OK thanks. I’m not a total weight weenie but my bike is in serious need of a diet and I reckon I can shave over 1kg off the weight with some fairly cheap upgrades.

I’ve really enjoyed weekends over in Dumfries and Galloway at the trail centres there. There’s some really nice accommodation and it feels a bit more chilled out than Glentress. Although once you get out on the trails even Glentress doesn’t feel that busy.

I upgraded to High Rollers front and rear when my Nevs wore out. I found I was getting loads of pinch flats with the Nevegals but Haven’t had one since putting the High Rollers on. I found the HR’s to be very good for cornering and really help you lean the bike over too. Problem I have with the HR’s is the weight. They’ve pushed my bike over the edge weight wise really, so I’m trying other tyres now. Got an Ardent on the back and looking to replace my front Super Tacky HR. Nevegal’s are much grippier going up hill too I’ve found. Like jimjam say’s the HR’s give you lots more confidence.

Things seem to get lairy whenever the words ‘Orange’ and ‘5’ are uttered in the same sentence.

Ride sensibly and stick to the established paths = Responsible access (IMO).

Yeah I suppose that’s reasonable. It’s too much to expect people not to go to the plateau at all so if you’re going, stick to the ‘main routes’. The trouble is, does anyone know what responsible access is these days? Seems to mean different things to different people. I’d like to see the mountain bike magazines talk about responsible access if they’re going to give us details about routes through such areas aswell. Anyway! Have fun and watch out for the critters.

TJ- Thanks for the link, I think I might have commented on that thread myself. I used to be much more of a conservation nazi but it’s tricky with the new access laws.

chiefgrooveguru – Member
For the sub-arctic plateau you may need a hovercraft to avoid damaging the foliage…

My thought’s exactly. There’s also the mega rare ground nesting birds that live up there. I’ll probably get all kinds of grief for saying this but I think it needs to be said. Whilst mountain biking is a great way of exploring new places can’t you go somewhere less vulnerable? You could also be breaking the law by disturbing certain bird species, intentionally or otherwise.

‘Early reports that Michael Jackson was in the cardiac ward suffering from a heart attack were found to be false, when he was actually discovered in the childrens ward having a stroke’

‘Research shows that 6 out of 7 dwarfs are not happy’

There’s a Bob Dylan special on Radio 6 Music at 9pm.

You can easily avoid the black bits at Dalbeattie.

Too hard to say. Not sure I could even narrow it down to one album to be honest. ‘Oh Mercy’ ‘Slow Train Coming’ ‘Blood on the Tracks’ ‘Bringing It All Back Home’ all classics.

People say to me ‘that mountain biking you do is dangerous, you could seriously hurt yourself’ but I doubt they’d say that so much if I cycled through the town. I’ve been knocked off my bike before and had other near misses on the road. The consequences for mistakes on the road are far worse than for off road in my opinion.

Thanks. I’m going to try replacing the hanger first to see if that works. I was told by my lbs that the only way to fix it is to replace the whole rear triangle but I’m hoping the slot in the replacement hanger/dropout will be narrow enough to fix it as I suspect it’s that which has slowly worn down rather than the dropout on the frame, although there is some play there. If that doesn’t work then I’ll try that stuff andyl, thanks.

iain1775 – Member

Well done! I was hoping to get at least one witty comment.

Thanks Ferrit but I’ve just made a purchase from ‘Pedal on’.

I take any advice I’m given with a huge pinch of salt. I always do a lot of research before I buy anything, both online and by asking friends and most of the advice turns out to be personal opinion that may not actually apply. Even my lbs has given me bad advice and mis-information.

I think they’re the nicest looking full suspension bike I’ve seen and the ride is meant to be amazing too. I wouldn’t get one though because of the issue with breakage. They don’t look that strong either which is probably why they look so nice and elegant like.

OK thanks. When I’ve removed my chainrings I’ve always been able to just undo the allen key bolt without the whole thing spinning as I don’t have a tool. I expect I’ll be able to find something for the hanger bolt, cheers.

I did try a web search and found something on ebay but I’m not sure it’s the right one. I also found one on Winstanley bikes but they’re out of stock. Thanks Bristol. That’s the one but I won’t be paying that for it!

Will I need a special tool for replacing it or will a screwdriver fit into the back of the bolt?

EDIT- It’s ok I’ve found one at £7.99!

Kunstler – Member
Well that worked a treat. Thanks folks.

Is your chemical metal stuff still doing it’s job? My lbs are telling me that my dropout can’t be welded and that I need a new rear triangle. I’m going to give this stuff a go and see if it works. What chemical metal did you use?

Yeah it’s only like 1mm out.

I have the same problem. My non replaceable dropout has worn on the drive side so that side of the wheel is getting pulled forward by pedalling tensions no matter how tight I do up the QR. The wheel’s not way out but it’s effecting brake alignment. The bike’s in the shop at the moment getting the rear triangle checked but I’m pretty sure it’s the dropouts as there’s play there. I thought I’d been doing up my QR quite tight but I suppose it only takes one bit of looseness to cause damage. I’ll try this chemical metal stuff and see if that works.

If it doesn’t does anyone know of anywhere in the Glasgow area that would weld it?

Cheers.

I’d be checking the access laws.

I think I’ll go for the complete Inbred then I can get a 456 frame in the future if I feel the need for the extra slackness. They’re doing an Inbred frame with interchangeable dropouts soon so I think I’ll wait for that.

Maybe he’s a drugs mule with an appointment to keep.

I wouldn’t let disinterested staff put me off buying an absolute bargain. Many bike shop staff can be complete xxxxx, Halfords is no exception.

OK cheers. I’d probably put my 120mm forks on it. Any idea what the head angle is with 120mm forks?

The inbred is only designed for 100mm up front so go for the 456 if you have longer forks.

The second generation Inbred can take up to 120mm forks.

duckman – Member

That’s about the same as me. Does the 20″ feel like a good fit?

There are strict laws on the disposal of it and even the soil in which it grows. I don’t know what they are but I know they exist and they are indeed strict. I wouldn’t even go in the garden or it’ll start growing up through your feet, no joke.

OK cheers. I like a short stem anyway and there’s a 60mm option if I go for the full bike. Still not sure though as everyone say’s I should go for the 456! I wish I knew the head angle of my Schwinn though then I’d have something to compare it too. The Inbred looks slacker in the pics and if it is I reckon I’d be happy with that.

gonetothehills – Member

Yeah I’m tempted to do that as well but was thinking I can get a whole Inbred bike on the cycle to work scheme with really nice spec. It’s a tricky one. I was thinking the Inbred might give me a nicer hardtail experience and I can use my big bike for big mountain days. If I built up a 456 with random bits I might end up spending loads anyway and end up having a heavier bike although I do have some spare forks. Hmmm decisions decisions. I’ll check out their facebook page, sounds like a laugh!

OK thanks. So what do you think to the bike? Is it slack enough for black routes and other steep moments? I’d mainly use my FS bike for the really rough stuff but would want to take the Inbred sometimes too. I can’t afford a 456 btw.

Thanks that’s useful to know.

Thanks everyone. That Sirius looks nice but a bit out of my budget really cheesy but thanks for the info. The hardtail would be used for commuting and more xc/trail centre stuff and to take a bit of stress off the big bike.

I’m leaning towards the Inbred but am wondering about size. I’m 6′ 2″ with 33″ legs. Large or X Large? It looks like I’m a bit between sizes as usual but prefer a bike a bit on the small side than big side.

I just noticed the 456 is slacker. Would the Inbred still be slack enough for most stuff with 120mm forks on it? Cheers.

thisisnotaspoon – Member

I’d be seriously tempted to buy that off you if it was in my size. What are they like with 120mm forks on as I’m thinking of building one up with a loads of old bits. The frame is steel but is it fairly light? I don’t want to build a tank! Thanks!

Was she on the telly or something?

Thanks bol. A friend of mine has one and he’s about the same height as me so I’ll see if I can have a go on it.

I started a thread similar to this which has some helpful suggestions.

http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/hardtail-mtb-geometry#post-2568154

I don’t know anything about these frames. Can anyone shed some light on the thinking behind having the shock absorber above the top tube? If it’s to protect it from mud then you would think it would get muddy and scraped from shorts as someone else said.

I find it depends on the trail. If I know it’s all downhill then I’ll put my saddle down and stand up. If the trail undulates I’ll try and set my saddle at a height that allows me to sit down and pedal as well as get back behind it and low enough to be able to bunny hop. Like others have said it comes with practice. One of the hardest things I find about cycling is getting the saddle at that all round height for uppy downy trails but it gets easier with time as your skills and strength improve I think.

Congrats. 140 mm forks will make it better in every way and won’t upset the geometry. If you’re worried about that get something like Pikes like I did as they’re adjustable travel. The maxle on the pikes stiffens everything up and gives you more control too but you need the right hub. There are other nice upgrades you can make too. I got an enduro needle bearing kit for the top pivot on my shock which made things even plusher than ever. Keep an eye out for wear on the bushings and top caps. Yours might be ok but the ones I had with the giant own brand shock were pretty pants.

MrSmith – Member

They should have made them all in black that looks awesome. I could only afford the X5 (red and silver) but it’s a much higher spec now. I do like the look of the new ones too with the straight top tube.