Postmans been yeah!!!!! Got my new bits – as in off a shop :lol:

1/10 – very poor :roll:

FSA Orbit XL2 – cheap as chips.

Looks very nice Mick, very nice indeed.

njee20, you must be one of the lucky ones – like me with FOX forks, I’ve yet to ever have a problem with any FOX fork. But as for HT2 B/B’s they’ve gone in about a years use. When I ran Race Face cranks, they were diabolical. Yes the frame was faced, yes fitted correctly but just utter crap in use. The chainsets are superb – shame about the B/B’s.
Middleburn do the HC Slick Shift rings which I’ve ran and so have my mates and we’ve never had any shifting probs in their defence. But – I would go XTR and have on my last few bikes. They are mega stiff and so pedalling is better.

Unless your a racer, does the weight issue mean that much when the much much longer life of the old BB’s is that much better? I remember fitting the old UN72 on my bikes and they never ever failed. As for the modern HT2 crap, especially Race Fails they are just rubbish. Yes I use them but it pains me to do so. I know XTR M970 are a lot stiffer, which is why I would choose them, but how much I’d love the new M970 to run on the older UN BB’s!!!!!

Biggest pitfall for most I would say is not having the money or the balls to do it. You don’t say where your based – have you got good local trails nearby or is the area flat – hence more roadies? Do you see many mtb lads out riding? I live in Newcastle, Staffs and even considering how bad the area is pay/work wise we still have some decent shops – Sideways/Rourkes/Swinnertons plus BETD and Longstaffs so maybe worth it in your area. Do your homework and have a good think. And if you do – all the best

Lecht – I think the Floats will be cool on your ti 456. These are the 140RLC’s and I’m blown away by how good they are. I’ve had loads of FOX forks and I’ve never had any probs (maybe I don’t keep them long enough lol) but they are very plush and by all accounts the 36’s are just as good. Talas seem to “stick” on the intial bit of travel, then they work fine. The Floats just seem to active instantly, like a good coil fork but with the benefit of being that bit lighter. Should be completely finished and out by next week so will post a fully finished build when it’s done :-)

Here it is as it is now – waiting for saddle, tyres and some pedals. Might get some Burgtec off my workmate – hi Dan! Brakes are different – Juicy 7’s with Hope rotors. Really itching get it on the trails now…

Well I’m hoping it works out right lol. Here’s my Summer Season. It’s a bit more “finished” than this pic as it’s got wheels and a few other bits fitted. Can’t wait ride the thing :D

I ran Goldtec Pro Comp front/XC rear on Stans ZTR Olympic rims and they were very very light – lighter than the equivalent XTR combo. Can’t remember the exact weight but near 1400gr from what I can remember. Also being tubeless with Schwalbe NN/RR combo they were superb.

FWIW I’m a Liverpool fan – as in I go the games home and away. I believe the ref did have a stinker and the crop of handle ball decisions could have gone either way – seen loads like that in the Premiership over the years so it’s a case of getting on with it. If Chelsea had scored more goals we wouldn’t even be discussing it!
The sending off clearly wasn’t – Anelka tripped over his own legs but are we as English fans going on about that?
The tackle on Malouda should have been given as a penalty but I believe that’s the only clear cut one. You could even see the pitch cut up in the box. Ref – you dropped one.
As for Drogba – he is the biggest cheating player I’ve ever seen. His sending off cost Chelsea last years cup – his tantrums early season cost his team points – and you call Anelka the sulk! His reputation goes before him, the tackle in the box on him was shirt pulling yes – but enough to put him down? No – he lost control of the ball and he knew the keeper was going get it so he went down – he dived!. He’s a big strong player and shouldn’t go down that easy. He’s like that other great puff – Heskey, any slight breeze and he’s over. My dislike for Drogba pleases me they didn’t go through but for genuine players like Terry & Lampard I think it’s a shame.
I also believe if Jamie Redknapp, who I repsect very much did have a pop at the ref, it was in defence of his family member in the team. I also believe we would all act the same too – no matter how professional we are supposed to be.
So congratulations Barca – hope you stuff the Manc scum pmsl.

Scienceofficer – I had a 5.5 Intense & 5 Spot, sold them then I had a 575, which I’ve just sold. Got a nagging injury that means keeping a high priced bike as a commute a bit silly. I’ve got all the kit build another cheap 5″ travel bike and I found the 5 Spot the best ride – as in the plushest of any of the above bikes. It was probably a bit tongue in cheek asking to buy the 5 Spot. I’m not getting into the discussion as to which would be better – Dale or Spot but if it was available cheap I’d have itI suppose. My new commute is nearly finished anyway and don’t worry it’s nowt special but it will do lol.

Hi pistola

There are certain hubs, spoke hole pattern, colours etc that we do run low on or sell out so I guess that could have happened with yours. We hubs make in batches as set-up for each is time consuming etc so if we do run out it could be a while before we make any more but we do try our best.

An yeah anyone who wants to pop in they are more than welcome and say Porky put you in touch!

My 5 Spot came with a DHX Air shock and I found it horrible. A completely dead feel when riding. I was lucky at the time as my Intense 5.5 had the same shock length so I fitted a Pushed RP23 and it was way way better. But a chance came along to fit a DHX Coil with a ti spring fitted and that was the best, most plush ride I ever had. So controlled and just superb in every department. I know the coil DHX was heavier but the ti spring meant some weight was lost but the way it worked more than made up for that.

Drogba is the biggest cheat that’s ever played the game – how he can have a pop at the referee is a joke. I hope he gets the book thrown at him. I did want an all English final but would have felt better if Drogba had been unavailable for the final – now he is anyway!

Is it a medium frame? Nah don’t keep it – get the Dale and sell me the Turner :D

Engineer – yes – Toolmaker
Make bike bits – yes – on CNC lathes
Mountain biker – yes
Downhiller – nooooo

Here’s mine. Absolutely loved it

Yes we make the Burgtec hubs and pedals too lol. Pistola it won’t be because of any delay at our end, I can assure you if it’s in stock it’s posted very quick. Get onto the shop your end.
Clink – as I said give Bob a call at BETD and he will give you loads of info regarding the hubs. Bob’s a proper mtb man and love all things bikes ok. And the more you lot buy, the more work I get lol.

Hi Clink. The Draco is not a heavy hub at all, basically it’s a shell so looks like it should weigh a bit. Please give Bob a call at BETD to discuss the singlespeed options ok.

It’s to do with the Chris King hub – NOT the forks. We’ve made some 15mm Axle conversion kits at BETD/Goldtec for CK hubs and we’ve moved the position of the disc mounting face to cure that very problem. CK don’t get everything right! As for your problem I’m afraid it’s either use the normal rotors or remove some metal from the little spacers.

Rock Lobster have an very good reputation but imho having seen one of the older ti frames in the flesh and having owned a USA Merlin, the quality of workmanship is considerable, the Merlin being a lot better, neater etc. Still an awful lot of money but you can pick them up secondhand easy enough and cheap enough. My Oreas cost me £600 and being ti always looked new.

I think the RF are the longest. As for how good they are – sometimes good or sometimes appalling.

We have adaptors to run 15mm axle forks. Give Bob a call on Tuesday and see what he says.

Pace forks are very light for the travel but I always felt they blew through their first part of the travel at an alarming rate – i.e diving and when I up’ed the pressures they were then too stiff. I’ve stuck with FOX forks as I (touch wood) have never had any issues with wear/leaks etc etc with them and love they way they work. I got the Minutes nearly new for under £200 I think and they worked really well with the Pace frame.
As for the frame – great buy, so beefy yet so light. I’d recommend a “forgiving” seatpost, maybe even a suspension one or travel adjust one. Over long rides (4 hours) the bum does know it, at least mine did :?

No, they are Manitou Minute 4’s and had 100 to 140mm of travel. Frame size is medium

No – silver frame and black fork!!!

Sadly no longer with me and it’s a 303 but still a really nice bike. Such a blast on the downy bits and still nice and easy on the ups. The headset helps in that department as the front end isn’t that high.

It’s an Ultimate matey

I’m just building a Summer Season up and it’s got some Float 140mm’s fitted. Got no wheels yet :? but can’t wait and finish it all off and try it. I love slack angled hardtails as I think they ride really well. Here it is as it stands – yes garden needs attention blah blah blah pmsl

Had to laugh the other day in our shop. A customer had brought his bike in as he had “attempted” to fit a new set of forks he had purchased. He had driven the star nut that far down the steerer tube it was unreal but worst of all he had then driven it back up the steerer tube! This had caused the tube to split and so trash a brand new set of forks! Luckily the steerer is replaceable but why did he think he could fit them when he clearly hadn’t a clue. Just beggars belief at times

My 456 Summer Season is on it’s way right now and I can’t wait build it up – god knows what with yet though. I hope all the hype on the forum about them is true – the angles seem all spot on for how I like a bike so fingers crossed :D

Intense state that to encourge you NOT to use 150mm forks as they will not validate any warranty should you break it. That’s why they introduced the 6.6. But the 5.5 does work ok with 150 forks as I ran mine with Talas RC2 36’s with no probs at all. But in all honesty, the 5.5 is better with 140mm or 130’s as it’s really a fast XC bike

I’ve built all my last god knows how many bikes but my current Yeti 575 has a more personal touch in the fact as I built the wheel hubs – as in machined them – cool hey. Even laser etched too

Yeti 575

Merlin Oreas

Intense 5.5 XVP

Turner 5 Spot

Yeti ARC

Santa Cruz Blur

Pace RC303

Spesh S Works HT

There’s more lol

It’s very touching as a Liverpool supporter to see the kind and heartfelt remarks about the tragedy on this forum. I always always go to the memorial every time I go Anfield and I pay my respects to those that died watching trying to watch the team they love. It’s so sad and also bad that those responsible still haven’t been accounted for. I watched the News At Ten last night and seeing the moving report from the ambulance driver there that day made me think how much others have suffered too from such a disaster. I myself wasn’t at the match, I was at Oulton Park because I gave my ticket to someone else but I remember it all so very clearly. RIP 96 – You Will Never Walk Alone

Moto Gp is ace – no F1 “let’s not talk before a race” prima doners in this sport. Shame, I was really looking forward to Casey putting one over Valentino. I like them both but I’m a Duke fan so want Casey win this year.

Will watch it for sure but I still wish Eurosport had it live :-(

Listening to music through this lot – Vinyl and CD Linn/Naim system

If you can try and listen to whatever you buy. At the end of the day it’s your ears and not some reviewers that will listen to your music. Some brands have a particular sound, NAIM for one. Anyone interested in good hi-end stuff should always check out the second-hand market as you really can pick up some absolute bargains. I use a Linn Karik 3 CD player and Numerik DAC that I bought from a shop, with guarantee for under £600 for both. The Karik 3 alone new was nearly £2,000 never mind the cost of the DAC.

Just split with the girl-friend. No wait, that’s not unlucky – it’s bloody brilliant!