Cheers for the help guys!

Reply, cheers scotroutes, that’s what I thought…

Took it to local bike shop and said it wasn’t designed for tapered but could if a mix and match headset but this would change the handling of the bike and this is my concern!

Cheers Fr0sty125 – it is indeed 2012 and from the outside it looks like it should be tapered. The bike shop confirmed to me it isn’t which is pretty gutting. I double checked the manual – headset is semi integr. with 1 1/8 straight (44.0mm)

The new fork is the fox fit rlc 2012 at 120 travel, old fork is recon gold rl again with 120 travel, tend to run at 20% sag as like it quite firm and the rl tends to blow through travel on the rough stuff.

The OH destroyed his rear SS Pacenti/AM switch after three week on the Glentress red, all the bearing blew up pretty much… Front wheel is still running fine though, no dings and is fairly tru even after a lot of abuse.

Steer clear of Race Face ones that’s for sure..!

I’m 5 ft 8 and usually a size 10 but have cycling thighs. Madison Mtec40 shorts were the best for me. They are three quarter length ones which cover my knee pads but don’t look too long. Washed really well too.

Would also recommend minx girl and Royal Racing shorts too based on friends!

Rode Helevellyn last week – tops are running fast and dry, very boggy on the Dodds though so wouldn’t recommend that route.

Borrowdale Bash – one epic tour of Borrowdale with hard road climbs followed by awesome descents – best part for me is the castle crag descent, baby heads and rock slabs galore!
http://www.keswick.org/content/doc/lib/4718/adventure-cycling-keswick-borrowdalebash-route3.pdf