I took a VW California (only 5m long) with bikes on the back, no problem. But a friend has an older California model that is a long wheel base, with a bike rack, with no problem.

Some of the access road is not that wide, but I’ve seen a big truck coming down that road.

Enjoy. I loved it (as did our two kids).

Camping at Glyncorrwg

I stayed here many years ago. Returned recently (not camping though, just riding). Friendly bike shop, great cafe, very reasonable prices, hot showers, on the trails. It has elec hook up too.

I think if you have justified it in your head, that’s all good. Orange 5 was (still is) my dream bike.

I have a hard tail and a full suss. My HT (Bird Zero AM) is awesome for most of my local stuff (Surrey Hills) and more capable than I am; it is also efficient to climb on, compared to the FS. But my FS (Transition Supressor) is great for pointing downhill, especially on rough(er) ground. Makes descents easier work.

I have just had a weekend with a days uplift in FOD; I am sure others could have coped on a HT, but it felt to me like the FS was very helpful – the roots got the bike suspension working overtime and I was glad I had the Transition FS for that.

Hi @donsolow – at the time I had an XC bike as well – a light hardtail. However, it was not in great repair at the time, I decided to do the SDW on a whim (I had a free weekend as the Mrs was away) and that is why I chose the Giant. I put lighter tyres on, but if doing it again would definitely try and get a light hardtail/full suss XC bike. I think plenty of people tackle it on a gravel bike, which makes sense.

I did it a long time ago solo, but in two days. I am not fit enough to do it in one, and I certainly was not back then. It was my second attempt, the first time was a group effort and we did that over two days – rain stopped play on the second day and the chalk was lethal. We knocked it on the head and headed into Lewes to get a train home.

Successful attempt was my second attempt: Win – East. 60 miles first day. It was good fun – cheap pub accommodation, too much beer and a nice warm meal. Left at 6am next day (could hardly walk) and had some encouragement from a STW Mr Motivator – was in Eastbourne by lunch.

My advice.

Be fitter than I was.
Don’t eat three breakfasts by QE2 park.
Don’t try and ride it on a Giant Trance.
Really enjoy it – two days or one, it is a good laugh and great achievement. Try and match fitness levels with anyone you ride with.

Pz – I’ve had these dark thoughts too. Can not get them to go away. I think what has sealed it is the combination of local steep trails and mud.

I like the Whyte 160mm e-bikes – seem good value. But I still don’t have the required £5k…

I found Ardents fine. I quite like them. I did run front and rear for a while, but now usually rear only, but in spring and summer. I’d not keep them on during the winter personally.

@Martin – I have done the exact same thing. Except I got all ham fisted with a large screw driver.

I was intending to get the LBS to rebuild the brake for me. The brakes have been sticking for a while and I was trying to lube up the pistons.

I mucked up. Ooops. You could get both XD & Micro. But I cocked up and have now bought an XD hub, as I had an XD cassette (which is now all fitted). Maybe I should have ditched the SRAM stuff, got a microspline, new Shimano casette and chain at the same time.

Face palm.

But I think the SRAM Eagle casette & chain has some life left in it, so maybe punish that some more this winter and keep the new part as a spare (for as long as I can, at these prices).

Hi Teethgrinder. I could not get the microspline hubs for the wheelset I have (Hunt Trailwide). So I could only do Shimano 11sp or XD.

Thanks Doc. After much Google research, I am inclined to just follow yours and Poah’s advice and get the spacers. I’ll see if I can dab a bit of glue/something else to hold them in place.

I thought I’d seen a Mavic specific adapter, but can’t see anything online now. I have just got the wheels, so will see what is in the box.

Thanks Poah; I’ve got a spacer already, but just looking for the end caps to do the conversion.

OP. That is a shame. Was my dream bike back in the day, but couldn’t afford it. I’m offloading a Decathlon Rockrider 8 XC frame, which is scuffed but because it is alu, structurally fine as there has been no rot. If you pay the postage/want to collect (I’m Surrey area), you can have it (although it is an XL, so not sure if that works for you).

Was designed for a 100mm fork, I ran it with 115mm Rebas (man, I was a crazy youth…) no problem for all of its working life.

Oh; the MRP kit also comes with the 15mm fitting for each side. So no other kit needed.

I’ve just done the exact same thing, but less frugally than Robbie & Greeny. I am embarrassed about the total cost, but the MRP kit is well made and fits well. The end caps are like Hope – don’t fall out when you extract the wheel. No re-dishing.

MRP Boost Kit made from solid gold…

Was there with the family a few weekends back. I think they are taking the social distancing seriously.

Cafe was open (for hot food and sandwiches). No issues with queues at all, on the uplift, the cafe, registration, etc. Car park got quite full though.

I can recommend Pure Biking Verbier. Two days full riding (Fri pm after arrival, Sat, Sunday am prior to departure).

Pure Biking Verbier for Guided Shredding Fun

Lots of natural trails, very friendly/accommodating guide, stunning scenery. We flew/trained up from Geneva. It was awesome, even on my hardtail.

Regarding comments on gearing, could I run. 28/26T front ring just to make thing easier if using a 1×9?

Has anyone got any experience of these wheels? Not the lightest (2.3kg for a set), but think the quality is pretty decent. https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Halo-T2-SB-Disc-24-MTB-Wheel_59551.htm

Thanks so much everybody. Somme really helpful feedback here. Also great to see some of you have managed to get your weights down to something a bit more manageable. I’ve not weighed it, but can’t lift it without a crane.

As ever, trying to do this all on a budget so will need to start shopping around. I am not sure if the fork is 24 in specific or can be reused on another bike, but I’ll pop a 26in rim and wheel in to check.

I need to research the options for shock replacement (apparently the coil rear shock is very stiff for a kid).

Thanks Joe Bristol. The range is a good point. It is even worse than 26, because the bike has 24 in rims which makes it even more niche. It’s like a very small adult bike.

Jam Bo – cranks are FSA Maximus.

Here is the spec of the old bike. Stinky 2-4 PB Review from back in the day

Thanks all. It has a pair of do DJ air forks. Looks solid, but heavy. Reba could be an option, as I happen to have one (currently on the wife’s pub bike). I think 1×9 is a no brainier, although I might need to add a chain device (which I can again steal from another bike that has a rear mech with a clutch).

Best deal on kids wheels seem to be Superstar Components own brand rims and hubs (V6 hub, Element rim). Have not heard of them and cannot find any reviews though. They do a Crest based build, but that looks too light for the intended use.

I’ve struggled to find any really short cranks for kids, but will look. Any pointers welcome.

Tyres arrived. I’ll put them in ‘to be built’ pile.

Hi mashr – yes. It effectively rolls off the vertical as you tighten it up (you can see it quite clearly as you tighten it); I’ve tried several times, thinking I must be doing something wrong.

Thanks Fossy and Hols2. I’ve tried the loose, apply brake and then tighten up method, but with no joy (although it usually works a treat for me).

Weirdly the mounting faces look ok (on the frame), but the brake caliper really leans to one side when you tighten it up; I have tried with a different IS to post mount adapter and it is the same thing, so I don’t think it is the adapter Clarks supplied with the brakes causing the issue. So to me, it looks like the caliper itself does not sit flat on the adapter (if that makes sense)? Bolts are all new.

I’ll see if I can rub down the faces of the bits that meet up.

Thanks all for the recommendations; have been researching them offline.

Out of interest, can anyone recommend a good place to take the kids (biking wise) for their first Alps riding trip? I would love to find a place with uplifted riding to help give them confidence, but also to allow them to enjoy the mountains without being intimidated by the riding.

Thanks all for the tips so far. I had a brief look last night. They all look very nice, stunning setting and definitely what we are looking for.

I’ve ridden a 2.4 WT on a 26 in Crossmax SX 21mm internal diameter. Fine with a Minion DHR2 (set as front in that configuration, with a 2.4 Ardent non WT on rear).

I got Mrs G a KS Drop Zone 75mm drop and maybe only 300mm in total, (but lever under saddle operated). Her Specialized full suss is a M and good size for her, but she didn’t need a longer post. They do a lever version.

Think it was just over £100. Good bit of kit.

Well, not expecting to go anywhere abroad this summer. We were lucky enough to have had a skiing holiday and both still have jobs, so no cause for complaint.

We are booked with Eurocamp for France in Aug, (but the deposit is small at £99) – we have no realistic expectation that it will be working. for the reasons above. On top of that, our holiday insurance renewal came through and it specifically excludes Corona. I think the insurance is going to be a big blocker for a lot of people.

I think the UK camp sites/cottage rental type places are going to be busy.

Anyone got some DIY they want to crack on with instead??? We are trying to avoid ours…

Kitchen Diner.

I still ride 26in wheels, buy DVDs and use an SLR camera. But even I wouldn’t consider a separate dining room.

I recently posted a wheelset to an ebay buyer. I think I charged them £7.90 for postage and it came in at maybe £10. Anyway, I went for a big box to make sure they were well padded and lobbed in some spare tyres too, to act as cushioning. Went Hermes as they offered the largest total dimension size that I could see from my limited research.

Good time to be getting rid of stuff; seems there are a lot of people looking to repair/upgrade bikes at the moment and I am pleased people can use the parts I don’t need, but still work fine. Better than it going to landfill.

I’ve nothing helpful to add on this, but am interested as I’ve just bought a Fox 36 (new, taken from an ebike), but intend to use it on a regular non ebike full suss frame.

Biggest fork I’ve ever had is a Pike, so I’m not qualified to comment on the above…

Thanks All for the above advice. Now tempted to:

– get some decent CD ripping software
– get a CD rom drive

& dump my crappy old CDs, copy the good ones and just try and use my mac/NAS to stream.

Appreciate the advice.

Thanks All. I am still doing online research on the above; I’ve just been busy with work and life to get it sorted yet.

Thanks for the suggestions above.

200/180 (or 203/183). Anyway, get a bigger back one than 160mm. I have the same brakes and found the rear 160mm disc my Cotic Bfe hardtail got a bit hot, riding down steep stuff in the Swiss Alps. Admittedly that is (unfortunately) not my usual riding.

For normal, local riding, I still like the bigger rear disc as I am 85kg – 95kg (I suspect). I think the weight difference is negligible. The local trails have some steep bits.

Interesting point above about pads glazing; I try and counter this by braking hard, but not continually dragging my brakes on steep stuff (although I suspect in reality I do drag my brakes way too much).

Thanks submarined. I have sort of tentatively looked at that as an option, but can’t figure out the options for boost adaptors.

Thanks Georg. I’ll look Action Sports up.

I also forgot about Hunt.

And as another option I understand some Spank wheels can be fitted with a Boost front adapter, which would work for me.

Can’t find which models do that though, possibly the Hex.

Thanks all. The either don’t bother/rip it myself angle seem to be largely where it is heading; my initial interest in something like the Brennan is that it takes away the need for me to use my terrible IT skills.

If I do bother, can I rip stuff in lossless format (using the software DB Poweramp) onto a Mac, without too much trouble? Does it have to be in Apple format, or can it be in FLAC?

How easy is it to then configure a NAS? I don’t really want to use the mac mini as a server to stream from – it’s often off and no longer very ‘neat’ in footprint (I have it running off a thunderbolt SSD).

As mentioned above by others, I’d like just to continue to use Sonos in some form (I think that they have stopped their ‘we won’t support our gear long term anymore’ issue). I find their user interface easy enough to manage.

Hi wobbliscott – that is a good point.

Spotify is awesome, but I suppose my biggest issue is that I just end up listening to the same stuff all the time, as I don’t make the time to look at the old stuff I used to listen to. But that is probably more about me being disorganized/lazy, than anything else.

But just using streaming would save loads of money, time and effort…

They are decent. I’ve got a few, mounted into breeze block. I find it crumbly and therefore horrid to drill into. I had one come down.

I think I could need some better DIY skills though. As an alternative, I’ve got (alongside those hooks) come Klug mounts. But I’ve secured them to a piece of ply, which is screwed and fixed with No Nail adhesive to the wall. Overkill, I suspect, but I don’t trust the breeze blocks.