The trouble is that most reviews are done by 1 person riding that bike. What is comfortable and fun for someone may be not so good for someone else!

I bought my Trek without reading anything about it. Mainly because I went out to buy a Whyte (based on reviews!) and didn’t get on with them at all.

Popped in to another shop and spent a couple of hours trying the Trek and was sold.

I think bike bike fit is very personal and reviews can obviously give you an idea of the bike is good or a lemon,  but nothing will ever beat proper test rides.

Also some brands are going longer and slacker with huge reach figures. I don’t get on with that kind of fit. My trek is an 18.5 and at 5ft 11 according to the ‘size charts’ I should be on a 19.5.

I have a brand new Ratchet Rocket as pictured above if anyone wants it cheaper than online.

Ordered the Joystick ones! Came out cheaper than the RF too.

Tried again with the grips and still says can’t ship to my country because of weight!

Eeekkkk thanks for that! Just found them cheaper on Amazon or all places!!

I have Race Face Bars (Next R) but not fitted yet. Had standard Next Carbon bars before and liked them a lot. never tried SixC ones though – think they are stiffer than the Next R.

Previously had Renthal Lite 35mm carbon bars and like them! Selling off a few pairs of 760mm wide 20mm rise ones if anyone interested. (1 mint, other 2 have some marks).

Ordered some so will get my bars sorted this weekend!

I used to be in the don’t bother camp with a dropper post. Then I bought a bike with a dropper and now I wouldnt be without one. I use it every ride and its 100% improved my riding.

First time I have ever watched it – was only cheering on the guy who came 2nd as was on a Trek! lol

Going to get myself a better torque wrench for my Birthday so can sort next time if it happens again!

All fixed. Culprit was the main pivot bolt. Whilst they were there then took about the whole lot including cranks. Re-greased and torque to spec

Not something I could have done as I only have a baby torque wrench! The kind folks did it there whilst I waited.

I have used both fatbar lite and lite carbon (both 35) and found them both comfortable and better than the race face bars they replaced. I have a set of carbon lites for sale if interested.

Scrap that. They are 20mm rise.

Hard black alloy versions look good!

No matter what the brand or price you would not expect to be chasing creaks after 4 rides? Well I don’t anyway! My last trek was creak free for 2 years so rather than chase creaks I’m letting someone else do it for me. That’s how I roll, or troll!

Nope only makes the creaking under load when going up hills pulling and pushing on the bars. If I stop the bike and push and pull on the bars no creak.

Anyway, decided I’m taking it back to where I bought it. I didn’t spend this much on a bike to have to take it apart to stop it creaking after so little use.

It only happens under load and makes no noise when ‘pushing’ or ‘pulling’ anywhere.

I didnt film myself to find the creak, I was ‘bimbling’ on my phone to ask if anyone had the same issues.

But thanks all the same for being so helpful.

Will take another look today. Sounds front end but will check rear too. I did notice the headset seems to have been put together using some sort of silver grease.

One wishes to have never asked.

Haha! What I meant was how do I know when they are at the right angle as the grid is on the top of the bars not at the front like most bars.

Suprised to say that my Bontrager one is still working!

I have recently bought a Trek Fuel and it feels much more stable than previous bikes. It is a 29er but can run 650+.

It climbs well and goes down very well. I wanted a bike I could test first and this one was by far my favourite of everything I tried.

Think the model below mine won trial bike of the year on MBR.

Only 2 rides in so no news yet from my purple pads!

I’m 5ft 11 and found the large too big. The dropper was too high even when slammed and the whole bike felt too big. Medium then felt a bit small! So ended up buying something else. Lovely bikes though!

I tried a few and ended up with a Trek Fuel EX8 (29er) – its a lot of fun!

The orange would have been much nicer had they not put purple buckles all over it.

here is hoping they will last! Will report back after the weekend! I believe I can now be spotted from Mars lol.

So my 2018 Montaro in Vermillion arrived today. The pics online do not really do the colour justice. Its certainly bright and very orange lol!

Damn that’s purple!

Hope they last! I looked at the ambush but sadly those fixed straps don’t fit my long ears! Same as the Bontrager Rally, fitted great apart from straps – damn my ears!

Just spoke to leisure lake cycles earlier and asked if there was any difference between the 2017 and 2018 models as they have both. Apparently there is none apart from they took away a few colours and added some different ones.

I know the pads ara an issue but this helmet is so damn comfortable on my head!

The new Matt vermillion is on gyro website? Is that not 2018 one? I don’t know!

http://www.giro.com/eu_en/products/men/helmets/dirt.html

Does look darker but color is described as the same! Certainly stand out!!! Does it look ok when lying sideways  after a fall?!

It’s certainly quite bright!! Orange helmet with blue jacket…. interesting lol

think I prefer it to blue helmet though!!

Ok I might go for the Vermillion one! Its half the price and will be seen!!!

@Akers – they have my size! I thought it was a red colour but in some pics it looks more orange!

I have read about the pads – but nothing else i have tried fits by head and is comfortable – I have tried on quite a few!

Giro chronicle – didn’t like the exposed edges, already damaged on arrival

Troy Lee A2 – too much pressure on front

Bell Sixer and Bell 4Forty – used to love my old Bell but new ones are a differet fit

7idp M2 – didn’t fit round back

Bontrager Rally – comfy but the fixed straps didnt go under my long ears!

Bell Super 3 – not comftable around front

661 Evo – perched too high on my head

Well I haven’t bought a black one yet so not yet a loser lol

Although the black version is £30 cheaper than the blue version on CRC!!

Tried a 7idp M2 and felt that the rear cage/adjuster a bit uncomfortable against my head. Shame as it was light and looked good!

Tried so many helmets and the Montaro suited my head really well! If it was all blue I would probably just go for the blue one… but its those lime bits!!!!

Straps on blue and black helmets are both black – actaully not seen the blue in the flesh! no ide how blue and lime it is on the eye!!!

Gotta get myself those pants!!!

As for Orange – it does come in orange, but I im usually either in black or blue… liek thats some clash right? fashion police would shoot me. But in those pants they would have to catch me first!

Edit – new version no lobger comes in orange.