I’ve gone and ordered a mountain King and Der baron 29 combo now so I’ll report back on how they are.

I was hoping that they’d be showing the DH this weekend….

Thats all I really watched on it – and I had never watched the DH on RedBull Streaming etc before.

Oh I was planning to run them tubeless with Stans… Though the new Contis were easy to run tubeless.

Thinking of running one of these (29 protection 2.4 version) on the rear for general wet, mud, slippy roots over the 6 months of winter here in Scotland and pairing with a der Baron project 29 on front. Anyone run that combo?

Just really giving the Geometron some thought, most likely the G13 130/140mm version. I’m 6ft2 with short legs and long torso/arms. Can’t quite decide how long to go.

Even the ‘smallest’ G13 would have a reach figure similar to my current ‘large’ transition…..

Anyone give me some feedback either on your height and what size you went for or how you decided what length to go for?

If you drop down to 27.5 wheels Mondrakers also worth a look.

There’s currently an XLong Geometron frame on eBay and if you were savvy you could maybe build it up in budget?

An XL Whyte S150 off the shelf would be under budget and allow for a few personal tweeks. Maybe not quite long enough?

The der barons actually are over 1kg each and supposedly 240 TPI (60 TPI x 4) under tread, 180 TPI (60 TPI x3) sidewalls and have Apex’ sidewall inserts.

Should be sturdy?

The der Barons say they are 4 layer so I am guessing then that is 4 layers of 60 TPI carcass. So they would be the toughest presumably?

In terms of sidewall support/strength is the TPI number quoted in many descriptions of relevance? My understanding is that the higher this number, the more ‘material’ therefore the more strength in sidewalls? And subsequently increased support, puncture protection etc….

For Example:
29 Minion DHR EXO – 60 TPI
29 Butcher Grid – 60 TPI
29 Minion DHR Double Down – 120 TPI
29 Continental Der Baron Projekt – 240 TPI

Thanks – think that the Pole medium is more of a Large or XLarge in other brands thinking! I’m often up in Inverness, Granton, Aviemore so maybe I’ll give you a shout.

bedmaker – what size is that one? I’m really interested in them, or curious about them maybe and I’m not far out of the Highlands…..

Thanks orangespyderman – can you share where you got them at that price?

chief – 2.6 front in 29er would be great I reckon..

Anyone else offer a comparison between the Mudhugger FR and Shorty versions?

What would be the difference between a DHF 2.5 WT vs a DHF ‘Normal’ 2.5 on an Easton ARC27 rim?

The difference is not that noticeable until it is….. I was plagued by sore hands for a while there!

I used to say there was no difference, carbon was a waste of money etc but then I changed from one brand of alloy bars to a different brand, still alloy, and my hands were aching after every ride. They were the same sweep and bend as the previous brand but they just seemed so stiff/harsh!

I have since switched to some carbon bars that have been really great.

Bend, rise, sweep, width, grips can all make a difference though.

Thanks poah. Strong sidewall is a must for me! Think for Autumn they look like they should do the job well for most conditions between bone dry or mud fests!

Are they particularly broad or tall? Clearance is a bit tight on the rear of my current frame.

Yeah I am going to give them the chance to resolve if possible. Its about a 20min drive so debating whether to call first or just roll in with the bike and explain face to face.

bruneep – I’ll give them a chance to sort/see what they say first of all incase a witch hunt starts…..

Brakes are just a few weeks old. I was happy with the front before they bled it.

The rear has to be disconnected for frame routing so I assumed there was a bit of air in and a bleed wound sort it out.

Obviously in an ideal scenario I’d have had all the kit needed to do it and sorted it myself but point is that I used professionals and now have worse performing brakes.

Tracey, or others with Enduros, how bad is that rub issue? Would it put you off buying another one? Just seen some details on the ‘new’ 2018 model and I think it looks very good but if there are known issues that’s a bit worrying.

No idea where to buy or how much they are but youd think these would be a cheaper alternative: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/suntour-goes-long-with-160-travel-durolux-29er-fork–taipei-cycle-show.html

Ah I remember your issue with the wrong size one…. I’m on the lookout for an XL…

Big 29er fork deals pop up now and again second hand but more often 140 or 150mm travel. New ones are crazy prices!

Probably. It would seem like the most obvious choice – as you say the 36 and Ohlins are more expensive.

Maybe DVO Diamond? Not sure what travel in 29er is avaikabke though.

What’s it going on?

Mboy where is your shop?

Like the look of those Vittoria’s too….

Think the WTB will be fine. I had a Vigilante/Trail Boss Combo previously and although I don’t remember them being amazing I also do not remember them being rubbish which I would if they were as bad as some I’ve tried……

The prices for Schwalbe and Maxxis in particular can be really high so I’ve also been looking at WTB and Specialized as alternatives.

I was hoping that it was an X Large……

Nobelinthefridge – very kind of you, have sent a PM.

I might just go Butcher Grid front and back – seems like a decent Minion alternative….

Apparently Peatys is selling as fast as they can make it. Not sure whether that’s because it’s ace or the link with Peaty….

In contrast to your point OP I’ve been asking where all the bargains have gone!?

Couple of years ago a look through the classifieds on a typical week usually showed a couple of good full suss bikes, forks, brakes and wheels that were all genuine bargains!

Now I see some of the prices and just scratch my head!

Hob Nob what do you use?

Thanks big Jim. Did you run any of the above on the back of your Smuggler? No issues with rubbing?

Nobeer – why do you rate the slaughter better than the purg?

Thanks Simondbarnes. Actually looking at it maybe the Hillbilly could be a decent front option for me. What combos are other folk trying?

I have not ridden either but to my eye the 4.5 looks a bit more versatile. Probably climbs nearly as well, the weight difference is probably not that much, the stiffness might be worth it though and the extra ‘burliness’ might be good?

I had an ASR5C back in the day and the rear was a bit flexy but it was fast and fun!

Looks like ‘normal’ stans doing it for most folk but the tractor stuff has got me interested….

Anyone tried Peaty’s sealant yet?

Anyone?

I’m prepared to accept a heavy weight in return for the extra protection these more beefy tyre offer so whether a tyre is 900g or 1300g doesn’t really matter.

The more I look at the Hutcison Toro ‘Enduro’ 2.35 looks like it could be good for 90% of the time: https://dirtmountainbike.com/bike-reviews/wheels-and-tyres/hutchinson-toro-best-year-round-uk-tyre.html

Thanks HobNob, I had a wee look at the Slaughter and Purgatory but not the Butcher…. TBH one of my considerations is the extremely tight clearance at the back of the Smuggler so if the Spesh Tyres come up bigger than Maxxis they might be a no go – they do look like decent value though!!