Bucko – get a Soul for £375 and you can have my old wheels I had running on mine with hg62 cassette for £80 posted and I’ll throw in a SLX 2×10 m675 FR for another £15…half way to a decent build!
If you’re sponsored you would get for free…unfortunately I’m sponsored by the bank manager and the wife, both of which are very tight with their money!
I have Soul and Bandit. Most of the riding I do can be handled by the Soul and if I was to be forced into selling one then I would have to sell the Bandit. Hoping that day never arrives!
Anyway isnt XTR really only for racers and those with the money to buy it? Mixing and matching SLX and XT is about as affordable realistic as my needs are.
The reason the ad cracks me up is my 15 month old son pees himself laughing when he sees it…which then cracks me up. He’s pretty unwell at the moment so its a joy just to see him belly laugh…before he breaks into bouts of god awful coughing 🙁
HDs seem to run a bit better when you’ve worn them down a bit IMO. Good tyres in the dry and not too thick mud. Prefer Purgs front and rear in real gloop…but definitely prefer RQs in slightly wet to dry conditions esoecially around CYB.
Still to find something for an all rounder round Cannock/Brocton on and off piste.
I take it you are still using the same crown race with correct bottom cup?
Is the steerer cut yet so that you can fit and tighten the top cap against the spacers? I know that mine never fits flush with a new fork unless the top cap is fitted and tightened.
I’m seeing 26″ specific parts going a lot cheaper, especially the higher end stuff (new anyway). New black stanchioned RS 120mm SIDs QR15 £410 compared to £540 on CRC, 2013 AM All Mountains 40% off RRP etc. Even retailers seem to think it.
They ‘think’ it will happen because they aint giving us a choice with most manufacturers developing and producing them now (whilst paying mags to say they are all amazing). I have no issue with 650…but not at the expense of 26″.
Well we’ve seen what happened to the 29er revolution…it didnt quite happen so assume it will take some time if at all for 650 (although I have started stockpiling tyres just in case!)
I had the similar dilemma a few months ago as to what FS to have along with owning a Soul and for the same purposes as you.
Bought a 26″ Bandit frame and run 150mm Pike up front. There might be some deals left for the Bandit at 26″ and you could build it up with bits and bobs from here for under 2k.
650b might be all the rage…but I’m sticking with 26″.
Just fitted a new set of 26″ to my Soul…what a waste of time effort and money. Why couldn’t you have posted sooner and make me realise the error of ny ways?!
Getting more air and flicking through tight switchbacks and nailing berms is fun…not sure 29ers beat 26ers in that dept. 650b therefore must be the answer to life’s greatest question 😉
Outspoken – if you wanted a new saddle try a charge scoop with hints of blue to compliment the bike. I,m starting to like mine so much that I’m going to get another.
I’ve been in the garage most of today sprucing up my Soul with 1×10 and new wheels ready for tomorrow. I havent been out for a couple of months and cant wait. I think I can honestly say that I can ride that thing for hours and hourd all around Wales and never come home feeling battered or bruised and ditched an ex8 for it. Best decision I ever made!
Think you can order the stickers through Loco…was thinking about it myself for my ‘stealth’ bandit. They look good on the stealth specialised bikes that I’ve seen.
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