Very, very nice…minus points for those green grips tho.

Jesus you must have legs like stilts!

Do they do a small for us wee folks?

Would be interested too….if i can get the time off work!

Email roberttaylormatthewsATgooglemailDOTcom nearer the time.

Cheers

Run Hans Dampf front and Purgatory rear on both FS and HT all year round. Seems to work ok…but purgatory tends to slide around a lot in the loose/sandy conditions…but makes things a bit more lively. Also seems to last a while too…plus cheap!

Leyzne alloy drive…compact, lightweight and good rate of inflation.

Had mine 4 years now and has been great…Think they’ve updated it too.

I recently added a 60mm stem in place of 75mm and there is a huge difference in handling to my Soul. Find tyre pressure makes a big difference on the rear too. Took me a while…but think I’ve got it just right.

I’d persevere for a wee while longer…and you’ll make a decent return on the frame if it doesn’t work out.

Northwind – someone posted the same thing on here in 2011…so either I’ve read it somewhere or its an urban myth (I’m still looking for the article…I know it exists and not just in my mind!).

Read an article a few years ago where a bloke did this…tyre and rim exploded, shrapnel killed him.

I’ll try to find the article and post it.

Legolam – would be very interested

Can you email roberttaylormatthewsATgooglemailDOTcom and let me know if you still have it?

Cheers

In my experience alu means sore arse, steel equals comfort. My Soul has been brilliant and resale value will also be good…but she’s never being sold!

Simply beautiful

Stolen vehicle squad guys use special chemicals that can raise ground out vin’s from metal work (seen it in practice and its incredible)…not sure where you can get it or if it would damage the frame though.

Yes its not technical and a bit tame, but given the elevation the folks have done a good job (its not Wales!). You can also do the red run at stile cop too as well as link up brocton coppice for a longer ride.

I normally get there for 7am on a Sun and its fairly quiet.

As mentioned, please do not drop any litter (including any iPhones) as I took half a pack home a couple of weeks ago and found an iPhone.

Hora’s right…he’s had more frames than the Louvre :D

I wear the kg5450 shin jobs which are ok but found they can rub a little…but this maybe because of my hairy and oddish size legs.

Very good ventilation unless really hot weather and gave me a bit more confidence on the downs.

No idea about gform but hear good things mostly.

Hated mt500, big bulky things, rubbed constantly, restricted movement and poor ventilation.

Struggle to find time to ride let alone de-brand, also would probably end up stripping paint anodising etc too knowing my cackhandedness. I do remove dealership stickers from my cars however.

Possible good way to deter thieves, unless they’re pros.

My AC all mountain wheelset is the most gaudy looking thing you’ve ever seen…but surprisingly fits in with colour scheme.

KMC X10 L, decent weight, price and longevity. KMC Powerlinks are reusable and the chain is shimano and sram compatible.

Project – 1.5million for a bridge?! Where did you get that figure…that seems ludicrously expensive (granted I’m not a builder or engineer).

I felt relieved for the people who must have to listen to the gates opening and closing thousands of times a day at the weekends…until I remembered their house practically sits on the railway line :D

Bought a Soul frame originally to swap parts from my Ex8 and use it 6 months of the year. Ended up building a complete bike and now have FS and HT :D

Been riding the Soul since Feb and its an incredible bike….really puts you in tune with the trail. However, been back on the FS the last couple of weeks, and the ‘back to basics’ on the HT seems to really have paid off…much better at picking lines, out of the seat more etc.

If you have the money,time and space I’d have both.

Wolfie – don’t you ride a giant with a trek fork?! :D

Don’t run 1×9, but 2×10 with bionicon c guide and its a clever little thing with minimal noise too.

Bootsy has some AM classic wheels in the classifieds for £375…could be worth a look.

American Classic All Mountain £500ish or Spank Oozy Evo £350ish.

Running AC and they are great…especially being really wide, no need for tyres levers on tyres over 2.2 too!

I got dibs on the name ‘pocket rocket’! :D

No…but I did get up close to a carbon Bronson in Shrewsbury last weekend. Great looking bike….but £6k?!

Csixx protector

butterbean – I’m special and proud!

Obviously before looking into bike weight loss…try actual body weight loss. I’ve lost 10lbs in the last 3 weeks and with my knackered knee, its really helping.

My main aim for getting the weight of the bike down is to make it more manouverable and with less strength needed (again due to my knee).

Really like mine for gaff free installation and static cable.

Mine has a wee bit of play, but I think most droppers get it.

No need to use the tensioner, and I’d use a normal sp41 gear cable as its more flexible than the re-inforced one it comes with.

Had a reverb prior to the LEV but really struggled with the bleeding.

No UK support if anything goes wrong (or there wasn’t the last time I checked).

Tbh depends what bike your riding and if you’re worried about weight/strength or aesthetics.

I ride a steel hardtail with a pro koryak post and its great at only £37.

On my Fs a raceface ride would suffice as the rear suspension soaks up the bumps.

My advice, buy a raceface ride for £20 and save for a dropper. Best upgrade for any bike.

Yep, I reckon £1500 is about right.

I got two new top of the range fox forks (uncut steerers) from the classifieds on here for nearly half price, so keep your eyes peeled.

No. MTB’ing is the only time I get peace from the kids or work and like the peaceful sounds of the countryside.

Certainly noticed the acceleration difference between nearly a full lb between my old and new wheelset…so yes.

Small differences add up.

Had a + 2500g wheelset, now sub 2000g

10-36 is £53 from merlin

If your looking for a decent long lasting and low weight chain get a kmc. Mine was £22 and weighed 100g less than the SLX

Timmy – just weighed my new XT – 338g – £45 from woolyhatshop.

I have a hg62 and never new the weight until you enlightened me…next upgrade on the HT me thinks!

It’s taken me several years to find the right one, but my fizik aliante gamma xm has been worth every penny.

Even contemplating buying another in the event they stop making them.

As I normally ride at a snail’s pace…I once overtook one which surprised us both.

R&D costs, workforce, raw materials, warranties, marketing…oh and profit.

Dropper, diet and (obviously) go faster coloured valve caps

I have m666 and m675 slx and they’re both great (as they’re both the same). Just upgrade the rotors to rt86 and I wouldn’t bother with the finned pads.

+1 Soul (if you can afford Talas’ or similar)

Tried mine with 110/140, climbs quickly and descends even better.