Is there a way you can select a frame from that and embed as a screen saver?

Beautifully shot film that

One thing we used to do in running was to wear two very thin and light water resistant tops together.

Didn’t get the boil in the bag, its a cheap option, pretty light and near enough fully waterproof (rain gets through after about 1.5-2 hours)
You can wear one layer normally to keep wind chill off and then put on the second layer when its starts to rain heavier.

My current favourite set up, although its not cheap, is to use a Gore ALP-X soft shell set up for normal riding and add a lightweight water resistant top over that when the rain gets heavy. I accept this does not truly answer your original, moon on a stick, question

Logic of design? My understanding (and indeed my experience) is that the 29 front gives the advantage of rolling into (through) things while the 26 rear gives the acceleration and gearing of the smaller wheel

Yes I’ve heard that too. Doesn’t make much sense to me.As Brant says both wheels have to accelerate. The front wheel rolling over the stuff was a foretaste of 29er wonderment.

I’ve always thought bike design was part science,part engineering and part alchemy.

This bike just works.Probably down to good old luck.

I’ve had a Trek 69er SS for about four years. Absolutely love it. Probably my favourite bike ever.

Can’t say I understand the logic of the design, but its the riding that counts and that makes perfect sense.

I honestly think its a thing of beauty so I’m hardly bothered with the haters.

I have one you don’t. I’m happy.

Are you sticking close to the route 3?

Would have thought Dartmoor would have been your best bet as stated above and there are a few campsites in the south side.

If you are coming up to Exmoor you can camp in my paddock :-)

Like that bikestand quintet100

Where from,any good?

My Turner Czar is most definitely better than the Anthem I had previously.
But then it should be as it costs a gazillion pounds more!
For the price I can’t believe you can do much better than the 29er Anthem, but then as has been said above depends on what “XC” you are riding

I’ve been riding SS for the past 10 years from November to March. Main reasons were to simplify mechanicals, ease of post ride cleaning and the development of on bike strength.
I’ve tried rigid but found on Exmoor,Dartmoor and Quantocks where I do most of my riding it was really hard work. Just kept on bouncing off rocky stuff that is obscured in leaves or mud.

Rigid SS would certainly work in less technical terrain.29er version would be my choice if starting from scratch.

Now ride Trek 69er SS as my main bike for winter.Works fine.

Ok, Ok, my mistake. In all seriousness though will the ATR take 140mm rotors? I think I read somewhere that the skeleton mount will only take 160mm rotors

My understanding as well

I’m looking at getting some avid 40 cm discs for front and rear

I am not sure you need them that big…

But imagine the stopping power :-)

The Gore Alp-X is almost certainly the best bit of cycling clothing I have ever owned.

Had real trouble justifying the cost on purchase (bought in Jan sales) but this is an incredible bit of kit. Very lightweight, but does exactly what you want it too. Zip off arms adds to its versatility

You pays your money………

I’ve just taken my Mud-X off my 69er and replaced with Hutchinson Toro.
I found the Mud-X fine on this bike as an all round tyre, but I wanted a change as they were on the slow side and the low volume meant you had constant rim whacks on the rocks of Dartmoor where I tend to use this bike (run at 25psi)

Wont know if I made the right decision for a few months yet. Its baking in Devon at the moment :-)

Its a female sparrowhawk IMHO

I thought it might have been a Goshawk as well at first but I don’t think they play tennis. Female sparrowhawks are quite a bit bigger than the males and I think only females have the banding on the tail which is clearly visible.

Thanks for your comments.
I think because my emphasis is so much more gravel/xc than road, which will only be connecting bits to the next off road section I may be able to handle it.
I guess I can only try it and see.

On a separate note (slightly) whats the best option for a frame only sale at the moment. Do Merlin actually have stock? I need a 51cm

I’ve been reading this thread for such a long time and I have to say its really been good to see guys and gals helping each other out and generally being so informative. Surely, this is what forums should be like!
Anywho. Having nearly pressed the button on a build kit several times I think I’m going to go for a frame because, as brassneck says above, I think I would want to change so much of the build kit. My original plan was to replace as it wears out but I’ve got a feeling that maybe sometime.
My thoughts at the moment is to go for a similar gear set up as my mtb’s ie. 32 thick thin on the front and an 11-36 on the back without chain guide. My intended use is 20% road and 40% tracks and off road each. Do you think this will work? I’m assuming the main downside is not a high enough gear on the road if I’m lucky enough to give it some whelly.

i’d be annoyed they are selling the same bike for 1/3 of the price…

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/yeti-575-bike-anniversary-edition-2011/rp-prod115691

For the life of me I can’t see how that’s the same bike jam bo

I know that it must be annoying but probably on a 3.5 year old bike not too bad a service.
Mine cracked after 6 weeks and I got a very speedy replacement.
In white – sorry :-)

Recent diet should have no effect on cholesterol levels. Long term diet obviously will.
Fasting blood tests are usually requested to measure triglyceride levels which is another component of the lipid profile.
If you have ever seen a spun blood sample that looks like vanilla milkshake (as I often have)you will understand why a fasted blood sample is needed.

Please don’t think I’m being rude OP, but have you checked the clutch is on?
Only saying ‘cos I left mine off after a wheel change

Niner air 9c on the Quantocks

There is a lot of white there honest!

Honestly, one of the best tips I ever received from this forum was to try a Saint front shifter on my 1×10 set ups. All set up with clutch mechs and thick/thin front ring.
They’re cheap and really (really) improve shifting.

I live near Woolacombe. Not that much about to be honest,and what there is will probably need a local. But to second ZippyKona, a trip to Southfork in Braunton will be your best starting point. That Sustrans route from Woolacombe to Puts is dead pretty though. Better done as a run I think with a continuation around Baggy point (if thats your thing!)

24lbs front and rear on 29er Rons
Could almost certainly drop a bit on the front, but I ride in rocky exmoor/dartmoor and am a bit scared to do so!

Also ordered XL in orange
Bought for winter road running
Thanks OP for heads up

+1 for a simple NO

I’m 5’8″ with 29″ inside and ride medium Niner air 9c and medium Turner Czar. Both fit beautifully for me with 80mm stem.
For what its worth I also ride a medium Trek 69er _ thats my token 26er foolishness :-)

they are bracken catchers,they aren’t needed so much now with wide bars etc

etc = they totally ruin the look of your bike?

don’t agree with that at all

On a riser bar? Yea thats a wrong ‘un
On a nice flat bar? they look great.

I guess I fitted bar ends to the Niner for many of the reasons already menioned: different bar position,felt good on climbs, definitely better out of the saddle.
But they are coming off soon for the same arguments above: they are bracken catchers,they aren’t needed so much now with wide bars etc

A dreadful picture but here’s my vote for the Turner Czar.
You know its fast, you know its agile, but you will be amazed at the unexpected grip this bike has on short, steep technical stuff. I’ve cleared sections on our rides that none of us have done in my riding group.
This version weighs only 22.5 lbs with pedals but is fully trail worthy as well.
Could drop about 3/4 – 1 lb if you want to go racer light. I didn’t

Tramuntana tours I found very good. Lovely riding of an XC nature. Shop in Soller and Puerto de Soller.
Andy is the guys name I think.

Fellow NHS primary care discount?

bentos – +1

A CX bike with two sets of wheels/tyres(road/off road) would allow you to get the best of the area.
It is very pretty around there. You wont be disappointed (especially if you like bird watching :-))

twoniner – what did we tell you about washing the salt off your bike after a ride on the beach :-)

Opposite Appledore

Saunton sands North Devon

Sorry second post

Saunton Sands North Devon

That makes three Czars I know of in North Devon!
Clearly a wealthy part of the world :-)

Chris – I think you may get a lot of fatbikes. I’ll try and dig out a pic of my Kona test bike at Saunton

I’ve used a MK 1 for commuting without problems. Load carrying is never going to be great but then on a commute you might not need much. I did get a bike with both wheels off inside on the passenger seat once (pedal in left ear though!)
Very tail loose in ice and snow if too enthusiastic with right foot.

How much do these bags weigh please?

No I’m not a weight weenie, just wondered how much they contribute to your flight allowance.

Roberts – everyone loves a DOGS BOLX

another bike Graves can win on?

He does seem to be able to win on anything. Enduro fatbike? :-)