Just bought a bike to use as a parts donor for a frame I have, but on inspection it’s far nicer than I expected and now I don’t know which frame I want to use.

Apart from the very early 1st gen ones having issues with the collets breaking, I’ve not heard of any issues with the Specialized Command Post. I’ve got a 1st gen and it’s great, so utterly reliable.

I don’t get why they’re not more popular tbh, especially when all of the competition seems to have som many issues? Is it the setback head that puts people off, or that they’re not infinitely adjustable?

I’m currently wishing I had £3600 (yes, just a little over your budget) for this: http://www.freeborn.co.uk/specialized-enduro-expert-carbon-29-2015

Enduro 29er widely described as the bike that redefined what 29ers are capable of. They do it as an identical-spec 650B if you didnt want the big wheels, but having ridden one, I would.

I’m interested in this as I’m contemplating what to do with the RP2 on my Pitch – a custom tune or Vorsprung Corset and full service isn’t that far off what a Monarch Plus RC3 can be had for, or maybe even stretch a bit more to a used DBInline (though I’m hearing a lot of reliability stories on those)…

I pretty much stopped riding at Swinley after the official trails went up, and this just further highlights why.

Sent my Z1 Compact back to them after the rear panel lifted and let in water, leading to the SD card slot not working. Came back with a new, well, everything bar the screen! For free to boot, so I was rather pleased.

What’s the issue with your camera button, as I think my OH’s Z3 Compact might be doing the same?

I’ve got a 1st gen Command Post with the uprated seal and it’s great. I’ve never needed more than full up, slightly down and full down (100mm). Strip and regrease takes about 15mins once you know what you’re doing. Early versions (like mine) apparently had issues with the collet breaking but I believe was sorted for the second gen.

Can’t say about Blade but rode W2 yesterday and everything’s open, no diversions, and running great. Go, people, make the most of it! I saw one other biker yesterday (on an e-bike, so it doesn’t count 😉 ).

A few years ago I was a regular poster on the Retrobike forum, had owned a succession of very nice retro bikes (Kona Explosif, Fat Chance Yo Eddy, Marin Eldridge), and was completely uninterested in new kit.

Then I entered the (now-defunct) Kona Mash-Up race at Afan with a friend, and took my completely original 1992 Marin Eldridge, fully rigid, amberwall tyres, cantilever brakes and all.

Almost immediately after I came back, I demo’d a Giant Trance full suspension, a Lapierre Spicy, and bought a Trance. That made way for a 6″ travel Specialized Pitch Pro, which now has 170mm travel forks on it, a 1×10 drivetrain, and a dropper post.

For me hardtails feel unbalanced, and I don’t ride in bad enough conditions to be having to change pivot bearings every 6 months. I still have a rigid commuter that gets used for local off-road stuff when I’m taking the dogs out, and the Pitch is pretty much overkill for anything less than seriously harsh stuff, but I wouldn’t trade it back.

Go to some demo days, try some modern stuff, be amazed at how capable they are and how much faster you go, then buy one and enjoy it.

🙂

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=351481327758&alt=web

Tubes in everything. Puncture once in a blue moon so never seen the point.

Cheapest Bird Aeris is around £1500, isn’t it? Not sure it’ll come in under 30lbs though, but it’d be new with a warranty.

Good example of a feature hiding in plain sight – I’d classify myself as an averagely OK rider, comfortable on BPW Reds and the tamer Black bits – yet this is on Swinley Blue and there’s no way I’d try it…

I’m running the 26″ Butcher/Purgatory Control combo and the Butcher is marginally wider.

Yup, jemima nailed it – that’s the sort of thing I’d like to do.

As long as you don’t count the rigid commuter as it just happens to be an MTB technically, then yup, just the one MTB.

2011 Pitch Pro, 1×10, 170mm Lyriks, wide bars, dropper. Far more capable than I’ll ever be and a bit of a slog on tamer trails but dragging it up hills keeps me fit. Just a big bouncy fun bike really.

FoD solo on Friday after an early site visit, then an awesome quick spin around the Punchbowl hitting a drop and 5′ gap jump on a new (to me) trail with a mate. Good times..

We have a rescue Staffie X Boxer (alongside an older Boxer X Spaniel), and I’d trust him with any kids of any age. Just the daftest, sweetest-natured dog I’ve ever met – and he came to us with the cigarette burns on his paws still healing 🙁

Because he’s not pure Staffie he’s a little finer and more athletic – no problems keeping up with me on the bike; in fact, I have trouble tiring home out!

Definitely agree on getting a rescue though.. You can get rescue puppies too you know.

It’s a Saracen Raw.

Only really have one “proper” MTB (aside from the rigid commuter hack) so it gets used for everything from local XC to trail centres, to the Alps last year. Nice to not have the choice really – 170/150 is a bit much for local flattish XC but it keeps me fit…

Since most of my rides are from the door and sub-2hr I’ve recently taken to just taking a single water bottle, a small multi-tool and my phone. Since I’m never more than 25mins drive from home, anything that can’t be fixed with a hex key I can just call for a ride home. Much nicer than having a pack on my back, or filling Camelbak, etc.

Can’t help on the 650b, but a mate has an S-Works 29er in large and he’s a nudge under 6′. I’m 6′ and it fit me perfectly (ride a Med Pitch Pro usually).

Is there any reason why you can’t use the HDMI output from the PC to the TV?

Err, VGA doesn’t carry audio signals..

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
https://youtu.be/C1CrzzgXkLI

Bad Blood
https://youtu.be/jv1cUmpFI2o

Love me some Taylor Swift..

Had Elixir 5R SL on my Pitch – faultless through two years and four sets of pads, including a week in the Alps. Never bled.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/rockshox-sektor-gold-rl-dual-position-coil-15mm-2016/rp-prod109678

Run them in the lower position?

I think you need to have a pretty good reason not to even try.

Because it’s my decision, and nothing to do with you.

HTH 😉

http://www.mountainwarehouse.com/footwear/walking-shoes/mens/curlews-waterproof-shoe-p10979.aspx?cl=LIGHT%20BROWN

Recently got a pair of these for all-round use and so far they’re great. Cheap too, and MW have a good range of other shoes/boots if you’re after something different.

Simple and effective.

I’ll echo the Henz 57 rescue route – the right dog will find you. Elvis, our second mutt, came from http://www.aadogrescue.org.uk – we think he’s a Staffy/Boxer mix and is utterly awesome. I can’t recommend anything Staffy cross enough – ignore all the negative stereotypes, they’re utter tripe (pun intended). Don’t even make the top ten in the list of dog bites (well behind spaniels, collies and JRTs).

(cleft palate – possibly birth defect, possibly previous abuse, we don’t know. Cigarette burns on his paws still healing when he came to us 🙁 )

With his “big brother” (Boxer X spaniel).

It’s definitely not what it’s listed as, and going by the corrosion around the seat clamp it’s definitely steel. Bargain for the money though – get it bought before someone else does!

We get it, you’ve got a chip on your shoulder about her – mind just shutting up about it now? There’s a good (not homophobic at all, honest) chap..

I have a ’13-plate 1.6 Caddy as my work van – regularly do 500+ miles a day, trips to Netherlands, etc in it. Fine on motorways, happily cruises at non-legal speeds should you wish. Slows a little on long steep hills but not too bad. Fuel economy around 45mpg at (decent, ahem) motorway speeds as it’s only a 5-speed gearbox. Passenger legroom a bit cramped though.

Noodle afficionados know it’s all about Nongshim Shin Ramyun noodles…

Sat on a Ryanair plane awaiting taxiing atm – given what I’ve seen some people bringing with them you’ll be fine. I have my laptop bag and a rucksack, no problems. And yes, pre-buy sandwiches if you think you’ll need food during the flight.

If you can get the door open; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9Thf8uMNU4 to get the doorcard off. Locking mechanisms are cheap enough on eBay. Job done.

Conversely, I’ve got an ex-MET police VW Passat TDi estate and it’s great. No holes in the dash, driver’s seat has only minimal wear, serviced on time every time, still wearing Goodyear tyres, etc. My tame mechanic had a look over it and his opinion was that it was in far better condition than any privately owned one of the same age that I could have got for the same money.

You missed 2006 then, when her daughter won it?

Zara holds no royal title… 😉

Can’t say I’m particularly pleased Lewis won, but it takes more work than I think any of us are capable of to get where he’s got. Just a shame JB didn’t win when he took the WDC.

It’s only been won by a royal in 1971 btw.. 😉

OH says that’s a Euro 2 (she works in ADL’s technical dept).. 😉