@lister

With the separate clamps are you finding that you can get decent fit with the levers?

I have figured out which one will work for the gear shifter (HD 4.1) but the dropper post is another thing! Maybe I will just stick to old school 4 clamps too lol

This one is for matchmaker but I’m pretty sure the one up remote fits on a matchmaker clamp direct. No idea where it would sit in comparison to the brake lever though!

https://postimg.cc/VrGw466C

Seen quite a few youngsters out on e-bikes with families also on e-bikes. Could get expensive! But good too see people out and about rather than stuck in on a PS5.

Based literally at the bottom of the hill that leads in to Friston.

im wanting an all rounder that can be used for quick blasts but also some longer rides over the downs. Hence im really not sure what’s best!

EXE felt great on a blast around a hilly car park but thats as far as I could try it. Putting me off are the possible lack of range and the battery. As I need to remove to charge I’m not sure the exe is the best option for having the battery in and out all the time from reading a couple of comments online. Might be wrong through.

Hmmm that makes for an interesting read. Maybe that’s not a good option after all.

the other bike local to me available to try is a Haibike allmtn3. Has removable battery but as mentioned no idea if they are decent or not.

back to considering the extra cash for the EXE or maybe a Rail!

Yeah I definitely going to buy local or local enough to travel too anyway.

As you mentioned the warranty issues and any other issues will just make it easier.

Going to have a look at this one on Saturday:

https://www.rmcycles.co.uk/bikes/electric-bikes/giant-trance-x-e-2-750w-sapphire-blue-2022__20324

will see what else they have while I am there!

^^ yes removable battery.

Budget is a bit lower than expected now at 3k and it needs to have battery I can charge at home. Going to look at the Giant Saturday as local and see what other places within a reasonable travel time have around that mark.

Another local shop has Haibikes but no idea if they are any good. Not a bike I see much when out riding the trails.

I’m going to go have a look at the Giant Trance posted above. I didn’t realise that they are only an hour away from me.

@johnnystorm

That trance looks nice. No idea how they ride compared to a light weight. Nice price and pretty good spec for the price. It’s 2022 model I think.

Thanks for the feedback. 9.5 is bang on budget and I have an XT cassette and some XT brakes that I can chuck on straight away as well as some carbon rims. and thinking the suspension can be upgraded in time.

my rides generally start at the bottom of some nasty hills but then move on to a lot of flats/downhill sections followed by the hills back home so would imagine it can be off for a vast majority of the rides.

Thanks for all the tips. Both tyres have held full pressure for 3 rides now. No sign of leaks or fluid.

Good luck with yours. My thumbs hurt already and it’s only half a job lol.

If it does not hold air I may well cry!!

First wheel done. Messed up first time and way too many air bubbles. This time round there was one small pocket of air but hoping it’s ok but we shall see. Inflated and can’t hear any air escaping but will keep it quite high psi before I put any sealant in too see how it’s holding up.

I’m giving my thumb a rest before the next wheel.

How tight are you meant to pull the tape as you fit? This is my first attempt!

Will tape it tomorrow and fit tyre on one of the rims and see how it holds (or not lol)

Hmmm, I wonder if it is the lacquer it might cause issues sticking fresh tape on as the surface doesn’t feel that smooth.

Yeah they are carbon rims.

I woild

like a Ripley but can’t afford one. Have seen one I could actually afford but it’s through bikeinn and not sure how I feel about them!

I tried some higher bars etc but come to the conclusion the bike is just too short.

on a better note, that means bike shopping!! Going to visit YT next weekend and go from there.

Regrets are my current Top Fuel. Only saving grace is I still have my old rig so that’s now getting used far more.

^^^ maybe the Trek is just not a good fit for me or I just have to get used to the geometry I guess.

@didnthurt

yes I think I should have gone for a large rather than ML. I might try the 55mm stem over the 45mm fitted and see how it feels. Or just cut my losses and look for either a different bike or pick up a top fuel in large. Some decent deals on the 9.7 going (mine is an 8).

Just before I give up on the top fuel I might try the longer stem I have at home. Not sure how much an extra 10mm will make to handling.

Maybe it’s me. These down country bikes are probably all aimed a bit more at the lower front end possibly. My old fuel has me more upright and is higher at the front for sure. might be a change of tact and look at maybe a lighter weight trail orientated bike.

I think main issue is the Fuel is just too small in M/L. I have it a go today with higher rise bars and it’s all just too compact. Serves me right for rushing the purchase when I bought it!

@stanley that evo looks like a speed machine!

just seen this one on offer. Probably not what I am after but I only do more flowing trails so maybe it would cope!

https://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/bikes/mountain-bikes/specialized-epic-comp-full-suspension-mountain-bike-2023-in-midnight-shadowharvest-gold__57446?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=90323-5004&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwu8uyBhC6ARIsAKwBGpTLO0v-J0qo315AZbhUkU-mJWxn6eiBM_eslBMaY9ZVZJg22yy-geYaApBDEALw_wcB

Low stack, shorter travel and with the head tube angle it does make the front low. My last trek was a 2018 Fuel EX8 and that has a much higher front end so the top fuel felt even lower.

Think another issue is that I probably should be on a large. According to Trek I am in the ML size but once you have all the spacers under the stem it does all begin to feel a bit too short so that might not be helping the low front end feeling.

It’s the combo off stack and the geometry, it just puts the front too low for me.

that spur looks nice, but think would need the large.

I have a 2022 ML top fuel and the front is ridiculously low compared to my old fuel ex. Even with riser bars and all spacers it’s just too low so just be be aware. If possible would really try to sit on one first.

Yeah it’s brand new. Upgraded was probably the wrong wording! It’s the spec with the Fox fork and shimano XT.

Only a couple of months tops.

I do very similar riding. XR4/XR3 2.4 combo works for me.

Previous set up for Barzo/Mezcal 2.3. Think I have brand new set at home.

Thank you

If anyone happens to be selling similar please let me know too.

Thank you. 

These are the forks I was looking at:

https://www.merlincycles.com/fox-34-float-rhythm-grip-boost-mtb-forks-2021-29-280570.html?utm_campaign=googlebase-GB&utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=shopping&utm_term=MTB+Suspension+Forks&ucpo=200011

they just say 1.5 tapered so not sure if that fits the bike or will need new bearings etc  

Those ODI reflex look pretty good too.

The lock jaws I have are 32mm but just seen too thick for me around the thumb/clamp area. Otherwise ok. That’s why I like look off the death grips as they have the squishy bit there lol.

Will give the thick soft a try.