I can’t believe people are actually suggesting getting insurance companies involved!?

If the wheel is slightly out of true and you don’t want to/can’t fix it your self then I’m sure a riding buddy will sort it for you before your next ride – It’s literally 30 seconds with a spoke key if you know what you’re doing*.

I’d take that or a quick trip to your LBS over hours of fannying around chasing insurance companies and possible premium hikes. mental.

*this being said, if the wheel is cracked/beyond (which it doesn’t sound like it is) then that changes things.

I had a KS i950 for years – worked faultlessly, just serviced when needed. Still going strong on a mates bike though it has developed a bit of play.

I now have a KS Lev on my hardtail and Reverb Stealth on my Enduro. The Lev failed after a handful or rides, rebuilt it, was ok for a couple of rides before failing again. I’m pretty sure I’ve found what seal is blowing and have rebuilt the thing again – though I’ve not bothered putting it back on the bike yet.

The Reverb has been faultless so far and is a much tidier option (if you’ve internal routing or brave enough to drill the frame).

That being said I did see 2 Reverbs fail at the last round of the UKGE…

Fantastic place. Will be a bit rough on a ht but definitely ridable, exciting in the wet but they’ve very kindly painted some of the more polished rocks with a grippy/textured paint to give you something to aim for!

I’d say one of the best xc loops around with a nice mix of riding and holds up pretty well in the wet. I’d say more natural and entertaining than your average trail centre but does have a few built sections.

Very little gradient lost on fire roads, fun descents (mostly fast and flowing), one big (ish) climb. Also the bonus of a selection of downhill tracks to play on when you’re done!

What a fantastic weekend, my 1st gravity enduro and loved every minute (well, apart from being eaten alive by the midges)!

Think the weather played a large part but the whole event had a great atmosphere and great mix of stages – loved the steep, natural stage 4, not so much love for the pedal on stage 3 – must get fitter!

Didn’t get over to practice stage 2 on Saturday so rode it blind and missed a line up over an off camber rock slab towards the bottom but kept it upright and got all my lines on stage 4 so happy with that.

Hands up who went straight on at the 1st corner of the freshly cut, off camber/loamy section of stage 1 (just before the 1/4 stage split). Not sure if it was red mist on the 1st stage or if it had been taped in practice and a previous rider had wiped it out but a lot of people I spoke to had done the same.

I ride a lot of rocky stuff and have lost count of the number of sidewalls I’ve gone through. Schwalbes seem to be the worst (even the Snakeskins and I still keep buying them!?) Crossmarks and Onzas too.

If you want them to be rock/flint proof you’re going to have to go onto a stronger casing and take a weight penalty but you can get fast rolling.

I don’t know if you can still get them but if you can find a High Roller Semi Slick in a 60a, they’re a great rear tyre, not lightest but roll well and are one of the few tyres that have stood up to abuse with getting sliced to bits… so far. Maybe pair that up with a Minion DHF or HR2 in similar compound/casing up front.

Decided on the Enduro after seeing what you guys are riding. Gave it a quick check over and now ready for the weekend.

What’s the tyres of choice then?

Yeah, I’ll be there with 2 other locals.

Though I raced a few years back this’ll be my first enduro so looking forward to something different though I’ve no idea what to expect!

What sort of bikes are people taking? I’ve the option of a 456c (riden more often for xc/trail) or a Spesh Enduro that I use for everything from trails to uplifts and everything in between.

Are people heading down Friday night or Sat morning?

Where are you out of interest?

Cheers for pointing me in the right direction guys, much appreciated.

Out of pure coincidence the event we were at was actually at the race course on Bourley Road! That made the decision a bit easier as it meant I could leave the car there and head off on the bike.

Really enjoyed the change of scenery and also just heading off following my nose. Had a mooch around Strava before hand and managed to find some fun bits of single track dotted about the place.

Few highlights were a loose natural descent (called ‘Flat Out’ I think) a nice section of single track running parallel to a fire road with a blind drop off a small brick structure which resulting in a bit of an OTB on 1st attempt (going too fast to stop but too slow to huck it, knowing it was there helped on 2nd attempt!) and finding a few rooty/loamy sections with a couple of jumps shortly after.

Be interested to hear what I missed/found, I stubbled upon Caesars Camp when I was pretty much ready to head home unfortunately…

http://www.strava.com/activities/151183422

All in all – great day out.

Cheers

Thats a shame – was probably the most enjoyable lap of all the endurance races I’ve done.

I’ve put both places into the satnav for tomorrow, think I’ll probably head to bits off Bourley Road 1st and see how I get on!

Cheers for the info guys, what sort of riding should I be expecting – natural single track?

Last year I raced the 12:12 Torq event that is down that way, is that accessible the rest of the year?

Don’t worry, I’m not the type to behave like a dick – even less so when theres a chance the other party could well be armed!!

If you’re coming from disco slippers they’ll feel heaving and flexy.

If, like me, you’re coming from 5.10s the AM45s feel quite light and stiff in comparison.

Sizing comes up a little small, the flap over the laces makes them more weather proof than 5.10s. Laces are longish but double knotted fit happily behind the flap.

Looks wise they’re not too wacky for post ride pub.

My only complaint is that I’ve now had 2 pairs and sole has started to come away from the shoe at the toe end. I thought this was due to doing a bit of trial building in my 1st pair but the 2nd I’ve looked after and still had the same problem.

Can’t quite put my finger on it… just had a crap time all 3 times I’ve been. I have tried to like it and my group think I’m weird for not liking it but I just don’t, certainly isn’t as engaging and flowy Antur stiniog or Revolution Bike park.

+1

Think we’re in the minority but the place does nothing for me.

I run one of these, seems to be the best of the bunch in terms of fitting odd size bikes on.

I bought a cheap 4 bike carrier and cut it down to take 2 but with a bit of extra room. 1 set of mounts set to take the hardtail, 2nd set to take the full sus.

Pretty secure, plinth mount locked to to the tow bar then cable around bikes and bar if left on the car for any time.

http://www.pendle-bike.co.uk/shopping/heavy-duty-ws.php

Is there a big difference in weight/rolling resistance between these supergravity tyres and the usual Evo/Snakeskin jobs?

I like Schwalbes but find I’m killing sidewalls before getting through the tread when used for agressive xc/general thrashing so wondering if they might be an option…

Back in the late 90’s and early 2000’s I had a dabble at some club racing, and spent a few years racing Alfa Romeos. I had reasonable results, but was always hampererd by my budget, or lack of. I gave it up when a mortgage and ‘real life’ stuff became more of a priority, and funds wouldn’t allow both.

Any more info/pics on the Alfas?

Very nearly bought a cheap 172 cup as a run around but currently getting drawn to something a bit more sensible… tempting as it is!

What sort of milage do you need to do to make the diesel cost effective?

Currently riding an enduro evo, rp23, fox 36 float fit, pro 2s on stands flows, 1×10 etc. weighs in at 31lbs with 2.5 Hans Damps.

Super capable bike, last week was at Antur Stinog riding the track they recently held the BDS on, change of tyres and just knocked out a 35k xc loop. Not the fastest to the top but gets you there.

That said, if you’re after one bike for general xc that’ll take some abuse a well set up stumpy evo is probably the bike for you, the enduro is fantastic but overkill for most general riding – I do find myself reaching for my hardtail more often than not!

I’m in the market for a new wagon and currently looking for a 330d.

I’ve always had manual cars and much prefer then over autos, though this is making the search tricky as the majority are auto.

Above people have recommended the auto over the manual – what’s the reason behind this?

I’m looking for a post ’03 6 speed, 204bhp variant.

Because that was all it was ever supposed to be – a helmet cam run of the track during practice, showing conditions and trying to get it out to the viewers asap.

Yes, not the best quality but was as on par with most helmet cam footage (which can make Champery look like a walk in the park!).

I’d imagine during a race weekend they’ll be concentrating on the racing and we’ll probably get a proper video in the next ‘This is Peaty’.

I think you might be missing the point of said bit of footage…

Hah! Jamesfts I’ve just worked out who you are

Hi Mark! :D

Worth having a nose around on Strava if you’ve an account, plenty of people using it and good for sniffing out the more popular ‘off the beaten track’ sections.

Steve – out of interest are you on about some of the sneaky stuff around the Ledbury/Gullet Quary end of the hills?

There’s a couple of secret man made trails

There are indeed :wink:

Theres some really good riding on the Malverns from steep/techy single track to more open xc scenic stuff. Unfortunately I don’t think you’d find the good bits in a weekend unless you can find someone to show you round.

As mentioned above they’re best avoided on a sunny weekend. It’s not so much the locals/dog walkers who are 99% a happy and friendly bunch (as long as you’re not riding like a dick!) but more the townies that flock to the hills to get their dose of fresh air who look down their nose at you very disapprovingly.

Depending where you’re coming from there are some good riding to be had in the area, a lot to explore out side of the graded stuff at FoD, Staunton has some fantastic ride, the Wyre forest has some nice natural single track, and loads of other smaller spots to explore – quite lucky really!

I’m running a LEV with a 1×10 setup.

Currently using a modified X.9 shifter as a remote, there are lighter setup out there but looks very OEM, tidy cable routing and ergonomic.

Just a thought.

or one of these…

The point being if you buy an estate car that wont fit bikes you really just bought a normal car with an estate shaped back end.

Yup, no problem with that. I’ve dogs that go in the back (missus might complain if stuffed into the boot of a saloon) and a few other reasons for wanting an estate over a saloon. In the case of the 156 I actually think it looks better proportioned than the saloon too.

I guess many thousands of miles just left me not caring about throwing a car around for driving pleasure, certainly not chucking fivers out the window for the privilege.

I do about 20k a year an enjoy nearly every minute luckily. The single figure mpg of my other car coupled with lacking any creature comforts and rock solid suspension would really upset you. Hopefully.

Cant go wrong with a mixed breed/mongrel terrier.

They’re generally hardier than pedigree dogs, cost less (if you’re buying rather than rescuing) and are completely unique.

We’ve two now after growing up with Great Danes and saying I’d never have a small dog.

Cedric, a Jack Russel cross Norfolk and Bella – a terrier mix/dachshund/god knows what else. Both good as gold with bags of character.

It’s a car, you use it to queue behind the other loser on the queue to get anywhere.
Comfy Seats
Room for Stuff
Doesn’t drink like george best.
Grow up!

Similar to the OP I actually enjoy driving and am lucky enough to live somewhere that I rarely see traffic let alone sit in queues.

Grow up?

Seriously.

It was the 156 SW that actually has less load space than the 156 saloon with the load liner in place – obviously you can stack the boot to the roof if required though.

Don’t really agree that an estate with a rack is a “fail” I don’t want a muddy bikes in my car or to be faffing about taking wheels off after a ride. Tow bar rack for me is much easier.

I’m in a similar position though thirty and already own a diesel estate.

Always had Alfas, currently driving a 156 sportwagon 2.4jtd which is due for replacement.

The old man bought a remapped 159 SW 1.9jtd to replace his V6 4×4 Brera. It lasted a few months then he went back to the Brera. I used it for a week during his ownership and though it’s got to be one of the best looking estate cars and far more practical, modern and better put together than the 156 I found it had to get excited by it.

Driving it you could be in any modern euro-box – not a bad thing necessarily (during that week nothing fell off it, broke or stopped working unlike the 156 on a daily basis) it just didn’t do anything for me.

Currently looking into alternatives, very little ticks the boxes the 156 does… possibly a manual BMW 330d touring if you can find a good one – open to suggestions.

“Proper” tracks.

Antur is a similar place, graded, open, man-made, rocky tracks but blows BPW out of the water.

BPW is *currently* a selection of very similar trail centre’y descents. If thats what you’re looking for then great, if you’re after anything more technical then look elsewhere.

As mentioned above – if you want to ride a proper uplift go to Antur Stiniog/Revolution/LLangollen/any of the Pearce Cycles uplifts etc. There are some great venues with amazing tracks (that you don’t need a full on dh bike to ride).

If you want to ride a (fairly dull) trail centre with a shuttle service then BPW is your place.

Jam bo – you’re not wrong, one of the best looking lids ever, not to mention Palmer being an absolute LEGEND.

Coincidentally after replying to this thread I had one of my monthly searches for a D2 Palmer. If you find a supply let me know! Took me long enough to get hold of a Daredevil – dont think I’ll be as lucky with the Palmer.

Annoying a mate has one that he’s never worn…

Get the D2 you wont be disappointed.

Please please please if you do get one, make sure you sort the peak out and run it as high as it’ll go. Nothing ruins the looks of a D2 like having the peak set low and flat.

Fortunately I think I’m in the minority but I was quite disappointed by the place.

Bought into the hype and was expecting something special but felt all the tracks very samey, good for a trail centre descent but nothing really resembling a downhill track. A few good sections but most share a very ‘built’ feel with nothing particularly technical.

Having booked onto the uplift for the day by lunch time we were no-pedal racing which was about as entertaining as it got.

If you’re after a good uplift service there are so many options – head up to any of the Pearce Cycles tracks, Revolution, or Antur before BPW.

Troy Lee D2 any day, comfy, secure and light.

In the right style probably one of the best looking full face lids ever made, just looks right – not too moto, not too flimsy and proportions are bang on.

As above really, spent a lot of time in and around Barga when I was younger. Though the road riding will be a lot more accessible there is some fantastic mtb riding in and around that area.

Depending on what you’re into there is (possibly was!) a bit of a downhill track and some good riding around the resort of Il Ciocco, between Barga and Castelnuovo. There was a bike shop opposite the entrance to Ciocco which pointed us in the direction of some good riding which might be worth a look if it’s still there. I don’t know if you have to pay to get up there any more but we used to blag our way in pretty easily.

We also used to suttle up to Renaio (above Barga) and take various goat/foot paths back down.

I went for a bit of silicone sealant on the Enduro, might not last as long as some solutions but doesn’t restrict the angle of the hose and will stop any crap from getting into the frame.