@colournoise – just need to get around ordering some from SJS. They seem to stock all the random stuff!

M785s – loads of power, never found them on/off but I’m 100kg so could be a factor, reliable and easy to bleed

M8000s – avoid unless you get the levers with NK on the sticker. Apparently this is the batch that have been tested and won’t pump up. Scary that Shimano don’t test all their kit. When they work, awesome, power + control. If not, bite point is a gamble.

Zees – early days, feel less ‘solid’ when using resin pads compared to metal pads in XTs but seem to have plenty of power. Would prefer metal pads + the tool free lever adjust, bite adjust, proper pad bolts not split pins but the latter points are more to do with working on them than riding.

HTH

If you’re canny you can spec a pretty good Aeris for 2k.

All that effort and you didn’t use the right colour / placement of the cable tie. Slacker.

First ride report…

Bloody. Amazing. If you’re thinking about buying one in the slightest, go try one. Really stable at speed. Nimble on switchbacks. Really glad I went XL.

Ok, so the front mech mount won’t win any beauty contests but stick a bottle opener on it, crack open a beer and enjoy.

@markoc – thanks. Took about 3 weeks as ordered just before a shipment arrived. I was toying with the large but would have needed a 50mm+ stem to get the same position which seemed off given it was designed for a 35mm stem.

@Trimix – horses for courses innit – I prefer external as easier to work on. Plus it’s pretty industrial (which I like) so not fussed about the looks. And the lump? That’s where the bottle opener will be going :)

What can I say Del, I’m following a trend :wink:

Zeesaffa – I think I must have gibbon arms as this set up is the same seated position as my Soul (give or take 5mm). But it’s a fair bit longer on the wheelbase. What were you riding before?

Glad no one’s noticed how the cat’s attacked the fence post. And I blame Ben’s lot for the rear tyre alignment (but I do love how they used I spec mounts, cut the cables / hose just right, fitted the wobbly ring I wanted – details make the difference).

Google sheets is pretty powerful if you know what you’re doing – it will be adequate for 99.9% of users. As others have said, the issue could be comparability with advanced functions (sql etc.).

The Student version of office can be had pretty cheap if you’re worried.

Non-bikers. You can’t live with them and you can’t shoot them…

@coomber – XT11, 160 pikes, monarch plus, ex1501 wheels, 35mm atlas stem, next carbon bars. Looking like my first ride will be Wednesday night at Haldon. New bike, in the dark and rain, on the unmarked stuff. Lovely :)

Email in profile if you have any Qs.

Bit further than Bristol but if you can make it to Exeter you can try my XL. Should arrive tmw :)

You. Can. Do. It.

Love my m785 XTs. Modulation isn’t difficult, just don’t squeeze the lever quite so hard.

So let me get this right.

I’m OK if I use/don’t use dry/wet all year around and make sure I buy/don’t buy Muc Off/R’n’R/Viking Juice/Putoline/Finish Line/Squirt/Scott Oiler?

Top work chaps :wink:

Thanks for the letting me know. The next two weeks are going to pass veeerrrryyyy slowly.

So good to hear the positive real world reviews – got one coming in a few weeks. Have gone for ‘mad’ yellow.

How did you find it on tight twisty stuff? I don’t doubt the stability but the wheelbase is a fair bit longer than my soul.

I’ve already got one bright orange bike so went for the subtle yellow.

Rhid – what do you think of the 1501 wheels?

I think I can tell the positive difference my oval ab ring makes. But I’m certain having one and say it’s good annoys some people. Double win.

6.10 by a ‘bored’ 7 year old. I take anything past 6.30 as a lie in though.

Maserati ads

Curate
Reach out
Synergistic
Disrupt
Music after 2002
Trek
Hipsters
Incorrect use of apostrophes’
Stew with lids

I’m going for…

Yellow frame
150 rc pikes
Monarch plus shock
XT11, Inc brakes and cranks (putting an absolute black oval on)
DT ex1501 wheels with minion 3c front, hr2 back
Next 760mm carbon bars, 35mm atlas stem, 150mm reverb

Can’t frigging wait for it to arrive!

It’s not really a proper swing but there’s a spinny thing with swing seats in the local park that’s claimed 4+ broken bones in the last 12 months. It’s pretty new as well.

Done.

Lost step mum to cancer a few years back, Nan survived bowel cancer, step dad not looking good.

**** cancer.

I’ve got an Aeris coming in a few weeks – can’t wait to get hold of it.

I’m 6′ 1″ and spoke to the guys at Bird and they said go for the XL as with a 35mm stem and the seat in the middle (rather than pushed back), it’s the same position as my large soul with a 35mm stem.

From what I’ve read on here, the new frames have stiffer BBs.

Not sure on the CX bike. Might be ok but they’ve not released the route yet so hard to say. Maybe give Big Peaks a call?

One on el guapo (sp?) bars + their CNC stem. Not expensive and put up with my weight.

Don’t waste your time with Devon. Crap beaches, nothing for the kids, godawful riding…

If the 1x is a double with one ring, you could fit a granny but no mech / shifter and manually change if you really need it. Cheaper and lighter :)

I get plenty of miles out of proper finned shimanos but discos are good if you want to save a few quid.

Ardent race on the back and keep one of the HR2 on the front.

Spoke to Bird today and have opted for the XL with a 35mm stem as it will put me in pretty much the same seated position as my Soul with a 70mm stem.

Excited like a fat kid in a sweetshop…

I have a lovely problem. I’m getting an Aeris but not sure what size. I’ve got a large classic Soul (610mm ett + 70mm stem + saddle pushed right back on an inline dropper) and at 6′ 1″ I’m between a large and an XL but I’m thinking an XL (660 ett) with a 35mm stem and the saddle in the right position.

What say you STW?

What jwray says. HR2 good on front but Minion 3c better – squarer edges dig in better. HR2 exo tough and grippy on the back.

Misjah and Tim – Access.

When push comes to shove your employer will screw you over. Your kids will give you a hug then ask for coco pops. It’s not easy but family first.

I’ve just had a similar issue with with a HR2 – never been an issue before but the one I’ve just fitted to a Flow EX was a right PITA and ~20% of the bead wouldn’t pop. I let some pressure out, rode it round in circles, pumped up rock hard, rode around in circles again, up and down kerbs, pulled it away from the bead where it wouldn’t seat and it seated in the end. Didn’t get the usual pop but all the air was in there 12 hours later (will no doubt be flat when I get home now). That was with a single layer of 25mm gorilla tape + stans sealant btw.

I like my Shimano 81s. Just get a size bigger than normal and get thicker socks for extra toastiness. Don’t think they’re narrow. Del of this parish has got some Lake winter boots that he says are almost too warm. Could be worth a look if you’re really suffering.

I need to replace my original solarstorm x2 and am quite happy with another, not fake, one. Anyone know any reliable sellers?

Stupid bloody Flickr thing…https://flic.kr/p/Dey8L5.