Thanks for all the replies.

I think I’m going to try and go and look at a Bossnut Evo, the reviews are all good and it looks amazing for the money.  Seems almost daft to ”chance’ a secondhand purchase when you can get so much new.

And the riding in the online content is far beyond how I ride so should cope with my slower wheels on the floor style.

Has anyone got, or ridden, an Evo?  If so, have they felt the need for more front travel, I assume the forks can be extended to 140mm by removing a spacer?

If the Bossnut doesn’t happen then I’ll keep my open for similar priced options…and worse case I take the Marin…it’s served my well for four previous trips to the Alps so I’m sure it’ll be fine on a fifth.  If I get something new then I’ll look to move the Marin parts across to something more modern for one of my lads.

@tpbiker, that’s good to know, assumed there wasn’t space to angle the fork in the headtube.

Think it’s already lost its claim as retro…see above list of changes 😀

Fitted a 150mm dropper for last years trip and it was a great upgrade 😁

Considered going 1x but couldn’t rationalise the expense against the current 2×9 especially when most of the riding is downhill and requires little use of the gears.

I’m pretty certain an angleset isn’t an option as it got a 1 1/8 head tube 😔

Might give some offset bushings a try and keep an eye open for any more local used deals, and possibly look at hiring/test riding something new to get a point of reference to see how the world’s moved on.

@twonks, the Marin only gets taken out for when I need 150mm of travel, most local riding requires nothing more than a hardtail…or even a rigid ss, so without the trips away it wouldn’t get ridden at all.  It was purchased because I was struggling to find XL bikes to hire, few places hire bikes that big, some might have one XL in their fleet.  Turned out to be a good purchase as the Marin has cost me than less half the hire costs…and those who have hired on the trips have never really felt at home on hire bike.

@Mike, interesting bikes, particularly the Transition.  Probably not seen those as they’re all over 220 miles from me which makes viewing, collecting impractical.

@P-Jay, the forks are 2015 Revs which I assume slacken the head angle as they’re 10mm longer than the originals, the bars are 780 wide, the stem has been shorten (but is still a crazy long 90mm by today’s standards) the rims are wider and tubeless, and its got a dropper post.  They’re probably isn’t anything else that I could do beyond offset bushings.

What differences would I see between the Marin and something like the bikes Mike linked to?

That’s an interesting question and I don’t know the answer as its not purely about the cost…its that whatever the cost it would need to represent a significant improvement over the Marin for me to justify it to myself.

I’ve had a blast on the Marin on every trip, its probably far more capable than I am, but I just wonder whether things would be better on a more modern bike…but how much more modern to make a difference.

I’ve been looking at the classifieds, eBay, Pinkbike etc. for a while and there aren’t many XL size bikes that come up for what I think is sensible money, I’ve actually seen used bikes asking for almost the same as you can find them new.

Have also been wondering about just getting a newer frame and moving stuff across, but again choice is limited and expensive.

If the 10% is equity/shares in the business you also probably want to understand the long term plan. Is there a plan to grow and sell and as such the potential for a good return on the equity?

Or,is it just a lifestyle business for the owner that will pay a wage and a dividend occasionally.

Also if its equity/shares check that the scheme cannot be easily restructured without you having a say so that you get a diminished return.

Yeah, disc and v brake mounts so upgrade possibilities come birthday time.

Thanks for the replies and messages.

Ordered the last of the silver 16″ frames linked to earlier. Another couple of years of biking sorted for under a £100.

Christmas present covered and a little project for me and the lad to work on over the holiday as we move everything across from the old bike to the new.

Then I think we will donate the old frame to a local cycling charity.

Quite excited as I’m not going to get to see it until Christmas day when he opens it!

Stumbled across this new frame whilst looking on eBay.

Seems to tick all the boxes, any idea what they are like?

Thanks for all the replies.

Nickjb, good call on cable discs, think I’ve got some old Tektro ones in the spares/knackered box of bits so might give me some options…although I seem to recall they were fiddly to keep aligned.

Would still rather not have to replace the wheels. He’s only a lightweight and we don’t live in the Alps so v brakes are still up to the job.

Ideally I don’t want to spend more than £100 moving him up to his next bike as he’ll have outgrown it in a year or two.

Will keep scanning eBay and try a wanted advert.

And he’s currently ~5ft 3ins and growing fast.

Thanks again for all the replies.

I’m looking…but getting impatient so started looking for new shiny instant gratification 🙂

Would be nice to upgrade to disc brakes, but that would mean new wheels, shifters as well the actual brakes and the bike didn’t get used enough to justify the expense at the moment.

Hence looking for a frame that could take all his existing bits and bobs.

Giant do a 150mm external dropper for not much. Can’t comment on longevity but it worked great for a couple of weeks in the summer and hasn’t caused problems sitting in the garage since.

Has a cable that mounts under the saddle which is mildly annoying as it moves up and down when dropping and needs routing accordingly.

Watching thread with interest as am just starting to look for a new frame to build up for my son who is 5′ 3″

We were caught out a few years back when a BBQ was not provided with the caravan we rented.

Considered hiring a BBQ onsite but then saw one of these in the local Carrefour which we purchased for about €30 and have used every since. In fact it will be used for some steaks this evening.

And the Carrefour near us this year had them in stock this morning.

Enjoy your trip!

I have a 2007 Marin Rock Springs which is very similar with fixed 140mm rear suspension and I think the Alpine link as standard.

I purchased it second hand for a trip to the Alps and it has now done 4 weeks in the Alps and a couple of weeks in Spain.

I have no idea how it compares to a modern all mountain/trail/enduro bike, but it feels much slacker than my 2011 Anthem X and it doesn’t seem to stop me riding the same trails, at about the same speed, as my mates on our trips away and they have more expensive, more modern bikes…and those trips are awesome and make me smile and laugh a lot, which makes it a great bike!

All of the above said, only the frame and rear shock are original. Replacing the QR rear with a through axle and changing the wheels for some cheap All Mountain wheels made a difference to the rear flex, 150mm forks, wider bars, shorter stem and a dropper post have all improved things each year.

I keep thinking about replacing it but struggle with spending a few grand on a bike that gets ridden for a couple of weeks a year…maybe for next years trip!

Thanks for the responses.

This isn’t looking like a cheap option so I’m changing approach and have started another separate topic.

Might still pursue this as a little hobby project for my own amusement.

Thanks for the replies, glad I seemed to be looking at the right things.

Am starting to question the logic of getting the Hornet up and running as cost effective. A new ESC, battery and batteries for the transmitter are going to cost ~£45 and ultimately I need a new chassis (it’s broken in a couple of places) a new body shell (it’s destroyed) and the tyres are shot. I’m also running old 2.7 radio which appears to be replaced by much better 2.4 than plays more nicely with multiple cars.

I’m now wondering whether just to get something like a Helion Animus SC which should establish whether there is an interest from the kids, and means they (and I) can have the same models in different colours if they enjoy them.

It was so much easier 30+ years ago when decisions were constrained by whatever the local model shop sold!

Great, thanks for the quick response!

So will the existing receiver and steering servo ‘just work’ once I fit the DSC and is it a straight forward task?

Haven’t tried the on-one helmet, but it looks remarkably similar to the GT Avalanche helmet that Tredz are selling for £17.99 delivered.

GT Avalanche Helmet @ Tredz

I have one of the GT helmets in XL and not sure about keeping it as it has limited/no padding at the rear and sits against the back of my head, I read similar comments about the on-one before buying the GT.

Looks like you just over an hour from CyB which has the Minotaur trail which is a good family blue. Did that with my family when the youngest was 7.

Coed y Brenin[/url]

There is also a little skills area which is a green lap with optionally blue, red, black and free ride sections which is good fun.

After much faffing around with architects and planning I am again looking for a builder, preferable one who can be bothered to come out when they say they will and supply a quote.

Had a nice meal in Q-Min which is on ‘High Street’ finest Bangladesh cuisine so not strictly Indian.

Stayed just up the road on bank holiday Sunday, interesting part of the world.

OK, given I can only get 1 degree of adjustment and my headset is like new I’ll keep riding in full ‘All Mountain’ 2007 retro mode.

I’m now angleset curious?

Does anyone have an opinion on whether this would be worth trying on an 2006/7 Marin Quad Tara which is running 150mm forks instead of the original 140mm’s?

Only gets ridden for a few weeks a year when it gets taken abroad, odd trip to Wales or the Lakes etc.

Would it also benefit from offset bushings?

Cheers

Recently replaced a set of leaking Shimano m445’s with some Clark’s Skeletals from CRC, they were about £62 for a complete set of levers, callipers and discs and they came with IS mounts and two sets of sintered pads.

Seem to be working OK, had a bit of messy around as I went for the biggest available discs and then needed a post mount (wasn’t clear that they would be IS mounts) and they provide a 185mm disc for the rear not 180mm meaning I needed a couple of washes to get everything fitted.

Nice and powerful, don’t squeal like the Shimano had for the past 12 months due to the leak. Happy with them so far.

As mentioned above it is a seemingly common Shimano failing. Just discovered that I have the same problem by wedging cardboard in the caliper and clamping the brake lever on overnight.

Had been trying to source the squealing and ever deteriorating performance for months.

New brakes being fitted at the weekend.

I got one for £20 earlier this week, turned up yesterday.

Quick garden test against Solarstorm X2 shows the Aldi Bikemate to have more of a spot pattern which is slightly brighter, with more throw than the Solarstorm.

Was hoping for a better beam pattern.

Think the Bikemate will make a good helmet light but I prefer a self contained light on my helmet. Will give it a try on a ride and see how it goes.

Might be worth replying to their tweet of the MBR Review on their official Twitter feed.

Weeksy you sound like you enjoy the same riding as me. I’d also add that I not only don’t really like steep and technical, but I also like to keep my wheels on the floor.

Have been to Morzine 4 times and have never ridden any if the Morzine trails, and have loved ever trip! 🙂

Normally spend the first day riding at Chatel bike park as it’s a great way of getting your eye in. It’s a lovely ride across from Morzine using 3 lifts abit of XC and some blue trail. You then drop down to the bike park using the green Panoramic trail which is super flowy. You then have a great choice of trails; Panoramic, People, Blues and Rock, Serpentine etc. to play on. Finish the day riding the red down to Les Linderats, pick up the road down through the goat village, turn left onto the Pds route at the bottom of the switchbacks, grab a beer by Lac Montriond and ride back to Morzine.

Always spend a day riding the blues and reds at Les Gets, a day doing a big XC loop and then normally finish off back at Chatel for a day.

And whilst I like my wheels on the floor when riding, I’m normally jumping a bit by the time we come home and loving it.

I did a session with Jedi/Tony 5 years ago and can hear his advice ringing in my ears most of the first day as I sort out my cornering and jumping technique.

In fact I’d be surprised if you could find a higher concentration of easily accessible flowy trails anywhere. I’ve also done a trip to Spain with a highly thought of company and it was a fun week, but the riding was steep, rocky and, for me, way to the technical and high consequence.

Hope you have a great time next year.

Sorry CFH you’ll have to keep hoping 🙁

Hemel Hempstead

Bump for the daytime crowd.

Thanks.

Looked for something similar recently and apparently these have a good spec for the money.

HP 250 G4 £299

Have been using a Lowe Alpine Space Case for the last year or so. Good size, easily holds a jacket, pump, tubes, snacks, keys, beer money etc. Plenty of pockets and two good size bottle holders. Stays pretty stable and seems to work well, great in the summer for having nothing on your back.

Getting the right level of tension round the waist is important, to tight and you can’t breath properly, to loose and the pack wobbles around.

Happy with mine, and feels strange to wear a backpack now.

TiRed, completely agree, love seeing kids and anyone else having ago at something I enjoy…like the folks on hybrids and bso’s that we saw today.

Funnily enough we did do a couple of laps of the green before heading out onto the blue. Always thought the green would benefit from a couple of optional berms or there being a pump track, or examples of what you’ll find on the blue, red, black grades. Have seen similar at Forest of Dean and Coed y Brenin which is useful for gauging people’s ability and getting your eye in or killing some time with kids.

Fab afternoon riding Swinley blue as a family, lovely conditions for the time of year and mixing the sections about based on Jason’s suggestion really helped my daughter enjoy it more.

Afternoon not even ruined by the lycra clad strava hero who knocked my daughter off the trail whilst passing without a shout, then almost exchanged elbows/shoulders with me as he attempted to force his way past me on the descent before the climb on 14? And the lovely man who shouted abuse at my wife on 7? as she was blocking the descent to avoid it being spoilt for people whilst my daughter walked part of it.

Most folk where great, encouraging the kids and being generally nice, but there did seem to be a surprising number of folk out this afternoon who seem to think that Swinley blue between twelve and four on Sunday afternoon is the perfect place to prove their epic manliness by riding a bike like an arse.

Anyhow, great afternoon thats being washed down with a G&T whilst the roast cooks.

Hope everyone had made the most of the abulous weekend.

.

Thanks Jason, just the kind of info I was after. Razorrazoo, thanks for the trail closure heads up.

Just need to get them going on the flat, pedally berms before mixing in the descents as the enjoy them once they are dialled back in.

Might give the Crowthorne parking idea mentioned elsewhere a go as well.

Happy Sunday riding!

You’re not alone!

Had this 5 years ago, had months of NHS physio after an x-ray revealed nothing, and then eventually had an ultra sound that showed my shoulder to be a mess with calcific tendinitis in a tear in the tendon and a bursa as well as some impingement of the rotator cuff.

Had some ultra sound guided barbotage where they essentially use a huge needle to break down the calcium deposit to help it clear. Its one of the most uncomfortable things I’ve had done to me in a while, fine once it was done, but lying there watching the needle on the ultra sound whilst being pushed all over the bench wasn’t pleasant.

It massively improved my shoulder to the point that I didn’t follow through with the option of surgery to fix the other problems, don’t remember having to recover at all afterwards, walked home and got on with life as normal almost straight away.

Just been referred for some more scans as I’ve been suffering with very similar pain in my opposite shoulder for the last couple of months…the joys of being active and ageing! 🙂

Just caught up with this thread again and see that now I’ve ordered the SLX’s all the Mega fans have contributed