Can’t go wrong with this site, route cards, GPX and difficulty levels so you can pick a nice easy one to start with. Even has approx. times for each ride.

The Clwydian Range

How about Moonglu?

https://www.moonglu.com/products/hand-built-hope-pro-4-hubs-with-stans-flow-mk3-rims

£485

Just in case anyone is interested, here’s the (manufacturers) weight for each:

SRAM NX PG1130 11-42T £63 – 538g

Shimano XT M8000 11-42T £66 – 434g

Sunrace MX8 11-42T £57 – 419g

I’ve also got the Sunrace 11-42t on 2 bikes, 10 and 11 speed and they have been faultless. I was quite surprised the XT one was heavier.

Also had meta 55 carbon and also broke in bb/seatpost area. Still hanging on the wall in my garage 🙁

Yep Simply Bearings always good for me. Headset, hub and pivots. Also do Enduro versions.

Same here, mine wore through on the seams after about a dozen commutes. Used a lot of the rest of their kit and it’s pretty good just the waterproof shorts have let me down.

Is it just me or does anyone miss the Ruthin event? Used to love it and missed out on the replacement event this year in the Peak district. So don’t know if they’ve made it even better?

Again Simply bearings in Leigh are great, ship fast and always seem to have a huge range in stock.

They do enduro bearings and the max variations which are designed specifically for suspension.

Considered a marzocchi dj1?

You might find that dirt jump frames might be just about the right size, being 5’3″ I’ve had Commencal Absolut frames in the past and now have a Banshee Amp, perfect for all day rides for me.

CRC usually have some good deals on DJ frames, some of the colours are a bit in your face though!

I did notice they are 83mm BB shell, usually on downhill only bikes, may not fit yours?

Sound like the same guys commenting on the Enduro as well. Luckily I was watching on replay so I could skip most of them and just watch the actual riding.

GIANT Toa Enduro Webcast Replay

I’ve had a pair of Shimano AM41’s for a few years, looking a bit battered now but grip good. Not hi-top though, but do have a bit of inside ankle protection.

I’m using Blacklist Pro, love the option of pickup the call and immediately hang up. So no automated voicemail messages!

Also interested to help as not too far away, will keep an eye on this thread…

In for E2, can’t wait!

I’d also add to 3 above: Don’t leave in cold damp conditions if at all possible like shed/garage, if you can keep in warm and dry indoors it definitely helps keep the water out and so less likely to get rusty.

Everything else I’d agree is the best way to look after any bearings on a bike not just BBs.

I’ve got GXP/PF30/HT2 BBs and as long as you look after them they’ll last.

Had a similar thing when knocked off my bike, lying on the pavement with my foot bent 90 degrees the wrong way, I was holding my leg in pain. It was a busy road must have been 20 odd cars passed, including one who slowed down and wound down the window to laugh at me. At least the woman who hit me stopped a bit further down the road and came back. Another guy stopped and stayed with me until the ambulance arrived, never did get to thank him.

Prefer the Butthole Surfers original that Orbital sampled, although can’t see that I’d listen to it riding though!

I try to make sure that I ride for at least as long as it takes to get there and back driving, makes me feel like I’m making up for the distance traveled. As living in Manchester there’s not much out the back door.

Good thing is there’s some good riding in most directions if you travel an hour or so to get there.

Been using the Uberbike ones on my M4’s and they’ve been really good, last a decent time too.

http://www.uberbikecomponents.com/view-product/Uberbike-Hope-Mono-M4-Race-Matrix-Disc-Brake-Pads

Been using the none race sintered ones previously and they last even longer.

Got an origin 3, no problems at all over last couple of years, still good as new. Also found bite valve flow a bit slow but swapped for an old camelbak valve and was bob on. Wash it about once every couple of weeks, use it every day!

Only dropped once in practice at EWS, put top guide back on, which is an E13 SS+ but took off the lower guide and kept bash.

I’ve got Works 34t N/W and Saint clutch rear.

If I were you I’d just take off lower guide, keep the top, won’t need to buy anything extra then.

Or go for the ‘enduro’ look with a pair of goggles? (Only suitable for MTB though!) With the foam padding across forehead and down the sides sweat doesn’t pour into your eyes.

Cheers for that, got one ordered!

Not too far away myself, will keep ’em peeled…

Best bet is to look at the Shimano tech docs and find the part number, I’m sure when I looked a while back the NDS arm is available separately. Google that part number should get you some hits.

If you’ve damaged the spline part of the crank shaft then you’re in trouble, as the shaft and DS arm are one part and it’s cheaper to buy a whole new crank, which is what I had to do.

Hey scaled, where did you order yours from? I’m looking at the same size.

I find just go out for an hour for a pootle about just so you’re riding and don’t do anything too strenuous shouldn’t make you feel any worse or slow your recovery.

Then if you feel ok go out again later so you’re not draining your energy too much in one go.

The invisiframe site is down at the moment?

I was going to have a look as just about to redo my carbon commie, didn’t quite cover everything last time so after painting wanted a full wrap!

Also worth looking at Pure Bike in France, might be cheaper on shipping etc. I had a few parts from them and turned up within the week.

Drink loads to water down your wee as it stings a hell of a lot if you don’t. I had quite a bit of bleeding so packed lots of tissues down. Took a couple of months to heal up completely.

I didn’t have any different size rings, just one big one. 🙂

But I did have it done over 20 years ago so things might have changed nowadays.

Nice, thanks, got some bargains there! 🙂

It was a great event, well organised, really enjoyed the stages, the wind was brutal though! Got blown about all over the place and saw several people fly off line into nasty rocks.

I heard they had to abandon the 4:30 cutoff time to complete as everyone was struggling into that wind!

All the results are up at the Sport Ident site (who did the timekeeping), http://www.sportident.co.uk/results/2013/ArdRockEnduro/

+1 for Dakine hydropak, had my 2l for a few years now and works great.
Best bit is the filling from the top that folds over so you can turn inside out for easy cleaning!

Really looking forward to this, not been riding up that part of the world before and sounds like it’s gonna be good fun!

Always glad to hear a happy ending when bikes get nicked, pity it doesn’t happen more often!

Sounds like you’ve got some local Police doing a great job there.

Rode this afternoon, baking hot but lovely and fast. Quite a few riders out and about, numpties leaving bikes in the trail whilst they have a rest is a bit annoying though. Rode the final descent ok but quite slidey with all the loose rock.

Mad to think last time I was up there it was 10 foot snowdrifts!