Thanks both. Seem to have plenty of choice!

Thanks for the input. Looks as though second hand is the way to go at this stage. Something that won’t cost the earth and can then be used as a winter trainer.

Oh – I see, apologies. I’ll try and get it removed. That explains why I couldn’t find my previous post.

Becky Kirk- can i ask where did you get your stickers from and is that a standard colour or a respray? Think Mrs JP would like some of those stickers for her new bike!

MikeWW – those Formes look great. Would you mind sharing any details on what spec you’ve built them to? I can feel a project in the offing! Cheers

5’7 here with a 30″ inside leg. 17″ fits me perfect

Hmm, I’d like to retract my ‘not to worried about price’ statement, can’t justify the Rapha price tag. Gore phantom and endura stealth are now top of the list to try on. Cheers all.

Minefield then! Appreciate the advice. I’ll take a look at the aldi offerings and the gore stuff. The montane soft shells seem to get good reviews so will probably check those out too.

I’ve got a 17″ Five Pro. 5’7″ with a 29 – 30″ inside leg and it’s a perfect fit. Nearly changed my order to a 16″ at the last minute after reading lots of posts on here about 6′ something’s riding 16″ Fives. So glad I didn’t. Fit a reverb too and you’ll really get the most out of it.

No experience of the pitch but have ridden the lapierre and the orange.

I’m 5’7″, 72 kg’s, mainly ride trail centres and pick up my new 17″ Five tomorrow!

I enjoy the climbs so expected to prefer the zesty based on reviews but in my opinion the five was much better uphill.

If you’re in that price bracket and like the up’s, have a look at the Santa cruz nickel, the marketing is right ‘it descends like bigger bike than it is’ deliberated over this and the five for about a week and it was a very close call.

Cheers for the advice fella. Sounds like I’m putting off the inevitable then? Best get saving for the tow bar.

I’m 5’7″ and currently waiting for my 17″ Five to arrive. Completely confident with my decision until I read the above and now paranoid I should have gone for a 16″!! Sleepless night ahead I think . . .

I’m afraid I may have compounded the problem – ordered mine earlier this week!

Thanks All. Teapot – YGM

Wise words – I’m going to need a bigger shed!

Thanks for the advice. I’ll make some enquiries this morning. Keeping the frame seems like the right thing to do if I can afford to. Cheers.

Sorry, should have said, Santa Cruz Nickel. Doesn’t look anything out of the ordinary but rides great.

Hmm. Hadn’t thought about keeping the frame. Probably not a bad idea and could maybe build it up over time into something low maintenance for the winter months.

Certainly don’t dislike the Soul, it’s just I was surprised by how direct the Nickel felt going up-hill and massively enjoyed the downs!

So looks as though with new frame, headset, seatclamp and seatpost shim I might be in business?

Thanks for the info.
JP

What size is Sean? I keep toying with the idea of building up a 5. Cheers

Went up for a weekend last year with a group of friends and thoroughly enjoyed it. Glentress and Innerleithen are both awesome.

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in that area (about 15 minutes from Glentress and Innerleithen out the back door), I would thoroughly recommend Innerhaven. Top end accomodation for bargainous prices and Andy is only too happy to sort people out with ride advice to get the most out of your trip.

thanks for the info mboy and snowslave. I did look at the SL2 on the on-one site a couple of days back. Can’t quite work out how it’s £185 on-one and £125 planet-x for what looks to be the same light with a different mount?

coffeeking – it’s always seriously technical!

Thanks for the info z1ppy.

Main thing I’m after is a decent flood that will sit firmly on the bars and not something which is too much of a spot (which was my main worry from another torch).

But from what I can make out, the P7 combo comes to about £50 from your shopping list above so it might be worth a punt after all?

Cheers!

mccett – mine’s a small.

Cheers.

I’ll have another go . . .

First ever photo post (hopefully) – Thought I’d get it whilst it was clean!