Excluding commuting, have ridden the big bike twice since getting back from the Alps in August. Commute by bike almost every day if I can though.

I’m biased towards the black/green one as I have a 2011 Pitch Pro.. Pricing on them doesn’t look too bad at £3200 for the E1.

Endtroducing.. is nearly 20 years old yet if it were released today it would be ahead of its time. It was critically lauded at the time, so doesn’t entirely fit the OP, but still one of the best albums ever made.

Would you believe me if I said “neither”…!?

Liteville warranty is five years, transferable, and includes DH and race use.

Watch out for the usual Specialized chainstay:brake hose wear and get it protected as they’re alloy.

Keen DIYer here – just sorted our central heating by fitting a new circulation pump and have previously diagnosed and fixed a boiler PCB fault.

As long as you’re not messing around with the gas pipework and are decently competent then you’ll probably be ok to fit a new transformer.

Caveat: I take no responsibility for anything going wrong should you choose that course of action!

In the grand STW tradition of recommending what you’ve got: Specialized Pitch…

So, so good..

Alfa Romeo GT JTD with a towbar for the bike rack?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201410138184499/

her comment at the time was along the lines of ‘if you can’t afford to keep a lady’

Run fast, run far..

I got a set of the SKS Commuter guards cheap from a PSA but wouldn’t buy them again as they’re a bit flimsy. Bluemels look much better.

BBG: http://bbgbashguard.com/Mountainbike.html

I used the M:part ones from Evans and they just fell off, even after properly degreasing the surface. Onzadog – what frame did you drill? Have been considering drilling top tube and fitting rivnuts to hold cable clips.

If it really is an experiment, you can pick up the older Spesh Enduros (either the pierced seat tube 2006, or the 2007-2009 one the Pitch was based on) for under £800 quite easily, and they’re reckoned to be awesome bikes.

Used Specialized Pitch

Can’t go wrong really – bought my 2011 Pro used two years ago and including a 1×10 conversion, SLX brakes, Command Post and a set of Lyriks it still owes me less than your budget. Does everything from taking the dog for a walk, to a week in the Alps. Bombproof. Standard shock so easily swapped/serviced. ISCG tabs. Buy right and you won’t lose money if you decide to sell.

No experience, but they’ve got a demo weekend coming up at Swinley on 15th-16th November if that’s of use?

Really liked that, made me want to try a fat bike…

760mm low rise on the Pitch, 660mm on the commuter hack; 6′ tall with monkey arms.

OH has 700mm low rise on her Pitch, she’s a shade under 5’6″. Said they started to feel a bit narrow in the Alps.

My 03 doesn’t but it’s easy enough to enable via VAGCOM.

My Sektor Solo Airs… 😉

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-2011-rockshox-sektor-rl-sl-150mm-1-18-solo-air

I wouldn’t get a Staffie, (no offence zaskar) they are mostly now badly and irresponsibly bred. The image of ownership has been ruined by chavs and wannabe hard men. Just the looks you will get off people when walking one should be enough to put you off.
It’s unfortunate they used to be a really good breed and I’m sure there are still a few good ones out there but it really would be a lottery.

Utter rubbish. Every single Staffie that I’ve met that has been owned by a responsible owner (note the important bit) has been an absolutely awesome dog. Just a shame that opinions like this seem to still be prevalent.

FWIW, we have a Boxer X spaniel and apart from the spaniel trait of crawling up his own arse when he gets a telling-off, he’s a legend. Great with kids, great with pretty much everyone tbh. Sleeps all day if he’s got nothing better to do, runs for two hours solid with the bikes given the chance. Short coat, doesn’t smell, sheds a little when seasons change but nothing major. Gets a bit territorial over sticks/toys occasionally but only with other dogs (not people) and only because he’s still entire.

I’ll echo the people who’ve suggested a rescue dog – you can get puppies so their training is all down to you – as there are far too many unscrupulous breeders out there and too many lovely dogs in rescues looking for a great home.

Pacenti Dl31 rims are same internal width and 140g lighter. Reports seem to suggest the narrower TL28s dent quite easily but not heard much bad about the DL31s. Apparently used by the SC-Intense DH team..

Not quite by the metre, but close…

http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/4-layer-hose-3m-length.htm

I bought a used Specialized Command Post – 1st generation but with the updated seal collar – for £85 I think it was. 15mins to strip and regrease and it’s been perfect. Often overlooked, but they’re mechanical, cable operated, 3-position, and just work.

Looks like the DL31s are the ones to go for then – have seen several reports now saying that the TL28s are a bit soft. Guess they’re just a bit too lightweight for the width.

No-one..?

Personally, having just come back from the Alps, I’d skip Morzine given how wet it’s been and camp at Bourg Saint Maurice and spend three days riding Les Arcs.

Really great trails, some bike-park’y type stuff, some really natural feeling, hardly any other riders, and everything was dry and dusty last week. Different ground type so drains better than Morzine when it does rain. Lift pass for the whole area is 22€ per day and covers a huge area. Trails are really well signposted and everything from full-length blacks to enduro and XC stuff too.

I’d go back today if I could..

I’m also there now, running Clutch SX 2.3s tubed, no punctures as yet either (though today’s the last day, so still time..!). Really dragging though, but grippy.

Orange Blood in 17″? Just shy of 600mm ETT is about the longest you’ll get with a 17″ seat tube I think.

Spicy is (well, the older ones anyway) short in the top tube, and Remedy is at least as fiddly as a Pitch in terms of bearings etc.

NP Mega quite short in the TT too, isn’t it?

For simplicity, how about one of the older straight-steerer Orange Alpine 160s? They tend to be low and long, don’t they?

Failing that, a 456/SS as a hardtail has got to be the default answer?

If option 1 wasn’t my buddy’s bike, I’d say option 3, but it is so option 1. Especially as the forks cost over half what you’d be paying!

They are a hoot though, aren’t they…

Bought a pair of bargain-cheap (well, I thought so anyway) Lyriks from the classifieds a few weeks ago. Got a newer better set before I could fit them, so put them back up for the same bargain price I paid – not a sniff.

Put them on Pinkbike at the same time – seven people saying they’ll take them for the asking price and the first responder is collecting them on Saturday. Go figure.

Most people who’ve put 160mm 35/36mm stanchion forks on the Pitch reckon that’s how it should have come from the factory. Just about to stick a set of Lyrik RC2DH on mine, though they’ve come to me at 170mm and I’m not sure I can be bothered to shorten them…!

Another mongrel cross owner here (hence the username) – Boxer X Sprocker. Fantastic cross – short coat so keeps nice and clean, has a mix of spaniel trainability and Boxer “screw you” indifference! Happy to sleep at home whilst we’re at work (I get home to walk him at lunch), comes to the yard and runs about daft whilst we ride horses, loves coming out with the bikes. Only destroys his toys, nothing else. OH and I fell asleep on the sofa last night with a plate of food on the floor – woke up to find it untouched! He’s definitely inherited the spaniel trait of being able to find the muddiest puddle in any given location..

I use the SpeshGrappler: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/grappler-locking-grip-ec028196 but there’s others as well.
PRO do a few single lockring grips I believe.

😉 fair play! In that case, I’d go with the suggestion of feeding it out of one of the bottle cage holes.

You don’t have OCD – tyre logos aren’t lined up with the valves, you didn’t put the cranks and pedals level for the pic, you haven’t re-painted your forks and cranks black to match your seatpost and stem, you’re missing your bar plugs, and hell – your saddle and grips don’t even match..!

OCD my arse, just run the cable along the top tube.

Ah, my specialist subject!

For OTC stuff, Loratadine is ok but fairly mild though non-sedating. Cetirizine is stronger but spaced me out. Chlorphenamine works but is one of the 1st generation antihistamines so much more likely to have a sedative effect. Acrivastine is still under patent so branded (Benadryl) only, though it works but only lasts 8hrs or so. Fluticasone nasal spray is pretty good in conjunction with any of the above. Take a decongestant with caffeine as well if it gets bad.

Only Rx one I’ve used is fexofenadine and it’s properly good – just come back from Romania where it’s OTC and cheap so stocked up!

Apparently acupuncture can work but it depends whether you believe in it or not..

One of Yt Industries’ Wicked 650b range? Alloy instead of the carbon Capra and I don’t think there’s anything like the wait for one.