I’m usin some Chromag BZA – 800mm wide and 35mm rise I think. Seem good.

Nothing wrong with either bike for what you describe.

If you’re not sure which one of the 2 you want are you also considering alternate suggestions or dead set in a Hightower if some variety/spec?

I have Oakley Jawbones with a green transition lens from Cilary Blue. Been using them for all my riding day and night and they’ve been great – I also have clear lenses but never use them as the transition does everything well enough for me!

Not sure what your budget is but the MT Trail Sport are a relatively cheap option. They come with the 1 finger lever and they are MEGA powerful!

nickism – are you ‘Bike of the Day’ on another site?

Might be OK depending on the bike but I’d say it’ll be very tight. I have a Passat estate which is very similar in size and I could probably squeeze mine in but might be tearing the roof lining in the process….

Seems like a good deal, will pass it along to a few who might be keen!

Anyone got a good route suggestion to take in the Achneshellach descent? Looks great!

Just to be clear the van would be for leaving the bike inside not the dog. He comes in to work with me if he’s travelling with me.

OP – if you like the bike then its worth doing the repairs and potentially getting a repaint. If you’re not in love with it you might want to think about something newer.

TBH it sound like the 2 mechanics you’ve dealt with up to now are taking the mickey a wee bit – not unheard of but also not the norm in my experience.

If you’re going to do it all then you might want do the repaint first as you might need some wee finishing touches, threads cleaned etc depending on who you use. Then you can get it rebuilt with new bearings, new drivetrain maybe even new folks all properly installed, greased and lubed.

Just thought I should follow up for the benefit of anyone considering SQ. I eventually got an SQlab saddle. Initially I was skeptical but it is actually brilliant! Fair to say that it has brought another level of comfort for me – the best compliment I can give is that I don’t really notice it!

Seriously thinking about adding the bars!

I’m thinking of one of the smaller vans for trips with the dog and bike. Any of you carrying a 4 legged friend with bikes also inside? What is your set up?

I’m currently using a Passat estate so loads of room for the dog in the boot with a dog guard on backseat and then bike on a rear rack. Set up works OK but think bike inside vehicle might be better as I find myself parking up certain places and needing to leave the bike outside!

I have occasionally used my UnderArmour ‘ColdGear’ Golf trousers. Sort of soft-shell, bead water fairly well and quite stretchy.

Lots of variables….
If you go to BCA or the like there’ll be an info sheet and usually a grading system applied to the condition of the car, if you go to small local =set ups there might be nothing.
Make sure you get a catalogue or listings and check out any car you are keen on in the yard before it enters the auction ring – more time and less pressure to make a judgement.
If you are looking for a specific make/model etc check them all out thoroughly – you’ll need to be there a good while before they are scheduled to hit the ring to wander round and find them all.
Generally if you get an ex lease sale the vehicles will be well maintained and serviced – Look for Lex Leasing, Black Horse Finance etc etc.
Fees are expensive for a first time private buyer and often folk have not really factored these into the cost of the vehicle.
There are good cars at auctions but also plenty of duds but sometimes you’ve got to look hard and have patience.
Don’t get in a bidding war!
It can be really fun and rewarding but it can be a disaster too!

Think that blue is a brilliant colour!

I’d highly recommend invisframe or similar to protect the paintwork. Sadly didn’t do it myself and already have a few prominent scuffs to the finish!

Went to Rostrevor a couple of years ago now and enjoyed it. Castlewellan supposed to be good too.

From wat I understand/was told none of the UK dealers knew the carbon Smuggle for Sentinel were on the way.

Some loyal Transition riders I know would have bough these bikes if they had known they were coming but instead went with other companies…..

Chromag square wave XL are longer and slightly thicker than most.

Interested in doing some of these myself. Need to figure out which ones I could actually ride down….

ShowersPass Refuge is supposed to be excellent too.

Might be worth looking at the 9point8 fall line or BikeYoke Revive which are both’shorter’ posts for the same amount of drop?

As far as I know Orbea recommend that you use a left loading bottle cage.

Another one that looks great! I have yet to see a really dodgy colour combo – given the scope on the MyO system there’s bound to be a few…..

dblspeed – I also replaced a Smuggler with the Rallon.

As mark_rich has said the Orbea is lighter and a better climber than the Transition. The Smuggler despite being short travel always felt very plush and I have not got the Rallon to feel like that yet – I’d say its more of a lively feel. In general I would say it feels snappier despite being much longer travel but that might be down to weight as much as anything else. Descending on the Smuggler was very good (I had 150mm forks and an Angleset on mine) but I’m going faster on the Rallon and feeling more in control.

I’ve not ridden the Aeris to compare but my gut would say it’s a middle ground between the 2 in terms of ride style?

Done it once before and planning to do it this year.

As above when I did it it was cold and wet but fun! Was some happy chatty types at the back of the pack.

I’m planning a few trips to the Golfie trails as prep this time.

Good to know – considering ordering some. Had a bad experience with their pads a few years ago but they seem to be pretty well regarded now?

Sounds like you need a van/camper….

As with out and about I’d agree that it doesn’t sound the best set up. Especially if you’re loading up the roof too.

Hi GKW, could you please elaborate on how you found the Rallon faster climbing than the Fuel? That’s a pretty bold statement! cheers

It was whole lot of things that basically meant the bike was faster for me – it definitely fitted me better, the riding position was better, I felt the suspension was better and although it’s not the most reliable Strava confirmed it was faster uphill on a regular route!

As above weather could really be anything at that time of year – Aboyne near me had 23* in March and snow in April a few years ago!

Lots of good natural riding on Deeside and around Aviemore and a few trail centre options too deepening on where exactly you’re basing yourself.

My build
XL Frame with X2 air shock
Mrp Ribbon coil forks
Guide Ultimate brakes
Reverb 150mm
Renthal Carbon bars
Renthal Apex Stem
Descendant Carbon cranks
King BB
Gx Eagle cassette/chain.shifter
Hope pro4 with Nextie 30mm carbon wheels
DHF3c front and DHR 3c rear
Nukeproof Horizon pedals
Odi F1 grips

Any pics nicolaisam>

Yeah I demoed the Fuel EX too. For me the Rallon is faster both up and down the hill!

i actually don’t know the stem length, I thought 40mm maybe – it’s just the stock one.

davosaurusrex – it is an XL. Perfect fit for me at just over 6ft1 with 32inch inside leg. I’m running a 150mm dropper slammed almost all the way into the frame.

An M10 for less than £3100 sounds like a bargain!

I’m looking for a similar pad (priority 3 is not really a factor though) and think the Dainese Trail Skins 2 are what I’ll try.

In the spirit of sharing here is mine:
24909946_1570454082992412_7848436272074320120_n by weewillywinky[/url], on Flickr

That looks really nice!

Potentially also available to guide or support if needed!

Right on my doorstep too. Heartbreak ride is easy enough to find as are most of the other local trails – as above ask in CycleHighlands and use Trailforks. Plenty of locals on here who know the trails better than me who can offer more advice.

Thanks Stranga – I thought that would be the one but then saw other different codes on the chain stays so thought there might be another ‘main’ number.

Can anyone tell me where the registration number is on the frame which is used to register for the warranty? There are a few QR’s but they all have different numbers under them….

J273 – if you’re just under 6ft I’d say the large would be spot on. I’m a bit taller on the XL but my demo ride was on a large and it was OK for me too. There’s a calculate your size tool on the orbea site which quite a few folk have used and found accurate.