A mwb is a good a good shout, from experience just about doable as a daily and plenty big enough. Transits are pretty cramped in the cab and they aren’t the most reliable, don’t see too many old ones about given how many they sold. I have a 2002 2.8 158 vw Lt mwb high roof which hasn’t rusted too badly and goes like stink… as with all vans it depends if it’s been looked after. Next van will be a sprinter most likely but I do like the look of ivecos and the new Renault master is the nicest looking new big van imho.

Canada would be great but you wouldn’t have much time to enjoy it, 2 weeks annual leave is the minimum/normal, sometimes 3 weeks for ex pats – at least this was the case when i was offered a job there. Doesnt leave much time for holidays or visiting home etc.

The d5 isnt a ford engine and not available in a focus. Had a focus ST and also a c30, some similarities but the c30 felt much more solid to drive, no interior creaks or rattles either, quite different really.

Both wheels off unfortunately. The seats do fold for a nice flat load bay though.

I had one, it used to fit my 29er in the back plus another bike. Bit awkward through the rear door but otherwise ok for bikes. Very comfy, handles ok, really good quality interior (much better than focus its built on) and feels solid. Running costs were ok and unlike my V70 didn’t eat tyres. I had the 2.4 d5 in manual, it was a bit of a rocket…..either the T5 or D5 would be my choice… the 5 cylinder warble makes up for its hairdresser looks.

Pedal strikes on the codeine are bad enough without having an even shorter fork, the bb height is pretty low as it is, get the airshaft. As frood has said, apart from finding mine a bit short it climbs really well especially when it gets techy.

I am 6 foot 3, the stock Alex wheels are fine, went up tubeless really easy and also very light, I was a bit annoyed that my spank wheels didnt feel any lighter! As for the dropper it is just as smooth as my reverb and if I can be bothered there is a remote kit for it. I got mine from tweeks. It’s not particularly light as a bike but feels like it will last and rides lighter than it feels. I had my own bars stem and seat and obviously changed the wheels but other than the stock foam grips there isn’t really anything that needs changing to be fair.

I really regret not waiting til the rims were back in stock in black but this rides way better than my BFe did (for wide open lakes stuff and climbing anyway) 702mm ett and 425 stays, really. Forks are surprisingly good compared with my Pikes, not bad for 1100 quid stock leaves room for upgrades etc which the frame seems very worthy of. Mines an XL

You would be daft not to get a 29er at your height and for the lakes… i am same height and run a codeine as a full sus but recently picked up a cheap 2k16 genesis high latitude with near 33 percent off, very long and raggable and also seems to nave a good bit of steel springyness.

inno tyre hold roof carrier is the best I have used, way better than any frame clamp design and also is much easier to use. it isnt very low profile when folded though.

aye that will do it

Gorilla tape ftw

I found moonglu to be best after recommendations off here. Also rebuilt my wheel for cost price of a new rim when I cracked my arch ex being clumsy, top service

Yeah I would like a mega 290, liked my mega tr 26 alot. The codeine is a bit short but it is still fairly sorted geo wise without being too much of a gravity sled, rides well as a do it all trail bike. Going back to a slacker longer travel mega 26 definitely felt like the wheel size was making it feel sketchy though, didn’t roll as well and much less grip. Same story when I hired a 275 at pila (after cracking my codeine)

Northwind I said a 26 mega, what has a 29 mega got to do with it

My p8 lites gps has packed up completely, used to seem to lose its fix and litter my strava rides with 120mph straight lines when it did work. Have read similar on the internet about these phones, avoid.

The increased rollover really isn’t over rated, going back to a 26 mega after my codeine 29 felt sketchy as ****

Codeine is hardly flexy, they replaced my cracked one very quickly so can hardly say their after sales support is crap. Still, haters gonna hate

Love my codeine, short yes but it is such a playful bike and the bb is very low, not great for rock strikes but rides great. never had anything but praise by anyone who has ridden it. I cracked my mk1 frame on the top tube at pila but they had the new frame with new gusset in the post the same day that they recieved my cracked one so couldn’t be happier really.

Stuck vanes if its a vnt turbo? Try some archoil turbo cleaner through the fuel

Get her to avoid other bikes, not chase wildlife and clean up her own crap… none of which you can really control whilst on your bike.

Keppel grove, summit back down to sticks pass to the quarry then onto seldom seen which is a footpath on the os map (takes you right down to lake level and is amazeballs) edit what he said above, just be considerate to walkers on seldom seen.

There are plenty of estates that are faster than a gt86

Agree with the above apart from the city part, there are a few decent pubs but would never describe the nightlife as good. 6 months is worth a punt though purely for the riding element

I am 6ft 3 on a large with longish legs and mine is fine for most things, have done 40 mile xc races on it too. I have about 150mm of seatpost showing

Very happy with mine, it could do with being a bit longer in the top tube and being stealth compatible but other than that it’s great. Climbs on the techy stuff really well, feels nice and poppy & playful and very stable on the downs, it has a very low bb. Everyone who has ridden mine has given it alot of praise.

I have had mine for over a year and apart from some issues with the monarch shock I have had no issues, bearings etc all still original.

Gorilla ftw, never had any problems with it being porous, and like he said ots waterproof unlike leccy tape. Whoever is selling you it for 6 quid a roll is having a laugh, usually around 2.50

The chunky monkey isnt a mud tyre, but for loose/hardpack rock it takes alot of beating when run around 16-18psi in 29er format

Wouldn’t rule out the chunky monkey, its well documented as an awesome front tyre and is made by maxxis, mine will be going back on for summer and prefer it to my 2.5 dhf 3c

4 tokens in mine and generally compression dial left open unless its really rocky (RC version still has LSC adjustment BTW)

Tld Ace is the most comfy short i have owned and comes with decent detachable padded unders and also Tld moto which come with hip pads built in…also very comfy and hard wearing

67.5 isn’t that slack for a 29er hardtail particularly once you have considered fork sag.

Sorry I meant dont bother with electrical tape or Stans type tape. Gorilla is enough on its own, I usually use two layers.. job done. Its pliable enough, strong, cheap, doesn’t leak and bloody sticky, whats not to like?

To be fair right or wrong of the police I can’t understand why so many people wear dark clothes, making themselves much harder to see… maybe it makes them look slimmer but I don’t think its particularly clever whether at day or night. Its the all black castelli brigade that really piss me off!

I would use Gorilla tape, not electrical tape as suggested, still only about 3 quid per roll and available at homebase or b&q in 1 inch wide roll. Much better in my experience than stans tape.

Sorry Mike I am just bitter and twisted after my time in Perth ;)

Loads of riding in OZ, but then there should be its a massive country – the fact you have to drive for hours/days makes it worse for riding than the UK/Europe imho.

Decent pedals and shoes and you wont need to worry about shins, and heels down in the rough stuff!

most long haul airways let you take 30 kg luggage so just take less clothes and more bike, when I moved there (not there now) I had my mega airfreighted, trouble was they insisted for the insured value it had to go in a wooden box (weighed more than the bike I found out after they had collected it!) so I ended up selling it out there rather than pay to bring it home, was almost 600 quid all up to get it flown there, so if you can take it on your luggage. It depends where you are going though, I thought the riding in western australia was pretty poor compared to the UK.

Scotland is lovely, although SNP would be reason enough for me not to move there