That’s good to know, any pictures of your bike. Have you made any upgrades or just kept it stock?

Geo.  specs should not be taken in isolation , but that bottom bracket drop does seem extreme for a 29er hardtail. The Boardman mtb pro 29er (2016/17) bb drop 63mm, Pinnacle Ramin 3 has a 58mm bb drop, Cotic Solaris 60mm bb drop, so 17mm for the Boardman does seem weird and I wonder how it would feel to ride, twitchy and perched on the bike or planted and in the bike, or of no concern. The review is on the Boardman site (no pictures), the only thing MBUK didn’t like was weird bar shape and the reach could be longer. I Just got an email back from Halfords saying it will be restocked in the autumn!

The review was in June issue. I’m 5’9″, short legs so usually go for a 17 inch frame. I did try the 8.8 bike for size seemed fine ( labeled an 18 frame website says it is 17 frame). Cycle republic say they might have a couple of medium 8.9 bikes but I still want to figure out that bb drop figure.

How much does the frame weigh? And the fork for that matter. From what I recall the mk3 stooge frame weighs nearly 7lb which seems really heavy for a rigid frame (I know weight isn’t everything, but still that does seem porky). Is it all about the look ( i think both stooge frames look great) or does all that extra tubing make a difference?

Those Boardman hardtails do look good. Looking at the MHT8.9, the medium should fit me but the bottom bracket drop seems very small at only 17mm, other bikes seem to around 50-60mm.

HAPPYXMAS10 code no longer working. I am wondering what is the cheapest anyone has bought one for after applying all discounts?

I am also thinking of getting one, and at that price it seems mad not too. Does anyone know anything about replacing the shock rocker link with a betd one. I can’t see anything on their website but it supposedly lowers the bb height and slackens the head angle.

What is the new Soul going to be like, any info? Will there be a new Solaris?

Slightly longer top tube, slightly bigger bottom bracket drop, slightly slacker head angle and new colours.

Bottom bracket drop is shallower than seems the fashion at the moment. Does it really matter, is there a difference that is noticeable compared to other frames. Cotic/Pace are 56mm drop, v Singular Swift/Stooge are 65mm drop. Pinnacle Ramin 1 is 67mm. Whyte 629 I think is a bigger drop but not posted on site. I find bb drop easier to figure than bb height because that must change due to wheel and tyre combinations.

Frame option would be great, not a huge fan of sram gears and brakes.

Based in Scotland. I have had a sit on a 2016 529, reach felt just about right, I just felt that if I could have the length but with maybe a 16” frame it would be great.So with the 2017 629 I could get away with a medium, but I could also maybe use a small. Just found out that Velocity 44 in Stirling are a dealer and Billy Bilsland in Glasgow are also a Performance test centre (whatever that means).If anyone at the mag is around I would like their input. Thanks.

If you need wheels you are carrying too much.
Try the Carryology website for some info.

I was hoping that the roadrat would have 70mm bb drop; does the 10mm make a difference?

The short making of videos are also very good.

Tinker taylor, Mork and Mindy, Dad’s Army, Survivors, MASH. As an aside to Blake’s 7, I hope you have all watched Blake’s Junction 7?

Wheels, or more to the point rims. Velocity Blunt SS, does the Swift suit a wider but not too wide rim (madness to choose Easton Heist wheelset?) I will be going 29 rather than 650b+, for the moment anyway.

Interesting, I still think skinwall tyres would look good! My Favourite bike was a Kona hardtail of some years ago, so the Swift should be ideal? I have read most of a very long mtbr thread and I like what was written about this frame.I also like the Stooge, but a slightly more classic bike and look is what I am after at the moment.

Are they showing the new range at eurobike?

They all look great but singlecracks looks really great. Love that fork.

I am glad about the tyre sizes, especially the 27+ option. I would like it still to have a front mech option, but please get those pictures taken!

james*o, is that a new bike you are testing or a cobbled together frame fork and bits? 650b tyres? Like the pics on your flickr, looked like a great trip. Anymore news on the Pinnacle bikes 2016 range?

That I like very much. Any more new stuff you can tell us about?

Shock news,citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain wished to stay citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain.

More news on Dirt Rag, 19″ stays!

Vostok Amphibia 420, replaced the strap with a campagnolo synthetic. Love it.

Are these suitable for off road riding, or is it only for cruising to the pub?

When I first saw it at the cinema I thought it was ok. I watched it again on dvd sometime later and thought it was a lot better. Now,after watching it a number of times I think it is great, alongside with oh brother. Might wear my little lebowski urban achievers t-shirt today.

The chainstay length looks very long, but with this obsession with the shortest stays, does it really matter?

I wonder if there will be a new version of the steel diamond frame jones?
Would the 67.5 head angle + 76mm offset fork work on the standard 29er?
john_l. I would love to see a picture of your bike as we are a similar height, short cranks, stem length/rise, layback post?

430mm is short enough for me, it’s not a custom 44 bike(which I would love, but very expensive); but for a mainstream dealer I think it looks great.

Thanks for that info, it’s good to know. I like the Lithium 5 as well (could be expensive at Evans later in the year); no Neon’s this year,too much like the Hoy bikes?

31.9mm seat tube takes dropper but comes with a shimmed 27.2 seatpost.

16.5″ seat tube, 23″ top tube with 650b+(27.5x 2.8 ish) tyres ( 29+ I think too big for me) I can only wish.

Ramin’s sound very nice. I know you love your Jones, has that had any influence on the design of your bikes?

Any news on the rest of the pinnacle 2015 range( Ramin, etc) and Hoy range?

Haflinger Grizzly (still going strong after 7 years wear) and Crocs Blitzen 2.

At only 5’9″ (and a bit), is this frame going to be a bit large for me? I think not (I hope), 50mm renthal stem, nice wide flat bars, inline seatpost, 1×10 gears, goldtec hubs and some nice wide and light rims. It seems either this or the Singular Rooster, choices, choices.

Curtis, Pace and Genesis SS look great. amplebrew’s Jones looks perfect and thanks for that info. Are those custom length ESI grips? Chunky or racer and how did you get hold of them?

Thank you for the reply. I suppose what I would really like is a semi custom Jones, everything the same just with a 17″ or 16.5″ inch seat tube, a bit like drjons semi custom merlin Jones. Always ridden a 17″ frame and think the 18″ Jones may be little bit close when it comes to standover but only a test will sort that out. I do like that Fortitude and the Canfield.