Just set up 32T on the front with 11-36 rear on my Czar.
Been fine on the little riding I’ve done although I run SS in the winter here in Devon so I’m used to grunting away!

Thanks to you both.

DON’T MENTION THE EYES!!!!!!!!!!!

And that’s Anna Sloans eyes not Eve Muirhead

Not that I’ve been looking closely you understand!

DON’T MENTION THE EYES!!!!!!!!!!!

And that’s Anna Sloans eyes not Eve Muirhead

Not that I’ve been looking closely you understand!

Loved it. Thanks for sharing

Mmmmmmmm

My first issue. Looking forward to quiet read tonight (wife away!)

Hi Bedds
Like you I’m a long term MudX user.I changed to Hutchinson Toro’s to offset some of the sidewall collapse I got on the rear Bonty’s when crashing through rocks.
So far so good. Faster tyre but not quite the grip.

Slight off topic, but is it right you have to release the clutch on clutch mechs to take the rear wheel out? I’ve never done that!
Apologies OP for hijack :-)

I have two
A real rat bike.1985 (I think. Its frame number is 3)Roberts DOGS BOLX rigid ,steel and canti braked.This is now relegated to the Tarka trail bike or poodling with the wife, although its done all of the big drops on Exmoor and Dartmoor.
Trek 69er which I was riding on the Quantocks but a few hours ago getting very muddy. The Trek probably counts as my favorite bike ever.

z1ppy +1

I have used Mud -X’s for the past couple of winters, mainly on a Trek 69er. They continue to amaze me what they can deal with, and that includes the slippy wet granite of Dartmoor(nothing deals with wet roots – agreed!). They are a bit heavy and a bit draggy but hey, its winter. You’ll be carrying a few kilo’s of mud anyway.
Just wish they did Mud-X’s with a bit more width and volume.

I’m disappointed with the OP’s review of the Tora’s as that’s what I was going to try this winter to get some volume into my winter tyres

By the way z1ppy – rocket rons seem to work for me in the winter, but only in 29er version

I’m there as well.
My understanding is that the bike route will be pretty straight forward and fast. Hope so, I’ve been doing time trials on my Niner to prepare.
Sam’s a cracking rider but I think the organisers find themselves in the difficult position of trying to attract road triathletes to the off road world who would freak at anything too difficult. Not the same in Europe as I’ve done races that are proper mountain biking routes ie potential for death or serious injury if you get it wrong!
I was convinced off road triathlons were the future, but the cancellations of the Xtri series events leaves me wondering about what’s going to be on offer next year. There will be a “summit” of organisers present this weekend to look at this issue.

Yep…took a second cut of the front paddock two days ago. Turned it twice and bailed it today.Looks good.
No time to ride the bike but I will get over to Haldon tomorrow evening and Q’s on Saturday (or vice versa)

Bontrager Mud X. My go to winter tyre and surprisingly good on the wet rocks of Dartmoor and Exmmor. Rated as 2.1 but seems narrower
Bit draggy but I guess nothing compared with a Hans

Went to Sierra’s last year late October with Singletrack safari. Days were definitely getting colder, trails were absolutely fine, but not the baking hot you may want. Interesting to see locals in thermals when we were in short sleeved tops and baggies. Would also suggest early October

Like you I’ve been riding mountain bikes for many years (30 years 2014) and I now find I choose bikes on the basis of whether it “just feels right”
Never mind the hype, never mind the numbers,never mind the engineering sometimes you can tell your on something special. The first time I rode the Air 9 (RDO) I got “that” feeling. I love riding the Niner,the only way I can describe it is its like riding a road bike that you can tackle some seriously tricky trails – I ride mine currently with the rigid fork and my local trails are Dartmoor,Exmoor and Q’s
The only alternative I could suggest is you try the OMD as well. Its heavier but still has that special ride feel.

5’8″ 29 inch inside leg and ride a medium Air 9C (80mm stem)
Also ride Trek 69er 17 inch if that counts

I was up there weekend before last & it was fairly gloopy but we’ve had sun & snow since then so difficult to say.
I’ve got to go to Bratton Fleming @ 4pm so I’ll take the scenic route & let you know.

Snaps I live in Bratton and we had a proper snow storm last night!
Today has been pretty good with lots of sun and ground is quite dry after about a week of no rain.Hawkcombe out of Porlock has a lot of water running down it both nothing unrideable. Pretty cold and windy on Dunkery so dress up warm!

I run my tyres at 24lbs F/R. And I’m anal enough to check pressures with independent pressure gauge (pretty close to JoBlow though) Never had a problem apart from a big slide at Horner woods which burped the tyre off. But I think it would have gone regardless of tyre pressure.
And not wanting to start off another range war but… my god do Rocket Rons grip in 29er version at 24 lbs and still roll fast.

Also to go back to the OP. I’ve stopped using CO2 to bang the tyres up as I’ve been told it causes the latex to “coagulate” I certainly noticed some lumpiness when I used CO2. Nowadays I manage with a track pump.
I must say I’ve found Schwalbe tyres to be quite variable in side wall permeability. Some friends and I bought a batch of ten from Germany. Eight went on fine but two of them where real mares and leaked for weeks until finally settling down.

Roma Maxima tomorrow – what a great weekend of Italian cycling!

+2 for Ralph rear Ron front.Not just for racing either. They stay on the Air 9 all year.

+1 for American Classic.They are very light for the money and reliable. I’ve got the race version and they have been without fault for a year on the Air 9, and I’m running the frame with the rigid fork so they do get pretty bashed (Exmoor,Dartmoor, Quantocks)

There is quite an extensive thread on the previous page.
Sharki’s route down to the chimney was ruined a year (maybe a bit more) ago

I went into my lbc a few weeks ago to see a Niner RDO Air 9 converted into a touring bike. I had to take a photo on my Iphone just to show my friend (we are both air 9 owners)
I’m appalled and quite frankly none of you deserve that much of a shock on a Sunday night.
My God…it had mudguards. Its an RDO!!!!
Oh the horror

Believe it or not I rode off road on tubs over 25 years ago. We were sponsored by Chickens (the cycle importer not the domestic fowl before anyone starts)at the time and they brought in some Conti tubs on the Gitane bikes we were issued with. If I remember they weighed about a kilo each, had no grip and felt like wooden hoops.Dugast tubs are lovely (based on a one “lets have a go of those” ride)

Notice that the people on here who actually own 301’s ride 140 rocker plates with 160 forks. Was that a considered decision chaps?

1988 DOGS BOLX – still using original American Classic seatpost. Well actually its welded in and I can’t budge it!
Did get 20years out of a Shimano deore rear mech on a Kona Explosif. Sold it with it on.

Did anyone do this?
Any good?

I’ve used Ashima on several bikes in different diameters without problem.
Have had problems with some fancy white centred Alligators that seemed to overheat and loose braking.They do look pretty though. Form over function moi?

I use themolites for about 50% of my years riding – great piece of kit.
Love Gore stuff but do find sizing is on the small size – or am I on the big size?

Just like chiefgrooveguru I’m interested in using the 34 as a 1×10 but on a 29er.
Anyone have any experience? Most of my riding is quantocks/exmoor/dartmoor

Was told by a guiding company recently that the Chain Reaction soft bag was a reasonable facsimile of the Evoc bag. Can anyone comment?

Andy R is spot on about hearing Raven wingbeats. It is very characteristic as is diamond shaped tail and extended neck (far more than any other Corvid)
I live on the edge of Exmoor and see as many ravens as I do any other garden bird !!

Glad you enjoyed your weekend. Knottie is a top guide and all round good guy.
Don’t forget we need to meet up for a Winsford ride and it’ll be your turn to lead. And I’ll be holding you to the “best cream tea” claim!
Have fun

John (Anthem rider Saturday)

Mud X 29 up front and a pert mud x 26 out back on my 69er.

Not the largest volume or best clag traction but very good do it all for over the winter.

In comparison I’d usually run Schwalbe Black Shark Mud X on the 26 inch bikes but they can get sketchy on wet tarmac/rocks/roots in comparison. Reign supreme in the sloppy stuff though.
My choice exactly. In fact I don’t take the Mud X’s off all year now and they cope with everything I throw at them.

If anyone turns up with a 17.5" 2008 Trek, has a terrible time, and wants to sell it please let me know.

No its not that one. its the B road leading north east out of Barny heading towards Bratton Fleming – and quite honestly Snapper is only a little place best used as part of a longer ride. I do have a reasonable local route including Snapper which we usually use when its a bit dry (which rarely happens in North Devon).
You could go over to Arlington Court from Loxhore Cott which might make a quick, but less muddy, alternative.

Bellever on Dartmoor Devon??