If you’re anywhere near Edinburgh or the borders, you’re more than welcome to sit on mine for sizing btw

Large for sure! I’m 5’11” on a large and wouldn’t want any smaller!

ps… I’ve destroyed 3 rims in the last year and blown the damper on a fork… so I’m pretty tough on parts 😉

Yep… Make sure all the bolts are tightened along with the spokes (spoke tension was quite low on the stock wheelbuild)… some threadlock on the rear brake mount is a good plan. Otherwise a solid runner. Rear tyre is looking a little worse for wear from a lot of steep play around Inners

Previous post on the matter

I’ve got the large and love it. I regularly do long days on it, with big climbs and big descents. Having lived with it for a few months now, I’d say that the stock wheel build leaves a lot to be desired – i was on a loan bike originally (long story) and had to retension the rear wheel within 3 rides, then when I got my own I had to do the same. Since then the wheels have been great.

The bike is superb – geometry is spot on. The saddle is quite long so you can move around on it and get on the nose for steep climbs to keep the front tracking where you want it to go.
The lads from around here will confirm that it descends like an absolute demon.

My advice would be absolutely it’s a bargain and rides incredibly well, especially if like me you like just getting out and riding rather than flicking switches every climb and descent – just make sure that you check everything has been assembled well – the pivot bearings have all been fine, but I had to do up the shock bushings as they loosened off and the rear brake adapter needed some threadlock.

SRAM seems to have got obsessed with using torx bolts , which I personally find really irritating, so it’s worth getting a good torx key.

Well done to everyone involved, always good to hear when the system works and loved ones are reunited

Anyone that treks you a 29er doesn’t corner is talking cr@p. (see Tracey Mosely at the EWS – she’s got the choice if whatever wheel size she wants)
Don’t get me wrong, it is different, but my 26ers now feel skittish where the wagon wheels feel planted. I’m having more fun than ever 🙂

I’d have a sit on one. The top tube isn’t long. I know you can put something bigger than the 35mm stem on there, but unless you have short arms I think it’ll come up small for you. I’m 5’11” and on the 20″ frame. brant disagrees with me about this, but if you need to try sitting one and are in the borders or around Edinburgh let me know.
I made a spread sheet of the parts and it adds up to something like 3800 quid buying them at rrp.
If you are going to get one, full build is a no brainer. As br said you can change to 1 x 10 later

Really happy with my Codeine. Pedals well, descends well and I like the looks. It’s not the lightest bike out there, but it doesn’t ride like it weighs 32 lbs. (i’ve set a number of PRs up hills vs my 25lb ti 29er hardtail)
I have noticed that I regularly don’t feel like I’m going as quickly – but I’m actually going faster and with more control and suddenly have time to look at and choose lines and use “features” more than before
As other people have said there aren’t many truly bad eggs out there at that sort of price and it’ll come down to personal preference as to wheel size, components etc, but if you can try and go for a test ride on the bikes you’re interested first that’ll help massively.
If you want to try the Codeine and you’re somewhere in the vicinity of Edinburgh I’m sure we can arrange a ride at some point

See “structure your meals”

Ideal cycling weight[/url]

b r and I did a 40 mile 1800m climbing day yesterday Selkirk to 3B natural descent through Walkerburn, another natural descent, up Innerleithen to the top of Minch, quick trail centre descent then the southern upland way back to the 3B and another couple of natural descents then back round to Selkirk.

Some tight twisty and steep stuff, some flat out fast straight stuff and the usual drops berms etc

I’ve got a Titus Fireline with a 120mm x fusion slide built up with 2×10 with a 42 expander, which tips the scales at 26lbs with a hans dampf front and mountain king rear, which will be my most recent comparison.

I’m on a loan bike at the moment (long story) which has revelations in stead of the pike, but the weight difference is less than 100 grams and the full (20″ frame) build with a pair of time xc6 pedals comes in at 32lbs with tubes and stock tyres – I will be going tubeless, but I wanted to go for a ride first.

First impressions are that it’s a BIG frame, I wanted to stick with the 35mm stem and have long arms so decided to go with the large – it’s given me the space to breathe and I like the attack position, the front wheel and bars are far enough in front of me that I can really move my weight about between the two wheels without feeling like I’m going over the bars and after riding it properly, it has been the right choice for me. There’s not much room for the reverb to go any lower (approx an inch) – but standover is fine with that big kinked drop in the top tube… but when I’m riding that doesn’t really matter anyway!

First off pedalling – there is very little bob from the back end and the front end stays put and goes where you point it. You will need to take a wide line in to tight switchbacks, but that’s the best way to carry a bit of momentum through anyway. The back wheel tracks the ground well and provides acres of grip on steep and tech climbs and in loose dirt manages to find enough bite too.

I’m used to a slightly narrower bar (720mm vs the 760 that comes on the bike) so the first descent (2km 171m) going into the usual Yair tight narrow twisty singletrack through the trees I clipped the bars on a couple of trees and with the longer front end than I’m used to ran slightly wide through the first couple of corners, but adjusted to that quickly – use an aggressive attack position and the front end really goes where you point it and the rear wheel tracks easily over imperfections in the trail, allowing you to pump the terrain at every opportunity for more speed. The trail has a lot of the woops that you get through pine woods and then opened up into a very overgrown but fast narrow winding string of trail that has seen better days – big holes in there that are hidden by the overgrowth, but again just pointing the bike in the right direction it rolled through everything and tracked well. First descent – first KOM…

It definitely takes a bit of effort to get it up to speed – big wheels, and big heavy tyres – but once it’s there it just keeps the momentum going and you can carry all that speed through terrain and corners with ease.

The last descent we did was incredibly wet and slick and despite understeering a couple of times it was very predictable and I was able to bring the front wheel back in line.

It’s the first full susser that I’ve been able to manual – the front end pops up easily and over things.

I did have a number of pedal strikes – but that had all but sorted itself out by the end of the ride I’ve gotten used to being able to b*tch crank on the hardtail to help it through and over things where you can’t do with the full suss once it’s well into its travel.

Build – I’ll need to play around with the settings on the CCDB, but so far the back end has done exactly what I wanted with minimal fuss, the Revelation is mostly excellent, though could do with a bit more ramp up – it’s very plush but also very linear, so can be bottomed out quite easily on G-outs despite running 20% sag. The Avid trail brakes have ample power and superb feel.
The X01 drivetrain shifts positively, though I will miss the multiple upshifts of the XTR shifters on the other bike – will have to keep an eye on longevity, and the reverb is solid as you would expect.
The X0 hubs engage very quickly and sound great, the pacenti rims are wide, but from other’s experiences they are rather ding-able so will probably need to keep a reasonable amount of pressure in the tyres to prevent rock strikes.

I managed to set several PRs on climbs and set about a dozen on descents including 3 KOMs – so it’s definitely no slouch!

In my experience the answer is no. Shimano/SRAM chains/cassettes etc are interchangeable, but Campag shifts in a different manner so as a rule you generally need Campag chain/cassette/derailleur to make it work

Don’t get hung up on numbers – especially when it comes to how long the seat tube is, as it’s actually about the most irrelevant measurement of a bike, the effective top tube (horizontal distance from seat to bars) and the reach (horizontal distance from BB to bars) are both much more important for how the bike handles and body position. Take them both for a test ride if you can and get whichever feels better! Any reasonable bike shop should be able to do this for you. On a road bike in particular you should be leaning a bit further forward – may feel strange initially – but it allows your back to act as a spring and means your upper body is suspended will feel more comfortable on longer days out.

b r and I did a 40 mile 1800m climbing day yesterday Selkirk to 3B natural descent through Walkerburn, another natural descent, up Innerleithen to the top of Minch, quick trail centre descent then the southern upland way back to the 3B and another couple of natural descents then back round to Selkirk.

Some tight twisty and steep stuff, some flat out fast straight stuff and the usual drops berms etc

I’ve got a Titus Fireline with a 120mm x fusion slide built up with 2×10 with a 42 expander, which tips the scales at 26lbs with a hans dampf front and mountain king rear, which will be my most recent comparison.

I’m on a loan bike at the moment (long story) which has revelations in stead of the pike, but the weight difference is less than 100 grams and the full (20″ frame) build with a pair of time xc6 pedals comes in at 32lbs with tubes and stock tyres – I will be going tubeless, but I wanted to go for a ride first.

First impressions are that it’s a BIG frame, I wanted to stick with the 35mm stem and have long arms so decided to go with the large – it’s given me the space to breathe and I like the attack position, the front wheel and bars are far enough in front of me that I can really move my weight about between the two wheels without feeling like I’m going over the bars and after riding it properly, it has been the right choice for me. There’s not much room for the reverb to go any lower (approx an inch) – but standover is fine with that big kinked drop in the top tube… but when I’m riding that doesn’t really matter anyway!

First off pedalling – there is very little bob from the back end and the front end stays put and goes where you point it. You will need to take a wide line in to tight switchbacks, but that’s the best way to carry a bit of momentum through anyway. The back wheel tracks the ground well and provides acres of grip on steep and tech climbs and in loose dirt manages to find enough bite too.

I’m used to a slightly narrower bar (720mm vs the 760 that comes on the bike) so the first descent (2km 171m) going into the usual Yair tight narrow twisty singletrack through the trees I clipped the bars on a couple of trees and with the longer front end than I’m used to ran slightly wide through the first couple of corners, but adjusted to that quickly – use an aggressive attack position and the front end really goes where you point it and the rear wheel tracks easily over imperfections in the trail, allowing you to pump the terrain at every opportunity for more speed. The trail has a lot of the woops that you get through pine woods and then opened up into a very overgrown but fast narrow winding string of trail that has seen better days – big holes in there that are hidden by the overgrowth, but again just pointing the bike in the right direction it rolled through everything and tracked well. First descent – first KOM…

It definitely takes a bit of effort to get it up to speed – big wheels, and big heavy tyres – but once it’s there it just keeps the momentum going and you can carry all that speed through terrain and corners with ease.

The last descent we did was incredibly wet and slick and despite understeering a couple of times it was very predictable and I was able to bring the front wheel back in line.

It’s the first full susser that I’ve been able to manual – the front end pops up easily and over things.

I did have a number of pedal strikes – but that had all but sorted itself out by the end of the ride I’ve gotten used to being able to b*tch crank on the hardtail to help it through and over things where you can’t do with the full suss once it’s well into its travel.

Build – I’ll need to play around with the settings on the CCDB, but so far the back end has done exactly what I wanted with minimal fuss, the Revelation is mostly excellent, though could do with a bit more ramp up – it’s very plush but also very linear, so can be bottomed out quite easily on G-outs despite running 20% sag. The Avid trail brakes have ample power and superb feel.
The X01 drivetrain shifts positively, though I will miss the multiple upshifts of the XTR shifters on the other bike – will have to keep an eye on longevity, and the reverb is solid as you would expect.
The X0 hubs engage very quickly and sound great, the pacenti rims are wide, but from other’s experiences they are rather ding-able so will probably need to keep a reasonable amount of pressure in the tyres to prevent rock strikes.

I managed to set several PRs on climbs and set about a dozen on descents including 3 KOMs – so it’s definitely no slouch!

3 months since I pre-ordered got mine, going out for a real test of it tomorrow! Got the large – I’m 5’11” with long arms – feels perfect in the car park test, looking forward to hitting some tweed valley descents tomorrow!!!

thegreatape – Member
When you overtake a, er, sturdy gentleman huffing and puffing up every incline like a dying Donkey King on his vintage 26″ Kona, be sure to say hello.

Won’t even be able to spend the ride ogling my wife’s arse like I usually get to either

I haven’t seen a tandem at the event before? 😉

Soloing it, need to put skinny tyres and a fixed seatpost back on. Then enduro the following day

Being SS it won’t tick many peoples’ boxes, but my 2008 Avanti KISS 26 has got to be my favourite bike. It’s pretty, it handles well, it fits me absolutely perfectly and it just puts the biggest smile on my face every time I ride it. It always makes me want to play. Climbs far better than its weight suggests and descends like an absolute demon

BoardinBob – Member
Any update on the guy that got helicoptered off the hill on Saturday. I saw him getting put on the spineboard at the feed station. He was conscious and moving his legs so hopefully he’s ok.

According to what I heard from one of the tweed valley mountain rescue guys on Sunday, I believe he walked out of hospital on Saturday evening – severe bruising only, lucky guy!

I don’t know what happened to the guy that came off head first into a tree about 100 yards from the end of stage 8 on Sunday, he did not make pretty noises, nor look healthy. When he was stretchered off, he was moving his hands and feet though.

plus one,

Thanks for letting me have a sit on yours on Friday! Really looking forward to getting mine! Frustrating having seen yours and another 2 this weekend (including a large), but it did mean I was one of only 4 hardtails on the hill this weekend. Hope you enjoyed the rest of your ride!

wysiwyg

Did you say you had any pictures of 181?

Cheers!

^^^ +1 happy to put a few quid across for any high res pics, just PM the paypal email

wysiwyg

Yep, the Titus Fireline Evo 29 was me, I saw the 400quid cube, who was in E2, respect for getting round (QR front as well!!) My rear wheel is a gonner after the weekend but it’s got a nice sticker on so the rim will be going up on the wall 🙂 Will need to get some heli tape to make sure the stickers on the frame stay on too!

There was also a green evil sovereign in practice on Thursday, who was going to do E2, but didn’t see him over the weekend

Chris, it was a great weekend, lots of nice people, great chat/banter with everyone all the way round!

Awesome weekend, couldn’t have hoped for better weather… Crashed a bit more often than I should have but thoroughly enjoyed myself! If anyone has pictures of 181 it’d be appreciated

Had hoped to be on a codeine by now, but that’s another story.

Finished in 56:29. I know the result of one other hardtail, who finished in over an hour, I know there was a guy on a white (steel?) hardtail who was a little quicker than him, but don’t know his result

Great weekend, great support, well done tweedlove!

Looks great!

Brant,
Are you still expecting large to be built today? Not heard about my preorder yet?

Cheers,

Felix

waiting for my pre-ordered codeine 🙂 I believe the build date is the 19th… excited much! Getting the CCDB Air set up in time fore the EWS might be more of a challenge though :/

Fireline
Fireline

Road bike
Roadbike

I’m using the slides on my Fireline, fork works beautifully. As previously mentioned, takes a bit of bedding in. About the same weight as an RS Revelation, they have a nice bit of ramp up and stay nicely controlled, even on the enduro trails around Innerleithen etc, very pleased!

The Syntace 15mm axle is just about as quick to use as a QR, and less faff IMHO

Is that for all frame sizes? Hoping for my large arrive in time for the EWS or I’m doing it on a HT! 😕

No, it’s quite separate. By having a shorter stem the steering becomes quicker, having a steeper head angle the steering becomes quicker.

Having a long stem i.e. 100mm plus, especially with shorter bars will also give a sort of tiller effect, where you need to move your hands from side to side, rather than in an arc to steer, with the shorter stem giving more of a forward/rear motion of the hands.

Head angle will make a bike more nervous or twitchy the steeper the head angle and more stable or lazier with a slacker head angle

Or the on-one Mountain morph style thing… it’s a tenner and works well so far… been in my pack for about 6 months, used it a few times now

On-one Micro Floor

luffy105 – Member
Frood…. Airbus?

Yup, A319/20
B737 before that – was much more fun to fly, but this is more comfortable and easier

😀

+1 for Middleburn RS8 X types… light adaptable and beautiful. Plus lifetime warranty.

DeeW – Member
Sat on one of the full builds yesterday and I was impressed, decent clearance at the rear with a big tyre, looking generally tidy and well put together. Good looking bike.

Where?

brant – Member
Hello.

Reach Dimensions – horizontal from BB centre to top of head tube.
16in – 395mm
18in – 408mm
20in – 430mm

Which to compare with a typical 73deg seat angle gives effective top tube lengths of:-
16in – 600mm (23.6in)
18in – 610mm (24in)
20in – 630mm (24.8in)

The actual “angle of the seat tube” is 70.5deg, and it’s offset forward about 35mm. This gives a 73.5deg seat angle at average saddle height. Interestingly, even with 6in of difference in saddle height, the seat position only varies by 3mm fore or aft of a “virtual seat angle”. So whilst yes, a taller saddle will have a slacker seat angle, the actual seat angle you’ll feel only varies by 0.5deg. So shorties will get a 74deg seat angle, and lanky sods end up at 73deg. Which is why the larger size gets a greater top tube length difference to allow people that want to move forward a bit to move forward without getting things too short.

Oh yes – I guess you can see that the seat tube is straight – it’s a key point – as I wanted people to be able to drop a full length 400mm post right down, so those of us that can’t afford (or don’t want) a dropper post aren’t hampered by the saddle in the way. I see quite a few bikes out there that don’t have this, and it’s just a bit rubbish I think. Post diameter is 31.6mm. Our Neil runs a 30.9mm post with a shim – they are out there. The seat tube is externally butted at the top to guard against the odd cracking you can get on frames where you don’t have some seatstays supporting the seat tube.

Chainstay length came in at 440mm, 17.3in. Which gives 6mm clearance between the corner of a Smorgasbord the edge of the chain stay, at the narrowest point. Proper tyres. Proper clearance.

The suspension is optimised for a 32t chainring. 34t will work. 30t would as well I think (we’ll check), but 32t offers absolutely perfect performance in terms of anti-squat. The bike climbs incredibly well with a fully open shock, without any requirement for lockout or propedal.

Might seem like a daft question, but why is it being specced with a 30T if it’s optimised for a 32T?