Thank you for your replies. Slowster your approach makes a lot of sense and simplified the issue for me. Thanks for taking the time to post.

Can anybody help on sizing of this frame please?
The charts appear a little different to what I’m used to.
At 183cm I usually ride a ETT of 55 or 56cm. According to the kinesis height guide I would be on a 57 or 60cm frame. The HTA on this frame is very laid back though so this might affect things.

Anybody of similar height have any experiences to share with regard to sizing please?

Swale Ti

470mm of titanium goodness.

http://www.murucycles.com/#!swale-ti/c1i6p

Kurt Kinetic Rock & Roll.
Feels very realistic, tough as anything, and the sway reduces the usual issues most trainers have with pressure problems as your weight is shifting constantly.

Many have weight restrictions. Check before you buy!

Grab a handful of your finest fart and throw it in her face. She’d have to have something to say about that.

I’m 42 but had lots of proper injuries in my first 5 years of MTB. I haven’t had a proper off now for many years. I don’t push my skill limits any more but I still have a great time riding within them. You get to a point in your life where you have nothing to prove to anybody including yourself, you’re just out there to have a good time.
It’s MTB nirvana.

If I am on someone’s rear wheel I’ve caught up to them and am waiting for an appropriate time to overtake them.
If someone’s on my rear wheel I take it as a challenge to try and drop them.
I don’t see why either situation is rude. Its just riding.

Spectacular adventure

Hmmm you need to have an xray. Nobody can reliably tell you that’s its fine without one.

Let all the air out of the shock and you have a hardtail. Shorten the chain.

I’ve not done this but I reckon it should work.

I lived in Cardiff Bay for 2 years. Its halfway between the Heath and Llandough and 7 miles to the hills up the Taff trail.
Its a very easy commute to either of these places predominantly on cycle paths.
There’s loads of rentals available in places like Century Wharf which is about 200 yards from activity and nightlife.
I really enjoyed my time there.

Discs weigh more but the rim is lighter.
The rim has more rotating inertia as its further from the centre so it makes sense to move the weight further in.
I’m no expert at all but I’ll buy into the disc arguments.

There are huge numbers of the open bath cartridge CTD forks being faulty ie the CTD dial makes SFA difference.
Apparently doesn’t affect the FIT models.
Apparently fox is well aware of the issue but there hasn’t been a formal recall yet.

I have a 2013 120mm F29. Turning it to climb mode firms things up a little but nothing even remotely resembling a lockout. I have forgotten to turn it over before descents and while there is a difference there its not really that dramatic either.

I’m not a fan of this fork at all.

I would never use them as a rear again.
Too draggy on hard surfaces. Wear really quickly.
If you’re a heavy rider they are too squirmy – I was constantly checking if I had a flat. Saps your confidence.
Excellent grip though.
Personally I don’t like front tyres with such a harsh transition between centre and peripheral knobs. For me they are not confidence inspiring when you’re in the transition zone. HD much better on the front IMO.
I don’t like them and found the reviews a bit disappointing.

I find Ralphs a bit draggy myself particularly on bitumen.
Mine are about 50% worn after only 500km.

I’d vote for Crossmarks.

Completely agree with the majority of sentiments in this thread, but am amazed and impressed at the change in helmet culture round here in a short time.

Coed Trallwm. In the middle of nowhere. Never busy. Nice drive though through beautiful country.

The middle is the safest cause it involves the least amount of lane changes due to slower traffic or merging junctions.
The right lane is frequently occupied by angry drivers going well above the speed limit. Best to keep out of their way.
The M4 between Swansea and London is rarely if ever “clear”.

However having reasonable driving standards such as not sitting in the middle or third lane and getting faster moving vehicles to cross two or three lanes of traffic would be courteous.

The only drivers faster than me are breaking the law. They have a lane to the right of me.
Why do they need another?

Strange place this one. People come here for discussion of bike and non-bike related matters but expect everybody to share the same opinion. Anybody who doesn’t is either an idiot or troll.

I think the middle lane is the safest and most efficient place for drivers going at or close to the speed limit.
Motorways are not places to prove your masculinity. I left those insecurities behind 20 years ago.
The minuscule gains in travel time by aggressive driving are not worth the fuel costs and accident risks.
If somebody in the left lane wants to overtake a slower vehicle, or wants to move into the middle ahead of a lane merge, ill give them way by slowing down.
Many people won’t however creating dangerous situations. I can’t be arsed with this.
Most merging drivers do not give way to the motorway traffic either in my experience. They expect the motorway drivers to slow down. This is dangerous too particularly when the middle lane has boxed you in.

I don’t give a rats arse what people think of my driving, cause my priority is getting there safely not impressing you lot!

popstar + 1
I love the middle lane. I drive at the speed limit, recline the chair a little, put a great tune on, and cruise.
The lorries and elderly drivers use the lane to the left of me and the lawbreakers to the right.
The ones on the right seem the most stressed to me.
The times I’ve ventured into the left lane I’ve found myself regularly changing into the middle lane to avoid slower vehicles or merging traffic.
This becomes stressful and can be dangerous too.
Its not a race out there, and driving is a good period of relaxing downtime between the stresses of work or home at either end.
Chill out guys.

Kate Upton! Wow!

I also quit using the Alan Carr book after 15 pretty dedicated years and lots of previous attempts.
I coughed up some major stuff within a few days and it lasted a few weeks.
I found the experience very cathartic.

Same in Oz some days it’s hard to think most of the population are immigrants…

You’re more than welcome to leave Oz any time. Its not like we’re short of whinging arrogant self-righteous Poms.

Yeh the NHS phucks things up sometimes. So do accountants, lawyers, teachers, policemen, umpires, priests, you and your immediate family. What’s your point exactly?

Horses are pretty shit really. They are old technology. They are dangerous, dumb, inefficient and do not serve any constructive purpose in urban environments other than ingredients.
They may serve some purpose in rural settings and should remain there.

Trail bikes iMO. They are never seen on podiums but are usually more capable than the terrain their ridden on, which delivers a safety buffer.
Alternatively you could choose a bike that is so difficult to ride that it produces slower speeds and therefore hopefully less severe injuries ….. Like a rigid fixie 26 singlespeed. :D

Halo Twin Rails.

What does Prince Charles ride? I’ve searched the forum but can’t find.

I know George Bush rides a Niner Jet 9. Great taste!

http://****/2010/08/george-bush-riding-niner-jet-9-mountain-bike/

Cracking thread. Almost as good as Sierra Cycling. Both parties have chosen to defend their position publicly with STW as the jury. I think in these massive barneys it is appropriate to conclude with a poll as to the victor.
Call it trial by STW forum!

That Surly above is stunning. Simple and elegant!

Small or X-small 29er?

I’m a big fan of the K-Edge[/url] mounts. I have them on all my bikes. Very sturdy.
They also do wicked Go-Pro mounts.
The Garmin out in front mounts look similar but I’ve not tried.

Tough crowd in here!!
My new Pivot is 2 weeks old.

Looks like you played in the mud a bit.
Any issues with the clearance out back?
Love this bike but this is my sticking point.

I don’t think I’ve ever met a true single speeder. The one gear bike riders ive met seem to spend a lot of time changing gears between rides rather than during them. What a waste of time!

The climb to descent ratio is about 3 to 1.
I was half expecting to have to climb down a massive tree with my bike to get back to my car.
If its busy you tend to have regular cock offs with the riders around you as you race up the fire roads.
I like it.

Cadair View Lodge was great for me on a couple of occasions. There’s a pub walking distance away for good grub.