But if one you only want / can have one bike, have always ridden with gears and are SS curious then this sort of frame is a good option. Or a slot dropout inbred 29er(will they make anymore??!) or a swift…

It’s actually a water butt!
But it leaked, and not very deep either. The official lifeproof ones we have dunked didn’t…

Sponging – Well it was the mech hanger on a unit that grabbed my attention! Did Dartmoor cycles supply the Unit frame as well? I’ll look into this…

Heads up on the cheapo ones – At work we bought an £18 iPhone 5 one from a guy locally. We wanted to test it and compare with a ‘real’ lifeproof case as we are working on something similar Just put it our IP test tank at work and it leaks a lot.

Sponging -Machine – bit stalkerish, but do you live in Plymouth? I overtook a white car with a kona Unit with super wide bars on yesterday between 4.30 and 5pm on the a38 just past March Mills roundabout….
it caught my attention as the bike was running gears and I wondered how you’ve a unit with a mech hanger???

Sorry for weirdness!

Cheezpleez – ‘TBH I found the Inbred and Swift a v similar ride’ good to hear – although makes the choice no easier.

‘Not quite as confident on the downs as my Inbred but that may be because it weighs almost nothing‘ This is interesting, as i’ve ridden a couple of lightweight carbon and alu 29ers and felt they were a bit skittish. A slightly ‘better planted’ bike will be better for 90% of the riding I do – after all i’m never going to win any races.

If anyone is in the SW with either inbred or swift I wouldn’t mind trying one out…

Mattjg I did wonder if zing was linked to budget… I think the Swift is way prettier than the Inbred and that’s got to account for something! I’ll send you an email about your medium Swift.

Sorry double post!

As always a balanced view, no one opinion sticking out more than the others!

Currently loooking to build a rigid 29er with SS and geared option. So looking at frame and fork options. My budget will only cater for inbred or second hand Swift, so trying to decide between the two. After riding a mk1 PA for some time and being a little dissapointed that it didn’t have the steel zing that my 90’s Stumpy had I think i’m looking for some zing….

Couple of comments here mentioning the good old ‘zing’ of steel frames. Notably the comparison of Swift and inbred. Does the Swift really have more zing than the inbred? And is the inbred really that much better downhill or riding more technical trails?

Gents, can I just say this thread is awesome and why forums should exist – To solve problems and in some ways innovate. Innovation starts at the fringes, by solving problems. That is all.

Awesome little Dogs. We have Gylly, he’s 2.5. I grew up with Labs and Spaniels, then developed allergies. No reactions from Gylly at all.

Our Niece was about 1 when we 1st had Gylly. Sure he knocked her over a few times with enthusiastic greetings, but now she is 4, our Nephew is 2 and he is very calm around them. He just accepts them and let’s them (heavily) stroke him etc.

Very loyal, very soft, but very bright and tireless (seeming as he is so lazy when at home). He runs about 3-4 times a week with me on 10km trail runs and does the odd bit of single track with the bikes. But I just can not stop him chasing sheep….so whenever we may have a chance of being near sheep he is on the lead. Any advice will be listen to!

‘Eclipse’ – Bodmin
Don’t get me started on Newquay
and ‘Fusion’ Kingsbridge

@carl let’s hear about Cardinham then?! Would be a good reason to head ‘home’ over the next couple of weeks…

Love a good dog thread!

Gylly dog, the G Man, razing it in sunnier times!

Wwaswas Many thanks for the link. Think i’ll leave this one due to the repair etc. But the offer was appreciated.

Wwaswas would like to see some pics of the Soul you mention please. It is definitely of interest. My email address is floydjt at hotmail dot com.
Thanks

Crikey – not looking good for the Inbred! The Mk1 PA is surprisingly stiff at the rear. But i’m only comparing this to an old Steel Stumpjumper I have, which i’m hoping to get nearer to regarding feel. So looking like a 2nd hand Soul it is…

Thanks for feedback/ help guys. Think you’ve helped seal the deal!

Guys, what is the X1 like? I’m considering the x1 & x2 deal so I can have bar & helmet options, then when wife & I ride or commute we can have 1 each. Hoping the x1 is enough on it’s own for off-road? I’ll use the x1 & headstrap for trail running as well due to it’s light weight.

ps44 Are we related?

Thanks for advice chaps. Have settled for a SkyeHigh 600 as it weighs the same and appears to pack down to the same dimensions as a Snugpack synthetic 2 season I’ve had for 16 years! So should be fine for what I require.

Will see how it fairs next weekend as Mrs Julioflo has set a New Years resolution to Bivvy at least once a month for the whole year. I’ll be helping here keep this, so will update with progress on here!

neninja – Hi, is there a headstrap available for the X1 and X2 to use either as a headtorch for Bivvying, trailrunning etc?

Oooo Just seen JEngledow’s post asking the same!

Anyone with Alpkit Skyehigh600 or Pipedream 400/600 bags out there?
Please can you share your experiences of using these year round in the UK? Pack size and weight seem to be the differentiating factors.

One of my thoughts for getting a 4 season bag is so that I have a bag ready to go for any trips to altitude or colder climates – my Wife and I are planning a trip to Iceland this year.

Sleeping bag recommendations please. Thinking 4 season, but not sure weather to go to the expense of a down bag over synthetic? Surely there must be some good deals around at the moment?

Done – good effort by your sis. A well put together survey.

Si, ontor, more than happy to oblige. Some of Hembury is a bit cheeky but it’s fun. As well as mechanical issues I’m all out of night lights at the moment, so it’ll have to be day time riding sometime soon. Haven’t ridden much around Bashers Halt, so that’d be good to learn.
& Slugwash, this thread reminds me, I never up dated you on the North coast to south coast (devon) bivvy trip I did back at easter. We followed the 2 moors way as much as we could while on exmoor & dartmoor. Did some lane work between the two moors, then roads from ivybridge to Prawle point. 2 nights out. Great trip.

Ontor, well if someone makes SS work, manages to live with it then I’m going to give it a go.
I’ll keep you posted!
And as for that climb up to water, it’s always going to be a pusher!

Thanks chaps. I’m down south in Buckfastleigh & typically ride up onto Pupers Hill, Newbridge, Dr B, hembury woods. Don’t get over East to Lustleigh much, then head to Haldon when it’s minging.

May give it a go, or set up a simple test. Nothing ventured nothing gained….

Yunki, please tell more of your rigid exploits…

Brilliant. It’s with a triple so Sora 3500 GS def. Before I purchase, you guys sure it will run 8 speed okay?
Thanks
Jus

Thanks. Felt a bit of a dumbass that I had overlooked rear mech capacity. The bike has basic shimano 8 speed shifter & V-brake lever combos. I just want to check they will be alright with the alivio rear mech as well?

Metalheart, good stuff, yep I’ve 33″ IL as well. 400mm seatpost needed I guess?

Oxy, perfect. I am the same height-a gnats whisker under 6′ and have been trying a few diff 29ers for size. As mentioned a medium Carve was great, but a medium giant was too small. Doesn’t help that I’m coming at this from a large Cannondale Rush that feels too long unless I run 60mm stem & saddle right forward…the proportions of your medium loom lovely btw

Arg, they all look brilliant. 6foot-ers, what size are you all riding? Medium Soul was too small for me, but from riding a mate’s medium Specialised Carve, I think a medium Solaris may do the trick…

Jamj1974 – Springy is just what I was hoping to hear. I’m a gnats whisker off 6′ with a similar inside leg. good stuff

Any more feedback on how these ride? How compliant is the frame? I have an old steel Stumpjumper that had a very special spring to it..does this frame replicate that in any way?

Also sizing – i’m 5’11 with long legs…guess i’m going to need the 19″
How are these sizing up for people?

I went from 150 both ends (pitch) to 110 rear 120 up front – Cannondale Rush. Much preferred the Rush, it’s just quicker, more agile and more fun. Okay, there are some trails I occasionally ride where you can feel it getting hung up a little more, but I don’t think it gets slowed down. However, like takisawa2 here am very close to going to zero for a bit…

To kind of confirm what has been said above. We rode W2 on Saturday.
The only diversion was that Whites decent is closed. From the end of Energy you have to climb all the back to the top of the White’s climb on fireroad, then over to the top of the Skyline descent. This made a great change, but there was a massive tree down on a very quick part of the Skyline descent which almost caught us out!

Thanks for replying Tim.
I am thinking our Border will be quite happy in one as well, he can be quite mellow at times.

Initially I thought a single wheel trailer would be the way to go, for similar reasons, and less drag, but have yet to find one with a carrying enclosure.

Found this one last night, the more expensive version seems well made, but the smaller appears too small (although he would be able to stick his head out of the skylight) judging by their measurements/ guidelines.

Doggy Ride[/url]

Thanks all, was thinking big tyres would be the only way to go if fully rigid. So, weights for fully rigid, steel forked, 1×9 / 1×10 please? I’m not weight weenying (it’s an inbred after all). But I’d love it if it’s lighter than the Alu Cannondale Rush it may replace, which is 27/28lb….