John – dolomite post is going on the site this week.

Atlaz,

you’re right, the HST has increased taxes to between 12 and 14% in most provinces.

What I forgot to point out is that prices quoted in Canada and US don’t include tax, so the Samurai frame would retail for CAD$1455 plus 12% tax in BC so just over £1000 equivalent UK

Apparently there have been so many complaints in BC that the government is considering reversing the HST tax anyway.

John

yes, the Sakura is the same price as the Samurai.
I wont have the new Chromag Dolomite post until February – Minimalist is sold out unfortunately.

Unfortunately there is no way round the simple fact that all of Chromag’s frames produced in Whistler are expensive.
In order to keep the prices as close as possible to the Canadian retail prices I will be selling all Chromag frames direct from now on, but Canadian made frames are still way more expensive than Taiwanese made ones.

The Samurai is a fantastic frame but will set you back £950 – the price in Canada is now CAD$1455 but doesn’t include shipping, import duty or UK VAT (there is just 6% sales tax on the Canadian made frames over there).

The new Aperture has been introduced in response to riders wanting a frame like the Samurai but without the price tag!

I’d definitely recommend getting a basic heart rate monitor, e.g something from Decathlon, you don’t need anything fancy, but it helps if you can set high and low heart rate limits so you can make sure you’re training in the correct zone for your workout – it also really helps make sure that you do a mix of training and recovery sessions.
It’s surprisingly easy to overtrain on a turbo.
Also don’t overdo the interval sessions, no more than one a week – they should be very hard and should include a good 20 mins spin down.

The Foes was featured alongside the Gamjam in Singletrack, Dirt did a separate feature.
The Gamjam is £1549 for a frameset and the Foes 4X is £1779, the Orange Blood is £1579.99
The Gamjam comes in 13 colours including red to make you faster! :P

All great bikes – Gamjam is handmade in Canada, Foes still made in USA as far as I know, Blood Taiwan I think

I just have to mention Xprezo
Everything designed, tested and hand built in Bromont, Canada.
Super D

I got my frame done at Batchglow over nr. Dinnington.
Great paint finish and seems to be holding up well to chips and scratches, but make sure you are very clear about what bits need masking!
About £35 I think.

The Juniper is Chromag's women's specific saddle.
Firm padding, kevlar corners – pretty light too at 260g

May as well join in the blatant marketing! :D
Here's the new Xprezo Super D

Discostix – new shipment from Chromag is on it's way from Canada now – includes brand new colours of Lynx DT saddle, new red and blue Ranger stems and seat QR's, new Fubars Acute handlebar and re-stocks of everything else.
Should be dropping on CRC in about 10 days,

Cheers
John/Shorelines

gra,

I had an Alpine with coil Pikes – it was a blast!
The Pikes are for sale if you're interested (U Turn, 426, maxle with pop loc)

schrickvr6 – emailed you on the 16th. Sorry for the delay. Had a few technical prob's!

Cheers
John/Shorelines

Hi all,

I look after the distribution for Chromag in the UK now.
Only been doing it for around 6 months so still trying to get new dealers on board (CRC currently has the full range).

Regarding frames, the Samurai, TRL and Stylus all share the same basic geometry but have different tubesets and slightly different build details.
The Samurai is designed as a hardcore XC frame – what the guys at Chromag call a "mid weight" – designed for riders who predominantly want an XC bike that is capable of running a long travel fork (up to 150mm) and that can handle some gnarly descents and some drops and jumps.
The Samurai is hand built in British Columbia – the retail price is Canada is around CAN$1450 (so around £850 excluding shipping, duty and VAT which make sit £950). I've kept UK pricing in line but the exchange rate is pretty bad right now which is why the prices have gone up.

I'm the exclusive dealer for the handmade frames (Sakura, Samurai and TRL) and can normally do a pretty good deal on a frame and component package (and complete builds if you'd like).

The Stylus is basically a Taiwanese produced version of the TRL (the TRL is still made hand made in BC) – it's aimed more at Freeride and all mountain riding so can take bigger hits and will run a up to a 165mm fork. CRC has Stylus frames in stock. It features Sanko Japanese butted tubing as opposed to the the True Temper and 4130 chromoly of the Samurai.

Cheers
john@shore-lines.co.uk

DT78 – I've got a black Med complete bike for sale if you're interested? (flat bars, geared, Fulcrum 7 wheels, Easton/Ritchey, Shimano 105, Avid single digit rim brakes + mud guards + Brooks saddle).
Email me : johndb17@gmail.com and I'll send you pics.

Cheers

Have you looked at the Chromag Juniper on CRC?

Sorry couldn't make yeseterday Steve

Loads of STWers around Sheffield it seems – probably easiest to mail everyone and get some regular meets arranged

Hi all,

there's obviously a few of us around so let's get something organised!

Steve, may be able to get out tomorrow – what time you planning on riding?

Chromag Stylus – £585 on CRC
Truly a real hardcore hardtail!

Chromag Stylus
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=40596

I've found using a really light weight crew neck merino base layer (about 110g) under a slightly heavier synthetic zip neck long sleeve jersey or base layer works really well.
The thin merino layer stops you feeling damp + cold, and the synthetic layer is kept away form your skin and helps the merino to dry quicker.
I picked up Patagonia stuff really cheap in sales from a couple of outdoor shops and it's worked amazingly well.

If it gets really cold I just add a windproof gilet – wore this combination most of last winter right down to sub zero rides in the Peak.

Another huge "Thank You" to the organisers & marshalls and well done to everyone who finished – great event.
Special thanks to everyone at Newcastleton – nice to get such a friendly reception and real food!

Managed to squeeze in at all the cut offs and was almost ready to quit at cut off 4 but was glad I managed to carry on and finish in 13 hrs 40mins after a nerve tingling final descent in the dark!

Big fan of Hutchinson Toro's 2.15 – work great in the Peaks/Scotland/Lakes. Very grippy in wet and dry – good in damp rooty + rocky conditons and clear mud well. Lightweight, so great for XC and Enduro stuff, but have v. tough sidewalls.
You can run tubeless too.
Bit pricey but have lasted about 4x longer than my old Maxxis Advantage did!

Vinneyh

Just to let you and everyone know, I'm the new distributor for Chromag.
It's my first year since taking the brand on after Rolf had for a while, and so I'm still trying to build the dealer network – contacted most of the previous dealers but none were prepared to place any new orders, but I'm hoping that there will be a few on board for 2010.
CRC will indeed be carrying the full Chromag range excluding Sakura, Samurai and TRL framesets which you'll be able to order directly from me (they are all hand built to order so on average take 2 – 3 months.
They should have their stock in @ 2 weeks.

I'm just working out prices with Chromag for the frames so if you're interested drop me an email.

The web site will be finished soon, and I'll be adding a contact no.

Cheers
John
http://www.shore-lines.co.uk

Just thought I’d let you all know that I will be importing/distributing Chromag stuff this year!
Just in the process of setting up the new web site (shore-lines.co.uk) and contacting dealers etc. etc.

I do have a small amount of stock of bars, saddles, posts etc. so please feel free to contact me if you’re interested in anything.
I’ll also be handling all frame orders from the UK.

I’ll also be bringing in frames from Xprezo, body armour from Beastgear and replacement rings from eNVy

Cheers
John