I’ve just tried to extract a GPX I have, but it’s part of a larger day out I recorded. So not just Vertigo trail.

It’s accessed of the top of ‘Les Ruinette’ lift. But you’d struggle to find it without a route to follow.

Once you’re on it, it’s easy to follow however. It is also a marked walking trial, so I’ll see if I can find what that’s called.

It’s quite steep in places, with many, many switchbacks- but Vertigo is amazeballs, 30 minute traverse from lift, them 40 mins down.

Best trail I’ve ridden in years.

I’m running Rimpacts on the rear of both bikes, using EXO+ casing DHR2’s, front and back.
As a 115kgs monster, i thought it prudent to try them at least.

Ive felt them working on a number of occasions, saving the rims from possible damage. I’m not running very low pressures, 30mm carbon rims at about 25psi F+B.

I have also had a small hole in the sidewall of the tyre (front a flint) and the fact that the Rimpact was in there meant it did not seal with sealant. As i was fairly close to home, i just rode slowly back on the rimpact and tyre alone, as a trail side fix would involve a slime covered foam ring and alot of faff, as they were tricky to get into the tyre in the first place.

So, in all, worth the (small) cost and negligable weight gain to protect my rims, and they def help the tyre to be less squirmy at 25psi.

I wanted something quite supple, so was happy to go slightly undersprung TBH.

It’s running about 25% sag, and even in the Alps with a few sketch landings I never felt it bottom out.

In fact, one particular landing I could def feel the effect of the HBO. Like landing on a big cushion.

I’m running a ‘Yari-up’ damper replacement, but reckon I will change this out for a better damper soon.

115kgs, 180mm Yari, 50lbs spring.

It’s just about OK, as i’m between this and the 55lbs spring really. The HBO takes care of things when it’s a little undersprung for my rough-as-f•ck riding style tho.

at 115kgs my reverbs have taken a pounding. Never had one drop through weight tho’.
They all got the dreaded saggy/droppy thing way before they broke.

I replaced my last IXS trail with a Specialised Ambush. The fit is great and every bit as comfy as my old IXS trail.

The ‘ANGI’ crash detector seems to be a good feature too. ALthough, i’ve not crashed it yet to test it in anger.

Unless you’re a paid mechanic, can’t see the need for anything more than the cheaper Park one. Mines robust and steady, whilst also the legs fold down so it can stand in the corner out of the way.

Park pcs-9

Mushroom plugs from the inside. That’ll fix it.

with the right coil shock, spring weight and set-up, there’s no issue with FS.
Might need a re-valve for shock, as standard set-ups don’t cover our ‘special’ weight bands.

I’m running Ohlins and Can Creek coils on my FS bikes and they could easily go up a few Kilos and work really well. A sturdy frame with very little flex might be needed, but they’re easily available.

Maybe get a special set-up day from someone to get springs and valving just right for you?

what are pile components and who would stock them?

Errant spa ces can bring ou t the ped ants

When you say ‘large’ chap and FS have never been any good…?
why’s that?

Don’t come much larger than my 120kgs and always loved my coil FS bikes.

yeah, i’ve used 26″ SID forks found second hand with my kids 24″ wheeled bikes.

With a lighter oil inside them they work very well at lower pressures. Also, as said above, they have been moved on to 26″ wheels and bikes with no need to replace.

I bought some a few weeks back for £150 in great condition. 1 – 1/8th long steerer.

Mine arrived today….
Crown race still on the fork, star nut fitted in the steerer at 210mm.

Still a bargain as they going on the hardtail, which is my winter bike and as such gets ridden in the mud mostly and not hammered at flat out pace. I might be selling this bike anyway, so now it can be sold with a new fork fitted.

the fork has quite a long axle-to-crown for the travel, which is not brilliant. Let’s hope they ride well with my substantial bulk.

I’ve had some coil rub on shocks I’ve had. Never proved to be an issue.

Obvs- if it’s grinding away, then that’s not good, but a small amount of fun has not been an issue for me.

In fact, I have a few old reverts needing a service I need to get rid of?

30.9 shorter length versions?

I’d mentioned consumable in the context of servicing costs being prohibitive, meaning buying new making more financial sense. I’ve never paid more than £180 new for a Reverb, so with servicing around 100-140 depending on what needs replacing, in my mind that’s too close to new price. I sell my old Reverbs for about £40 when they need a service, then buy a new one.

I could of course service it myself, but time/cost/tools mean I generally don’t.

Having said that, I’ve stopped buying Reverbs now.

IME you’ll Get around 2 years use out of a Reverb, then need a service which costs more than the post is worth. It’s a 2 year (ish) consumable item. Make sure you factor this in.

I wouldn’t touch a second hand one, at any price.

Shame, as they work very well, when working, but it’s wasteful and expensive.

Thanks for the link for SportPursuit, they’ve got Lyrick forks on there half price too!
Bargain.

Sweet PSA thanks.
Forks for the jump bike sorted.

I’ve also got a nice Marzocchi coil fork for sale, perfect for the DMR sled @ 170mm…. see classifieds. : -)

As a ‘Beefy’ 50 something, i’m happily running both an Ohlins coil, and a CCDB coil on my bikes. If you find something second hand, and factor in a service, someone like TF will spring it, and set it for your weight and even suggest some of the damper settings if you’re not keen to fiddle with it yourself.

Both my shocks have been very reliable, despite my 115kg regularly landing sketchy jumps and not slowing down for root infested trails.

To avoid bankruptcy, buy second hand, but buy quality.

Yeah Roval OEM wheels often have 24 hole rims on them. My Stumpjumper came with some.

It’s kind of variable tho, as i’ve had a frame (and other stuff) for sale at well under 1/2 new price, which has had very little interest.

My Endurance Masai glasses are pretty good at staying clear and react very well/quickly to changing light conditions. Still get them on eBay!

Ive got 2 pairs of Yeti shorts, as they seem to size ‘up’ well and fit my fat ass.

ON sale now too.
https://www.silverfish-uk.com/products/ClOthiNG-PROTECTiON/Shorts-Pants/VARYC200091563_Yeti-Freeland-Short

Sdw.

This should link to one.
Pm me if it doesn’t.

I use plantronic backbeat fit.
The band behind the neck is not noticeable at all. 8hrs battery life, access to controls on the earpiece, control of phone to use Siri and make calls.

Also, as a benefit, the microphone on them is really good. I make a few calls when I’m riding and everyone says it’s very clear, even when moving.

Yep, it’s a little painted mark/stripe on the coil.

Although one of the springs I tried didn’t have anything on it that I could see. So maybe not much paint.

I haven’t converted back, nor will I. So can’t attest to airworthiness after.

Their trials hub has 2 pawls so I wouldn’t worry.

Interesting, must be pretty strong then….. Although i have shredded the pawls on a pro2 evo hub with very destructive results.

I have just noticed however, that Hope do a Pro4 in 24 hole, so i think that solves the issue i was having. I thought they were only in 32 hole. Doh!

Thanks all…
this is where the confusion is: according to Hope site, they come in 142 also, with disk mount.

https://www.hopetech.com/products/hubs/road/rs4-centre-lock-rear-hub/#tech

I think i’ll mail Hope and ask them.
Ta.

That’s what I thought too, apart from you CAN get it with a disk mount now. Centrelock, but it’s got one.

Hmmm anyone else actually using it for this purpose that can add some user perspective?

I have a Specialized ANGI helmet and with an iPhone it works well. I don’t use it to map anything, just use it for crash detection/alert. I’ve had a few tumbles, but nothing major, just off’s in corners and no head impacts.

Battery life is about 6months on sensor, riding about twice a week.

But, I can’t recommend it, as i’ve not crashed since owning it. Must try harder I guess.

After having ridden the Dianese trail skins2 for a few rides now, I find them very comfy. The moulded knee element really sits well when pedalling, whilst the whole pad itself stays put in the right place on my leg. I have to put the elastic strap behind and above my calf, to keep it in position, but they really stay there when I do. Although, I always wear 3/4 length cycling shorts under my baggies, so I don’t notice any rubbing (if there was any).

Not stacked in anger yet, so can’t attest to their protection/durability, but the ‘drop to my knees’ test on the lounge floorboards indicated a good amount of protection. The side of knee protectors are very useful, as ‘bike to knee’ contact if the most common form of minor impact for me.

I’m testing my stumpy (29er version) with mullet a little right now. Since I bought it, I’ve been running it as a 27.5 wheeled bike, which rides great.

But seeing as I have the carbon Roval wheels that came with it sitting unused in a corner, I thought I’d try.

After a few rides, I think I’d struggle to notice a big difference if I was able to ride blindfolded. The slight slackening of head angle is noticeable, but not any better TBH.

Maybe rolls and grips around corners a little better, but again, not a huge difference.

All in all- I’ll stick riding the 2.4 Wide Trail 27.5’s and leave the strange frankenbike thingy to someone else.

Those superstar ‘stans’ build 24” wheels are fab. Very light, with something like a rocket Ron tyre.

I’ve got some Dainese Trail Skins 2.
Very flexible, well vented and comfy to ride in.

I use the Hope ones linked above. Work a treat on my older Pro2’s

I only went for the yari-up, as the smashpot coil was already going to give me (effectively) control over the HSC by way of the bottom out control. So, they work well together.