I'd say go for the Pro if you get the Five, you won't regret the Fox fork and Hope based wheelset and brakes. Or if you go for an S, at least take the Float.

Test riding is important though…

God, I get half my foot overlapping on my Cervelo although I think they're quite bad for it anyway. It's fine, you should need to make too many tight maneuvers and you soon learn which foot forward to turn with…

LOL at the Audi Carbon guy – from what I remeber, you could probably do the Llandegla black on a CX bike! Good fun there though!

Been very pleased with my Shimano M086s – http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Shimano_M086_Cycling_Shoes/5360040192/

Sole is much more forgiving than they look so are quite walkable, stiff enough for a good thrashing – a nice compromise.

Orange Crush? Does the same thing but looks sweet as and has rave reviews.

Bristol,

Good: actual riding to be had <1 mile from the city centre, great hub for all sorts of riding in all directions.

Bad: Bike crime.

Yeah, that looks well hard considering the bikes they're riding… Easy on my 140mm trail bike sure…

2 – a Havoc for most riding and a military Motherlode for photography and when I want to ride straight from work.

I've got a Reynolds 520 SS Genesis that is basically a slot drop out Altitude (Genesis iO) running on a set of 100mm floats. Wicked little bike and definitely got that spring to it. Surprises me every time I ride it…

Fancy an Orange R3 or a Cotic Soul but they'd have to more than a little bit special to make me give up the Genesis – I'm sure the 853 Altitude can only be better and lighter than the already great 520 ones.

Oh and don't overeat at Glyncorrwg (very easily done, mental portions) if you're planning to ride on aftwerwards 🙂

Don't ride to Glyncorrwg along the road, do W2 – links the Wall to Whites.

Depending on how fit you are, do W2 starting from Afan and then when you get back, do Penhydd if you're feeling fresh enough.

I run an internet business (clothing) and I find returns is a couple of percent at most.

Sorry Tracker, I was just being very flippant, I used to post on BikeRadar a lot and what I described was literally a one-a-day occurrence… these threads end up screaming here we go again to me

No one makes anyone buy anything, we all choose to buy it. I'd only be spending it on cameras, hi-fi, a car, or some other pointless hobby.

At least this one keeps me fit.

Yes there's a lot of all gear no idea sorts at Afan/Cwmcarn but seriously so what? They're enjoying themselves and they're normally happy to move over if you ask nicely?

I'm always curious to know what the OP rides in these sorts of threads because 9 times out of ten it's something like a GT Avalanche or a Carerra and it turns out it's just a huge chip-on-shoulder, inverse snobbery type thing… Not saying there's anything wrong with these bikes, but often their owners on message boards seem to have a subconscious problem with them…

That's just spin – such a person doesn't exist

I'm not saying it's true but just posting the source… I'm mates with a local marin dealer, I'll see what he says also…

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12647634

*facepalm*

Cynical_al, what's wrong with the picture? It's a bloke riding a bike..?

I think it's the over the top unnatural "rarrrrrr" pose!

Apparently they're recalling them from people who were dumb enough to buy one already. Something to do with linkage plates and they're offering full refunds or a new different bike.

Fishy indeed!

I'm interested! Still haven't made a STW group ride…

I'm sorry but is that a Kona Lanai?

In what world is the retail on that even close to £2000!!?

2.1 Nevs look like 2.35 High Rollers…

A few people have pointed out that Kyle Straits have a soft rubber knee cap inside

Had quite a few offs in mine and all has been well, I'm sure they're not going to be great landing a few feet to flat on your knee but I've ridden them for trail riding and Cwmcarn DH and I've yet feel a thing when crashing… I think it would have to be one hell of a hit for the non hardshell to be an issue – and they're not exactly soft, just nice and flexible.

Build Quality has been great here and they happily machine wash.

Still not hit Bristol yet… :-/

Sounds like you've got it spot on mate!

I'm only 11st and to me it was night and day…

Edit: someone'll be along shortly and want research and data to back it up of course… lol

I suppose agree to disagree – for the record, I've ridden an '08 Five with 9mm QR Floats and an '09 Five with 15QR Floats, both and I noticed the 15QR…

My 15QR Vanillas started to get a bit out of their depth Sat but I was riding them down the CwmCarn DH course so probably starting to go beyond their intended use lol.

I've ridden Floats 9mm and 15QR and noticed a fair difference but then it was the 140mm ones with the hatched brace.

God that's awful, seems pretty brazen!

Sorry to bump an old thread but figured it would be better than starting over…

So if you want to lead, do SMBLA, if you want to instruct do CTC, if you want to lead and instruct, do both?

Mono minis rock, only 70kg running 180/160 though. Pad life is unmatched (Hope Organics). Went downhilling at CwmCarn on my mono mini equipped five and they were fine, maybe I could have done with a bit more power at times but I was DHing on an xc bike ffs! Talking of Formulas, my mate was on a Zesty with oro K18s and they were cooked and groaning after one run… ❓

You might say maybe he was dragging them, but so was I some of the time!

Great brakes, but get the new Hope X2s, all the great Mono Mini feel, reliability and pad life but have that extra bite.

I don't feel particularly lusty over other MTBs because I know none will be any better than my Five. I'd love an Intense Tracer but I know it'll be a disappointment as it'll be no better and cost me a fortune. However, a blinged out Lynsky hardtail wouldn't go to waste on me 😀

Road bikes, well I love my Cervelo Soloist but it's 2nd hand and a little battle worn, I'd love to get an Cervelo R3!

Awesome.

I've used all manner of cassettes on mine and they all groove it, I find just removing it periodically as part of maintenance routine and refitting helps prevent it grooving so much and jamming.

Don't do full Skyline, do July (start skyline but when you get to a junction that says Skyline left and right, go right.) The go and do whites or something.

Failing that, what Explosion said… W2 makes for a much more interesting loop.

2.1 HRs are tiny though!

I think it's passion red…

Well that makes that easier to decide! Cheers!

Annyone else? I've only ridden the Brechfa Enduro so I'm all a bit confused as to what was red, black and off piste at times… (well much of the off piste was obviously off piste)

There was no mention of brown thank you! 😛