Can’t advise on the parking – I’ve always paid, but I would wait a little while before you go. Went last weekend and half the singletrack is closed at the moment. I think it’s all supposed to be open by ‘summer’. Worth waiting. The new bit ( for me anyway) that isn’t part of the loop but goes back towards the car park is rather fun though. Ended up riding that quite a few times.

Hi Northwind. I’m sorted thanks. Still needed a couple of shims to space it on the front but fitted and working, although not tried it on the trails yet. Thanks all.

I’ve tried both on most of my local climbs. Some are pretty smooth, some are pretty rutted and some are rooty and steep, so quite a mix. A mix of gradients too. The full sus is quicker. Normally at least the top three times I’ve ridden each climb.
Even been out on the hardtail in the last week to purposely try and beat my full sus times. Not been able to do it.
Bikewise, we are talking Carbonal (Chinese) hardtail at 21 lbs against a Camber at 25 lbs. Both 1 x 10.
I even prefer the ‘feel’ of the hardtail… Go figure.

Doh! Didn’t see that bit. Just had a closer look at the front mech (luckily I hadn’t sold it) and it’s still bolted on to it… I’ll try again. Retires sheepishly to corner of room.

Just to add another perspective/query/arguing point in to the mix, both my bikes are now 29ers. One race weight hard tail and a full sus that is 4lbs heavier. They share the same wheels, running gear, saddle and bar set up. All my Strava times show the full sus is quicker. Everywhere. Apart from being quite annoying as I seem to have spent a load of money on a slower bike, it’s also very confusing. Puts a spanner in the argument for weight being the cause.
It must be an efficiency thing. Even with its clown wheels running low tyre pressure, my hardtail doesn’t feel like it rolls over things as well (as it shouldn’t I guess).
Also both bikes are quicker than my previous 26in bikes (as verified by Strava…)
This is just personal findings, and riding the South Downs 95% of the time is probably ideal 29er territory, although we do have a good supply of twisty wooded singletrack. I think at least part of it comes down to terrain.
Doesn’t really explain why my full sus is quicker though…

Update – ordered an S3 mount E13 guide. I got it to fit but only after a bit of bodging (only using one bolt and a load of spacers) so I don’t think it can be S3. Seems to be a unique Spesh fitting. Probably could have got the Superstar one to fit just as well at half the price… Oh well.

Update – ordered an S3 mount E13 guide. I got it to fit but only after a bit of bodging (only using one bolt and a load of spacers) so I don’t think it can be S3. Seems to be a unique Spesh fitting. Probably could have got the Superstar one to fit just as well at half the price… Oh well.

Can only comment on the Carbon model, but it rides superbly. Some of the components are heavy (wheels) but obviously upgradeable over time. The feel of the bike is spot on for me. I tried both the Whytes and this and there was no comparison for my normal type of Downs / singletrack riding. Heard reports that the cheap version rides just as well as the higher models.

I’ve been riding the Superstar / Stans Alpha set up for a month or so. Not quite 1350g, mine weighted 1430 out the box, but still pretty darn light for the price. Can’t fault the wheels. Light, strong, not bad to look at. Definitely made the bike come alive compared to my old RS10’s, and you have the option to run them tubeless (although they come with the standard Superstar rim strip). Seem popular too – I had to wait 2 weeks for mine ‘due to demand’.

Rode mine tubeless with no problems whatsoever.

Lovely. Thanks guys. Shame about the prices though..!

Front and rear went on mine after 6-8 months or so. Don’t understand why they spec them with such crap bearings. Its easy enough to change them when they go, but even if they put decent bearings in from the start and charged a fiver more for the hub they would be good value.

Got stung for about £30 on my Carbonal MTB frame. Worth checking the tracking number regularly if you go the Chinese way. Parcelforce just send you a letter which can delay it a couple of days, but you can short cut it if you keep checking the status.

Only just seen this. How did it go?

Didn’t see much dust on my local part of the South Downs on Sunday. Just frost that then almost instantly turned to the stickiest, clagiest mess ever. So much so that I couldn’t turn the pedals on one half mile stretch. Massive sense of humour fail. Nice in the frost though.

Yep, probably beats mine. 🙂

Here’s one from this morning, decorated in some pretty white stuff.

[/url]
100_0064[/url] by KevinPP1[/url], on Flickr

Great jacket overall, but I too had problems with the stitching on the cuff. Good ol’ mum stitched it back together and did the other side too just to reinforce it. Seems to be the only weak link though.

I’ve used Crests (29) with DT Revs in a 3X pattern on both my bikes. Not noticed them to be any more (or less) flexy than the wheels they replaced. Just a damn site lighter! 🙂
I guess it depends a bit on your weight and style of riding but for general trail duties I find them perfect.

First ride on my stripped and rebuilt Camber Carbon Comp tomorrow. Swapped all the Shimano stuff for Sram (personal preference, swapped from my previous bike), changed the (heavy) wheels and most of the components. Dropped the weight by nearly 3lbs, even after adding a Reverb. Can’t wait to ride it.
I had a demo on one over Xmas/New Year and was very, very impressed. Tried a few other FS 29ers since but the Camber was (imho) the best all round by far.

[/url]
IMG-20130227-00343[/url] by Kevaroo[/url], on Flickr

Sounds like I’ll be spending a bit more than the cost of a Superstar one then…

Converts Hope BB’s to take a GXP (Sram) crank. £8 at CRC

Can’t say I have. Its on two different frames though. Original on one frame which I noticed was noisy with play in it when I stripped it, and then a new one in the new frame.

[/url]
Brighton and Hove-20121216-00273[/url] by Kevaroo[/url], on Flickr

Got mine from Carbonal. It’s been well and truly ridden. Excellent frame. My mate has just got a Spesh Stumpjumper S-Works carbon frame in the same matt finish and I would say the quality is up to the same standard as the Spesh. Mine is lighter too… 😀

I do. Been absolutely fine. Seems to help reduce chain slap too.

Did my first one a few weeks ago. I was one of a maybe 2 or 3 on standard road bikes. In pics I saw afterwards I looked very amateur. Baggy(ish) MTB softshell and peakless MTB helmet were the biggest giveaways.
All street cred out the window after 5 miles, riding past my girlfriend and stepson up a long climb, I was overtaken by a girl.(No disrespect intended)
I went slightly the wrong way and came 2nd last out of the men 😆 but enjoyed it nonetheless.
I think if I did it again I would get some clip ons, or try and borrow a TT bike.
Definately pace yourself, and as said above, go balls out for the last few miles. Enjoy.

I found both Whyte 29ers underwhelming. Heavy and not a patch on the 146 I am replacing. Undeniably great value though.
Rode a Spesh Camber tho and loved it.

The Cambers are nice, but the lowest spec £1500 one is slightly different to the higher ones. Different frame material and not PF30 (which would be a bonus in some peoples eyes.)
I’ve just bought the Carbon Comp and have stripped it to add the decent stuff from my old bike and a few choice upgrades. This should bring the final amount I’ve paid down substantialy. Only works if you can stump up the full price in the first place though.

I tried it too, but once tghey’re sticky they’re always sticky. Completely stripped two (run them on both bikes) cleaned, lubed and still sticky. I guess that is why they are now ball bearing.

Got one for a test ride this weekend. 😀 Tried the 109 and was not overly impressed. Handles nice but just rode ‘heavy’ (and felt it too compared to my 146). The 129 felt lighter in the LBS, even though I know it’s not.
For me it’s a choice between the 129 and the Spesh Camber, which was a very nice ride.

As for the 146, the new frame is in a different league to the early ones. No paint to hide the cheap filler the factory used to save money. They look very classy and I just happen to have a frame for sale in the classifieds…

Chinese carbon in the snow.

[/url]
100_0050[/url] by Kevaroo[/url], on Flickr

Chinese carbon in the snow.

[/url]
100_0050[/url] by Kevaroo[/url], on Flickr

Surely if there is a demand for 26in bikes then there are always going to be enterprising people making them. It’s only if the demand goes that production will cease.
Yes the choice may be a bit more limited, but if the naysayers are adamant they won’t try a 29er then stick with your 26er. There’s no need for all this bickering. It’s like the mtb’er – roadie thing. Just ride what you enjoy riding ffs. We all ride different terrain at different speeds for different reasons. But we all ride because we enjoy it.
I don’t think they’ll ever make it law that you can’t choose your own bike wheel size…

With mine it was the pushrod that appeared most worn.
I put a small bit of cling film over the end to take up the slack. Temporary but has worked for now. I’m cheap too…! 😀

@smiff
If it’s like mine you will need the pushrod bit too, like on argoose’s link.
If you can be bothered to dismantle them every few months and clean / lube your lever and bits I reckon they would last a lot longer.

What torsoinalake says.
Check the adjuster is sitting on the right bit of the rod. I had the same thing when I rebuilt mine after trying a DIY fix on the floppy syndrome. The screw that goes through the adjuster and the slot in the rod needs to go through the slot at the bottom, not half way along the slot or near the top. If that makes sense…
Try rebuilding that bit again. The Avid instructions online are better at explaining it perhaps…

Stupidly agreed to an 8am ride, but now glad I did. Only an hour or so but it’s a beautiful morning, first ride on the road bike in 3 weeks or so and still got the rest of the day. Happy New Year!

Jonnystorm – 29er Camber. Already have a 29er ht and thats confused me even more bacause with low pressure it rolls over roots etc with applomb.
Dave – I would have, but been waiting for Whyte to sort my frame, and deliberating over which 29er to replace it with…
Saw on another thread you’re thinking of a Sultan? Welcome to try the Camber if you want to hook up over Xmas week.
Weeksy – get out there man; I need feedback! 😉

Weeksy – now you’ve had it for a few weeks do you notice the lack of rear travel? I’m torn between a Spearfish or a Spesh Camber Comp.

Thought I had decided on the Spearfish, as I think that will be the lighter build, but I’m not sure 80mm is enough. Not that I’m some sort of air bandit or ride particularly rocky trails, but I’m coming from a 150mm trail bike.

Got a demo on the Spesh over Xmas but can’t get one on a Spearfish so any feedback appreciated.