD-M959 pedals (now 20 years old) have created a reliable muscle memory and are the true hero of pedals.

Hot foot tips that worked for me passed on from ultra endurance folks and then tried and tested on 12-24hr rides;

– Move cleats back as far as they go towards centre of foot
– Get some solestar Kontrol footbeds (this is a winner), can take a while to get used to
– Move cleats to outside of foot as much as possible if you suffer from nerve pressure on outside of foot
– in ride (on a descent) undo buckles/dials and shake foot out of pedal (always good relief)
– choose the right socks that don’t overheat your foot
= shoes with airflow always helps

Hope that helps

I also have a pair of Hunt XC wide and they the most flexible of all three. Whilst they will stand some knar, a season has seen them go out of true, I also popped spokes in XC front. Hunt however where brilliant in sorting this though. Ultimately it depends how you like your bike setup. I love torqing rear end so carbon give that extra pop and jive out of corners. Im 73kg.

Wolftooth sh12 32t and 34t, no chain drop yet with Shimano chains and derailers.

I’ve both, and whilst trail wide is slightly lighter, the impact carbon are stiffer. I’m a total convert to the way the carbon set has made the bike feel. Oh and the hubs are gorgeous. You wont be disappointed with either and customer service is always excellent.

https://www.athertonbikes.com/post/firstfifty-bikes-released

first fifty! and an enduro bike!

I’m down for the Dyfi Enduro this year on May bank holiday so will be in the area for a few days, appreciate the report! Looking forward to exploring :) GULP

Mags will be like Vinyl, they will make a comeback but hopefully not at the expense of the environment (unlike Vinyl). Always look forward to smelling my STW pages 😁

shed! mine stay in the house ;) not happy with like for like change though. watching with interest.

Another vote for 29/30mm Hunt trail wide is a winner for up to 2.5/2.6 tyres on 29er. Feels so stable especially at lower pressures. I also run Hunt XC wide at 25mm and these are great up to 2.4, these are quicker on the dry summer trails, but the grip I get with 2.5/2.6 on 29/30mm is inspiring this time of year.

Whyte S120-C see Guys grin filled video here. Superb review.

My experience with Wiggle lifeline tubeless valves has been good. Cheap too. I’ve also the Milkit valves which are great, esp for measuring and keeping consistent sealant amounts in your tyre, but they still get blocked like regular valves for me.

The biggest winning factor though is looks, the 1150 looks a hell of a lot better!

this is true however!

I have found in sandy conditions that the XT 11-42 totally outlasts SRAMS 1175 cassettes (in 1×11). I have tried three chains (KMC X11EL, XX1 and XTR chain), X11 wore quickly, XX1 chain appears more durable so far, XTR chain and SRAM cassette I couldn’t get shifting right. I always replace chain at 0.5 wear rate.

Jubys skipping whist on rollers is far more impressive :)

Dave says he’s sure we had a decal saying “can’t believe it’s not butted” on our first ti frames

😂 its all about the ride quality.. ti railed saddles I’m still in love with. Are they butted too?

Butted Ti frames are generally butted on a belt sander by removing material on the outside of the tube.

Ibis talk of “internally butted, externally butted, formed or swaged tubes”;
Reilly, Seven talk of “butting process through drawing tubes”;
Moots have moved between larger thinner straight walled and custom reynolds cold drawn double butted;

all £££ by comparison to Lynskey. Is it worth it?

running… Vittoria peyote/mezcal F/R in 2.35 on 25 internal rim width (come up 2.35 on Vernier). Quick tyres and Peyote far more predicable than Schwalbe rocket ron (which are great until let go!). Also just about to try for Forkaster 2.35 Front and Bonty XR3i Rear 2.35 combo for better mixed conditions grip.

Is this a trick question ;) butting ti or steel is the same? a process of ‘drawing’ which can make the ends of the tubes thicker..

transition vanquish… no looking back. Also some great 2018 frame deals around, max 34T front.

do checkout pipedream cycles too :), the moxie looking long and slack.

Ive been using Hunt XC Wide 25mm boost/non boost combo wheels since last November, and am happy to report they are great set of wheels, proven to be wide enough and strong enough for my aggressive trail use and weight. I had a nipple pop couple of weeks back under sharp braking, and replaced that and the spoke directly with spares they ship (I have a jig from Wheelpro days). I then contacted Hunt about this and they where fantastic, immediately sending out a spare spoke/nipple and tape to replace the spares I used. I’ve just purchased a boost rear only (One Wheel) for a new frame, and the whole process of dealing with Hunt has proved satisfying and trustworthy. So far so good for me.

I have had repeated conversations with Wiggle/CRC about using Yodal with my orders and have urged them to drop them, they don’t deliver when they say, and even worse they mark orders as ‘customer told them to hold’, I hadn’t even had a conversation with them! (Blatant lies and a very tense call with customer support). Totally useless compared to Hermes, DPD (Outstanding) and Royal Mail when all you want is not have to worry about deliveries.

It must be friday flippant comment day. Each to their own 🙄

IMG_20181208_141024_859

There is a few threads on MTBR where peeps have tried it and have had to dial it out with 11 speed setting. I also read elsewhere that’s its an issue with TRS+ cassette and 9t. I’ve hunt wheels and they have stated ‘they are obtaining a license and will add microspline freehub to their range’. Will continue to use XD until shimano 12 speed better established with wheel builders. At least I can go 12 with flick of shifter switch in future.

timber bell for the win. peeps actually hear it!

The problem with 9-46 is that the 9100 RD doesn’t go that low, Its been tried. Like you, I need that 10-45/6 option. XT may work but again will need to be microspline for Shimano to go under 11t, so will be stuck with 11-42/46t XT like today. I need to go smaller front ring 32/34 (from 36 oval today, because of frame limits) I need the 10t rear to compensate. Sadly, we are going to be looking elsewhere. Looks like I will be stuck with 10-46 SRAM 11 Speed for some time in this range.

anyone had any further experiences of XTR 9100 with cassettes other than shimano microspline. I’m looking for a 10-46 to go with a GS 9100 RD in 12 speed. I can only find SRAM 10-46 in XD driver available in 11 speed (GS has max 45 tooth capability).

Has anyone managed to use another 10-45/6 or 9-46t (12 speed cassette) with Shimanos M9100 Shifter and GS rear derailleur? (micro splines are in short supply with wheel builders whist they license them), Best alternative I can see is SRAM 10-46 on XD driver freehub – but only for 11 speed in that range (with max of 46).

Have used split links on shimano chains for 20+ years no problem at all. Pretty much use KMC chains exclusively now. Having one of these in your backpack is essential. Wolf Tooth Pack Pliers Master Link Combo Chain Tool https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07B22NBXH/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A38T5ZE9HMCKTR&psc=1

Bloody awful. This is total targeting and is the man’s livelyhood.  Bikes should be on front page of site.

spec of RLC:

• New friction-reducing DebonAir™ air spring delivers the most responsive forks and rear shocks in RockShox history, maintaining traction in more conditions than ever before
• Charger™ 2 damper with Rebound, Lockout and Low-Speed compression adjustment
• Factory tuned Dig Valve offering mid-stroke support
• TwistLoc™ and OneLoc™ remote compatibility

spec of RL

• New friction-reducing DebonAir™ air spring delivers the most responsive forks and rear shocks in RockShox history, maintaining traction in more conditions than ever before
• Charger™ 2 damper is lighter and more bump-compliant than original Charger
• Solid lockout compression adjustment; external rebound damping adjustment
• TwistLoc™ and OneLoc™ remote compatibility

This maybe a better option to go direct from Germany – at least its in stock (although they don’t seem to have the ceramic version)

Hibike

Mine has an AI-24 fitted. Funnily enough I’m trying to source a new replacement and have been waiting two months now courtesy of Balfa UK. Sadly their communication is terrible and I’ve been left hanging.