the hardtail is locked up in the shed back in the uk so no chance of getting on that till I come back in the summer. Shame as some of the trails in NZ are through native bush where there is literally just enough room for the bars, which are a hell of a lot wider on the fs.

Interesting thoughts though guys, just need to buy a vehicle big enough for both so I can choose when I get to the trails. Whatever the weather I will be removing that shimano xt tat from the rear of the hardtail and getting the sram x9 bobbed on!

bang on! that cat has got some serious combat speed + if that dog has any balls pus will be right on em in a flash! Ouch!

point is, there is a point to full sus bikes. Just like there is always room for hardtails.

I like both xc and all mountain stuff so it’s good to have a hardtail and a full sus. Though I reckon a cove stiffee would be fun on some of the runs I do.

james – I agree glentress should really be a red run, but it is still fooking mint for a long blast!

try nz! Glentress blackrun (love it though i do) is a chicken run compared to some stuff over here.

Why aren’t the downhiller’s running hardtails if that’s all ya need 😉

you think dog bites are bad!!!

Watch out for police cats! nimble little bastards:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51yQ7vxKQkE

LOL!!!

that dog is sooooooooooooooo shit!

quality!

not if you are on a downhill course 😉

i don’t mean they have a sixth sense. Just that if you are confident with them I find they respond better. I used to shit myself near dogs when I was a kid and they ran after me.

I did have a little dog chase me in the woods last year, which was annoying, but soon got rid of it with a right boot! Don’t think that would have worked on a bigger on though.

to be honest when I see a dog I slow right down and go past like the fonz! Keep a good distance though! They can tell if you’re shitting yourself.

The other way is to run spikes like the roman chariots! Turn it into a stump jumper!

? seat down? You mean when you are riding the hardtail as a training tool for the full sus.

Don’t really ride trails with my seat up though. Save that for xc stuff 🙂

I’m getting a big dog to go riding with me now after that clip!

I would have gone straight for the eyes though or a big right hand hook on the top of its head!

Might be worth dressing in full body armour just to go to the shops!

though, if you ride one of these little rippers:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/British-Eagle-Vista-Suspension-Mountain/dp/B001ASJL6U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sports&qid=1236641681&sr=8-1

get pro pedal on the case son!

roundwheels – yes i agree, the hardtail is good for sharpening the skills on less demanding terrain.

good call!

cool, which compound is best to get?

I would keep eskar’s as they are fine in dry uk trail conditions.

I am in NZ at the mo and most of their trails are muddy and full of roots so tyre grip is quite important.

free ride rotorua graveyard on the pitch!

camelbak ain’t cheap, but I just love mine so I guess its worth the money.

I haven’t seen any other company bring out cooler looking bags than the outlaw series. They do what they are designed to do as well so double whammy!

I use my pack for more than just biking as I enjoy other outdoor pursuits.

better off strapping a couple of pogo sticks to your front wheel!

had suntour on my hard tail when I got it. Took them off and put some rock shox coil revs on. World of difference! So plush on the trail compared to suntour zebedee’s or whatever they were called.

see if you can find some 08’s in a sale.

find a havoc 08 in a sale.

Looks the same as the new one!

It’s 3l and looks cool as heck! Also, you can kick the shit out of the back cos it’s a freeride bag so made of tough stuff.

I wouldn’t be without mine 🙂

not expecting magic tyres. But also don’t want to have a big crash in the wet cos my tyres couldn’t cope with the conditions.

Generally not lacking in confidence, just wondered if this tyre isn’t very good in the wet.

horses and courses.