My daughter is a similar height and has been on an XS/13″ 26″ wheeled Rockhopper since last summer. It runs 1 x with those 152mm Suntour cranks from the French site and they’re great.

shifter – Member
Having now watched the chipped S4 vs RS4 Harris video on page 2, I’d say definitely go S4. Loads cheaper to run and just as good 99% of the time.
“But it’s not an RS” – so what?

I’ve not driven an S4, but TBH, the reason you buy cars like this, is for that 1% or 5% of the time when you want it to set your pants on fire! When I had my M5 I got so bored of people telling me I should have bought a 535D as it was just as good 99% of the time and drank less than half the fuel. What cars like the C63, M5 and B7 RS4 (to a lesser extent IMHO at least) have, is such character that even at 30mph you can feel that they are something special and it’s that Jekyll and Hyde character that makes them so exciting to own.

You only live once so if it’s what you want, go for it, but make sure you have your eyes open. I’ve had various similar things over the years (never a B7 though but have driven a few and they are lovely) but did get tired of the running costs (about 12 years ago I had an M3 which i tracked quite a lot and it probably cost £3k a year to keep in tip top shape). Time is my most precious commodity now so I’ve been lazy for the past 6 or 7 years and had new cars and accepted depreciation or lease costs instead of maintenance. Suspension and brakes on heavy fast cars take a real pounding so you could easily spend £5k+ on a £20k RS4 just getting it driving the way it was meant to.

Favourite car I’ve owned was an F10 M5 – whatever anyone say’s, there’s something about the way BMWs drive (especially M cars) that Audi and Merc just never quite match. Changed that for an S8 which is magnificent in a very different kind of way, but it just lacks any sparkle. I’d take an M135i/M140i over a B7 RS4 all day long.

C63 is pretty compelling. A mate of mine changes his cars more often than his pants and currently has a Cayman GT4 amongst other things. His C63 is the car he misses the most and he’s had almost everything.

Just remembered it’s my son’s birthday so the chances of getting a pass might be pretty slim. Never mind, might do the next one though..

Enjoy!

I’m after a road helmet and looked at the POC Octal – how is it twice the price of the equivalent MTB helmet? Is that just because roadies are prepared to spend more so will support those prices?

Bonkers!

I’m half tempted. It’s pretty local and I am trying to up my mileage in preparation for the Trans Savoie next year. Last time I entered a Gorrick I was one of only a few in baggies with an enduro rig – is this one likely to be much the same?

Might give the 2 hour one a whirl…

Don’t forgot a panel van is designed to take a 600kg+ payload so is likely to be pretty similar I suspect.

Flatter cornering at the expense of less independent wheel articulation. This is most noticeable at low speed if one wheel goes over a deep pothole and the ARB stops it extending down so the van will have a tendency to tip into it. I had a track prepped M3 many moons ago with massive ARBs and it was truly awful on bumpy roads and in London. Used to feel like a side to side nodding dog!

Cheers – have to admit I am quite excited about it although I think I’d secretly prefer running it in in the summer! Time to MTFU I guess..!!

Which is it the Crud RoadRacer Mk3 you’re fitting?

Quick question. I use CB Mallet E’s on my Hightower and although I am not likely to use the same shoes on both bikes all of the time, is there any benefit to running road pedals or should I fit some CB Double Shots or egg beaters?

I think it’s pretty good show and has made me want to visit some trail centres I haven’t been too yet! The stereotypical him fixing bikes while she does her nails is a bit naff but is certainly what would happen if the wife and I went away on a biking weekend! They could make it a little more tech and kit focused but that may put off as many people as it attracts.

fatmax – Member
Grade 105 is £1400 at Wiggle, but only limited sizes left. I’m keeping an eye on it to see if the XXL drops any further!

Sod it, just ordered one! Only had one left in my size and I’ll be procrastinating for weeks unless I just bite the bullet. Decided 105 spec more than adequate for the miles I’ll be doing.

I’ll report back once it arrives and I get out and about on it! Thanks all.

I do like the look of the new Orbea and my LBS sells those so always good to support them. Hard to look past a 2016 Grade though I have to say – think the Ultegra is worth the extra with the 240S hubs etc

Thanks mboy but I need a 56 (6′ tall) so I suspect it may be too tall. Why are you selling?

That Donhou is lovely, but even with my best man-maths hat on I can’t justify £4k for a commuter bike (coming from someone with more Enve bits on my Santa Cruz than I care to think about!).

What are people’s view’s in Ribble bikes? I can get a CR3 CX Carbion with full Integra groupset and mavic wheels for £1600 leaving room for a Di2 upgrade maybe?

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-cr3-cx/build/

Nipped to the Evans near my office at lunchtime and had a nosey. They had a nice Norco Search in the sale – carbon with 105 and hydraulic disks for £1500. Seemed like good value at 30% off. He reckoned the Search would be better suited to my road/canal commute rides than the Threshold which is more of a CX race bike.

The Shand looks like a nice bike but I am unsure if the extra weight of steel would outweigh the extra comfort? Is there an element of just being ‘different’ with a steel frame?

Great input chaps! It will need mudguards but unlikely to need a pannier or gears for big hills.

What’s the key difference between frame materials? Weight and comfort?

I’ve got some OK stuff a 15 min ride/5 min drive from home and LOTS of brilliant stuff within a 30 minute drive so I usually do the local stuff midweek for an hour or so on the trails and then drive at the weekend for a 2-3 hour ride.

FuzzyWuzzy – Member
My preferred gloves are a gore one they’ve stopped making but they’re convertible from normal to lobster style (flap tucks into back of glove) ideal for switching between road and MTB use. No clue why they stopped making them but I know some other brands have a similar design.

My quest for the perfect winter glove continues and today I saw these Gore convertible ones in Cycle Surgery.

Half price too so I think I’ll give them a whirl.

https://www.cyclesurgery.com/p/gore-bikewear-fusion-so-gloves-N2314117.3651.html

I tried a Gemini Duo light but don’t ride with a pack so found the battery mount to be a faff, especially with a MIPS liner on my helmet.

If you always ride with a pack then it could be ideal as it’s VERY bright, has a wireless remote which is very easy to use, and weighs next to nothing.

Agreed. Barlight almost useless on twisty stuff so if you’re only having one then helmet light all the way. Combo certainly best solution though with a wide beam on the bar and a spot on your lid.

Exposure mount has proved to be great so far. Lower profile than most but very sturdy and easy to adjust.

I tried a few options recently and ended up with an Exposure Axis Mk4. Not as powerful as the Diablo but noticeably smaller and lighter and better batttery life on full power. Full power handy for tight singlerack stuff and I run it alongside a Gemini Titan barlight which is just silly on full power!

I’m less concerned about my fitness and more about the ability to ride super gnarlie techie stuff when shattered (which relates back to fitness anyway I guess). I’ve done a lot of Alpine 4-5 day holidays where we spent 6-7 hours a day in the saddle and pushed pretty hard, but having done the Tweedlove International earlier this year, I know how different things are when you’re against the clock!

I’ve been riding with a mate who’s done it twice and is much more gnar than me, so pushing to keep up with him is helping although I have fallen off more times in the last 2 months than the previous 2 years!

Really looking forward to it though and plan to get a few more races in before the big event, Was pondering Ard Rock but felt it was too close to the TS so was risky. Will probably do Tweedlove again although that’s only one day next year which is a shame.

Man, I thought we’d managed to go #FullEnduro but you’re right, they don’t match…

I’ll fetch my coat…

Excellent (on getting in, not on the surgery)! Have you done anything similar in the past? Have you started training properly as yet?

Quick bump to see if anyone else on here has entered.

Testing the new steed out at Swinley. She approves!

I ended up sending the Duo back as it was a total faff to fit and remove on my helmet with the MIPS liner. Went for an Exposure Axis Mk4 – 1000 lumens. Tested this morning and it works really well with the Titan as long as the Axis is on full power and the Titan on low or medium (which is still plenty of light).

First Exposure product and very impressed by the lightweight, helmet mount and overall quality.

I ordered some sidewinders but found like Northwind that they don’t fit like other Fox gloves (have two other pairs) as the padding/insulation seems to be on the inside so they’re too tight on my fingers.

May have to give the Briskers a try if most people rate them so highly!

Mine is a couple of months old and the pads are fine. It came from Wiggle.

I asked at the gym and there’s a private physio/osteo there who specialises in sport’s injuries and is also a personal trainer, so I’m going to book a session with him to diagnose what’s what and get an exercise/rehab plan.

It can’t be that bad as it’s not affecting my sleep and I usually sleep on my side.

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-easton-haven-55mm-stem-and-santa-cruz-780mm-carbon-bars-almost-new

Cheers guys. Daft question maybe, but where is the best place to go for a proper diagnosis?

I ran MagicMary Trailstars front and rear over last winter and kept them on until the summer when I managed to split a rear sidewall racing at Tweedlove and then the front sidewall at Inners a couple of months later. Think I’ll stick with Maxxis this year so will try a shorty upfront and a Minion DHR2 on the back (29er).

I’ve got a set of T handle Allen and Torx keys from Wiha. Take up a bit of room in the shed compared with a little set but a joy to use on the bike for all but the fiddly small bits.

http://cpc.farnell.com/wiha/26248/torx-set-t-handle-6pc/dp/TL11155

http://cpc.farnell.com/wiha/26247/hex-set-t-handle-6pc/dp/TL11154

Depends how manly your hands or (or maybe how goood your circulation is!). I work in an office and feel the cold really badly so always wear warmer stuff than a couple of my biking buddies who work outside and generally wear summer gloves all year round! I’ve got some Specialized lobster gloves (index finger on its own, other three in a mitten) for when it gets really cold, but rarely use them with the liner as they’re just too bulky.

Those sidewinders linked above at Evans’s aren’t the thermal ‘polar’ version I do t think.

It’s these ones https://www.evanscycles.com/fox-clothing-sidewinder-polar-glove-EV285278

I bought some yesterday so will report back on how they perform tomorrow.

I’ll have a 3 week old, barely used, one careful lady owner 60mm Easton Haven for sale next week.

Sell a kidney and get an Enve?

The Review | ENVE Mountain Carbon Stem

What sort of budget do you have in mind?