STW at its very best!

Having been through the anxiety and panic attacks and come out the other side, a couple of points:

– Good on you for such a brave post. I felt extremely daft telling people like I was defeatist as tough northern blokes don’t do that kind of thing… however once I did, it is surprising how many have been through this stuff.

– There are online CBT programmes you can register on to do in your own time which may be of use to support your sessions. I found researching loads about the psychological side of it on the Internet helped immensely.

– Motivation is a big issue but excercise really, really helps. Even if it just means getting out on your own and wasting some of the adrenaline.

– I found stopping caffeine helped, but if you are a tea guzzler, don’t just stop! Ween off it! Sounds silly, but those who know, know!

– You sound a reasonable, intelligent (and you might not think it now, but) level headed chap, so remember… you will get through it!

– Good luck dude.

As said above, Spesh Camber would be a safe bet towards the top of your budget. As a Whyte T129 owner, I can’t rate it highly enough, but I think you will struggle to find one worth having for 800 notes. However, for closer to the lower end of budget a tidy 26″ Giant Anthem X would also be perfect for the intended use you describe.

Thought this before…

THE SINGLETRACK SHOP SHOULD SELL SMALL LOGO STICKERS FOR HELMETS!

They could even send them out with subscriptions?

Had an Asus transformer thing.. It was ok but died. So did a bit of research and replaced with Galaxy Tab A and it is great, way better than the last.

Cheers all for the responces – Acycles is cheapest by far… Ordered a pair of HR2 exo dual compound for 25quid each. Job done.

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Up, down, left, right, A,B,C, start…

Chassis number two million sold at auction for £400k a few months ago…
Admittedly in a bit better condition however.

Interesting!

As said above, i’d be looking at good quality second hand for half your budget (unless you have money to burn!). You admit to being fairly new to mountain biking and the chances are you may need to ride a few bikes to realise what suits your riding/terrain. By buying good condition, tidy secondhand you will minimise any financial loss if you change bike… just make sure you dont pay over the odds for an obsolete bike!

Blokes who wear scarves without a coat… whats that all about?

Funnily enough, I’m doing a very similar thing with a Ragley Bigwig! Groupset, brakes, tyres, bars, stem and grips… almost a full bike I thought!

Bank account shows apparently it is not…

That looks very nice indeed. Spot on spec wise too.

26″ wheels in a 27.5 frame maybe?

I believe the last couple of years defy ‘advanced’ and the ‘advanced pro’ are the same frame. The pro gets a carbon steerer and better/lighter wheels and finishing kit to command the premium price.
(The older ‘composite’ and ‘advanced’ had different carbon)

Has anyone used their waterproof trousers? Think they’re called ‘driven’?

Its either them or buy some ex RAF goretex?

Definitely Deore.
Try Merlin, Ribble, etc for some oem bargains.

Silly question, but what is being saved exactly? Aren’t mountain bikes designed to withstand water and mud? Even the occasional dog nugget etc…

Get a grip.

Probably a stupid question – but can you not just bolt another row of caravelle seats in the T5?

We walked up near Stoodly the othet day and turned around at the land slide.

My main thought was the chap in the farm house was very lucky! His garden not so much…

Sleep! With two young children forming an effective tag team approach to nocturnal endurance, a few good nights sleep would be very appreciated right now…

Well, i like it…
But now I’m told its not live I may need to re-evaluate!!!

Doesn’t have to be fruit – through in a hand full of frozen peas or spinich leafs etc.

Another vote for the Nutri Ninja IQ 1000. More power and the pulse setting equates to finer smoothies. There are a shed load of reviews etc on youtube.

I’m the worst – do I win anything?

Ive been to Le Mans five times prior to having children and miss it every June. A brace of Corvettes, Ford GTs, an a couple of BMW M3 V8s making the grandstand shake in the early hours of the morning is amazing.
I am however going to the classic this year and can’t wait…
Would love to do the IOM TT sometime – it’s only a matter of time!
If I could go to any, Daytona and Monaco would be top of the list.

I predict like many others… Because it was too expensive!

I have the previous model Lobo and pack very similar to what you list – even a pakajak – only difference is I carry a tube but no shock pump.
It all fits, but not much room for anything else, and your pump will need to be quite small so not to deform the shape of the pack and therefore sit funny on your back.
This said, I really like the compact shape and will replace it with another if it dies. Nothing worse than a big bulky pack strapped to you back…
Hope this helps.

Merry Christmas!

I heard on the radio that parts of the UK recorded the same 17 degrees for both the summer and the winter solstice this year. I find that mental!

I had similar thoughts – You would hope his youtube videos would be bringing some decent advertising revenue considering the view counts…
As said, amazing support and he must feel very humbled. Long may it continue!

A very lucky Dad!…

Best Merlin advert ever! A ringing endorsement which I hope someone from Merlin reads!
FWIW Never had a problem with them and rate them above a lot of the online retailers…

^ GrahamS – totally agree. A positive news story for a change. I think its fantastic!

Ive got 140 fox 34s on mine – but i built it up from a frame so cant compare with stock 120. I think at really low speed climbs it does feel slightly wandery and on the very steep climbs lifts the front wheel a bit, but… once over about 5mph it more than makes up for it! Decends fantastically well and feels very stable and planted.

I thought Panoz also but far too small – as said maybe a home brew based on one. Also looks a bit Westfield XTR4 but its not that either.

Im running Hope Tech Enduro rims with 2.2 Maxxis Minions which works well, but I wouldn’t want to go much bigger tyres. Only issue I have is running a dual pull front mech and the tyre rubbing on the bit of the mech that allows the bottom pull cable on full compression. It is due to get cut and filed off when I get the time… Obviously not a problem if running single chain ring.

‘Direct mount’ is the front mech, surely?

Yes. But when we put our drive in, the application was only 35 quid for a guy to come out and say ‘ok’.