Hmmm bit of a flashback this one. Since there’s a few more interested parties might as well throw myself into the loop.
I actually work at Shand, the Shug is based on my own personal bike from a few years ago. Rather than re-treading the reasoning have a look at the old blog post below;
The Shug is a refined version of the Hoolet project, so fixed UK made dropouts rather than the Syntace system (avoiding that horrible o-ring). Slightly different reach and stack figures. The Shug still has a relatively low stack that I’m aware some are not keen on but to take advantage of a longer style bike you really need to lean forwards (think skiing). Having the lower stack means you can have adjustment via spacers. Alternatively we do offer custom geometry (within reason!) on all of our bikes/frames for a £299 surcharge.
On plus tyres, still a mystery to me as hate on them, I’ve found them (personally) to be faster on everything bar fireroad climbs. The frame will take either of course, bb drop difference has minimal effect on the handling.
Of course there is the nice aspect that you’re frame will be made to order, geo, paint and build kit can be customized. Have a wee look behind the scenes on the old video below, fast forward through the boring crazy looking guy though;
There’s a few mellower long trails, it’s hard to qualify that though! There’s a trail coming off the off road link to Aberfeldy that’s quite fun it’s at 4.45min in this video https://youtu.be/qm9XndL9LLo
In all honesty, Pink Floyd, Caves Pass, Loch Ordie and the aforementioned track are all pretty chilled numbers but don’t expect groomed trails and it’ll still involve a bit of legwork. Other option would be to head along to Aberfeldy and ride the trail at the Birks (which is lovely) and the stuff in Weem woods. It would be hard to make a super long day out of it though!
Thanks for the info, I was basically thinking of poaching parts of the HT550. As described above! One question though l, I’ve heard that fording the river can be a bit of a challenge at Shenavall. Anyone have experience of that at all?
A few things in mind, certainly more revisits with the camera in the bag. Lochnagar/Kilbo/Corrie Fee, another shot at Binnein Mor sans 100mph gusts please!
I’m actually heading to Rosemarkie early next month and then Ullapool, I’d take any bikeable Munro suggestions onboard if you have any?
As for Ben Vane the descent is great down to Loch Ard but the FC have removed the boardwalk section so it’s even more boggy!
Paul if you haven’t ridden it before I would push up the main path. There’s nothing crazy about it though, especially since the lower/middle section has been polished up a little but it’s always worth checking rather than riding blind I guess! Alternatively ride up Stank Glen and then hike up to the Bealach then head south to the summit, I usually would just do the up and down then tack a run if Stank glen onto the end. If you park at Kilmahog you can avoid the masses and ride up the fireroad to the path crossing, on you return on the cycle path there’s some lovely single track in the woods that’s a nice finisher. Sorry for the wall of text!
Ah that’s impressive on a fat bike! I did ride bmx for a long time so I guess I’m trading in muscle memory these days. If you’re struggling to take on larger stuff I’d plump for a skills course these days. Also, just mucking about on pump tracks is a great way to pick up the movement needed. Hope that makes sense!
For what it’s worth I think I enjoyed smooth transitions much more on my old Stooge than on a full suss. Also, quite a bit easier too as you can turn the diehard transition into speed rather than letting the travel ‘soak’ it up. I’m sure I’ll be shot down for saying so 😂
Quite old videos but hey it illustrates the point despite my stiff arms!
@frazchops as in paddling the Findhorn or biking round there? If latter do you have any links to routes? TIA!
Here’s the route, there’s some extra wiggles in there due to a few mis-directions. There’s also some cheeky trails on the East side (if you can be bothered with them).
Does it have to be that side of the A9? Can help you to the east, but would be interested in a route that side too.
Otherwise NCN 77 and 7 look quiet, but not exactly off road.
Not necessarily, could drop into Pitlochry and then up and over the RRW. What were you thinking?
Mick, could be the stiffness of the Tonic coupled with the length. First ride immediately reminded me of my old box section rear Chameleon, fun but you’d New fillings after each ride.
For me the idea was to produce something more forgiving than my last frame. I think it worked out as a nice compromise. As the meat component of the bike I don’t need to be tenderised.
Lovely bike. What is the unsagged head angle, c.65?
Out of interest given it is custom and where you work why don’t you push the bottle mounts as far down the downtime as possible for lower centre of mass when the bottle is full/is holding a fair bit of water?
64.5 Unsagged, possibly meaningless other than for quick comparisons but hey ho!
Interesting point re. Bottle cage, it has been put lower in the DT than say my Stoater. It’s also to keep a nice smooth bend to the cable driven dropper. Minimum resistance is the goal after all.
I usually park at Gilmerton, ride the trails at Crieff Hydro, then up to Loch Turret and up to the peak on the East side of the reservoir and back down the ‘goat’ track. Then hit the fire road heading west, you can then do a wee walk through the woods to appear at the top of Comrie. You can then head back to the Hydro trails via a wee bit of tarmac and a blast through the woods at Lochlane (which essentially brigdes the two wee towns).
A wee bit of strava, trailforks and an OS map and it’s easily pieced together.
Be careful of the Gamekeeper at Loch Turret he is a massive unmentionable.
Lots of nice techincal trails below Ben Vrackie (at Pitlochry), more at Aberfeldy/Weem and tons of trails at Dunkeld. You can splice everything with the parts of the Rob Roy way etc. if you fancy something longer.
I’d go and download a copy of trailforks if I were you.
I have an Orbea Loki plus bike, I’ve been riding for over twenty years. Maybe I’m just shit at riding!
There’s nothing wrong with a bike that has a bit of extra grip, fantastic predictable
braking and muting minor trail buzz. Braking in deep mud is slightly different but you
just learn to trust the grip and roll through. It has Chronicles fitted and I specifically sought out
the worst muddiest, steepest, most off camber trails I could find just for giggles. It’s been
totally fine and awesome on most places I’ve ridden.
I’ve only had my for just over a month but it gets used all round Scotland. Seemed fine
round Dunkeld, Innerleithen (both sides), Aviemore, Aberfoyle, Ae, Crieff etc..
For the record I’ve had no issues with punctures either. 🙂
